DEFENCE NEED

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 157, 31 December 1940, Page 9

DEFENCE NEED

ONE-GAUGE RAILWAY

AUSTRALIAN PLAN

WEST VIA BROKEN HILL

(By Trans-Tasman Air Mail, from "The Post's'^ Representative.)

SYDNEY, December 26.

T.he differing railway gauges of the five Australian mainland States have for decades been one of the most- annoying problems for the defence authorities, and a complete solution has never been found. Difficulties, caused at the "borders of the States have been alleviated in two places—at the Queensland-New South Wales border and at the South "Australian-Western Australian border. The Federal Emergency Transport Committee, a defence body, is now tackling the problem in another direction. *

The committee is considering completion of a through standard gauge from. Brisbane to Kalgoorlie, • via Sydney and Broken Hill. The project, which involves bridging a gap of 252 miles between Broken Hill and Port Pirie (S.A.), is considered urgent as a defence measure.

The Minister for the Interior, Senator Foil, announcing the proposal, said that the Commonwealth Railways, Department strongly advocated the addition of a third rail to the narrow gauge line which crosses the gap. The project would shorten the journey from Brisbane or Sydney to Kalgoorlie or Perth ! y 250 miles.

This overland route would have great strategic advantages. In the event of a shipping shortage the line would give direct transport of iron ore from Port Pirie to Newcastle without break of gauge. Raw materials for the munitions industries, finished munitions, or troops could be rushed th:.ough fully a day faster than by lines through Victoria, with transhipment delays.

Completion of the standard gauge link would solve the problem of getting sufficient rolling-stock right through to Kalgoorlie to meet any need. ... '

Senator Foil said that he had asked the Commonwealth Railways Commissioner (Mr. Gahan) to prepare alternative estimates for putting down the third rail from Port Pirie .to Broken Hill and for laying a hew line with standard 801b rails. Thd present 3ft 6in line had 601b rails. A third rail would be of the same weight. This would probably be sufficient for general gp.ods traffic, but the more expensive 801b new line would be more '"asirable for fast, heavily-laden trains.