SAR Port Augusta-Hawker

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<table> <!-- BEGIN TOP TABLE -->
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<!-- Insert SAR_PortAugusta-Hawker_Line.png, Location_Index.png and SEssion Scenario Index.png -->
 
<!-- Insert SAR_PortAugusta-Hawker_Line.png, Location_Index.png and SEssion Scenario Index.png -->
  
<td bgcolor="lightgrey">[[Image:SAR_PortAugusta-Hawker_Line.png|link=|alt=Hawker Line]] [[Image:Location Index.png|link=SAR Index|alt=Location Index|Location Index]] [[image:Session Scenario Index.png|link=SAR Peterborough Base Session|alt=Scenarios|Scenario Index]]
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<td bgcolor="lightgrey">[[Image:SAR_PortAugusta-Hawker_Line.png|link=|alt=Hawker Line]] [[Image:Location Index.png|link=SAR Index|alt=Location Index|Location Index]] [[image:Session Scenario Index.png|link=SAR Peterborough Base Session|alt=Scenarios|Scenario Index]]<br><span style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Woolshed Flat - Hawker Section</span>
  
 
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<tr valign="top"> <!-- Summit Icons -->
 
<tr valign="top"> <!-- Summit Icons -->
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>[[Image:Siding_Icon.png|link=|alt=Siding]]</td>
 
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</tr>
  
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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>&nbsp;[[Image:PeterboroughLine.png|link=|alt=Peterborough Line]]
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<span style="font-weight: 700; color: white;">Junction for</span>&#160;[[Image:PeterboroughLine.png|link=SAR Peterborough-Quorn|alt=Quorn Line|Peterborough-Quorn Line]]
  
 
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<td> <!-- Insert Quorn Commodity Icons -->
 
<td> <!-- Insert Quorn Commodity Icons -->
  
[[Image:Coal_Icon.png|link=|alt=Coal]][[Image:Water_Icon.png|link=|alt=Water]][[Image:Shed_Icon.png|link=|alt=Shed]][[Image:Turntable_Icon.png|link=|alt=Turntable]][[Image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]][[Image:Passenger_Icon.png|link=|alt=Passengers]][[Image:Oils_Icon.png|link=|alt=Oils_Fuels]][[Image:Goods_Icon.png|link=|alt=Goods]][[Image:Grain_Icon.png|link=|alt=Grain]]</td>
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[[Image:Coal_Icon.png|link=|alt=Coal]][[Image:Water_Icon.png|link=|alt=Water]][[Image:Shed_Icon.png|link=|alt=Shed]][[Image:Turntable_Icon.png|link=|alt=Turntable]][[Image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]][[Image:Passenger_Icon.png|link=|alt=Passengers]][[Image:Oils_Icon.png|link=|alt=Oils_Fuels]][[Image:Goods_Icon.png|link=|alt=Goods]][[Image:Grain_Icon.png|link=|alt=Grain]][[Image:Livestock_Icon.png|link=|alt=Livestock]][[image:Mineral_Icon.png|link=|alt=Minerals]]</td>
  
 
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</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr valign="top"> <!-- Willochra Icons -->
 
<tr valign="top"> <!-- Willochra Icons -->
<td>[[Image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]][[Image:Livestock_Icon.png|link=|alt=Livestock]]</td>
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<td>[[Image:Wool_icon.png|link=|alt=Wool]][[Image:Livestock_Icon.png|link=|alt=Livestock]][[image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]]</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="Grey"> <!-- Gordon -->
 
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="Grey"> <!-- Gordon -->
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</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr valign="top"> <!-- Gordon Icons -->
 
<tr valign="top"> <!-- Gordon Icons -->
<td>[[Image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]][[Image:Livestock_Icon.png|link=|alt=Livestock]]</td>
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<td>[[Image:Wool_icon.png|link=|alt=Wool]][[Image:Livestock_Icon.png|link=|alt=Livestock]][[image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]]</td>
 
