Route Information - Port Pirie to Port AugustaComrails Logo

Route Information

Port Pirie to Port Augusta

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.

Port Pirie to Port Augusta
Port Augusta to Tarcoola Tarcoola to Cook Cook to Zanthus Zanthus to Kalgoorlie Next >
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This section contains information about the Trans-Australian railway from Port Pirie to Port Augusta.

(A lot of the information in this section is from original notes by Peter Barry) 23.6.1937 - Port Pirie opening 23.6.1937 - Port Pirie opening

Solomontown -- Port Pirie Junction (134.24 m) -- Port Pirie Junction (0 m)

1923On "Chief Engineer For Railways Map Showing Lines of Railways in South Australia" as "Solomontown"
23.7.1937Opened - loop 1530 ft., sidings 18,440 ft[annual report]
26.7.1937Extension of line from Port Augusta to Port Pirie officially opened.
-Both the name "Solomontown" and "Port Pirie Junction" appears to be used interchangeably
30.6.1937Drawer locks remain at Port Augusta leg of Triangle & Stockyards ("Prairie") 0 m 50 c[WGC 4/61]
5.11.1967Train order Port Pirie Junction - Stirling North [WN 44/67]
12.11.1967Port Pirie Junction Closed & Port Pirie Opened. Mileage Difference 1 m 0 c [WN 44/67]

Port Pirie - Ellen Street (135.65 m)

-Station

Port Pirie - Mary Elie Street 262.5 km (0 m) -- Port Pirie 362.5 km

12.11.1967Port Pirie Junction Closed & Port Pirie Opened. Mileage Difference 1 m 0 c [WN 44/67]
12.1.1970Standard Gauge to Broken Hill open [SAR WN50/69]
1.7.1979Port Pirie 262.5 km (from Adelaide) - Resthouse for trainmen - Engine stabling depot - Fuel station - Turntable - - Refreshment room - Crossing loop - Carriage watering ANR WTT 1.7.1979
28.10.1990Port Pirie 362.5 km [WWT Admt 28.10.1990]
6.10.1991Port Pirie - turntable 25.9m [WWT Admt 6.10.1991]
13.11.1967 - Port Pirie - GM 35 on first Ghan to arrive at new Port Pirie station.

Coonamia 359.5 km -- Coonamia 225 km

12.1.1970Coonamia West Junction - Yard Connection opened (Broken Hill Line open) to 18/7/70.[WN 27/70]
9.4.1978Coonamia North Junction - Opened [WN 14/78]
9.4.1978Coonamia East Junction - Opened.[WN 14/78]
28.10.1990Coonamia 359.5 km [WWT Admt 28.10.1990]
23.3.1992Coonamia Siding (225 km from Adelaide) [WWT Admt 23.3.1992]
4.8.1993Coonamia West Junction - closed [SN 30/93]

Weeroona (7 m 38 c 64 l)

1.10.1937Open as 7 m 38ch[MN 136/37]
1.11.1939Mentioned as 7 m 37ch 64l[MN 136/37]
1/07/1950Last mentioned [Pass. Fares]

Port Germein 25.5 km (14 m 76 c 78 l)

23.7.1937Opened 14 m 76ch 78l[Annual Report]
6.6.1938Distance rounded to 15 m - Not Electric Staff Station[Working Time Table]
1.11.1939Port Germein 14 m 56 c 89 l[Goods & Livestock]
7.8.1944Port Germein 14¾ m - Unattended Electric Staff Station[Working Time Table]
1.3.1950Port Germein 14¾ m - Unattended Electric Staff Station - loop 1580 ft., goods siding 924 ft
24.9.1953Loop 1214 ft[WGC 39/53]
24.7.1958Loop now 2550 ft[WGC 30/58]
1.1.1961Port Germein 14 m 57 c [Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books]
25.1.19613 Staff Locks removed[WGC 4/61]
6.1961Port Germein 14¾ - Unattended Electric Staff Station
2.11.1967Train Order Port Pirie Junction - Stirling North - Unattended Crossing Station[WN 44/67]
2.11.1972Extension: North Points 15 m 49 c 44ft; South 14 m 45 c 50ft. Loop 5175ft (44 ft = 66.7 links, 50 ft = 75.8 links)[WN 44/72]
2.7.197325 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, 24.5 km in WTT 14.10.1973 Loop 1577m[Metrication]
1.7.1979Port Germein 25.5 km - Unattended - Crossing loop 1577 m - ANR WTT 1.7.1979

Baroota 34.5 km (20 m 30 c 0 l)

