Route Information - Zanthus to KalgoorlieComrails Logo

Route Information

Zanthus to Kalgoorlie

The Trans-Australian line construction commenced in 1912 with the first through train running in 1917. It is standard gauge and is the link between the railways of Australia's eastern states and that of Western Australia. Construction of the 1,691km (1,051 miles 68 chains) of 1,435 mm (4ft 8½in) gauge line from Port Augusta, South Australia, to Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.

The extension from Port Augusta to Port Pirie, which was opened in 1937, is 90km (56 miles 28 chains) long.

14.9.1912Turning the First Sod, By His Excellency the Governor General, Lord Denman, at Port Augusta
17.10.1917Track laying machines met near Ooldea
22.11.1917First train
26.7.1937Extension of line from Port Augusta to Port Pirie opened.


This section contains information about the Trans-Australian Railway from Zanthus to Kalgoorlie.

(A lot of the information in this section is from original notes by Peter Barry)

Zanthus (130 m 35 c West) -- Zanthus 1572 km (977 m 30 c 57 l)

12 & 15.11.1917Zanthus (2nd Location 130 m 35 ch) - List of Open Stations [NAAB300 5981 Pt 1]
1.5.1924Crossing Loop 1440 ft [GA]
340.6.1925Zanthus - Attended ES by [Annual Report]
1.8.1932Sidings in Addition 735 ft [GA]
12.7.1937Zanthus 977 miles - [SAWN 27/37]
1.11.1939Zanthus 977 m 30 c 57l - [Goods and Livestock ]
1.3.1950Loop 1350 ft., Siding. 735 ft [GA]
28/5 & 4.6.1953Zanthus 977 m 30 c 57l - West End Points moved 250 ft West 27.5.1953. Loop now 1610 ft(Mid Pt now 977 m 32 c 47 l) [WGC 22 & 23/53]
22.12.1955Unattended from 20.12.55 [WGC 51/55]
1.1.1961Zanthus 977 m 31 c - Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
15.2.1961Staff Drawer Locks removed after 17.2.1961 [WGC 7/61]
-Zanthus 977 m 31 c - Unattended Electric Staff Station [List June 1961]
-In Public Timetable 28.3.1918 to March 1994
14 & 21.2.1963Zanthus 977 m 31 c - Loop 1776 ft [WN 7 & 8/63]
21.5.1964West Extn Points now 977 m 69½c 3046 ft. [WN 21/64]
2.7.1964Zanthus 977½m - Loop 3450 ft East Extn IS [WN 27/64]
29.11.1962Train Order replaced Electric Staff Cook - Parkeston 10.12.1962 [WN 48/62]
20.11.1966Zanthus 977½m - Choke Blocks on Loop [WTT]
2.7.1973Zanthus 1572 km - 1572 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, and in WTT 14.10.1973 Loop 1830 m [Metrication]
13.6.1974Extension: West Points now 1573.314km 21.6.1974 1830 m [WN 23/74]
17.8.1975Zanthus 1572 km - Station in Fast & Slow Mixed Service [Advert]
1.7.1979Choke Blocks Deleted by [WTT]
1.7.1979Zanthus 1572 km - Resthouse for trainmen - Unattended - Crossing loop 1830 m - ANR WTT 1.7.1979
2.2001Shown in ARTC line maps - Crossing loop 1830 m - Goods Loop 189 m - Camp Spur 334 m - Triangle 122 m [ARTC ta400013]

Siding 980½ miles (980½ m)

24.3.1955980 ½m Siding - Still open [WGC 12/55]
30.8.1961Staff Drawer Locks removed by [WGC 35/61]
9.5.1963981 1/2 m Siding - Points to be removed [WN 19/63]

Zanthus

-Zanthus (1st Location) approx 120 miles West

Siding 106 miles west (945 m) -- Siding 945 miles (945 m) -- Coonana 1611 km (1002 m)

