Going undercover

Our Rail Team recently teamed up with the Roxby Downs site crew for the first time, successfully delivering a 28-day underground rail shutdown late last year.

Taking place 700 metres below ground, the project involved replacing 350 metres of worn rail and hold-down plates on the underground rail line responsible for transporting ore from the loading chute to the crusher.

This marked a significant milestone for the team, not only for the scale of work undertaken but also for the unique challenges of working in an underground environment.

The shutdown introduced new complexities, requiring meticulous planning, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

Unlike surface rail projects, working below ground came with a range of additional challenges:

• Limited visibility: The absence of natural light meant the team relied entirely on artificial lighting, requiring heightened situational awareness and precision.
• Ventilation and air quality: Dust, humidity, and restricted airflow required constant monitoring to maintain safe working conditions.
• Confined spaces and restricted movement: Unlike open rail networks, the underground setting had limited workspace, making manoeuvring equipment and personnel coordination far more complex.
• Safety protocols in an underground network: With constrained access and evacuation routes, strict emergency procedures were in place to ensure safety at all times.
• Psychological demands: Extended shifts in an artificial environment tested mental resilience, requiring the crew to stay focused, disciplined, and adaptable.

Despite these hurdles, the project was delivered safely and incident-free—showcasing the team’s ability to execute complex rail maintenance work under extreme conditions.

Since launching rail operations in 2018, Monadelphous has grown its in-house capabilities, expanding from an East Coast Rail customer base to a fully integrated operation supported by its Newcastle facility.

This project has strengthened collaboration between the Rail Team and the Roxby Downs site crew, laying the foundation for future partnerships in tackling complex underground rail maintenance work.