Auckland's Manco Rail wins big Sydney tunnel tender

Auckland company Manco Rail has given New Zealand's engineering sector a boost by securing a contract to supply specialised equipment for two 15km rail tunnels being built under Sydney Harbour.

The New South Wales Government, via Sydney Metro Trains, is in the advanced stages of building the north and south tunnels under Sydney Harbour.

Manco rail's excavators, "tugs" and other custom-designed heavy equipment will be used to lay tracks and install overhead wire to help power the trains.

Manco Engineering's sole owner and managing director Bryan Black told the Herald the Sydney tunnel contract was worth tens of millions.

Black says Manco has also won a $7m train maintenance contract, and has also been successful in a tender to supply equipment for a tunnel that will be dug under the Brisbane river.

It's time for engineering to get more credit for its role NZ's economy, Black says.

"There's more to New Zealand than farming and forestry."

Manco staff before the first shipment of equipment to Sydney. Photo / Supplied

He says the new contracts have created 40 jobs - allowing Manco Rail to hire senior engineers jettisoned by Air New Zealand.