--
12 & 15.11.1917Siding 106 miles - List of Open Stations [NAAB300 5981 Pt 1]
5.9.1918Loads of Trains [MN 40/18]
1.5.1924Siding 945 m - [GA]
31.8.1922Siding 946 miles East = 105 miles - Renamed 946 m by [WN 60/22]
1.8.1934Sidings 1775 ft [GA]
1.10.1937Coonana (3rd Location) - Named Coonana 1002 miles [MN 126/37]]
1.11.1939Coonana (3rd Location) 1002 m 4 c 88l - [Goods and Livestock ]
1.3.1942Coonana (3rd Location) 1002 m 4 c 88l - New 1400 ft Crossing Loop & Unattended Electric Staff Station [War Time Facilities]
1.3.1950Coonana (3rd Location) 1002 m 4 c 88l - Loop 1460 ft., Siding. 650 ft [GA]
5.6.1952Closed as Electric Staff Station. Loop & Siding Remain 4.5.1952 [WGC 23/52]
1.1.1961Coonana (3rd Location) 1002 m 5 c - Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
15.2.1961Staff Drawer Locks removed after 17.2.1961 [WGC 7/61]
-Coonana (3rd Location) 1002 m 5 c - Not Electric Staff Station [List June 1961]
15.3.1962Ballast Siding In Service 43 c North from Jcn [WN 11/62]
-Coonana (3rd Location) 1002 m 5 c - In Public Timetable as 946 m 30.4.1927 to April 1937. 2.5.1965 to March 1994
6.12.1962Reopened as Unattended Crossing Loop 1390 ft with Train Order [WN 49/62]
28.4.1963Coonana (3rd Location) 1002 m 5 c - Loop 1390 ft Goods only [WTT]
9.7.1964New South side Loop 3300 ft [WN 28/64]
29.11.1962Coonana (3rd Location) 1002 m - Train Order replaced Electric Staff Cook - Parkeston 10.12.1962 [WN 48/62]
2.7.1973Coonana (3rd Location) 1611 km - 1611 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, and in WTT 14.10.73 Loop 1868 m [Metrication]
4.4.1974Extension: East Points now 1609.672km Open 11.4.1974 1868 m [WN 13/74]
1.7.1979Coonana 1611 km - Unattended - Crossing loop 1868 m - ANR WTT 1.7.1979
1.8.1981Coonana 1611 km - Not shown in Passenger Fares Book
2.2001Shown in ARTC line maps - Crossing loop 1867 m - Goods Loop 323 m [ARTC ta400013]

Coonana

-Coonana (1st Location)

Coonana

-Coonana (No 6) (2nd Location)

Camp 1018 miles (1018 m)

23.9.19541018 m Camp - Opened by [WGC 38/54]
23.7.1961 & 28.4.1963Closed after 23.7.1961 & pre 28.4.1963 [WTT]

Crossing Loop 1020¾ miles (1020¾ m) -- Chifley 1642 km (1020 m 71 c)

1943 - 41020¾ miles (1021 m)(appr 87 m West) - 1200 ft Loop Incomplete [War Time Facilities]
7.8.1944Last Entry [WTT]
14.6.19561021 m - Opened as Electric Staff Station 10.6.1956 [WGC 24/56]
15.5.1957Name change to Chifley approved [NAA B300 5981 Pt 3]
8.5.1958Chifley - Named 28.4.1958 965 m ex Pt Augusta [WGC 19/58]
1.1.1961Chifley 1020 m 71 c - Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
1.12.1960Staff Drawer Locks removed 10.12.60 [WGC 48/60]
11.5.1961Chifley 1020 m 71 c - x Loop South side West Extn 630 ft Points now 1021 m 23 c 11.4.1961 Complete 10.5.1961 Loop now 3180 ft [WN 19/61]
-Unattended Electric Staff Station [List June 1961]
-Chifley 1020 m 71 c - In Public Timetable 2.5.1965 to May 1984, November 1987?
29.11.1962Train Order replaced Electric Staff Cook - Parkeston 10.12.1962 [WN 48/62]
14 & 21.2.1963Chifley 1020 m 71 c - Loop 3247 ft [WN 7 & 8/63]
1.12.1994Closed as Crossing Pt, Control Pt in lieu 24.11.94 [SN 47/94]
14.1.1971Chifley 1020 m 71 c - Extension: West End Points now 1021 m 51c, Loop now 5000ft 20.1.1971 [WN 2/71]
21.3.1974Extension: East Points now 1669.239km 1683 m 26.3.1974 [WN 11/74]
2.7.1973Chifley 1642 km - 1642 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, and in WTT 14.10.73 Loop 1532 m [Metrication]
1.7.1979Chifley 1642 km - Unattended - Crossing loop 1532 m - ANR WTT 1.7.1979
1.12.1994Closed as Crossing Pt, Control Pt in lieu 24.11.94 [SN 47/94]
2.2001Shown in ARTC line maps as Block Point [ARTC ta400013]
2009New 1800m crossing loop to be constructed. [cp 9.2009]

Boorganna

-Boorganna

Cardonia

-Cardonia

Karonie (983 m) -- Karonie 1670.5 km (1038 m 74 c 35 l)

