Alice Sprgs. to Darwin Line

TexChris May 8, 2001

  1. TexChris

    TexChris TrainBoard Member

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    Anyone down there heard any interesting information on the impending line from Alice Springs to Darwin? The little I know of this is because I own a little stock in Genessee and Wyoming ( GNWR,parent company of some Australian operations), and they will be involved in the construction of the line, and hauling in the supplies. Has construction begun? Is there any excitement about it down there?
     
  2. yankinoz

    yankinoz TrainBoard Member

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    It was in the news a couple of weeks ago when a South Australia company won one of the contracts (the steel for the rails I believe) - there were all kinds of government types patting each other on the back but I don't remember the detials. I honestly haven't been keeping to up to date on the project myself, but I believe that the construction is under way.
     
  3. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I found this link from our railnews site

    web page

    Be sure to keep checking our railnews site for more information

    Railnews
     
  4. mepham

    mepham TrainBoard Member

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    I liase with ASR in my role in the grain industry. As far as I am aware the line is to be built in independant sections and joined up. This is due to the required construction of a couple of viaducts/ bridges which will take up to 2 years to build. I believe that the main construction camps will be based at Katherine and Tennant Creek with ASR recently purchasing a number of ex NSW 422 locos to free up light engines from freight work on existing lines to truck up to these location and commence construction. ASR have also placed an order with a Chinese company for the construction of 70 odd? ballasting hoppers for use in the construction. Once completed I believe that these wagons will be converted to narrow gauge and used on the Gypsum works on the Eyre Peninsula.

    One Steel (exBHP) in Whyalla have won the contract to provide the rail for the project.

    On another track the recent purchase by G&W of thw Western Australian company Westrail has seen a mix of WA locos and rolling stock in operations on SA lines. We are currently using WW grain wagons on the Std gauge with L class L268 (3000hp) and Q class Q308 and Q317 (4000hp) working in consists with ASR locos.

    It is an interesting time indeed.

    Cheers

    Andrew
    mepham@centralonline.com.au null
     
  5. TexChris

    TexChris TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the info!
     

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