TranzRail ATV Hi-Rail

  This vehicle is a demonstration of New Zealand ingenuity.

As far as I know there is only the one.

Tim Moore, pictured, who works for Transfield undertaking track inspection work on the New Zealand Network, then owned by TranzRail, developed this All Terain Vehicle/Hirail from a Polaris Quad Bike. The bike was seen as a good compromise between a full on road-rail vehicle, and replacing exisiting light section cars with something such as the Alumi-Cart.

At the time, an Alumi-cart cost NZ$21,000, whereas the ATV option was developed for NZ$11,000

The bike required some minor modification to allow it to run on the New Zealand gauge of 42", including the installation of spacers to bring the wheels out enough to sit on the rail head.

Tim reports that the vehicle rides well despite its knobbly tyres, and is easily set on and off at road crossings. It is road legal with a cruising speed of about 50Km/h. He also advises that having something that can go almost anywere has made the task that much easier.

Fairmonts' Variation on a Theme

Photos provided by courtesy of Tim Moore, who owns the copyright.

Based on an article originally published in "Trackside", magazine of the Australian Society of Section Car Operators Inc

Photos reproduced with Consent. Text © Nic Doncaster

Developed September 2003 Updated September 2, 2007