12 & 15.11.1917Karonie - List of Open Stations [NAAB300 5981 Pt 1]
30.11.1921Location amended from 982 m to 983 m [MN 56/21]
1.5.1924Karonie - Crossing Loop 1420 ft [GA]
30.6.1926Karonie - Converted to Unattended ES by [Annual Report]
1.8.1932Sidings in Addition 700 ft [GA]
1.10.1937Karonie 1039 miles - [MN 126/37]]
1.11.1939Karonie 1038 m 74 c 35l - [Goods and Livestock ]
1.3.1950Loop 1520 ft., Siding 760 ft [GA]
24.9.1953Karonie 1038 m 74 c 35l - Loop 1425 ft [WGC 39/53]
14.6.1956Closed as ES 10.6.1956 WN 24/56 14.6.1956 [WGC 24/56]
24.4.1958Karonie 1038 m 74 c 35l - To be reopened as Electric Staff Station 29.4.1958 [WGC 17/58 ]
5.6.1958Reopening as ES postponed to 17.6.1958 [WGC 23/58]
5.6.1958Karonie 1038 m 74 c 35l - Branch 3 m 6 c to Ballast Quarry opened 17.6.1958 [WGC 23/58]
-In Public Timetable 28.3.1918 to April 1937, TT 1.9.1937 to Oct 1941, TT & Map 1.8.1945 to 28.11.1954, 1.5.1961 to March 1994
1.12.1960Karonie 1038 m 74 c 35l - Staff Drawer Locks removed 11.12.60 [WGC 48/60]
1.1.1961Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
28.7.1961Karonie 1038 m 74 c - Loop 1417 ft [WTT]
-Unattended Electric Staff Station [List June 1961]
14 & 21.2.1963Karonie 1038 m 74 c - Loop 1338 ft [WN 7 & 8/63]
25.4.1963Loop North Side, Extn East 1700 ft, Points East end now 1038 m 35 c 9.4.1963 Loop now 3044 ft [WN 14 & 17/63]
29.11.1962Karonie 1039 miles - Train Order replaced Electric Staff Cook - Parkeston 10.12.1962 [WN 48/62]
2.7.1973Karonie 1670.5 km - 1671 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, 1670.5 km in WTT 14.10.73 Loop 1683 m [Metrication]
1.7.1979Karonie 1670.5 km - Crossing Loop 1683 m ANR WTT 1.7.1979
2.2001Shown in ARTC line maps - Crossing loop 1852 m - Spur Line [ARTC ta400013]

Blamey 1692 km

1.7.1979Blamey 1692 Km (1056.9 miles) - First Entry, Loop 1850 m, Unattended Crossing Station [WTT]
-In IP Timetable May 1984 to March 1994
19.7.1979Blamey 1692 km - East Points 1691.000km West Points 1693.000km Open Named Blamey. Loop length 1850 m [WN 29/79]
6.6.1982Loop now 1896 m [WTT]
2.2001Shown in ARTC line maps - Crossing loop 1901 m [ARTC ta400013]

Randalls (51 m West) -- Randalls 1699.5 km (1056 m 77 c 50 l)

-Randalls (2nd Site) 51 miles
12 & 15.11.1917Randells - List of Open Stations [NAAB300 5981 Pt 1]
30.11.1921Location amended from 1000 m to 1001 m [MN 56/21]
1.8.1932Randells - Siding 600 ft [GA]
1.10.1937Randells 1057 miles - [MN 126/37]]
6.6.1938Typo Randalls [WTT]
1.11.1939Randells 1056 m 77 c 50l - [Goods and Livestock ]
1943 - 4Randells 1056 m 77 c 50l - Extension to 1200 ft at Western end of Loop Incomplete [War Time Facilities]
1.3.1950Sdg. 600 ft [GA]
1.1.1961Randells 1056 m 78 c - Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
15.2.1961Staff Drawer Locks removed after 17.2.1961 [WGC 7/61]
-Randells 1056 m 78 c - Never in Public Timetable pre 23.2.1970 then to May 1981, Typo Randalls Nov 87 to March 94
29.11.1962Train Order replaced Electric Staff Cook - Parkeston 10.12.1962 [WN 48/62]
28.4.1964Randells 1056¾m - Revised Distance [WTT]
2.7.1973Randells 1699.5 km - 1700 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, 1699.5 km in WTT 14.10.73 Loop 198 m G [Metrication]
30.9.1976Unattended Emergency Crossing Point 4.10.76 [WN 39/76]
1.7.1979Randells 1699.5 km - Emergency Crossing Facilities Deleted by [WTT]
1.7.1979Randells 1699.5 km - Good Loop 198 mANR WTT 1.7.1979
11.6.1981Delete all reference [WN 23/81]

