Scenic World, Katoomba

Sector

Client

Scenic World

Architect

PMDL Architecture + Design

Contract

Construction Management

Role

Construction Management and Construction

Project Awards

National Awards:

2013 Master Builders Australia –
Toyota National Civil / Infrastructure Award (under $25 million)

2014 Australia Institute of Building National Professional Excellence in Building Awards –
Building Professional of the Year for Commercial Construction $10 million to $50 million awarded to Hylton Bloch

2014 Australia Institute of Building National Professional Excellence in Building Awards –
Professional Excellence Award for Commercial Construction $10 million to $50 million

New South Wales State Awards:

2013 NSW Master Builders Association –
Public Buildings $10,000,001 to $25,000,000

2013 NSW Master Builders Association –
Innovation Construction Technology/Equipment

2013 NSW Master Builders Association –
Best Use of Steel

2013 NSW Master Builders Association –
Site Safety Commercial Projects $10,000,001 to $25,000,000

2014 Australia Institute of Building NSW Professional Excellence in Building Awards –
Building Professional of the Year for Commercial Construction $10 million to $50 million awarded to Hylton Bloch

2014 Australia Institute of Building NSW Professional Excellence in Building Awards –
Professional Excellence Award for Commercial Construction $10 million to $50 million

2014 Australian Steel Institute NSW & ACT Steel Excellence Awards –
Steel Excellence in Engineering Project

The Scenic Railway in Katoomba New South Wales is the steepest passenger railway in the world. With a 52 degree gradient, the train descends 310 meters through a cliff-side tunnel, emerging into ancient rainforest at the Jamison Valley floor. Operating since 1945, the Scenic Railway has thrilled 25 million passengers during 700,000 journeys.

In 2012 Grindley was engaged to undertake a construction management role and to deliver a $30+ million upgrade to the railway and associated services. Works included laying of new tracks to accommodate larger Swiss designed railway carriages, upgraded buildings, a new winch and control systems, a complete rebuild of the top and bottom platforms and new restaurant and commercial facilities. To accommodate the new trains, the tunnel needed to be enlarged, which involved hand excavation and installation of 140 ton of mesh reinforced dry shotcrete, with 1.8m, 2.1m and 3.0m long rock bolts.

The Grindley team worked in and around the operating railway from March 2012 to January 2013 at which point the attraction was closed to the public and the team were able to work around the clock to finish the job by Easter. On Good Friday 2013 the site opened to the public once again.