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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 10 (May 1, 1929.)

South Australia

South Australia.

When the news of these projects reached the colonies (in 1846), agitation for the construction of railways commenced in Sydney and Adelaide (South Australia). The immediate result was the passing (in 1847), in the latter colony, of the first Australian Public Railways Act, which, in 194 sections, endorsed many obsolete provisions of English railway legislation, amongst them being one to the effect that each engine must consume its own smoke under a penalty of £5 per day, while another empowered private persons to use their own rolling stock etc. This act lapsed, however, as no steps were taken to give effect to its provisions.

In 1848, the Adelaide City and Port Railway Company was formed in England, and the promoter, Mr. Parkes, secured the passing of a private Act, which authorised the construction of a railway from the city to the port of Adelaide, with branches northwards. The Company, whose capital was only £30,000, regarded the undertaking as offering an opportunity for land speculation, and, as the government would only grant sufficient land for the construction of the line, the company abandoned the project.

Forty-Nine Years Ago. This photo of the “Corsair” (locomotive M89) was taken at Christchurch in 1880. In the cab may be seen Driver Ashton, and, below, Loco. Foreman Dickinson. Four of this class of engine were imported from Hunslet Engine Co., Leeds, in 1875, for the Otago Railways.

Forty-Nine Years Ago.
This photo of the “Corsair” (locomotive M89) was taken at Christchurch in 1880. In the cab may be seen Driver Ashton, and, below, Loco. Foreman Dickinson. Four of this class of engine were imported from Hunslet Engine Co., Leeds, in 1875, for the Otago Railways.

The government revoked the agreement, and in October 1851, passed an Act for the appointment of Undertakers for the construction of the railway. A sum of £45,000 was authorised for the building of the line—the first government railway on British soil—which, when completed, was to be leased by public tender.

But it was soon discovered that the amount authorised for the building of the line was insufficient. It was therefore increased to £60,000, which sum was deemed adequate for the purpose. The construction of the line was delayed for some time, and, on its resumption, it was found that, owing to the gold discoveries in the Eastern States, the cost of labour and materials had increased to such an extent that a further sum of £150,000 had to be provided for the completion of the work. Even this amount proved insufficient and additional sums of £36,000 and £17,250 had to be authorised to complete this railway. The line, seven miles thirty-five chains in length, was eventually completed and opened for traffic on 21st April, 1856.

Following this, and with a view to linking up page 39 the northern mines and towns with Adelaide, the Government constructed a 5ft. 3in. gauge line to Terowie, 140 miles from Adelaide. An extension to Oodnadotta, 397 miles from Adelaide, was constructed to the 3ft. 6in. gauge. This latter line is the southern section of the trans-continental North-South line through the centre of Australia which is being constructed by the Federal Government. At one time British financiers proposed to construct this railway on the land grant system, but as strong objections were raised in the Colony to the alienation of about 200 million acres of land for a railway only 2,000 miles long, the proposal fell through.

Railway construction has since been carried out by the Government at a very fair rate, consistent with the limited population of the State and, for many years, the Broken Hill (N.S.W.) mineral and goods traffic formed a very important factor in the South Australian railway receipts.

The Old Southland Broad Gauge Railway. Broad Gauge Locomotive used on the Bluff and Invercargill line. This engine was built in June, 1864, by Hadsell and Clark. Cylinders, 12in. × 18in.; diameter of driving wheels, 4ft.

The Old Southland Broad Gauge Railway.
Broad Gauge Locomotive used on the Bluff and Invercargill line. This engine was built in June, 1864, by Hadsell and Clark. Cylinders, 12in. × 18in.; diameter of driving wheels, 4ft.