</tr>
 
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<tr valign="top" bgcolor="Grey"> <!-- Wilson -->
 
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="Grey"> <!-- Wilson -->
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</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr valign="top"> <!-- Wilson Icons -->
 
<tr valign="top"> <!-- Wilson Icons -->
<td>[[Image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]][[Image:Livestock_Icon.png|link=|alt=Livestock]]</td>
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<td>[[Image:Wool_icon.png|link=|alt=Wool]][[Image:Livestock_Icon.png|link=|alt=Livestock]][[image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]]</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="Grey">
 
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<td> <!-- Insert End Junction/Terminus Commodity Icons -->
 
<td> <!-- Insert End Junction/Terminus Commodity Icons -->
  
[[Image:Coal_Icon.png|link=|alt=Coal]][[Image:Water_Icon.png|link=|alt=Water]][[Image:Shed_Icon.png|link=|alt=Shed]][[Image:Turntable_Icon.png|link=|alt=Turntable]][[Image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]][[Image:Livestock_Icon.png|link=|alt=Livestock]]
+
[[image:Passenger_Icon_off.png|link=|alt=Passengers]][[Image:Coal_Icon.png|link=|alt=Coal]][[Image:Water_Icon.png|link=|alt=Water]][[image:WYE_Icon.png|link=|alt=WYE]][[image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]][[Image:Livestock_Icon.png|link=|alt=Livestock]][[Image:Goods_Icon.png|link=|alt=Goods]][[Image:Wool_icon.png|link=|alt=Wool]][[image:Mineral_Icon.png|link=|alt=Minerals]]
  
 
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<td width=600>
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<td width=500>
  
 
<table width=500> <!-- BEGIN Icon Symbol Legend Table -->
 
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<tr valign="top">
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<td colspan=4>
 
<td colspan=4>
<span style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Symbols:</span></td>
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<span style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Symbols:</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Facilities:</span></td>
 
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</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<tr valign="top">
<td>[[image:Passenger_Icon.png|link=|alt=Passengers]]</td>
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<td>[[image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]]</td>
<td>'''Passenger Stop (Active)'''</td>
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<td>'''Crossing Loop'''</td>
<td>[[image:Passenger_Icon_off.png|link=|alt=Passengers]]</td>
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<td>[[image:WYE_Icon.png|link=|alt=WYE]]</td>
<td>'''Passenger Stop (not Active)'''</td>
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<td>'''Turning Triangle or WYE'''</td>
 
</tr>
 
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<td>[[image:Water_Icon.png|link=|alt=Water]]</td>
 
<td>[[image:Water_Icon.png|link=|alt=Water]]</td>
 
<td>'''Loco Water Tank'''</td>
 
<td>'''Loco Water Tank'''</td>
<td>[[image:Wool_icon.png|link=|alt=Wool]]</td>
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<td>[[image:Siding_Icon.png|link=|alt=Siding]]</td>
<td>'''Wool Bales'''</td>
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<td>'''Siding'''</td>
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</tr>
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<tr valign="top">
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<td colspan=4>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">Commodities:</span></td>
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</tr>
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<tr valign="top">
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<td>[[image:Passenger_Icon.png|link=|alt=Passengers]]</td>
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<td>'''Passengers (station is industry active)'''</td>
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<td>[[image:Passenger_Icon_off.png|link=|alt=Passengers]]</td>
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<td>'''Pasengers (station is NOT industry active)'''</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<td>[[image:Goods_Icon.png|link=|alt=Goods]]</td>
 
<td>[[image:Goods_Icon.png|link=|alt=Goods]]</td>
<td>'''Goods Facility'''</td>
+
<td>'''Goods'''</td>
 
<td>[[image:Grain_Icon.png|link=|alt=Grain]]</td>
 
<td>[[image:Grain_Icon.png|link=|alt=Grain]]</td>
<td>'''Grain Storage or Processing'''</td>
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<td>'''Grain'''</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<td>[[Image:Oils_Icon.png|link=|alt=Oils_Fuels]]</td>
 
