4 replies to this topic

[RailHaRRy]

From the Australian Northern Territory News:

Transcontinental loco on its way

From PAUL DYER on The Ghan
02feb04

More than 1000 people came to celebrate the departure of The Ghan passenger train from Adelaide to Darwin yesterday.

And thousands more lined the track _ in small towns in the back of farm utes, atop bridges and at road crossings _ throughout the first day's journey. 

Full article here.

[KevinKorell]

From same publication, next day:

Dream steams on
By PAUL DYER
03feb04

The Ghan passenger train took its first tentative steps into history when it headed north of Alice Springs for the first time yesterday afternoon.

The follow-up story is here, mate.

[KevinKorell]

G'Day, here's another story on the Ghan, from the Australian of 2/4/04 (they are a day ahead of us):

Thousands welcome Ghan

THOUSANDS of people lined the rail track into Darwin last night as the Ghan ended its inaugural journey from Adelaide, realising the 146-year-old dream to transport passengers across the continent by train.

The full story is here.

[both-places-bill]

It is strange that they consider across the Country as being North South. The East West distance is grater and rail service has been in place on that route for many years.

[ICGsteve]

Bill- I think what they mean is that although it has been possible to go East-West in the Southern part of the country the extreme North as always had no rail. In fact, it has been very difficult to travel in the North by any means. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of this rail line to the country. It is expected to transform the economy of a huge slice of the country, and plays into the mythology of nation building.