Re: Interested in Train Pics from the Centre.?

["< Tell >" <telljb@netozemail.com.au>]

Michael Kurkowski <mk@netstra.com.au> wrote:
> 
> Of interest, I know that the tracks mostly dont exist for that line any 
> more, did the weather do this, or the government in it's infinite wisdom to 
> "save money" by spending extra time taking away something that would have 
> been harmless anyway?

>From Oodnadatta SA to Ewaninga NT the 60 lb mainline
rails were purchased by the Sugar Producers Association
of (Aust).   They were torn up by Roberts Construction
from WA using NSU locomotives and railed to MacDonnell
Siding just outside Alice, from there they went to the
East Coast by road.  There was some 80lb welded rail
and 80lb jointed on steel sleepers as well.!  
The 80lb was recovered by Roberts for ANR and loaded
onto the TAS at the former site of Todd Junction and
railed south along with all the bridge girders.

>From Oodnadatta to Marree most of the line was 80lb
welded (3x40ft) and was recovered for ANR by another
contractor called Goss Pty Ltd.  I think a fair bit of
that was used on the West Coast of SA.

> Would also be interesting to see some photos of Oodnadatta, Marree, and 
> other towns/landmarks along the way, be it now, or back in 1980 after the 
> last train.

Yep have plenty of photos, I traveled along most of the
old line by motor vehicle a number of times before
closure and I also worked for Roberts Construction from
Abminga in the far north of SA to the end of the
contract here in Alice Springs.

Interestingly, the Sugar Producers purchased 3 NSU's
initially (a 4th one later) plus rolling stock and then
leased them to Roberts who supplied their own driver a
former NSWGR steam/diesel man who spent many years
driving the big ones for Hammersley Iron.

One NSU to tear the track up and the other two to haul
the rails to MacDonnell.  ANR left everything in place
including level crossing signs so that the job could be
done, it was a unique operation and worth telling one
day with some unbelievable photos.
 
----Terry Burton
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