Brookfield Rail

Brookfield Rail

Dual gauge Eastern Railway line in July 2007
Industry	Railway infrastructure owner
Predecessor	Australian Railroad Group
Founded	2006
Headquarters	Welshpool
Area served	Western Australia
Key people	Paul Larsen (CEO)
Total assets	lease on 5,500 km Western Australia rail network until 2049
Parent	Brookfield Infrastructure Partners
Website	www.brookfieldrail.com

Brookfield Rail is a rail infrastructure owner and access provider in Western Australia with a long-term lease on the network from the Government of Western Australia. Brookfield Rail operates approximately 5,500 km of standard, narrow and dual gauge rail infrastructure in the southern half of WA, which serves as a crucial transport link in the region.

In December 2000, the State Government privatised Westrail, with the Australian Railroad Group, a 50/50 joint venture between United States rail operator Genesee & Wyoming and Australian rural services company Wesfarmers, the successful bidder. Included in the sale was a 49-year lease on the below rail infrastructure network. This part of the business was rebranded as WestNet Rail.

On 1 June 2006 Australian Railroad Group was sold with the above rail rolling stock and terminal assets passing to QR National, and the below rail infrastructure business to Babcock & Brown Infrastructure. Initially Babcock & Brown held a 51% shareholding, the remaining 49% being held by minority shareholders with Babcock & Brown having an option to increase its holding. In March 2008 Babcock & Brown increased its shareholding to 76%. It later took full ownership.

In late 2009, Babcock & Brown Infrastructure was renamed Prime Infrastructure and again by December 2010 to Brookfield Infrastructure Partners following Brookfield Asset Management's purchase of the business. In August 2011, WestNet Rail was rebranded as Brookfield Rail.

Brookfield Rail has a lease until 2049 on 5,500 kilometres (3,400 mi) of rail infrastructure throughout the southern half of Western Australia, from Geraldton in the north, to Leonora and Kalgoorlie in the east, and south to Esperance, Albany and Bunbury.