Re: Status of the Wallaroo line [SA}

[Neil Waller <waller@picknowl.com.au>]

bscaro@hotmail.com wrote:
> 
> Hi
> 
> The Wallaroo line is dual gauge, done as part of the Adelaide-Pt Pirie
> standardisation in 1982.  This was because it was to receive grain from
> the newly standardised Pt Pirie line and the broad gauge Gladstone
> line, sulphuric acid on the standard gauge from Pt Pirie for the
> Adelaide-Wallaroo fertiliser plant and in the other direction,
> fertiliser from was hauled out on both gauges to locations in SA and as
> far afield as NSW.  The rock phosphate was delivered by ship to
> Wallaroo, and combined with the acid to produce super there, I
> believe.
> 
> I wonder what ASR's plans are regarding the line ?
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Ben
> 
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.

ASR have no plans for the line.   The line is leased by the SA
Government to the YPRPS from near Snowtown to Wallaroo.

That group had intended to operate to Bute by October last year, but as
at Easter this year the Bute yard was impassable.    The track is broken
for a length or two on the Kadina side of Bute, or at least covered by a
formed road to the silos.

Essentially the line is otherwise intact from Snowtown to Wallaroo
including most of the extensive Wallaroo yard, but some dual gauge
points at Wallaroo were removed some years ago to go to Keswick Terminal
as I recall.

Kadina yard has been substantially rebuilt on a much reduced scale and
the main road now occupies the southern side of the railway yard.    It
is passable to BG trains only as is the Wallaroo yard.

Snowtown to Bute is to a large extent SG only, the 3rd rail having been
removed.    There is no BG remaining at Snowtown (and no goods siding
either I think).

I recall from Catchpoint that a grain terminal is to be built on the
line near Snowtown.   This will presumably be SG only.

Neil Waller
waller@picknowl.com.au