martu opportunity cost, page-52

In this type of country an alternative method is to build a 150km railway line - say single track with passing loops. This is the way a lot of agricultural land in Australia was opened up.

There are plently of loco and rolling stock workshops associated with Newman.

The route appears to be pretty flat and railways require much less maintenance than roads in this environment.

All the equipment and construction gear can be flat-topped in and out on the railway.

Additionally, railways are much more fuel efficient than trucks with a lot less drivers required. Upscaling production just means running some more train trips.