ARTICLE
Queensland rail projects require equipment configured for the network, worksite and operating environment. This guide explores how Anric’s BEAR, ZX65-RR, ZX95-RRmg and rail trailers can support narrow-gauge construction, maintenance and renewal works.
Queensland’s rail network presents specific challenges for contractors delivering construction, maintenance and renewal works.
Much of the state’s network operates on 1,067 mm narrow gauge, meaning rail plant must be correctly configured for the network, worksite and operating environment. However, gauge compatibility is only one part of selecting the right equipment.
Project teams must also consider access, lifting requirements, working clearances, attachments, towing capacity, material movements and the volume of work that must be completed within each possession window.
Anric Group supports narrow-gauge rail projects with a combination of compact road rail excavators, higher-capacity rail plant and rail trailers that can be selected around the specific requirements of each work package.
There is no single machine that is suitable for every rail project.
Equipment that is too large can create unnecessary access, clearance and mobilisation challenges. Equipment that is too small may restrict lifting capacity, reach, towing capability and overall production.
Before selecting rail plant, project teams should confirm:
The most effective fleet configuration is usually one that assigns each machine a clearly defined role rather than relying on one asset to complete every task.
Anric’s narrow-gauge capability includes compact RRVs, higher-capacity rail excavators and rail trailers for moving tools, attachments, components and construction materials through the worksite.
| Equipment | Best Suited To |
|---|---|
| Hitachi ZX65-RR | Restricted access, lighter excavation, attachment work and smaller material movements |
| Hitachi ZX95-RRmg | Medium-capacity lifting, excavation, attachment work and multi-gauge projects |
| Liebherr 928 BEAR | Higher-capacity lifting, rail handling, pick-and-carry work and complex work packages |
| 5t Rail Trailer | Tools, attachments, components and smaller quantities of project materials |
| 20t Rail Trailer | Larger components, bulk materials and higher-volume worksite logistics |
The Hitachi ZX65-RR is a compact 6-tonne crawler road rail vehicle suited to projects where access, manoeuvrability and versatility are critical.
Its smaller footprint makes it a practical option for station environments, yards, sidings and restricted sections of the rail corridor where introducing larger equipment may create unnecessary access or clearance constraints.
The ZX65-RR can support a range of activities, including:
The machine can also tow suitably configured 5t rail trailers, allowing it to support local material movements, tools and attachment transport without relying on repeated access to road vehicles.
The ZX65-RR is generally best suited to lighter-duty works where compact dimensions and flexibility are more important than maximum lifting or towing capacity.
The Hitachi ZX95-RRmg is a 9-tonne crawler road rail vehicle designed and built by Anric’s engineering division.
Its multi-gauge capability allows the machine to be configured for narrow, standard and broad-gauge rail networks, making it a flexible option for contractors operating across multiple Australian jurisdictions.
Compared with the ZX65-RR, the ZX95-RRmg provides greater reach, lifting capacity and towing capability while maintaining a relatively compact short-tail-swing configuration.
The machine can support:
The ZX95-RRmg is also fitted with an Engcon tiltrotator system and height and slew restriction technology, providing additional flexibility and control in constrained rail environments.
For many projects, the ZX95-RRmg provides a useful middle ground between smaller compact RRVs and significantly larger rail excavators.
For heavier and more complex rail works, the Liebherr 928 BEAR provides increased lifting, stability and material-handling capability.
The BEAR is a 29-tonne hi-rail excavator equipped with Anric’s specialised rail system. It can operate across narrow and standard-gauge networks, allowing it to support rail projects in Queensland and other Australian jurisdictions.
The system uses four-point active rail suspension to automatically respond to cant and track conditions. This assists with maintaining stability and control during lifting and material-handling activities.
The BEAR can operate in both high-ride and low-ride rail configurations. This allows the machine to be configured around the work activity, corridor conditions and infrastructure clearances.
Potential applications include:
The BEAR is not intended to replace compact machines such as the ZX65-RR or ZX95-RRmg. It fills a different role within the fleet.
On larger projects, the BEAR can undertake primary lifting, rail handling and pick-and-carry activities while smaller RRVs complete detailed excavation, attachment work or material distribution elsewhere within the worksite.
Rail trailers can significantly improve worksite logistics by allowing tools, attachments, track components and construction materials to move along the corridor without repeated travel back to road access points.
The appropriate trailer should be selected based on the payload, host machine, braking requirements, worksite conditions and the type of material being transported.
Anric’s 5t rail trailer is a low-deck flatbed trailer suited to smaller material movements and compact rail plant configurations.
Typical loads may include:
A 5t trailer may be suited to restricted worksites, station environments and maintenance projects where manoeuvrability is important and the required payload remains relatively modest.
For projects involving heavier components or larger material volumes, a 20t rail trailer can provide a more efficient logistics solution.
Potential uses include:
The 20t trailer is intended to operate with suitably configured larger hi-rail equipment. Selection should consider load distribution, track conditions, towing capacity, braking systems and applicable network requirements.
Narrow-gauge rail plant should be planned as a coordinated fleet rather than a collection of individual machines.
| Project Requirement | Potential Fleet Configuration |
|---|---|
| Restricted station, yard or maintenance works | ZX65-RR with a 5t rail trailer |
| Medium-scale formation, drainage or attachment work | ZX95-RRmg with a suitably selected rail trailer |
| Heavy rail handling, renewals or larger material movements | BEAR with a 20t rail trailer |
| Complex possession with multiple workfaces | BEAR, ZX95-RRmg and ZX65-RR working together |
A mixed fleet can prevent larger equipment from becoming tied up completing detailed work that could be handled more effectively by a compact machine.
For example, the BEAR may complete primary rail-handling and lifting activities while the ZX95-RRmg supports medium-capacity excavation or attachment work and the ZX65-RR operates in restricted areas.
This approach allows project teams to assign equipment according to access, capacity and production requirements across the possession.
Early plant planning helps identify access, lifting and logistics issues before they become possession-day problems.
Before mobilisation, project teams should confirm:
Providing this information early allows the fleet configuration to be reviewed against the methodology rather than selecting machines based only on size or availability.
Complex rail projects rarely succeed through equipment selection alone.
Plant, operators, engineering, specialist attachments, transport, mobilisation and worksite logistics must operate as one coordinated system.
Anric Group can support Queensland contractors and delivery teams with:
This integrated approach can reduce the number of separate suppliers involved, improve possession readiness and provide clearer accountability across the work package.
Anric Group will be attending AusRAIL 2026 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 23 to 25 November 2026.
The event provides an opportunity for Queensland contractors, network representatives and project teams to discuss upcoming narrow-gauge works directly with the Anric team.
Visitors can learn more about Anric’s BEAR hi-rail excavator, ZX65-RR, ZX95-RRmg, rail trailers and broader rail delivery capability.
Tell us about your upcoming project and our team will contact you to discuss suitable support.
Contact us to discuss your upcoming project, possession programme and plant requirements.