The Quorn Line | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Overview | |
Status | Closed |
Owner | South Australian Railways, Australian National |
Locale | Mid North South Australia |
Termini |
|
Stations | 12 |
Service | |
Type | Main Line (now closed) |
System | Great Northern Railway |
Services | 1 |
Operator(s) | South Australian Railways, Australian National |
Depot(s) | Peterborough |
Rolling stock | Various |
History | |
Opened | 1882 |
Closed | 1987 |
Technical | |
Line length | 71.75 mi (115.47 km) |
Track gauge | 1067mm |
Highest elevation | Dent (1,150 feet (350 m)) |
The Quorn Line was a narrow gauge (3'6") railway which connected the junction towns of Peterborough and Quorn.
The railway was 80 miles long, and served towns on the Black Rock Plains, and the Willochra Plains, via the Olladdie Hills.
For part of its life, it served as the main east-west route (connecting to the Trans Australia Railway via the Pichi Richi Pass) and the North South route (connecting to Alice Springs Hawker and Marree)
History
[edit]Construction
[edit]Operation
[edit]The railway between Peterborough and Eurelia was used by Steamtown for running tourist trains. This organisation ceased operations in 2002.
Closure
[edit]The line today
[edit]The railway was removed in two separate contracts.
The section between Bruce and Eurelia was removed in 1987, following the return of locomotives hired by Australian National to the Pichi Richi Railway at Quorn.
The railway between Peterborough and Eurelia was removed in 2008 by a contract let by the Corporation of Peterborough, following the transfer of the line from the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure[1] . Track was left over Pekina Creek, Black Rock Yard, Black Rock Bridge, Walloway Yard to Walloway Creek and in the yard of Orroroo[2].
The section between Quorn and Bruce has been left in place, and is under the management of Pichi Richi Railway. It is not currently in use.
Route
[edit]- Peterborough, South Australia- Junction with the Port Pirie to Broken Hill Railway (Narrow, later converted to Standard gauge), and the railway to Adelaidevia Terowie (initially Narrow gauge, but later converted to Broad Gauge)
- Minvilara
- Black Rock
- Orroroo - Included a Class One Station, and Goods Shed
- Walloway
- Halls Well - watering point
- Eurelia - Class One Station, Refreshment Rooms, Timber and stone Goods Shed, Railway Dam.
- Carrieton - Class One Station, Stone Goods Shed.
- Moockra
- Hammond
- Bruce - Class One Station, Stone Goods Shed, Watering point.
- Kingswood
- Quorn - Later Junction with Commonwealth Railways - Class One Station, Goods Shed, Watering and servicing facilities.
References
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Evans, J; Proceed to Quorn Railmac Publications 2009