Sale of South Maitland Railways Pty Limited (SMR)

On 2 March 2022, 100% of shares in SMR were acquired by Aurizon Operations Limited, a subsidiary of Aurizon Holdings Limited.

Aurizon Holdings Limited is Australia’s largest rail freight operator and a publicly listed company with a market capitalisation of $7.12B. It derives revenue from the operation of rail freight infrastructure and transportation. Aurizon employs approximately 4,830 full-time employees, operates throughout Australia, and is administered by its head office in Fortitude Valley, Queensland.

Fundamentally, little has changed with SMR as a result of the acquisition. All staff have been retained and SMR will continue to operate as an open access rail facility. Over the coming months you may see some obvious changes such as new signage. Not as obvious is the most significant change to SMR in many decades. As a business of Aurizon, SMR will now be provided the direction and support of a large national company in the form of systems, safety, financial, commercial etc.

I believe with this acquisition, SMR’s future has been secured and its long history in rail will continue for many years to come.

Receipt of guards van KHG 34226.

This week SMR received delivery at EGJ of guards van KHG 34226. This was purchased from and delivered by East Coast Heritage Rail (ECHR). It is intended that this van will be fitted out as a workshop, meal room and toilet. Our thanks to everyone at ECHR who assisted so ably in the purchase and delivery.