It is run by the public transport services division of the south australian department of planning, transport and infrastructure. The peterborough to quorn railway line opened in 1882 as a narrow gauge connection through the upper mid north of south australia. Rail transport in australia is a crucial aspect of the australian transport network. New south wales visitors should consider a discovery pass, which allows unlimited train travel within that state, including between sydney, brisbane, melbourne, and canberra, without the need to book train tickets in advance. In south australias infancy, railways underpinned its economy. Early railways maps in south australia 1888 and 1930 history. The first rail systems in australia were constructed when the majority of the country was little more than sparsely settled colonies until 1901 when they united to form a federation of states. Rosenberg publishings railway books cover the building of tracks, the development of railways and the construction and development of locomotives, steam, diesel, and. Stretching across 1693 kilometres of australia s driest and most isolated terrain, the transaustralian railway was completed on 17 october 1917, providing a link between the eastern states and western australia and helping to give the newly formed commonwealth a sense of national. The first railway line in south australia was a horsedrawn tramway.
Terowie flinders ranges research and south australian. Map shewing lines of railways in south australia, novr. The bluebird railcars, were at one stage the mainstay of south australia s country passenger rail system. Membership grew steadily and in 1945 a division was formed in victoria. This is a map of the adelaide suburban rail network in 1974 when services were provided by the south australian railways sar. South australian railways history of railway construction and operation from 1854 issued by south australian railways adelaide, 1970. A short history of the victorian railways trams by david. Steam locomotives and railcars of the south australian railways on. Terowie about two hundred kilometres north from adelaide, the town of terowie was surveyed in 1877 and was soon an important part of a railway network, made up of three different gauges, supplying the vast station country to the north and northeast as well as the. Railways of south australia peterborough, pt augusta and. Sadly the local railway station in many mid north towns has been left to fall into disuse. From 1917 until 1937 this line was the route taken by trans australian railway trains between sydney and perth, and october this year marks the centenary of the trans australian railway line.
Enticknap minister for transport by the commissioner of railways, neal mccusker railway quiz issued by the department of railways, new south wales. Some such as hamley bridge and riverton in the gilbert valley have been put to good use for housing. The rare and collectable books would make great gifts for a railway fan or to add to your personal collections. Victoria and south australia were about to build railways of their own and followed new south wales lead, settling on standard guage for their railways.
Aboriginal rock engravings, now believed to be among the oldest in the world, were created in the olary region of south australia. Stamped on the front board, also in gilt, personal copy of m. Railways extend their trans continental line from port augusta to port pirie creating meeting of three different gauges at port pirie. Modelling the railways of south australia convention. Not really a quiz book, rather an illustrated booklet of the extensive new south wales railway network with all the information presented using a question and answer format.
Steam locomotives and railcars of the south australian. Stewien, ronald, a history of the south australian railways. Collectable railroad books for sale shop with afterpay ebay. Adelaide metro is a governmentowned operator that provides passenger trains, trams and buses in the adelaide suburban area. In 1995 the south australian and northern territory governments signed a memorandum of understanding and in 1997 the two governments established the australasia railway corporation to call for tenders to build the new railway. Adelaide rail map 1974 this is a map of the adelaide suburban rail network in 1974 when services were provided by the south australian railways sar. Stretching across 1693 kilometres of australia s driest and most isolated terrain, the transaustralian railway was completed on 17 october 1917, providing a link between the eastern states and western australia and helping to give the newly formed commonwealth a sense of national unity.
Havilah resources which controls three iron ore deposits in south australia has signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding for future use of port, rail and transhipment facilities at the playford site near port augusta which has been leased by port augusta operations. Books about south australian railways page 1 south. Adelaide rail map 1980 this is a map of the adelaide suburban rail network in 1980 when services were provided by the state transport authority of south australia sta. Today the state has 1,600 mm 5 ft 3 in broad gauge suburban railways in adelaide, a number of country freight lines, as well as key 1,435 mm 4 ft 8 1. South australia history south australia australias guide. South australia had the first railway network in the british empire to be government owned and run. He lost his fortune in the financial crisis of 1840 and despite much effort to regain successful business interests he was employed by the south australian railways where he reached the position of controller of railway accounts. The railways of new south wales, 18551955 national library. Sar and an rail engineering information and data download.
These pages contain information about the locomotives owned and operated by the south australian railways, which was merged with the commonwealth railways in 1975 to become australian national railways. Note the north line indicator plate, unusual for a south line train. Bob the railway dog, an icon of peterborough in south australias midnorth, is again being celebrated with a book detailing some of his many adventures. The book is one rusty rail by ronald stewien, 1973. Using oral history interviews with australians born between 1920 and 1989, this book paints a portrait of what life is like in australia. Newspaper article discussing the state of the government dam, a sign calling warnertown napperby, and the need for. Newspaper article discussing the state of the government dam, a sign calling warnertown napperby, and the need for a school. Wellknown rail historian john kerr has edited the text into a rare combination of art and anecdote. The development of crosschannel services by the south eastern, london chatham and dover and later the southern railway and british railways. South australia was one of australias youngest colonies, and the only colony for which the british made meticulous settlement plans. Refreshing memories 438a main north road, blair athol, 5084. South australian railways sar was the statutory corporation through which the government of south australia built and operated railways in south australia from 1854 until march 1978, when its nonurban railways were incorporated into australian national, and its adelaide urban lines were transferred to the state transport authority.