6.06.1938Open[SA WN 22/38]
1.11.1939[Goods & Livestock]
1.03.1950Baroota 20 m 52 c 0l - No Siding[GA]
1.06.1961[Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books]
7.1975Baroota 20 m 52 c - In public timetable July 75 & March 76 (1557 ex Sydney)
1.7.197335 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, 34.5 km in WTT 14.10.1973[Metrication]
1.7.1979Baroota 34.5 km - Unattended - ANR WTT 1.7.1979
30.8.1979Baroota 34.5 km - Mentioned in WTT Times[WN 35/79]
11.6.1981Delete all reference[WN 23/81]

Mambray Creek 45 km (26 m 74 c 78 l)

23.7.1937Open[Annual Report 1937]
1.11.1939In Goods & Livestock book
1.3.1950Goods Siding 340 ft[GA]
1.1.1961Mambray Creek 26 m 75 ch[Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books]
1.2.1961Staff Locks Removed[WGC 4/61]
3.11.1968In Public Timetable 3.11.1968 to Nov 1979
5.11.1967Unattended Emergency Crossing Station, Goods Loop 401 ft
2.11.1967Mambray Creek 27 m - Train Order Port Pirie Junction - St North 5/11/67[WN 44/67]
25.4.19685128 ft Loop open 22.4.1968[WN 17/68]
16.5.1968Loop now 5048 ft 26 m 43 c 93L to 27 m 43 c 06L[WN 20/68]
3.11.1968Unattended Crossing Station, Loop 5040 ft[WTT Amdt]
2.7.197345 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, and in WTT 14.10.1973 Loop 1536 m[Metrication]
1.7.1979Mambray Creek 45 - Unattended - Crossing loop 1536 m - ANR WTT 1.7.1979
24.1.1985Goods siding closed 13.12.1984[WN 3/85]

Nectar Brook 60.5 km (36 m 69 c 28 l)

30.6.1937Open 23.7.1937 [Annual Report]
6.6.1938Nectar Brook 37 m - Unattended Electric Staff Station by[Working Time Table]
1.11.1939Goods & Livestock book
24.9.1953Loop 1367 ft[WGC 39/53]
1.3.1950Loop 1400 ft, Goods Siding 369 ft[GA]
4.12.1955 & 24.6.1956Loop 1367 ft[WTTs]
24.07.1958Loop now 2309 ft [WGC 30/58]
1.1.1961Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
25.1.1961Staff Locks Removed 2.2.1961[WGC 4/61]
21 & 28/2/63Loop 2339 ft (May be Typo)[WN 7 & 8/63]
2.11.1967Train Order Port Pirie Junction - Stirling North 5.11.1967[WN 43 & 44/67]
5.11.1967Nectar Brook 36 ¾m - Unattended Crossing Station
9.11.1972Extn: North Points now 37 m 35c. Loop 3850ft 15.11.1972 [WN 45/72]
22.3.1973Extension: South Points now 36 m 72 c 15.2.1973 5128ft [WN 10 & 12/73]
2.7.1973Nectar Brook 60.5 km - 61 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, 60.5 km in WTT 14.10.1973. Loop 1563 m [Metrication]
1.7.1979Nectar Brook 60.5 km - Unattended - Crossing loop 1563 m - ANR WTT 1.7.1979
14.8.1986Temp Closed 5/8/86, closed as Block Stn [WN 30 & 32/86]
4.8.1985Last Entry[WTT]
17.8.1986shown in [WTT Amdt]

Winninowie 71.5 km (42 m 74 c 25 l)

30.06.1937Open 23.7.1937[Annual Report]
1.11.1939[Goods & Livestock]
1.3.1950Goods Siding 369 ft[GA]
1.1.1961Winninowie 42 m 74 c - Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
25.1.1961Staff Locks Removed 2.2.1961[WGC 4/61]
23.2.1970In Public Timetable 23.2.1970 to August 1973, November 87 to March 94
2.11.1967Train Order Port Pirie Junction - Stirling North 5.11.1967[WN 43 & 44/67]
5.11.1967Winninowie 43 m - Unattended Emergency Crossing Station, Loop 500 ft
20.2.1969Now 43½m ex PP(Careful) Loop now 5470 ft [WN 8/69]
2.7.1973Winninowie 71.5 km - 74 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, 71.5 km in WTT 14.10.73 Loop 1667 m[Metrication]
1.7.1979Winninowie 71.5 km - Unattended - Crossing loop 1667 m - ANR WTT 1.7.1979

Quorn Road (50 m 67 c)

23.07.1961RMSP Opened 2.1957. In WTTs 23.7.1961 to 12.11.1967[WTT]
6.2.1969RM cancelled[WN 6/69]

