SAR Port Augusta-Hawker
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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'''.<br> | 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'''.<br> | ||
| − | Despite crossing some of the driest parts of the continent the line was often damaged by severe flooding. | + | Despite crossing some of the driest parts of the continent the line was often damaged by severe flooding. There were ocassions where trains and passengers were stranded for days by flood waters and track washouts.<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> | 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> | ||
| − | In the 1950s a new standard gauge ( | + | In the 1950s a new standard gauge (4' 8.5", 1435mm) 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. Passengers 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 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 16:42, 10 August 2021
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