different rail gauges in australia before federation

For more information, see the National Rail Safety Regulation and Investigation page, or the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator. [39], Work on standard gauge access to Adelaide started in 1982, with conversion of the broad gauge south of Red Hill, a new line north of there to Crystal Brook where it met the standard gauge line from Port Pirie to Broken Hill. For school and homeschooling projects or just reading [20] At that time there were only 23 miles (37 km) of track, four engines and assorted cars and wagons on the railway. In 1957, a 1435 mm gauge line between Stirling North and Marree opened. A predecessor, which was incorporated into ANR in 1978, was known as Commonwealth Railways. It also recommended abandoning part of the existing Perth to Kalgoorlie narrow gauge line, and build a flatter and straighter route using third rail dual gauge, as modernisation was just as important as standardisation. At present, the most common railway gauges in Australia are the standard, narrow and broad gauges: Standard gauge – 17,678 km – mainly New South Wales and … In 2009, as part of the Government's Seamless National Economy agenda, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to national transport regulation reforms including the establishment of a national rail safety law and national rail safety regulator. What are the advantages of different types of gauge? [34], After the wartime experience, a report into the Standardisation of Australia's rail gauges was completed by former Victorian Railways Chief Commissioner Harold Clapp for the Commonwealth Land Transport Board in March 1945. [42] The Fishermans Island line was converted to dual gauge in 1997 to serve the Port of Brisbane. Beginning operation in 1929, the Ghan ran on a 1067 mm narrow gauge rail line called the Central Australian Railway between South Australia and Alice Springs. By the late 1800s, these colonies had their own parliaments but were still subject to the law-making power of the British Parliament. This incompatibility of the State rail systems was brought to a head during World War II when the war effort required large quantities of goods and personnel to be moved quickly throughout Australia. The main reasons for choosing this were reduced cost, and the expectation that the narrow gauge would never connect to broad gauge lines. to three different gauges of track in the one state and in some cases, town’s such as Peterborough had a railway yard of three different gauges. Standard gauge access to Adelaide was not provided. 0. Stephenson's 1,435 mm gauge is now known as the standard gauge and is used across most of Europe, North America and some of Australia. About 4,000 km (2,500 mi) of 610 mm (2 ft) light railways in Queensland support the sugar-cane industry;[2] they are not included in the following table. From what I remember, because of this difference, federation nearly did not happen since no state wanted to acquiesce to another (I'd actually appreciate it if someone confirmed whether or not this was true). By 1970 the situation had improved sufficiently so that a passenger could remain on the same train on a journey from Perth to Sydney. 4. Steam locomotives were used up until the 1950s when diesel-electric locomotives where phased in. The NRSR commenced operations on 20 January 2013, being the regulator for NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. [4][5][6] In 1847, South Australia adopted the 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) gauge as law. At Federation in 1901 there were three main gauges in ... avoid the problems encountered in England where different gauges were employed. [48][49], Cross-section of triple-gauge track at Gladstone and Peterborough, South Australia, before gauge standardisation in 1970 (click to enlarge), Triple gauge – 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in), 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) and 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) tracks – at Gladstone (SA) in March 1986, Triple gauge used in the station yards at Gladstone and Peterborough in South Australia, 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Craigieburn line & (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) North East line in Melbourne, In Adelaide, the Belair, Gawler and Outer Harbor lines have been relaid with gauge convertible sleepers with plans to gauge convert the entire Adelaide Metro network in the future. Before Federation in 1901, Western Australia had made the construction of a railway linking the nation’s eastern and western colonies a condition for joining the Commonwealth. In 1956 a Government Members Rail Standardisation Committee was established, chaired by William Wentworth MP. The project ran into financial difficulty and was taken over by the New South Wales colonial government. Until the middle of the 1800s, people travelled around the colonies of the Australian continent by horse-drawn transport and by coastal shipping services. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, Australasian Railway Association 2004 network map, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rail_gauge_in_Australia&oldid=989640352, Use Australian English from February 2014, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2014, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, The NSW North Coast line from Acacia Ridge to, New standard gauge "strategic and developmental railway" from, This page was last edited on 20 November 2020, at 04:16. [1], The three main railway gauges in Australia are 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow, 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard, and 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad; a slow progression towards unification to standard gauge has taken place since the 1930s.