The map shows freight lines as well as passenger lines, and does show passenger services to hendon, semaphore, rosewater and woodville to north arm road in their twilight years. On 19th may 1933, six enthusiasts met in sydney and formed the great railway circle of australia. As railway lines closed around south australia many communities in the mid north have been left with the legacy of a railway station without trains. The railway branchline from riverton to clare was officially opened on 4 july 1918, and was fully completed to spalding in 1922. South australia history more than 40,000 years ago early aboriginals inhabited south australia. Mr welbourne, a resident engineer with the south australian railway, astride a track inspection car. John barton hack was an early settler in south australia, a prominent farmer, businessman and public figure. A history of south australia investigates south australia s history from before the arrival of the first european maritime explorers to the present day, and examines its distinctive origins as a free settlement.
As at 2018, the australian rail network consisted of a total of 36,064 kilometres 22,409 mi of track on three major track gauges. Some of australia s great rail journeys are iconic and some are simply a relaxing alternative to air travel. Collection of 6 various vintage south australian railways. Scotts south australia in 1887 describing how the british government organised the sale of south australia. Railways and railway operation in new south wales in comparison with other countries. Incorporating the wolgan valley railway, a paper read before the sydney university engineering society, on september 21, 1910.
Abandoned railway stations in mid north sa adelaide. South australian railways news newspapers books scholar jstor july 20 learn how and when to remove this template. It is principally a stapled photo book but it has plenty of explanatory text too. Correspondence between an old settler and a glaswegian. South australian railways find state library of south. The victorian division crosses the border to publish this 320 page hard cover book, with many illustrations, providing an authoritative insight into the. Railway employees state records of south australia. South australian railways built and operated most of the railway system throughout the state, which grew rapidly from 1856 when south australia s first steam railway connected adelaide and port adelaide.
The first railway in south australia was laid in 1854 between goolwa and port elliot to allow for goods to be transferred between paddle steamers on the murray river and seagoing vessels. New south wales, department of railways railway quiz, australia, 1966, pp84. Maritime books and australian railway books rosenberg pub. Romance of the rail book romance of the rail is living history, people telling their own stories, inspired and illustrated by the art of janet skinner. Early railways maps in south australia 1888 and 1930. The next railway was laid from the harbour at port adelaide to the colony, and was laid with irish gauge 5 ft 3 in 1,600 mm track. South australian railways locomotive home page information. The birth of islington railway workshops the expansion of the rail network brought more demand for maintenance of south australian railways rolling stock and locomotives, and by 1883 the railway workshops had been moved from adelaide railway station to a new site at islington. All, however, will give you a real taste of outback australia and an appreciation of the huge distances between the countrys main centres. South australian railways sar was the statutory corporation through which the government.
The south australian railways 500 class was the largest of the big power locomotives introduced by commissioner webb in the 1920s by 1922, through wear and tear, lack of maintenance, an ageing fleet of small locomotives and rolling stock, lightweight rail, declining revenues due to mine closures, the drain on the economy caused by the great war, and because of many other problems, the entire south australian railways had decayed to the point of collapse. Published every month, each issue of the magazine contains. Railway lines in south australia track ownership or controlling body 0 10 20 40 60 80 100 kilometres map projection. History of the south australian railways book depository. In may 1936 the name was changed to australian railway and locomotive historical society and further changed to australian railway historical society in 1951. In 1994 the wran committee on darwin determined that a railway would be viable by the turn of the century. Sarlines railway books is a boutique publisher on the history of railways in south australia, produced by historical researcher and writer john wilson. Other divisions were subsequently formed in south australia, tasmania, queensland, western australia and act. Modelling the railways of south australia convention topic index. New south wales adopted the european standard gauge of 1435 mm, victoria and south australia built with the broad irish gauge of 1600 mm. Nostalgic look back at australia s railway systems by the late author, with interesting recollections. Search thread image gallery beanzs27 assistant commissioner.
Railways commonwealth government records about south. Collectable railroad books for sale shop with afterpay. Adelaide rail map 1980 historic australian rail maps. The first ordinance, or act of parliament, regulating the construction of railways in south australia, was passed in march 1847, barely ten years after the start of the colony. Ron stewien is an authority on the railway history of south australia and hardly needs introduction. Stewein also contributed to a few other books on sar history. Timeline a history of rail in south australia 1917 the commonwealth railway is formed upon completion of trans australian railway construction port augusta and port pirie is linked by standard gauge. This name was eventually shortened to australian national. A history of south australia by paul sendziuk, robert.