<td>[[Image:Oils_Icon.png|link=|alt=Oils_Fuels]]</td>
<td>'''Oil and Fuel Terminal'''</td>
+
<td>'''Oil and Fuel'''</td>
 
<td>[[image:Livestock_Icon.png|link=|alt=Stockyard]]</td>
 
<td>[[image:Livestock_Icon.png|link=|alt=Stockyard]]</td>
<td>'''Stockyard'''</td>
+
<td>'''Livestock (Cattle and Sheep)'''</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<tr valign="top">
<td>[[image:Loop_Icon.png|link=|alt=Loop]]</td>
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<td>[[image:Mineral_Icon.png|link=|alt=Minerals]]</td>
<td>'''Passing Loop'''</td>
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<td>'''Minerals'''</td>
<td>[[image:WYE_Icon.png|link=|alt=WYE]]</td>
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<td>[[image:Wool_icon.png|link=|alt=Wool]]</td>
<td>'''Turning Triangle or WYE'''</td>
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<td>'''Wool Bales'''</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tr>
 
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<table> <!-- BEGIN Line History Table -->
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<table width=1000> <!-- BEGIN Line History Table -->
 
<tr valign="top">
 
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<td colspan=4>
 
<span style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Line History:</span><br><br>
 
<span style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Line History:</span><br><br>
<span style="font-weight: 700; background-color: black; color: white;">Opened:&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;1879-1891<br>
+
<span style="font-weight: 700; background-color: black; color: white;">Opened:&#160;</span>&#160;1879-1891<br>
<span style="font-weight: 700; background-color: black; color: white;">Length:&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;81km (Woolshed Flat - Hawker section)<br>
+
<span style="font-weight: 700; background-color: black; color: white;">Length:&#160;</span>&#160;81km - 50&#188;mi ('''Woolshed Flat''' to '''Hawker''' section)<br>
 +
 
 +
<span style="font-weight: 700; background-color: black; color: white;">Closed (in sections):&#160;</span>&#160;1956, 1972<br>
 +
<span style="font-weight: 700; background-color: black; color: white;">Reopened (in sections):&#160;</span>&#160;'''Port Augusta''' to '''Quorn''' 1974-2001 as a Heritage Railway<br>
 +
 
 +
Built as a narrow gauge (3ft6in - 1067mm) line from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Oodnadatta'''. It reached '''Quorn''' (39km, 24mi) in 1879, '''Marree''' (372km, 231mi) in 1883 and '''Oodnadatta''' (770km, 478mi) in 1891. It was originally known as the <span style="color: white; background-color: black; font-weight: 700;">&#160;Northern&#160;Line&#160;</span>.<br>
 +
 
 +
Despite crossing some of the driest parts of the continent the line was often damaged by severe flooding. It was not unusual for trains to be stranded for days by flood waters and track washouts. But even during dry times delays and late running were common. It was often said that a calendar, not a watch, was a better "on time" running guide.<br>
 +
 
 +
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. In dry periods a water tanker was often added to the consist to provide water for the loco. The line was frequently considered for closure.<br>
 +
 
 +
In January 1911 the line was transferred from the '''SAR''' to the '''Commonwealth Railways (CR)''' but the '''SAR''' continued to operate the line until 1926 when the '''CR''' took over all operations. In 1926-29 the line was extended to '''Alice Springs''' (1241km, 771mi) north near the centre of the continent and it then became known as the <span style="color: white; background-color: black; font-weight: 700;">&#160;Central&#160;Australia&#160;Railway&#160;</span>.<br>
  