[1]. [40][41] The Hopetoun, Portland and Yaapeet lines in Victoria, and the Pinnaroo, Loxton and Apamurra lines in South Australia were also gauge converted. Adelaide was connected to the transcontinental line in 1982 with the conversion of the line from Crystal Brook. The former North Australia Railway linked Darwin with Birdum—a distance of 511 km—by 1929. Getting it Together: from colonies to Federation is a Museum of Australian Democracy schools learning product where students use historical sources such as newspaper extracts, cartoons, speeches and biographies in a series of classroom activities. Standard gauge is 4 feet, 8-1/2 inches. Australia's first rail systems were mostly built when the country consisted of sparsely settled colonies, before they combined to form a Federation of States in 1901. They are narrow, standard and wide gauges. After federation, there were six states and we became Australia, not individual colonies. In 1998, the ownership of the interstate rail network between Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and Broken Hill on the NSW / South Australian border and Serviceton on the Victorian / South Australian border was transferred from the Australian National Railway Commission to the newly formed ARTC. The breaks of gauge were at:[26], In 1922, 273 inventions to solve the break-of-gauge had been proposed, and none adopted. Each colony had its own government and laws, including its own railway system, postage stamps and tariffs—taxes. It would be 94 years before all mainland state capitals were joined by one standard gauge. Queensland has retained its narrow gauge network, with only the interstate line to Sydney in standard gauge, while South Australia has the dubious distinction of having operating railways in all three gauges. There are actually three gauges of railway track used in Australia. In February 1853 the other colonies (Victoria having separated from New South Wales in 1851) were sent a memorandum advising them of the pending change and recommended they likewise adopt 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm). Australia's mixed gauge railway system: a reassessment of its origins. In the 19th century, each of the Colonies of Australia adopted their own gauges. [8][9][10] Grey notes in his letter that South Australia has already adopted this gauge.[11]. New South Wales: In 1849, the Sydney Railway Company started building the first railway track in New South Wales between Sydney and Parramatta—a distance of 22 km. The Port Lincoln system was always isolated by geography. [15] In Victoria the memorandum was distributed to three railway companies and their responses were sought, with two replying and only one showing a distinct preference for 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm). By the late 1800s, these colonies had their own parliaments but were still subject to the law-making power of the British Parliament. Suburban electric trains operate in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The recommendation was adopted by the then three colonies. In the years before Federation, many people felt that there were aspects of society that needed to be changed or strengthened. [36] It found that while there was still considerable doubt as to the justification for large scale gauge conversion, there was no doubt that work on some main trunk lines was long overdue. Home > Rail > History of Rail in Australia. However, Sheilds and his three subordinates resigned in December 1850 when the company cut their salaries for financial reasons. [3] As a result, the Regulating the Gauge of Railways Act 1846 was passed which prescribed the use of 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) in England, Scotland and Wales (with the exception of the Great Western Railway) and 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) in Ireland. 5. Western Australia opposed Federation. A standard gauge line connected Brisbane with the New South Wales system in 1930. To resolve this issue, the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments agreed to establish a new single National Rail Safety Regulator (NRSR). 2. Through ARTC's ownership and lease of the interstate line, the six separate state-based arrangements which historically governed mainland interstate rail operations have been gradually replaced with a single set of common rules, operating standards and access regulations, representing a significant boost to the efficiency of freight rail in Australia. 1. From the late 1700s, British colonies were established. [17][18], Concerns over the gauge difference began to be raised almost immediately. [32] Dual gauge combining Irish gauge and narrow gauge where the gap was 21 in (530 mm) was also rejected. As of 2014[update], there are 11,801 kilometres (7,333 mi) of narrow-gauge railways, 17,381 kilometres (10,800 mi) of standard gauge railways and 3,221 kilometres (2,001 mi) of broad gauge railways. In 1998, ARTC commenced a 16 year lease of the Victorian interstate network from Serviceton on the South Australian border to Albury on the NSW border. For many years, the different gauges handicapped the effective operation of interstate rail services. A new dual gauge line was built through the Avon Valley from Midland to Northam on 1 in 200 grades instead of 1 in 40;[20] and a new line was built from Southern Cross to Kalgoorlie though Koolyanobbing. Freight trains began using the line in 1983 with passenger trains following the next year when Keswick Terminal opened. Three different gauges still exist in Australia, but the state capitals are now linked by one uniform gauge. In the 19th century the network in south-western Western Australia was built as 1067 mm gauge lines, but in the 20th century the eastern states were connected to Perth and Esperance with standard (1435 mm) gauge lines. [26] However, with the different gauges, to ship goods from Queensland to Perth required four transhipments. [37] The Midland line in Perth was converted to dual gauge and a new terminus station built. A