Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Railways in Adelaide
Adelaide, South Australia has an adequate rail network that has decreased in size since the 1980s. Adelaide's rail network currently consists of 81 railway stations and 5 railway lines. It is currently operated by TransAdelaide and is part of the citywide Adelaide Metro public transport system.
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Early days
In 1856, the first steam train ran between Adelaide and Port Adelaide , stopping at Bowden, Woodville and Alberton. Soon after, a 30km line was built from the Town of Gawler to Adelaide to cater for the agricultural and mining industries at the time. Most of the lines were built before 1900. In 1929, the first tram line was built from Glenelg to Adelaide.
Modern day
Adelaide's metropolitan rail network is the only one in Mainland Australia which has not been electrified. However, there has been evidence of attempts by several governments throughout the 20th century to electrify the system.
The current Rann Labor State Government has attracted increasing criticism for doing little to improve the ailing and ever-delapidated rail-system. The State Government, however, is in the process of developing a State Transport Plan, expected to be released mid-2005. The plan will supposedly set out the framework for upgrading the public transport system.
The 5 railway lines (all broad gauge) making up the suburban network are:
Outer Harbour Line (21.9km long):
- Adelaide - Port Adelaide built in 1856 - 11.7km long
- Glanville - Outer Harbour built in 1908 - 10.2km long
Gawler Line (42.2km long):
Grange Line (5.5km long):
Noarlunga Line (30.2km long):
- Goodwood - Marino built in 1913 - 18.3km long
- Marino - Hallet Cove built in 1915 - 3.1km long
- Lonsdale - Christies Downs built in 1976 - 2.2km long
- Christies Downs - Noarlunga built in 1978 - 1.3km long
Belair Line (21.5km long):
- Adelaide - Belair (Previously up to Bridgewater) built in 1883 (Belair to Bridgewater was converted to standard gauge in 1995, and only one track remains broad guage from Adelaide to Belair) - 21.5km long
Tonsley Line (only 3.9km long):
- Woodlands Park - Tonsley - 3.9km long
These railway lines are now closed down:
- Grange - Henley Beach 1894 (Closed and ripped up in 1978)
- Hallet Cove - Willunga built in 1915 (Closed 1969)
- Salisbury - Penfield built in 1941 (Closed and ripped up in 1991)
- Northfield (closed 1986)
Current rolling stock
Adelaide's suburban railway network is currently made up of:
- 12 2000 class railcars built by Commonwealth Engineering from 1978-1980
- 18 2100 class railcars built by Commonwealth Engineering
- 30 3000 class railcars built by Commonwealth Engineering and later Clyde Engineering from 1988-1996
- 40 3100 class railcars built by Commonwealth Engineering and later Clyde Engineering from 1988-1996
See also
External links
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