Stirling (4 m 19c) -- Stirling (52 m 08 c 64l) -- Stirling North 85 km (52 m 09 c)

2.1886Stirling 4¼ m - narrow gauge CAR [SAR PTT 2.1886]
2.1917Stirling 4¼ m - narrow gauge CAR [SAR PTT 2.1917]
11.1934Stirling 4¼ m - narrow gauge CAR [SAR PTT 11.1934]
-Stirling - narrow gauge 4 m 19 c
18.6.1936Stirling 52 m 08 c 64l - Dual Gauge Open [mn 131/36]
6.6.1938Stirling 52 m - Attended Electric Staff Station (Non Crossing on S.G.) [Working Time Table]
1.11.1939Stirling 52 m 8 c 64l - [Goods & Livestock]
1.3.1950No Loop SG, 12,500ft Sidings[GA]
18.9.1952Dual Gauge to Power Station open[WGC 38/52]
6.1953Stirling 4¼ m - narrow gauge CAR [SAR PTT 6.1953]
16.12.1954Stirling North 52 m 09 c - Renamed Stirling North[WGC 50/54]
1.1.1961Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
23.9.19663 ft 6 ins gauge Track removal to Port Augusta [WN 38/66]
2/11.1967Train Order Port Pirie Junction - Stirling North 5.11.1967 [WN 43 & 44/67]
16.10.1972Again shown as Stirling North[WTT temp.]
2.7.1973Stirling North 85 km - 85 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, and in WTT 14.10.1973 [Metrication]
1.7.1979Stirling North 85 km - Carriage watering station ANR WTT 1.7.1979
25.10.1987Last ES[WTT]
17.1.1988Stirling North - Pt Augusta Train Order replaces Electric Staff by 17.1.88 [WTT]

Port Augusta Racecourse (53 m 28 c)

1937Races late in 1937[TT in Local paper]
c 1985ANR Era Special last stopped here 1984

Cudmore Hill Road (55 m 24 c)

23.7.1961RMSP Opened 2/57 In WTTs 23.7.1961 to 12.11.1967[WTT]
6.2.1969RM cancelled[WN 6/69]
Port Augusta Station - GM 40 - CR Red and silver

Port Augusta (0 m 00 c) -- Port Augusta 92 km (56 m 28 c 45l)

2.1886Port Augusta 0 m - narrow gauge [SAR PTT 2.1886]
30.10.1914Accounting Stations [MN 2/14]
2.1917Port Augusta 0 m - narrow gauge CAR [SAR PTT 2.1917]
12 & 15.11.1917List of Open Stations [NAA B300/6 5981 Pt 1]
1.5.1924Crossing Loop 1200 ft[GA]
30.6.1924Electric Staff Station by[Annual Report]
1.8.1932Goods Sidings 21,800 ft[GA]
11.1934Port Augusta 0m - narrow gauge CAR [SAR PTT 11.1934]
12.7.193756 m [SAWN 27/37]
1.10.1937Port Augusta 56 miles - [MN 136/37]
1.11.1939Port Augusta 56 m 28 c 45l - [Goods & Livestock]
1.3.1950Loop 1200 ft., Sdgs 21,800 ft.[GA]
6.1953Port Augusta 0 m - narrow gauge [SAR PTT 6.1953]
1.1.1961Port Augusta 56 m 28 c - Pass. Fares & Goods Rates Books
25.1.1961Drawer Locks remain at Wheel Truing Yard (Up end) and Tassie St[WGC 4/61]
1.11.1962Port Augusta 56¼m - Train Order replaced Electric Staff Port Augusta - Tarcoola 11/11/62 [WN 44/62]
23.9.19663 ft 6 ins gauge Track removal to Stirling North[WN 38/66]
2.1973Port Augusta 0 m - narrow gauge CAR [PTT 2.1973]
2.7.1973Port Augusta 92 km - 92 km in Pass. Fares 1.7.1973, and in WTT 14.10.1973 Loop 366 m[Metrication]
17.8.1975Station in Fast & Slow Mixed Service[Advert.]
1.7.1979Port Augusta 92 km - Engine stabling depot - Fuel station - Turntable - Refreshment room - Crossing loop 366 m - Carriage watering station - ANR WTT 1.7.1979
17.1.1988Stirling North - Pt Augusta Train Order replaces Electric Staff by 17.1.1988 [WTT]
1.6.1989Pt Augusta - Spencer Jcn Train Order 6.6.1989 (Typo WTT 17.1.1988)WN 22/89

Port Pirie to Port Augusta
Port Augusta to Tarcoola Tarcoola to Cook Cook to Zanthus Zanthus to Kalgoorlie Next >
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