Randalls (49 m 48 c West)

-Randalls 49 m 48 c (1st Site)

Siding 1014 miles (1014 m)

24.8.1921Siding 1014 m(Loading Platform for syndicate at Mt. Juglah at 37 mile peg) - Traffic Commenced 13.8.1921 [NAA B300 6586]
11.7.1922Platform Construction approved [NAA B300 6586]
1925Siding 1014 m(Loading Platform for syndicate at Mt. Juglah at 37 mile peg) - Open [WA Rates & Fares]
22.3.1934Platform Burned down 4 or 5.3.1934 [NAA B300 6586]
-Siding 1014 m(Loading Platform for syndicate at Mt. Juglah at 37 mile peg) - In Public Timetable 30.4.1927 & 1.8.1929 Map only 1.9.1930
1.8.1929Last Consecutive Entry, then sporadic to Public 1.1.1937 [Public]

Crossing Loop 1072 miles 1722.5 km (1071 m 20 c)

10.19431072 miles(1071 m 20 ch) Crossing Loop (appr 35¾m West) - Loop 1200 ft & Unattended Electric Staff Station opened [War Time Facilities]
1.3.19501072 miles(1071 m 20 ch) Crossing Loop (appr 35¾m West) - Loop 1400 ft [GA]
5.6.1952Closed as Electric Staff Station Siding. Out of Use 7.5.1952 [WGC 23/52]
3.10.19521072 miles(1071 m 20 ch) Crossing Loop (appr 35¾m West) - Points Removed by [WGC 40/52]
14.6.1956Reopened as Electric Staff Station 10.6.1956 [WGC 24/56]
24.6.19561072 miles(1071 m 20 ch) Crossing Loop (appr 35¾m West) - Loop 2310 ft (Mid Pt now 1071 m 11 c 59 l, based on 1200 ft Loop) [WTT]
15.5.1957Name Curtin approved 15.5.1957 [NAAB300 5981 Pt 3]
8.5.1958Curtin - Named 28.4.1958 1015 m ex Pt Augusta [WGC 19/58]
1.12.1960Staff Drawer Locks removed 12.12.60 [WGC 48/60]
1.1.1961Curtin 1071 m 12 c - Pass. Fares Book ( 11 c in Goods Rates Book)
28.7.1961Loop now 2315 ft [WTT]
-Curtin 1071 m 12 c - Unattended Electric Staff Station [List June 1961]
9.11.1961Loop South Side, West extn 690 ft Points now 1071 m 44 c, 14.11.1961 [WN 45/61]
23.11.1961Curtin 1071 m 12 c - Loop now 3144 ft [WN 47/61]
-In Public Timetable 2.4.1965 to March 1994
12.4.1962Curtin 1071 m 12 c - ES Cabin relocated 13.4.1962 [WN 15/62]
14 & 21.2.1963Loop 3150 ft [WN 7 & 8/63]
28.4.1963Curtin 1072 m - Revised Distance [WTT]
29.11.1962Train Order replaced Electric Staff Cook - Parkeston 10.12.1962 [WN 48/62]
2/66.Curtin 1072 m 11 c - Revised Distance [Goods Rates Book ]
2.7.1973Curtin 1722.5 km - 1723 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, 1722.5 km in WTT 14.10.73 Loop 1830 m [Metrication]
23.5.1974Extension: East Points now 1721.369km 30.5.1974 1830 m [WN 20/74]
1.7.1979Curtin 1722.5 km - Unattended - Crossing loop 1830 m - ANR WTT 1.7.1979
2.2001Shown in ARTC line maps - Crossing loop 1874 m [ARTC ta400013]

Golden Ridge (1037 m) -- Golden Ridge 1758 km (1092 m 58 c)

