Ballast cleaning

Heavy haul and mainline networks rely on clean, free-draining ballast to maintain track geometry, manage axle loads and extend asset life. Over time, fouling and contamination reduce formation performance and increase maintenance risk. Mechanised ballast cleaning restores track integrity in situ, improving drainage, stability and long-term corridor resilience.

Delivered through an integrated “Fence-to-Fence Betterment” model and supported by eight decades of international rail engineering expertise within Swietelsky Global, high-output programs have renewed more than 330 kilometres of track across Australia.

330+

kilometres

heavy haul ballast cleaning delivered nationwide

430,000+

tonnes

ballast recycled and reused in live rail corridors

>98%

material reuse rate

through mechanised in-situ ballast recovery

Explore our mechanised ballast cleaning capability, operational scale and ISO-certified systems.

Download our Capability Statement

The process

Mechanised ballast cleaning restores formation depth while maximising in-situ material reuse. The process reduces reliance on virgin quarry materials and limits disposal to landfill.

98% material recovery:

Our programs achieve greater than 98% reuse or recycling of ballast spoil material.

Diversion from landfill:

To date, our Hunter Valley program alone has recycled over 430,000 tonnes of material, diverting more than 15,000 truckloads from landfill.

Betterment beyond the track:

Recovered materials are repurposed for corridor improvements, including over 500km of drainage upgrades and 300km of access-road renewals.

Transforming rail asset performance through betterment

Ballast cleaning is more than maintenance; it is the foundation of track longevity. By restoring drainage and track elasticity, effective ballast rehabilitation extends the life of rail assets and ensures the dependability of services across the passenger, freight, and mining sectors.

Since 2014, mechanised ballast cleaning has been a core operational focus within Australia. As the only maintenance provider in Australia with ballast cleaning as its core activity, we provide a level of mechanised expertise that is unmatched. Our "Fence-to-Fence Betterment" approach goes beyond standard cleaning to proactively rehabilitate the entire corridor—ensuring our clients' networks remain resilient, compliant, and efficient.

Backed by our global "Building Ever Better" strategy, our dedicated team and state-of-the-art fleet deliver the technical precision required to eliminate speed restrictions and exceed modern ESG expectations.

State-of-the-art fleet

High-output ballast cleaning capability is supported by specialised Plasser & Theurer equipment configured for plain line and turnout operations.

RM95 RT: high output precision

We are equipped with a RM95, which is a high output ballast cleaning machine for plain track and turnouts. The RM95 is the most powerful standard gauge ballast cleaning machine in the Plasser & Theurer production range. It is fitted with a high-capacity vibration screen with compensation of superelevation and data acquisition recorder.

RM80 UHR: proven reliability

The RM80 is a high-performance ballast cleaning machine for plain track and turnouts. It is fitted with a high-powered cutting chain and specially designed screening unit to ensure high working speeds, even in poor ballast conditions. The equipment is also fitted with a high-capacity vibration screen with compensation of superelevation and Data acquisition recorder.

MFC 45 material handling wagons

The MFC 45 are single line spoil and material handling wagons, specially built and designed for use by SRA. The material conveyor and hopper units serve both to supply material and to transport the excavated material away without using the adjacent track. The excavated material can be unloaded to temporary storage sites or onto wagons/trucks via swivelling conveyor belts fitted to each wagon.

MFS material handling wagons

The MFS material conveyor and hopper units serve both to supply material and to transport the excavated material away without using the adjacent track. The excavated material can be unloaded to temporary storage sites or onto wagons/trucks via swivelling conveyor belts.

Protecting our waterways and soil

We are actively reducing the environmental risk of our operations.

Biodegradable Fleet

Over 50% of our operational fleet now utilises Panolin bio-based hydraulic oils, which are non-toxic and rapidly biodegradable.

Emissions Reduction

Through fleet modernisation and smarter logistics, we are on a defined pathway to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 10% by 2027.

Frequently asked questions

What are the environmental benefits of mechanised ballast cleaning?

Mechanised cleaning promotes a circular economy by recycling over 98% of existing ballast. This reduces the demand for new quarry materials and significantly lowers the carbon footprint associated with heavy vehicle transport and landfill waste.

How does SRA’s ballast cleaning improve network reliability?

By removing "fines" (dirt and broken stone) and restoring drainage, our process eliminates the primary cause of track instability. This allows operators to remove Temporary Speed Restrictions (TSRs) and restore tracks to full operational line speed.

Does SRA offer "fence-to-fence" track maintenance?

Yes. Beyond ballast cleaning, SRA provides a "Betterment" model that includes drainage excavation, geofabric installation, level crossing renewals, and access road construction, ensuring the entire rail corridor is improved during a single possession.

Is Swietelsky Rail Australia an ESG-certified partner?

SRA operates under a 2025–2027 ESG Strategy supported by ISO-certified systems.