<span style="font-weight: 700; background-color: black; color: white;">Closed (in sections):&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;1956, 1972<br>
+
The most famous of the passenger trains on the line was '''The Ghan''', named after the Afghan camel drivers who drove the camel trains to '''Alice Springs''' before the arrival of the railway. This train originally ran from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Alice Springs''' and it still runs today as a modern luxury tourist train from '''Adelaide''' to '''Alice Springs''' and '''Darwin'''.<br>
<span style="font-weight: 700; background-color: black; color: white;">Reopenned as a Heritage Railway:&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;1974-2001<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>
+
In the 1950s a new standard gauge (4ft8&frac12;in, 1435mm) line was built from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Marree''' which bypassed the '''Flinders Ranges''', '''Quorn''' and '''Hawker'''. Passengers and freight to '''Oodnadatta''' and '''Alice Springs''' changed trains from standard gauge to narrow gauge at '''Marree'''. As a result the sections of the original narrow gauge line from '''Hawker''' to '''Marree''' and from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Quorn''' were closed in 1956. This left the section from '''Quorn''' to '''Hawker''' (the <span style="color: white; background-color: black; font-weight: 700;">&#160;Hawker&#160;Line&#160;</span>) still operating. Occasional special passenger excursion trains from '''Peterborough''' continued to use the line from '''Quorn''' to '''Summit''' and from '''Quorn''' to '''Hawker''' in the 1960s.<br>
  
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.<br>
+
Prior to the closures, the line between '''Quorn''' and '''Hawker''' saw several through workings each day. After the closures this had been reduced to just two return freight services each week and no passenger services. In the 1960s that was reduced to just a single weekly return freight service, with an additional service that ran "only if required". It was mineral traffic, ''barite'' or ''baryte'' (''barium sulfate'') ore, that kept the line open after 1956. It was transported 70km by road from the mine to '''Hawker''' and then loaded into rail wagons for the trip to '''Quorn'''. At '''Quorn''' it was crushed and bagged for shipment around the country. Rail transport was used because of the poor condition of the roads between '''Hawker''' and '''Quorn'''. Barite is still mined north of '''Hawker''' and processed at '''Quorn''' but all transport is now by road.<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>
+
After the 1956 closures, '''Port Augusta''' to '''Quorn''' was serviced by a weekly passenger road bus service and a weekly road freight service.<br>
  
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 '''Hawker Line''' was closed in 1972. The 1970s also saw the line from '''Port Augusta''' to '''Alice Springs''', with its standard and narrow gauge sections, replaced by a new standard gauge line that bypassed '''Marree''', '''Oodnadatta''' and all the flood prone areas. In the early 2000s this line was extended to '''Darwin''', on the northern coast of the continent about 2900km north of '''Port Augusta'''.<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 <span style="font-weight: 700;" class="plainlinks">[https://www.pichirichirailway.org.au/ Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society]</span> 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. The track used to restore the line to '''Woolshed Flat''' was taken from the closed '''Hawker Line'''.<br>
  
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'''.
+
The line from '''Peterborough''' to '''Quorn''' was closed in 1987.<br>
  
 +
By 2001 the '''Pichi Richi Railway''' had restored the entire narrow gauge line from '''Quorn''' to '''Port Augusta'''. They now operate steam and diesel hauled heritage passenger services between '''Quorn''', '''Woolshed Flat''' and '''Port Augusta'''.
 
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</table> <!-- END Line History Table -->
 
</table> <!-- END Line History Table -->

Latest revision as of 10:40, 3 April 2024

Hawker Line Location Index Scenarios
Woolshed Flat - Hawker Section
Woolshed Flat
WaterLoopWYE
Summit
Siding

Quorn

Junction for Quorn Line

CoalWaterShedTurntableLoopPassengersOils_FuelsGoodsGrainLivestockMinerals
Willochra
WoolLivestockLoop
Gordon
WoolLivestockLoop
Wilson
WoolLivestockLoop
Hawker

Terminus

PassengersCoalWaterWYELoopLivestockGoodsWoolMinerals

Symbols:

