SAR Peterborough-Quorn
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When the standard gauge (4'8.5" - 1435mm) '''Transcontinental Railway''' from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Kalgoolie''' was completed in 1917, the '''Peterborough-Quorn Line''' became the route for all Transcontinental and Central Australia rail traffic until 1932 when a more direct line from '''Port Pirie''' to '''Port Augusta''' was completed.<br> | When the standard gauge (4'8.5" - 1435mm) '''Transcontinental Railway''' from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Kalgoolie''' was completed in 1917, the '''Peterborough-Quorn Line''' became the route for all Transcontinental and Central Australia rail traffic until 1932 when a more direct line from '''Port Pirie''' to '''Port Augusta''' was completed.<br> | ||
| − | During the 1940s many of the passing loops on the line were significantly lengthened to handle the longer troop and military freight trains.<br> | + | During the 1940s many of the passing loops on the line were significantly lengthened to handle the longer troop and military freight trains. During the 1950s several passing loops were removed due to declining traffic on the line.<br> |
| − | The '''Central Australia Railway''' was converted to standard gauge and bypassed '''Quorn''' in 1950 and the original narrow gauge line was terminated at '''Hawker''' in 1956.<br> | + | The '''Central Australia Railway''' was converted to standard gauge and bypassed '''Quorn''' in 1950 and the original narrow gauge line was terminated at '''Hawker''' in 1956. The line from '''Port Pirie''' to '''Broken Hill''' was converted to standard gauge during 1969-1970 which isolated the '''Peterborough-Quorn''' line from the rest of the narrow gauge network.<br> |
| − | The | + | The line roughly follows a meteorological line (an '''Isohyet''') that defines the rainfall and thus the types of agriculture that can be conducted in the region. To the west of the line the annual rainfall was sufficient to grow a single grain crop each year. To the east the rainfall was insufficient for crops and was only suitable for raising livestock. Grain and livestock are the two main products of this region.<br> |
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The line from '''Eurelia''' to '''Quorn''' was closed in 1987 followed by the closure of the line from '''Peterborough''' to '''Eurelia''' in 1988. The last scheduled services on the line were grain movements from '''Orroroo''' in 1988.<br> | The line from '''Eurelia''' to '''Quorn''' was closed in 1987 followed by the closure of the line from '''Peterborough''' to '''Eurelia''' in 1988. The last scheduled services on the line were grain movements from '''Orroroo''' in 1988.<br> | ||
| − | By 2008 most of the line had been lifted with the original track preserved in only a few places of significance. | + | By 2008 most of the line had been lifted with the original track preserved in only a few places of significance.<br> |
| − | <span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Passenger Services:</span | + | <span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Passenger Services:</span><br> |
The planners believed that the new line would attract many new settlers, industries and businesses to the region and would generate significant passenger traffic. As a result many of the stations were built in a "grand style". The reality never lived up to the expectations.<br> | The planners believed that the new line would attract many new settlers, industries and businesses to the region and would generate significant passenger traffic. As a result many of the stations were built in a "grand style". The reality never lived up to the expectations.<br> | ||
In the 1890s 6 return passenger services a week were timetabled - all were mixed services with a passenger car attached to a freight train. The journey time from '''Peterborough''' to '''Quorn''' was just over 4 hours.<br> | In the 1890s 6 return passenger services a week were timetabled - all were mixed services with a passenger car attached to a freight train. The journey time from '''Peterborough''' to '''Quorn''' was just over 4 hours.<br> | ||
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| + | An express passenger service, the '''East-West Express''', ran from '''Terowie''' to '''Port Augusta''' via the '''Peterborough-Quorn Line''' from 1917 to 1932.<br> | ||
In the 1952 timetable only 3 return passenger services were provided each week, again all mixed, and the travel time had increased to nearly 6 hours. | In the 1952 timetable only 3 return passenger services were provided each week, again all mixed, and the travel time had increased to nearly 6 hours. | ||
Revision as of 11:20, 23 January 2021
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