Major Projects & Infrastructure, Track & Civil Construction

Taylor Rail spreads its wings

Taylor Rail

A stalwart of the Australian rail industry, Taylor Rail is expanding to meet the growing pipeline of rail construction work around the country.

While many things have changed over five decades, this independent Australian owned rail maintenance and infrastructure company still attributes its success to attracting and retaining great people. Rail specialists that take pride in their work and put their customers first.

Led by owners Mark Wroblewski and Peter Kessler, Taylor Rail has signalled its intentions to play its part in Australia’s rail renaissance.

Over the last 12 months Taylor Rail has doubled its turnover and increased staff and its rail plant fleet to meet the challenge of strong volumes of forward work.

“While maintenance has always been a backbone of our work in hand, we have been delighted to have increased our presence in construction over the term with Inland Rail, the Level Crossing Removal Project and the Port Botany expansion projects reflecting a more sophisticated service offering” said CEO, Peter Kessler.

Wroblewski added,“We have also opened up capabilities in civil construction, overhead wiring, RSO support and BOOT builds in rail infrastructure which has made Taylor Rail a more complete rail business.”

Michael Simons – ARTC area manager, Junee to Yass, said that Taylor Rail took a professional approach to the Cootamundra Yard Upgrade Project in 2020.

“Supported by proven systems for induction, site access and clear methods of safe working, the whole operation was well managed and organised and focused on achievement with pace. It was also great to see the close working relationship with ARTC personnel.”

Taylor Rail contributed to the Parkes to Narromine section of Inland Rail.

RECENT PROJECTS & PROGRAM MAINTENANCE
1. Port Botany Upgrade – Stage 1
Taylor Rail Australia has been awarded the first of three stages of Patrick’s Port Botany upgrade project as the specialist rail contractor to civil contractor, Mainland Civil.

Stage 1 is already complete and included four rail sidings built to ARTC standards and extensive crane runways featuring 800m of MRS86kg rail using Gantrail plates and fastenings.

“Our vital operational, safety and environmental needs and requirements have always and will continue to be met by Taylor Rail with flexibility, professionalism and conformance,” said Khaled Elomar – construction manager, Sydney Autostrad Terminal, Patrick.

2. Level Crossing Removal Project, Vic
Taylor Rail is engaged as a long-term partner to provide all rail specialist construction services to support the Metropolitan Roads Program Alliance (MRPA). Currently this program of works includes six level crossings where Taylor Rail provides specialist engineering, demolition, overhead traction and a rail construction capability to MRPA.

3. Parkes to Narromine, ARTC Inland Rail
Taylor Rail Australia is currently undertaking, in a 50:50 joint venture, the construction of 115km of track demolition and new track construction between Parkes to Narromine. Scope includes the installation of 190,000 sleepers, 330,000 tonnes of ballast, 110 culvert crossings, 2,400 welds across the project, 31 turnouts, 33 concrete level crossings and 15 steel deck level crossings. The company has self-performed the majority of the work and have set new benchmarks in productivity and quality.

4. Network Maintenance, Sydney Trains
Over 10 years, as part of its Master Services Agreement, Taylor Rail has supplied resurfacing and other maintenance services to Sydney Trains’ 800km heavy rail network. This includes emergency response and round-the-clock weekend possession style coverage.

A SAFETY FIRST APPROACH TO CONSTRUCTION
Across all of its projects, Taylor Rail has a zero-harm safety model that operates to clear corporate guidelines. Its safety culture reflects an empowered workforce that is led on the ground by its field supervisors, who play an active part in making their workplace safe every working shift.

“We are delighted that at the end of the first quarter 2020-2021, after much hard work, the company has achieved its first 12-month rolling average Total Recordable Injury Frequency Ratio
of zero,” Wroblewski said.

Taylor Rail’s recent Plasser 09-2X addition to its extensive Resurfacing fleet.

THE FUTURE OF TAYLOR RAIL
Wroblewski and Kessler are buoyant about the future of Taylor Rail and know that the current state and federal investment in rail maintenance and upgrades to metro, urban and regional networks, represents a once in a generational opportunity.

“It’s an exciting time to be in the rail game,” Kessler said. “While we are always working to improve the business we have much to offer.”

“Taylor Rail bring considerable rail know- how to the table and a constructive attitude that we really value. Without a doubt, they are a great example of a contractor that works hard on its client relationships and looking to leave a positive legacy on every project they tackle,” said Seth Rogers, Pacific National’s head of sales and commercial, coal.