Facilities:
Coal Loco Coal Stage Fuel Bunker C Oil Fuel Point
Loop Crossing Loop WYE Turning Triangle or WYE
Turntable Loco Turntable Shed Loco Shed
Water Loco Water Tank Siding Siding
Commodities:
Passengers Passengers (station is industry active) Passengers Pasengers (station is NOT industry active)
Goods Goods Grain Grain
Oils_Fuels Oil and Fuel Stockyard Livestock (Cattle and Sheep)
Minerals Minerals Wool Wool Bales

Line History:

Opened:  1879-1891
Length:  81km - 50¼mi (Woolshed Flat to Hawker section)

Closed (in sections):  1956, 1972
Reopened (in sections):  Port Augusta to Quorn 1974-2001 as a Heritage Railway

Built as a narrow gauge (3ft6in - 1067mm) line from Port Augusta to Oodnadatta. It reached Quorn (39km, 24mi) in 1879, Marree (372km, 231mi) in 1883 and Oodnadatta (770km, 478mi) in 1891. It was originally known as the  Northern Line .

Despite crossing some of the driest parts of the continent the line was often damaged by severe flooding. It was not unusual for trains to be stranded for days by flood waters and track washouts. But even during dry times delays and late running were common. It was often said that a calendar, not a watch, was a better "on time" running guide.

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. In dry periods a water tanker was often added to the consist to provide water for the loco. The line was frequently considered for closure.

In January 1911 the line was transferred from the SAR to the Commonwealth Railways (CR) but the SAR continued to operate the line until 1926 when the CR took over all operations. In 1926-29 the line was extended to Alice Springs (1241km, 771mi) north near the centre of the continent and it then became known as the  Central Australia Railway .

The most famous of the passenger trains on the line was The Ghan, named after the Afghan camel drivers who drove the camel trains to Alice Springs before the arrival of the railway. This train originally ran from Port Augusta to Alice Springs and it still runs today as a modern luxury tourist train from Adelaide to Alice Springs and Darwin.

In the 1950s a new standard gauge (4ft8½in, 1435mm) line was built from Port Augusta to Marree which bypassed the Flinders Ranges, Quorn and Hawker. Passengers and freight to Oodnadatta and Alice Springs changed trains from standard gauge to narrow gauge at Marree. As a result the sections of the original narrow gauge line from Hawker to Marree and from Port Augusta to Quorn were closed in 1956. This left the section from Quorn to Hawker (the  Hawker Line ) still operating. Occasional special passenger excursion trains from Peterborough continued to use the line from Quorn to Summit and from Quorn to Hawker in the 1960s.

Prior to the closures, the line between Quorn and Hawker saw several through workings each day. After the closures this had been reduced to just two return freight services each week and no passenger services. In the 1960s that was reduced to just a single weekly return freight service, with an additional service that ran "only if required". It was mineral traffic, barite or baryte (barium sulfate) ore, that kept the line open after 1956. It was transported 70km by road from the mine to Hawker and then loaded into rail wagons for the trip to Quorn. At Quorn it was crushed and bagged for shipment around the country. Rail transport was used because of the poor condition of the roads between Hawker and Quorn. Barite is still mined north of Hawker and processed at Quorn but all transport is now by road.

After the 1956 closures, Port Augusta to Quorn was serviced by a weekly passenger road bus service and a weekly road freight service.

The Hawker Line was closed in 1972. The 1970s also saw the line from Port Augusta to Alice Springs, with its standard and narrow gauge sections, replaced by a new standard gauge line that bypassed Marree, Oodnadatta and all the flood prone areas. In the early 2000s this line was extended to Darwin, on the northern coast of the continent about 2900km north of Port Augusta.

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. The track used to restore the line to Woolshed Flat was taken from the closed Hawker Line.

The line from Peterborough to Quorn was closed in 1987.

By 2001 the Pichi Richi Railway had restored the entire narrow gauge line from Quorn to Port Augusta. They now operate steam and diesel hauled heritage passenger services between Quorn, Woolshed Flat and Port Augusta.

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