SAR Port Augusta-Hawker
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<td align="right"> <!-- Insert "Junction for"/Terminus/Broad Gauge graphics --> | <td align="right"> <!-- Insert "Junction for"/Terminus/Broad Gauge graphics --> | ||
− | <span style="font-weight: 700; color: white;">Junction for</span> [[Image:PeterboroughLine.png|link=|alt=Peterborough Line]] | + | <span style="font-weight: 700; color: white;">Junction for</span> [[Image:PeterboroughLine.png|link=SAR Peterborough-Quorn|alt=Quorn Line|Peterborough-Quorn Line]] |
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<span style="font-weight: 700; background-color: black; color: white;">Reopened (in sections): </span> '''Port Augusta''' to '''Quorn''' 1974-2001 as a Heritage Railway<br> | <span style="font-weight: 700; background-color: black; color: white;">Reopened (in sections): </span> '''Port Augusta''' to '''Quorn''' 1974-2001 as a Heritage Railway<br> | ||
− | Built as a narrow gauge ( | + | Built as a narrow gauge (3ft6in - 1067mm) line from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Oodnadatta'''. It reached '''Quorn''' (39km, 24mi) in 1879, '''Maree''' (372km, 231mi) in 1883 and '''Oodnadatta''' (770km, 478mi) in 1891. Originally known as the <span style="color: white; background-color: black; font-weight: 700;"> Northern Line </span>, 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 <span style="color: white; background-color: black; font-weight: 700;"> Central Australia Line </span>.<br> |
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> | 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 of the line in its southern section had more to do with politics than | + | The route of the line in its southern section had more to do with politics than good practice. The 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 frequently considered for closure.<br> |
− | In the 1950s a new standard gauge ( | + | In the 1950s a new standard gauge (4ft8.5in, 1435mm) line was built from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Maree''' which bypassed the '''Flinders Ranges''' and '''Quorn'''. Passengers and freight to '''Oodnadatta''' and '''Alice Springs''' changed trains from standard gauge to narrow gauge at '''Maree'''. In 1956 the sections of the original narrow gauge line from '''Hawker''' to '''Maree''' and from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Quorn''' were closed leaving the section from '''Quorn''' to '''Hawker''' (the <span style="color: white; background-color: black; font-weight: 700;"> Hawker Line </span>) still operating. Occasional excursion trains from '''Peterborough''' continued to use the line from '''Quorn''' to '''Summit''' in the 1960s. <br> |
− | The '''Hawker Line''' was operated by the '''Commonwealth Railways''' using '''SAR''' locomotives and a mixture of '''CR''' and '''SAR''' rolling stock to run a single return freight service each week. This service was needed because of the poor condition of the roads in the area, particularly after | + | The '''Hawker Line''' was operated by the '''Commonwealth Railways''' using '''SAR''' locomotives and a mixture of '''CR''' and '''SAR''' rolling stock to run a single return freight service each week. This service was needed because of the poor condition of the roads in the area, particularly after any rain. No passenger service was provided. The line was eventually closed in 1972.<br> |
The '''Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society''' was formed in 1972 and was operating steam and heritage diesel trains from '''Quorn''' to '''Summit''' by 1974, and then onto '''Woolshed Flat''' by 1979.<br> | The '''Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society''' was formed in 1972 and was operating steam and heritage diesel trains from '''Quorn''' to '''Summit''' by 1974, and then onto '''Woolshed Flat''' by 1979.<br> |