martu opportunity cost, page-58

The Alice Springs - Darwin line cost around $1 million/km with 90 bridges/flood culverts/high speed of 110 km per hr and high axle load trains. The grade was also maintained at about 1% with the associated earthworks.

The Reward line would transport around 2,000 tonnes/per day or 1 train daily. It could backload supplies etc. to the mine site.

With low loads and low frequency a much lighter line could be built - I mean iron ore lines are designed for 100 million tonnes a year and up.

A longer term plan would be to get access to the Newman rail system.