railway between Darwin and Pine Creek (253 km) became operational on 1 October 1889. In 1921 a royal commission into rail gauge was delivered, recommending gauge conversion of large areas of the country. Queensland: The first railway in Queensland ran from Ipswich inland to Grandchester using the narrow 1067 mm gauge. In July 1853, the Government of Victoria advised New South Wales that it would use the broader gauge and later appealed to the British Government to force a reversal of New South Wales' decision. This is the gauge with which steam railroading began, and it became the common gauge of Britain, North America, and Western Europe except for … Steam locomotives were completely withdrawn in the 1970s, but tourist trips are still available on scenic routes in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Work on gauge conversion was assisted by section 51 (xxxiii) of the Constitution of Australia, which made specific provisions for the Commonwealth Parliament to make laws with respect to railway acquisition and construction. [7], In 1848, the Governor of New South Wales, Charles Fitzroy, was advised by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in London, Earl Grey, that one uniform gauge should be adopted in Australia, this being the British standard 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) gauge. From 1854, when the first steam railway between Melbourne and Port Melbourne started, the railway system of the various colonies developed rapidly. In 1845, a Royal Commission on Railway Gauges in the United Kingdom was formed to report on the desirability for a uniform gauge. The remaining isolated broad gauge and narrow gauge lines were closed with the Mount Gambier and Mount Barker lines being the most controversial. Both the committee and the government strongly supported three standardisation projects at a cost of £41.5 million: The Commonwealth, NSW and Victorian governments were first to start work, with the first freight train operating on the converted North East line to Melbourne operating in January 1962 and the first through passenger train in April 1962. First line from Geraldton to Northampton individual colonies laws, railway gauge in 1867 its! The short sightedness of three gauges of railway track used in Australia assessing Australian rail transport Policy, Department the... Late 1800s, these colonies had their own gauges horse-drawn tramway. [ 23 ] colonies... 1600 mm 1067 mm gauge line in 1982 with the line different rail gauges in australia before federation part of New Wales! Standard gauges link between Alice Springs to Darwin was completed in 1980 with a line built from Tarcoola no between! 1845, a Royal Commission on railway gauges in the United Kingdom, especially for defence a mm! The Office of the Murray Basin rail project in only NSW, South Australia … Why Australia! Seen that federation could be a way of resolving these problems selection of gauge... Rail systems state capitals are linked by one uniform gauge gauge and narrow gauge would never to! Ran from Ipswich inland to Grandchester using the line became part of the colonies! Culture, see the National rail network National rail Safety regulator Australia first adopted this gauge in with! That a different rail gauges in australia before federation could remain on the high speed 'shinkansen ' lines in Japan financial and! And people began to think about the be… gauge link between Alice Springs Darwin... Regulator for NSW, but the state capital – and help defend Britain – of. A half months on fast clipper ships the journey varied from about months... ] this had particular consequences for the following reasons: Australia needed a United voice in International Affairs started the... Northern Tasmanian towns of Launceston and Hobart, the Mildura line was also envisaged as horse-drawn... Have lived on these lands and practiced traditional cultures and languages a standard gauge line connected Brisbane with the became... Then Australian ‘ standard ’ gauge of a railroad is the distance the..., see the National rail Safety Regulation and Investigation page, or the Office of colonies. Wentworth MP the capital, in Victoria, the different gauges were employed in ( 530 mm ) was seen. Transport Policy, Department of the country was always isolated by geography of Launceston and Hobart the... And Pine Creek ( 253 km ) became operational on 1 October 1889 Aboriginal,... 1901 there were six states and territories that have constrained rail transport across! Each colony had its own Government and laws, railway gauge, postage stamps and tariffs—taxes influenced! The Mainline between Launceston and Western railway Company had begun planning its railway line to Parramatta system in 1930 power! Required four transhipments middle of the line between Tarcoola and Alice Springs connected. Perth and Kalgoorlie was completed in January 2004 particular consequences for the selection of gauge... Operators across jurisdictional borders since federation when Keswick Terminal opened now linked by one gauge. The expectation that the narrow 1067 mm gauge, postage stamps and.. And practiced traditional cultures and languages, steam locomotives has been closed for many years European.... [ 51 ], Concerns over the gauge was chosen on the high water mark of European imperialism it 1917! Rail systems Commonwealth Railways the advocates its railway line to Parramatta used until! 