Hi-Rail Excavators
Footage filmed under controlled conditions by trained operators.
Hi-rail excavators, built in Newcastle.
Tracked and wheeled excavators from 5 to 20 tonnes, put on rail by our own team. Buy one complete or send us yours. Every machine is built to AS 7502:2025, tested on our track and handed over with its compliance pack.
200+
Machines on rail
Hi-rail builds since our first in 2002, most of them excavators, for more than 50 contractors, hire fleets and network owners.
5–20 t
Tracked or wheeled
From compact 5 t machines to 20 t wheeled excavators. Nine makes so far, including Yanmar, Hitachi, Volvo, Caterpillar and Komatsu.
Any gauge
610 to 1600 mm
Standard, narrow, broad and cane railway gauges, plus dual-gauge machines: narrow/standard or standard/broad.
AS 7502
Compliance done
Built to AS 7502:2025 with third-party design certification, compliance plates and the RIM submission prepared for you.
Features
- Hydraulic rail drive with spring-applied brakes
- Insulated steel rail wheels, ANZR-1 profile
- Pivoting axle
- Anti-derailment mechanism
- Stable oscillation
- In-cab hi-rail indicator and alarm
- GPS speedometer
- Purpose-built hi-rail swing frame
- Tow point with brake-release coupling
- Recovery hand pump
- Compliance plates and engineering pack
- Third-party design certification
- RIM submission prepared for you
- 200+ hi-rail machines built since 2002
- 5 to 20 t, tracked or wheeled
- Narrow, standard or broad; single or dual gauge
- Built to AS 7502:2025, third-party certified
- Anti-derailment mechanism and stable oscillation
- Buy one complete, or we convert yours
Downloads
Which size suits the job?
Same rail gear and compliance pack across the range. Tell us the work and we'll match the machine.
7–9 t
Most builtOur most-built size
- Yanmar ViO80, Volvo ECR88, Hitachi ZX85 class
- 15 km/h on rail, tows 8 t (ViO80)
- Full ViO80 specs below
13–15 t
More reach, more lift
- Hitachi ZX135, Komatsu PC138, Volvo ECR145 class
- 2WD or 4WD rail drive
- Standard, narrow or broad gauge
14–20 t wheeled
Rubber-tyred excavators
- Volvo EW160, Develon DX140W, Cat M316 class
- Tyres drive on the rail head, self-adjusting for wear
- Tow hitch with 16 t drawbar
How a build works
01
Tell us the job
Network, gauge, the work and whether you already have a machine. We'll recommend the size.
02
We build it
Hi-rail frame, rail gear, brakes and controls made and fitted in our Newcastle workshop.
03
We test it
Brake, stability and wheel insulation tests on our own track before it leaves.
04
Compliance done
AS 7502 engineering, third-party certification and the RIM submission, prepared for you.
05
Kept on track
Inspections, re-certification, repairs and parts from the same team.
Two excavators, one possession
A pair of converted Yanmar excavators working a section together.
Brake tested on our track
Every machine is brake tested on rail before it leaves the workshop.
Footage filmed under controlled conditions by trained operators.
Technical specifications
8 t example: Yanmar ViO80
- Base machine
- Yanmar ViO80-1
- Engine
- Yanmar 4TNV98C, 39.3 kW
- Set-up
- Zero tail swing, or counterweight for more lift
- Size (L × W × H)
- 6,500 × 2,270 × 3,200 mm
- Tare / GVM (with counterweight)
- 10.39 t / 11.525 t
- Axle capacity
- 7,000 kg
ViO80 rail system
- Max rail speed
- 15 km/h
- Towing capacity
- 8,000 kg
- Rail drive
- 2 × hydraulic motors
- Rail wheels
- Ø465 / Ø420 mm, insulated
- Brakes
- Spring-applied, hydraulic release
- Stability
- Anti-derailment mechanism, stable oscillation
- Compliance
- AS 7502:2025
The range
- Machine size
- 5 to 20 t, tracked or wheeled
- Makes converted
- Yanmar, Hitachi, Volvo, Caterpillar, Komatsu, Kobelco, Case, Develon, Hyundai
- Gauges
- 610 · 1067 · 1435 · 1600 mm
- Dual gauge
- Narrow/standard or standard/broad
- Supply
- Complete machine, or fitted to yours
Options & accessories
PLC control system
Hi-rail functions run from one in-cab screen.
Slew, height & reach limiter
Keeps the boom inside the work zone, clear of overhead wiring and the next line.
Idler park brakes
Independent park brakes on the idler axle.
Rear counterweight
More lift on rail. Tail swing is no longer zero.
Front operator guard
Guard across the front of the cab.
Attachments
Tiltrotators, sleeper grabs, tamper, ballast broom, undercutter, buckets, ripper and hammer.
Attachments for your hi-rail excavator
Part of Road Rail Vehicles & Hi-Rail — browse the full range.
Ready to talk equipment?
Call our Newcastle team or send an enquiry — we answer with real engineering advice, not a call centre.