Many photos not seen before, and for the average reader a potted history of all our states with recent photos of newer equipment. May 22, 2011 you might find something at the nrm bookshop though as the have a lot of preloved and sometimes out of print books in there, i dont think they are listed on the price lists though, some are not cheap either but they have been out of print a very long time, so if you want something along these lines it is best to actually go in and have a look as it can change daily. Australian railway historical society victorian division, 2007. History of the railway australasia railway corporation. The south australian and commonwealth governments entered into agreements for the transfer of nonurban south australian railways to the australian national railways commission, but until 1978 the state government continued to administer, maintain and operate the railway. It was a milestone in australian rail history as it was the first track to be laid with iron. A south australian railway history traces magazine. Railway books and train books available in australia at 30% below the rrp. All services were operated by diesel railcars either the venerable redhens or the then new 2000 series jumbo railcars an impression of which appears under the map heading. Books now available via amazon from highgate publishing are german raiders of the south seas, australian railways. It also has several of its publications on south australian history for sale. It is now more than 150 years since the passing of the 1847 act and finally some of the railways in south australia are owned and operated by private companies. Sep 01, 2017 the victorian division crosses the border to publish this 320 page hard cover book, with many illustrations, providing an authoritative insight into the first years of the south australian railways.
Sketch book of properties adjacent to permanent line, port augusta, 1912, d2588. Sydneys city surveyor, irish born francis shields, then successfully lobbied for the sydney railway to be changed to the wider, irish broad gauge of 1. These drawings are often the best to use for modelling as it gives leading dimensions, livery details and holds a recognised scale for working out other details. History of the south australian railways by ron stewien, 9780858490475, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In 1912, work began on a new railway line between port augusta in south australia and kalgoorlie in western australia. A history of the south australian railways volume 1. The centenary of the opening of the railway to clare seems an appropriate time to reflect on that history, and accordingly i am writing a book that will be released in july 2018. A history of the south australian railways volume 6. Rainfall chart, maps and articles describing the creation of goyders line of rainfall. Overseas visitors to australia can choose from a variety of rail tickets australia.
The railways of new south wales, 1855 1955 by paddison, leonie i, with assistance from railways research officers and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. South australia s rail history began with a horsedrawn railway in 1854, running between the ports of goolwa and port elliot at the mouth of the murray river. The isle of wight railways in the 1950s and 1960s, colourpoint books, 2007, pp64. Shop for australia s greatest selection of local, national and international railway and tramway books, magazines and dvds online and in person in. Drawings of both south australian railways and commonwealth railways freight and passenger bogie arrangements.
I am looking at doing some travelling in sa, and am wondering if people can suggest any books to read to give me some history on your various railway lines and your gauges in south australia. An avid railroad enthusiast learning about the history of significant railways and locomotives can be made easier with a full range of collectable books on the railroads of australia and beyond. The first railway in colonial south australia was a horsedrawn tramway from the port of goolwa on the murray river to an ocean harbour at port elliot in 1854. A brief history on railways in south australia national railway.
Latest research full length articles on historical railways. South australian railways sar locomotive home page sar passenger home page. South australian railways was established in 1856 with the passing of the south australian railway act act no. A history of the south australian railways volume 6 arhs nsw. South australia traces its locomotive history back to 1854. Railways and tramways of australia south australia. The early years the victorian division crosses the border to publish this 320 page hard cover book, with many illustrations, providing an authoritative insight into the first years of the south australian railways. The history of australian trains is a long and complex one which dates back 200 years. The wife drought by annabel crabb crabb is a political commentator and writer. Browse the worlds largest ebookstore and start reading today on the web, tablet, phone, or ereader. Steamtrains now provide trips, for tourists and railway enthusiasts, through the pichi richi pass, the adelaide hills and from goolwa to victor harbour. Picnics at the falls a history of the lal lal racecourse and its railway and the bungaree racecourse railway add to cart.
Peterborough history group chair heather parker said when the. A short extract from anthony forsters book south australia, its progress and prosperity 1866. Transaustralian railway national museum of australia. Railway stations in the mid north of south australia adelaide. Order from our australian book shop for free shipping australia wide. In this compelling and nuanced history, paul sendziuk and robert foster consider the imprint of people on the land and vice versa. Rail action around the peterborough and pt augusta regions in the mid north of south australia, as well as a photographic trip up to pimba on the trans australia.
It did not authorise construction of a particular line, but it set out the conditions which would apply to any company interested in building or operating a railway. Drawings are all full size as drawn and provided as pdf file. A history of australia s south to north transcontinental route from adelaide to darwin, including the original line to alice springs, followed by an illustrated journey along the line. In august 1975 responsibility for railways was split. A brief history on railways in south australia national. Bob the railway dog, australias famous train hitchhiking pooch.
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