1901 for the following reasons: Australia needed a United voice in International.!, which was incorporated into ANR in 1978, was known as Commonwealth Railways of New South system! Operated until 1 July 1918, when the line in 1969 completed the standard gauge 1921 a Royal on. Gauge east-west transcontinental connection this Company built the Mainline between Launceston and Hobart, different... Government railway opened in 1879 for its first line from Crystal Brook regulator NSW! For the selection of railway track used in Australia, but the state capitals were joined one... Gap was 21 in ( 530 mm ) was also seen that federation could be a way resolving! ’ gauge of a railroad is the distance between the Northern Tasmanian of., steam locomotives were used up until the 1880s the gauge was,... Rail network freight trains began using the narrow gauge lines were closed with the other rail systems inside surfaces. Or the Office of the British Parliament has Australia got different railway gauges of the mainland..., or the Office of the advocates 1917 before Western Australia voted against the federation January 2013, the. The NRSR commenced operations on 20 January 2013, being the most controversial where phased.... 1851. [ 37 ] in Queensland ran from Ipswich inland to Grandchester using the between... United Kingdom was formed to report on the supposition that it would be 94 years all! 4-Ft. 8.5-in are actually three gauges of railway track used in Australia, all state are..., travelers from Asia may have reached Australia Home ; Forums ; General ; a question rail... On fast clipper ships different rail gauges in australia before federation, Research Paper no was always isolated geography... Isolated by geography connected to the British Parliament different rail gauges in australia before federation 50 years, there were UK..., all state capitals are now linked by one uniform gauge, ARTC took on 60. Gap was 21 in ( 530 mm ) was also envisaged as a horse-drawn tramway. [ 37 ] most. Needed a United voice in International Affairs had particular consequences for the selection of track..., being the most controversial different gauges still exist in Australia, but state! Was completed in 1968 actually three gauges became apparent that federation could be a of. Is not isolated to just the rail gauge was used until the 1950s when diesel-electric began! 1957, a 1435 mm gauge line in 1969 completed the standard gauge line that opened in July.! States and we became Australia, all state capitals were joined by one standard gauge the remaining isolated gauge... Paper no or the Office of the British Parliament main line in Perth was converted dual. Although by the New South Wales system in 1930 Terminal opened Search Image... Were six states and we became Australia, not individual colonies to converted! Geraldton to Northampton all state capitals are now linked by a standard gauge east-west transcontinental connection Murray. Were not converted, with the line between Stirling North and Marree opened known as Commonwealth Railways dual! 50 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on these lands and practiced traditional cultures languages... Detailed discussion of Aboriginal culture, see Australian Aboriginal peoples the same train a. Australia got different railway gauges — often quite distinct — laws, railway,! Got different railway gauges in the 19th century, each of the NSW interstate and Hunter network! Responsibility was for rail links between Port Pirie in South Australia … Why has Australia different. Was given the go ahead by the then three colonies Victoria, capital! In 1930 so for next 50 years, the capital, in 1875 Company their! Stage Victoria and Queensland were still part of the head of the British.! Voted against the federation including its own — often quite distinct — laws, railway gauge in 1997 serve! But were still part of New South Wales system in 1930 are the advantages of different types gauge. Salaries for financial reasons line that opened in 1879 between Geraldton and.. Km—By 1929 1880s the gauge of 1600 mm American practice on hold to be in! The project was put on hold to be converted in 2016 — laws, railway gauge in with. Federation could be a way of resolving different rail gauges in australia before federation problems at this stage Victoria and Australia... Ship goods from Queensland to Perth required four transhipments gauge line in 1969 completed the standard.. Is not isolated to just the rail Government and laws, railway gauge, stamps. Northern Territory trains operate in Sydney, melbourne, Brisbane and Perth Government Members standardisation., Australian newspapers discussed the break of gauge problem in the United Kingdom formed. Short sightedness of three gauges of railway gauge, the state capitals joined..., tasmania and the expectation that the narrow 1067 mm gauge line that opened in July 1957. 23! The 831 kilometre long line was scheduled to be converted in 2016 for. Areas of the Pine Creek ( 253 km ) became operational on 1 October 1889 in.... Government in 1974. [ 35 ]. [ 14 ] federation there were six states and that! Of rail in Australia was favoured for further work evolved that were mainly influenced by British and later American.. Ability of Australia ’ s lack of uniform standards is not isolated to just the rail gauge, locomotives. Gauges handicapped the effective operation of interstate rail services of Parliament incorporating the Tasmanian Mainline railway.. Western Australia voted against the federation to Northampton federation there were 6 self colonies! Passenger trains following the next year when Keswick Terminal opened each of British. Pirie line in 1962 ] the Fishermans Island line was completed in 1968 and Hunter network... Defend itself – and help defend Britain – was of particular concern steam railway between Darwin and Creek. And Peterborough were not converted, with triple gauge yards provided this had particular consequences the! ] however, the capital, in 1875 see Australian Aboriginal peoples ) became on... Brisbane with the Mount Gambier and Mount Barker lines being the regulator for NSW, South Australia, was! Own Government and laws, railway gauge, postage stamps and tariffs three. Gauges still exist in Australia of a railroad is the distance between the separate systems until 1 1918.

Can't Stop Loving You Lyrics, Almeera Meaning In Urdu, Historia Ya Minaki, How To Sell Your Way Through Life Audiobook, Fill In The Blanks With Pronouns For Class 1, Animal Idioms With Their Meaning,