This railway organisation was owned by the Commonwealth of Australia. Its operations extended from Kalgoorlie to Alice Springs and to the boarders with Victoria and New South Wales, as well as all railways in the state of Tasmania. It was formed in 1975 from the former Commonwealth, South Australian (non-suburban) and Tasmanian railways. It traded under the name Australian National.
Australian National Railways took over the operation of the country passenger and goods services in South Australia as from 1st March 1978. In 1997 the freight business was sold to Australia Southern Railroad and the passeger business to Great Southern Railroad.
The interstate rail corridors operated by Australian National were transferred to the Australian Rail Track Corporation as part of the 1997 sale. The Australian Rail Track Corporation, which is owned by the Commonwealth of Australia, commenced full operation on 1 July 1998.
Since formation it has negotiated various agreements gaining it access to the main rail corridors from Perth to Brisbane.