--- title: Rhyndaston Tunnel Renewal Project date: 2026-06-22T11:42:00+10:00 author: Kirsten Woolley canonical_url: "https://tasrail.com.au/rhyndaston-tunnel-renewal-project" section: Site Content --- 1. [ Home](https://tasrail.com.au/) 2. [ About us ](https://tasrail.com.au/about-us) 3. [ Capital Projects ](https://tasrail.com.au/projects) 4. Rhyndaston Tunnel Renewal Project # Rhyndaston Tunnel Renewal Project Investing in the future of Tasmania's rail network TasRail, in conjunction with Shaw Contracting, has successfully completed the Rhyndaston Tunnel Renewal Project, delivering a major upgrade to one of the most important and historic pieces of rail infrastructure in Tasmania. Located in the Southern Midlands, Rhyndaston Tunnel is Tasmania's longest railway tunnel. At almost one kilometre in length, the tunnel has carried freight and passenger trains through the state's heartland since the 1870s and remains a critical link on the north-south freight corridor. The completed project has renewed more than one kilometre of track infrastructure, including replacement of ballast, rail and sleepers throughout the tunnel. The upgrade will help ensure safe, reliable freight movements through the tunnel for decades to come. ## **A unique piece of Tasmanian history** Rhyndaston Tunnel was excavated between 1873 and 1876 using hand drilling and explosives, representing a remarkable engineering achievement for its time. In the 1960s, the tunnel was enlarged using a tunnel boring machine known as "The Mole", allowing larger freight trains and containers to pass through safely. Nearly 150 years after the tunnel first opened, this latest renewal project, under Tranche Four of the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program (TFRRP), continues that legacy of investment and innovation. ## **Working underground** While the project covered a relatively short section of track, the environment presented significant challenges. Working within a confined tunnel required: - Restricted access and limited working space - Continuous air-quality monitoring - Specialised safety controls and personal protective equipment - Low-emission equipment suitable for underground operation - Careful coordination around rail operations - Precise planning to maintain safe clearances for freight trains To improve long-term performance in the tunnel's damp environment, more than 1,300 galvanised steel sleepers were installed, along with corrosion protection measures for rail infrastructure in wetter sections. ## **Supporting Tasmania's freight future** The Rhyndaston Tunnel Renewal Project forms part of TasRail's ongoing investment in maintaining and improving Tasmania's rail freight network. The upgraded infrastructure will deliver: - Improved track reliability - Enhanced freight corridor resilience - Reduced maintenance requirements - Improved operational performance - Long-term safety benefits for rail operations The project also supported local industry, with Tasmanian suppliers contributing to the delivery of key materials and services. ## **A collaborative achievement** TasRail thanks Shaw Contracting, project designers Pitt & Sherry, suppliers, contractors and TasRail employees who contributed to the successful delivery of this important project. Together, their expertise, planning and commitment have helped secure the future of one of Tasmania's most significant rail assets and strengthened a freight corridor that supports communities and businesses across the state. TasRail and its key project partners have successfully completed the Rhyndaston Tunnel Renewal Project, upgrading track infrastructure inside Tasmania’s longest rail tunnel and the most important link on our north-south freight network. [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 100](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23573/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-100.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23573/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-100.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 108](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23572/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-108.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23572/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-108.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 125](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23571/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-125.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23571/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-125.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 131](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23570/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-131.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23570/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-131.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 134](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23569/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-134.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23569/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-134.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 138](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23568/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-138.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23568/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-138.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 139](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23567/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-139.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23567/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-139.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 147](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23565/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-147.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23565/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-147.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 151](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23564/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-151.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23564/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-151.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 273](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23563/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-273.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23563/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-273.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston170426 205](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23562/Tasrail-Rhyndaston170426-205.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23562/Tasrail-Rhyndaston170426-205.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston170426 207](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23561/Tasrail-Rhyndaston170426-207.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23561/Tasrail-Rhyndaston170426-207.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston170426 215](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23560/Tasrail-Rhyndaston170426-215.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23560/Tasrail-Rhyndaston170426-215.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 140 1](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23559/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-140-1.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23559/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-140-1.webp) [ ![Tasrail Rhyndaston160426 226](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23557/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-226.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23557/Tasrail-Rhyndaston160426-226.webp) [ ![Photo 18 2 2026 13 12 20](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23583/Photo-18-2-2026-13-12-20.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23583/Photo-18-2-2026-13-12-20.webp) [ ![Photo 18 2 2026 12 39 50](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23582/Photo-18-2-2026-12-39-50.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23582/Photo-18-2-2026-12-39-50.webp) [ ![20260218 020838706 i OS](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23581/20260218_020838706_iOS.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23581/20260218_020838706_iOS.webp) [ ![20260218 020809716 i OS](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23580/20260218_020809716_iOS.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23580/20260218_020809716_iOS.webp) [ ![20260218 020732130 i OS](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_700x450_crop_center-center_60_none/23579/20260218_020732130_iOS.webp) ](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/LLEP/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_60_none/23579/20260218_020732130_iOS.webp)