12 & 15.11.1917Golden Ridge - List of Open Stations [NAAB300 5981 Pt 1]
1.8.1932Siding 1410 ft [GA]
1.10.1937Golden Ridge 1093 miles - [MN 126/37]]
1.11.1939Golden Ridge 1092 m 58 c 29l - [Goods and Livestock ]
7.8.1944Golden Ridge 1092 m 58 c 29l - Emergency Crossing Station by [WTT]
7.8.1949Emergency Crossing Facilities removed by [WTT]
-Golden Ridge 1092 m 58 c 29 l
1.3.1950Loop 1236 ft [GA]
5.6.1952Golden Ridge 1092 m 58 c 29l - Siding Closed 7.5.1952 [WGC 23/52]
19.6.1952Points removed 13.6.1952 [WGC 25/52]
1.1.1961Golden Ridge 1092 m 58 c - Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
-In Public Timetable 28.3.1918 to 1.9.1937, 23.2.1970 to March 1994
29.11.1962Golden Ridge 1092¾m - Train Order replaced Electric Staff Cook - Parkeston 10.12.1962 [WN 48/62]
21.3.1968Loop on South side open 19.3.1968 5509 ft 1092 m 51 c to 1093 m 60 c Mid Pt 1093 m 20 c Std Distce 1093¼m not 1092¾m [WN 12/68]
2.11.1968Golden Ridge 1093¼m - 1093¼m [WTT Amdts]
2.7.1973Golden Ridge 1758 km - 1758 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, and in WTT 14.10.73 Loop 1679 m [Metrication]
1.7.1979Golden Ridge 1758 km - Unattended - Crossing loop 1679 m - ANR WTT 1.7.1979
2.2001Shown in ARTC line maps - Crossing loop 1958 m - Camp Spur 275 m [ARTC ta400013]

Parkeston (1049 m) -- Parkeston 1776 km (1105 m 2 c 25 l)

12 & 15.11.1917Parkeston - List of Open Stations [NAAB300 5981 Pt 1]
1.5.1924Parkeston - Crossing Loop 800 ft [GA]
1.8.1932Sidings in Addition 11, 080 ft [GA]
1.10.1937Parkeston 1105 miles - [MN 126/37]]
1.11.1939Parkeston 1105 m 2 c 25l - [Goods and Livestock ]
1.3.1950Sdgs. 11,080 ft [GA]
12.8.1954Parkeston 1105 m 2 c 25l - Loop 777 ft (Not in WGC 39/53 24.9.1953) [WGC 32/54]
1.1.1961Parkeston 1105 m 2 c - Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
-Attended Electric Staff Station [List June 1961]
-Parkeston 1105 m 2 c - In Public Timetable 28.3.1918 to March 1994
29.11.1962Train Order replaced Electric Staff Cook - Parkeston 10.12.1962 [WN 48/62]
9.9.1966Parkeston 1105 m - East Extn., Loop now 920 ft [WN 36/66]
28.1.1971Parkeston 1105 m - Extension: Loop now 1104 m to 1105 m 07 c 5280ft 3.2.1971 [WN 4/71]
18.2.1971West Points 1105 m 68 3.375/121/2c, Loop now 5515ft(?) [WN 7/71]
2.7.1973Parkeston 1776.5 km - 1776 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, 1776.5 km in WTT 14.10.73 Loop 1682 m [Metrication]
17.8.1975Station in Fast & Slow Mixed Service [Advert]
1.7.1979Parkeston 1776.5 km - Electric Staff between Parkeston & Kalgoorlie replaced by Train Orders by [WTT]
1.7.1979Parkeston 1776 km - Resthouse for trainmen - engine stabling depot - Fule Depot Turntable - - Carriage watering station - Crossing loop 1682 m ANR WTT 1.7.1979
1.12.1994Parkeston 1776.5 km - Extension: East Points now 1775.305 km ( prob 215 m towards Pt Aug) SN 47/94 1.12.94 [SN 47/94]

Kalgoorlie (1051 m) -- Kalgoorlie 1781.5 km (1107 m 54 c 93 l)

-Kalgoorlie (Goods) (In Accounting Stations only)
12 & 15.11.1917Kalgoorlie - List of Open Stations [NAAB300 5981 Pt 1]
30.6.1924Kalgoorlie - Attended ES by [Annual Report]
1.10.1937Kalgoorlie 1108 miles - [MN 126/37]]
1.8.1932Sidings 500ft [GA]
1.11.1939Kalgoorlie 1107 m 54 c 93l - [Goods and Livestock ]
1.3.1950Loop 800 ft., Siding.500 ft [GA]
1.1.1961Kalgoorlie 1107 m 55 c - Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
-25.11.1976
-Kalgoorlie 1781.5 km - 1782 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, 1781.5 km in WTT 14.10.73
1.7.1979Electric Staff between Parkeston & Kalgoorlie replaced by Train Orders by [WTT]
1.7.1979Kalgoorlie 1781.5 km - Refreshment room - Carriage watering station - Crossing loop ANR WTT 1.7.1979
2.2001Shown in ARTC line maps - Crossing loop 1865 m - Engineers Siding 720 m - Triangle - Yard with 10 roads [ARTC ta400013]