Waikerie railway line

The northern terminus was near the silos at left of picture.

The Waikerie railway line was a branch line from the Barmera railway line at Karoonda 74 miles (119 km) north to Waikerie on the River Murray in South Australia. It was opened in 1914 and closed around 1990 due to faster and more efficient road transport.[1]

Route

Legend
 Waikerie railway line
Red was broad gauge, blue is standard gauge 
Waikerie
Kanni
Holder Siding
Boolgun
Maggea
Hillmanville
Mantung
Mercunda
Galga
Kunlara
Copeville
Goondooloo
Kalyan
Perponda
Mindiyarra
KaroondaLoxton & Barmera lines
Peebinga railway line

The Waikerie railway line branched from the Barmera railway line at Karoonda, which was also the junction for the Peebinga railway line on the other side of the main line. It extended north, northeast, and north again to Waikerie, on the cliffs above the Murray River.[2]

Construction

Before construction started on the Waikerie railway, there was active discussion about where it should branch from the main Barmera railway line or Adelaide-Melbourne railway line. Eventually, the decision was made that it should branch from Karoonda at the 30-mile siding from Tailem Bend. Other possible branching points at that stage included the 40-mile (Borrika) and 58½ miles (Mindarie) from Tailem Bend.[3] There was also a proposal to branch from the 20-mile mark (Wynarka).[4]

The Waikerie line was part of a significant expansion of the railways in South Australia in the early part of the 20th century to facilitate greater development of the rural areas of the state. The estimated cost of the 74 miles (119 km) Karoonda-Waikerie line, including rolling stock, was £251,350, with expected revenue of £10,000 per annum, working expenses of £10,820, and interest costs of £10,054. It was anticipated by the Railways Commissioner that the loss here would be £10,874 per annum. The area to be served was estimated at 956,000 acres (387,000 ha).[5] The contract for the first 19.5 miles (31.4 km) was accepted for £16,220 in January 1914.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Plan of Murray Lands railways [map]". South Australia Railways Department. 1913. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  2. ↑ "Mallee lines stations today". Johnny's Pages. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "MURRAY RAILWAYS.". The Chronicle (Adelaide: National Library of Australia). 21 September 1912. p. 52. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "WAIKERIE RAILWAY.". Observer (Adelaide: National Library of Australia). 12 October 1912. p. 45. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "RAILWAY EXTENSION.". The Register (Adelaide: National Library of Australia). 21 December 1912. p. 7. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  6. ↑ "WAIKERIE RAILWAY.". The Register (Adelaide: National Library of Australia). 29 January 1914. p. 6. Retrieved 29 January 2015.