SAR Port Augusta-Hawker

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The route taken by the line in its southern section had more to do with local politics and influencial land owners than it did to good economic sense and practical railway engineering. Its route from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Quorn''' took it through the '''Flinders Ranges''' via the '''Pichi Richi Pass''' which required steep grades and tight curves. The route of the northern section was largely dictated by the availability of reliable water sources. The economics of the line was so poor that in the early 1900s it was considered for closure.<br>
 
The route taken by the line in its southern section had more to do with local politics and influencial land owners than it did to good economic sense and practical railway engineering. Its route from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Quorn''' took it through the '''Flinders Ranges''' via the '''Pichi Richi Pass''' which required steep grades and tight curves. The route of the northern section was largely dictated by the availability of reliable water sources. The economics of the line was so poor that in the early 1900s it was considered for closure.<br>
  
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When the southern section from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Maree''' was converted to standard gauge (1435mmm - 4ft 8.5in) in the early 1950s, the '''Flinders Ranges''' and '''Quorn''' were bypassed by a more direct and less difficult route. The '''Port Augusta''' to '''Quorn''' section was closed in 1956 although the section from '''Quorn''' to '''Summit''' was still in use by excursion trains from '''Peterborough''' in the 1960s. Also in 1956 the line from '''Quorn''' to '''Maree''' was terminated at '''Hawker''' while the section from '''Maree''' to '''Alice Springs''' remained in operation with passengers and freight forced to change trains from standard gauge to narrow gauge at '''Maree'''. The entire line to '''Alice Springs''', both standard gauge and narrow gauge, was closed in 1980 when a new standard gauge line to '''Alice Springs''' was opened on a totally new alignment that avoided all flood prone areas.<br>
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In the 1950s a new standard gauge (1435mm, 4' 8.5") line was built from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Maree''' which bypassed the '''Flinders Ranges''' and '''Quorn'''. The '''Port Augusta''' to '''Quorn''' narrow gauge line was closed in 1956 although the section from '''Quorn''' to '''Summit''' was still in use by excursion trains from '''Peterborough''' in the 1960s. Also in 1956 the line from '''Hawker''' to '''Maree''' was closed making '''Hawker''' the terminus of a much reduced line. Passenger and freight to '''Oodnadatta''' and '''Alice Springs''' changed trains from standard gauge to narrow gauge at '''Maree'''. The entire line to '''Alice Springs''', both standard gauge and narrow gauge, was eventually closed in 1980 when a new standard gauge line to '''Alice Springs''' was opened on a totally new alignment.<br>
  
 
The '''Quorn''' to '''Hawker''' section continued to be operated by the '''Commonwealth Railways''' using '''SAR''' locomotives and a mixture of '''CR''' and '''SAR''' rolling stock. The '''CR''' ran a single return freight service each week. There were no passenger services. This section of the line was eventually closed in 1972. The line from '''Peterborough''' to '''Quorn''' was closed in 1987/88.<br>
 
The '''Quorn''' to '''Hawker''' section continued to be operated by the '''Commonwealth Railways''' using '''SAR''' locomotives and a mixture of '''CR''' and '''SAR''' rolling stock. The '''CR''' ran a single return freight service each week. There were no passenger services. This section of the line was eventually closed in 1972. The line from '''Peterborough''' to '''Quorn''' was closed in 1987/88.<br>

Revision as of 22:43, 9 August 2021

Hawker Line Location Index Scenarios
Woolshed Flat
WaterLoopWYE
Summit
 

Quorn

Junction for Peterborough Line

CoalWaterShedTurntableLoopPassengersOils_FuelsGoodsGrain
Willochra
LoopLivestock
Gordon
LoopLivestock
Wilson
LoopLivestock
Hawker

Terminus

CoalWaterShedTurntableLoopLivestock

Symbols:
Coal Loco Coal Stage Fuel Bunker C Oil Fuel Point
Passengers Passenger Stop (Active) Passengers Passenger Stop (not Active)
Turntable Loco Turntable Shed Loco Shed
Water Loco Water Tank Wool Wool Bales
Goods Goods Facility Grain Grain Storage or Processing
Oils_Fuels Oil and Fuel Terminal Stockyard Stockyard
Loop Passing Loop WYE Turning Triangle or WYE

Line History:

Opened:  1879-1891
Length:  81km (Woolshed Flat - Hawker section)

Closed (in sections):  1956, 1972
Reopenned as a Heritage Railway:  1974-2001

Built as a narrow gauge (3' 6" - 1067mm) line from Port Augusta to Oodnadatta. It reached Quorn in 1879, Maree (372km, 231mi) in 1883 and Oodnadatta (770km, 478mi) in 1891. Originally known as the SAR Northern Line, it was transferred from the SAR to the Commonwealth Railways in the early 1920s. In 1926-29 it was extended to Alice Springs (1241km, 771mi) near the centre of the continent and then became known as the Central Australia Line.

Despite crossing some of the driest parts of the continent the line was often damaged by severe flooding. Stories of trains and passengers stranded for days by flood waters and track washouts were common.

The route taken by the line in its southern section had more to do with local politics and influencial land owners than it did to good economic sense and practical railway engineering. Its route from Port Augusta to Quorn took it through the Flinders Ranges via the Pichi Richi Pass which required steep grades and tight curves. The route of the northern section was largely dictated by the availability of reliable water sources. The economics of the line was so poor that in the early 1900s it was considered for closure.

In the 1950s a new standard gauge (1435mm, 4' 8.5") line was built from Port Augusta to Maree which bypassed the Flinders Ranges and Quorn. The Port Augusta to Quorn narrow gauge line was closed in 1956 although the section from Quorn to Summit was still in use by excursion trains from Peterborough in the 1960s. Also in 1956 the line from Hawker to Maree was closed making Hawker the terminus of a much reduced line. Passenger and freight to Oodnadatta and Alice Springs changed trains from standard gauge to narrow gauge at Maree. The entire line to Alice Springs, both standard gauge and narrow gauge, was eventually closed in 1980 when a new standard gauge line to Alice Springs was opened on a totally new alignment.

The Quorn to Hawker section continued to be operated by the Commonwealth Railways using SAR locomotives and a mixture of CR and SAR rolling stock. The CR ran a single return freight service each week. There were no passenger services. This section of the line was eventually closed in 1972. The line from Peterborough to Quorn was closed in 1987/88.

The Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society restored the entire narrow gauge line from Quorn to Port Augusta in stages from 1974 to 2001. They operate regular steam and diesel hauled passenger services between Quorn and Woolshed Flat and between Port Augusta and Quorn.

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