Route Information - Alice Springs to DarwinComrails Logo

Route Information

Alice Springs to Darwin



This section contains information about the Alice Springs to Darwin railway section of the standard gauge Central Australian Railway. Line is 1420km in length.

2000Awarded of contract to build the Darwin - Alice Springs railway to the Asia Pacific Transport Consortium as a Build Own Operate and Transfer back operation. The Australian Government contributed $165 million from the Centenary of Federation Fund, the Northern Territory Government contributed $165 million and the South Australian Government contributed $150 million to the AustralAsia Rail Corporation for the construction of assets by Asia Pacific Transport Consortium and FreightLink that were later leased for a peppercorn rental to FreightLink. In addition, the three Governments contributed about $26 million each, a total of $79 million in further funding to support the Asia Pacific Transport Consortium directly, by way of mezzanine debt financing (subordinated debt), equity and contingent equity.[AustralAsia Railway Corp]
17.7.2001Turning of the first sod.[AustralAsia Railway Corp]
17.9.2003Darwin reached
2.1.2004The section from Alice Springs to Darwin was orginally built by a consortium with the Infrastructure being owned by "Freight Link Pty Ltd". Operational Access Manager was "Australian Southern Railroad". The line was constructed to provide normal operations for trains that do not exceed 1800 metres. [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]
17.1.2004First freight train reached Darwin having departed on 15.1.2004 [AustralAsia Railway Corp]
3.2.2004Arrival of first passenger train in Darwin having departed 1.2.2004 [AustralAsia Railway Corp]
19.5.2008Freightlink board, shareholders and lenders agreed to sell its ownership of the Adelaide to Darwin rail link after failing to make a profit since the railway line commenced operation.[Financial Review 19.5.2008]
6.11.2008Freightlink goes into voluntary administration after failing to reach agreement with creditors on the terms of a sale of the business.[ Northern Territory News. 7.11.2008]
NJ 4 arriving at Alice Springs Circa 1930,Central Australia Railway -- Alice Springs station

Alice Springs (771 m 11c) -- Alice Springs 1335.00 km

11.1934Alice Springs 771m narrow gauge [SAR PTT 11.1934]
6.1953Alice Springs 771m narrow gauge [SAR PTT 6.1953]
2.1973Alice Springs 771m narrow gauge [PTT 2.1973]
-Alice Springs narrow gauge - 771 miles 11 chains
2.1.2004Alice Springs - Defined as Block Location - Terminal with nil loop - South Yard Location Board 1334.000km, Center 1335.00km, North Yard Location Board 1338.60Km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt32]

1400km BP 1400.00 km

2.1.20041400 BP - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 1400.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

1449km BP 1449.00 km

2.1.20041449 BP - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 1449.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

1503km BP 1503.00 km

2.1.20041503 BP - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 1503.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

Illoquara 1564.250 km

2.1.2004Illoquara - Defined as Block Point Location - Crossing Loop 1850 m length - South Yard Location Board 1561.25km, Center 1564.250km, North Yard Location Board 1567.20Km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

1622km BP 1622.00 km

2.1.20041622 BP - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 1622.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

1664km BP 1664.00 km

2.1.20041664 BP - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 1664.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

1735km BP 1735.00 km

2.1.20041735 BP - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 1735.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

Tennant Creek 1802.50 km

2.1.2004Tennant CreekDefined as Block Point Location - Crossing Loop 1850 m length - South Yard Location Board 1799.60km, Center 1802.50km, North Yard Location Board 1805.60Km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

1900 km 1900.00 km

2.1.20041900 - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 1900.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

2004 km 2004.00 km

2.1.20042004 - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 2004.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

Newcastle Waters 2093.00 km

2.1.2004Newcastle Waters - Defined as Block Point Location - Crossing Loop 1850 m length - South Yard Location Board 2091.53km, Center 2093.00km, North Yard Location Board 2095.50Km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

2222km BP 2222.00 km

2.1.20042222 BP - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 2222.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

2343km BP 2343.00 km

2.1.20042343 BP - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 2343.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

Katherine 2446.50 km

2.1.2004Defined as Block Point Location - Crossing Loop 1850 m length - South Yard Location Board 2441.90km, Center 2446.50km, North Yard Location Board 2451.10Km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

2553km BP 2553.00 km

2.1.20042553 BP - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 2553.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

2662km BP 2662.00 km

2.1.20042662 BP - Defined as Block Point Location - nil loop - Center 2662.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]

Berrimah 2750.00 km

2.1.2004Berrimah - Defined as Block Point Location - terminal with 1850 m loop - South Yard Location Board 2747.000km, Center 2750.00km [ASR Network Operating Guide Pt 32]