History
The line was constructed in 1857-58 to connect the Adelaide with copper resources at Kapunda and Burra, as well as to provide passenger and freight services to the new town of Gawler. The construction of the standard gauge line to the west now carries the majority of freight, but there is still a regular "stone train" running to the quarries north of Angaston. Originally running through rural land, the line is now surrounded by suburbs and has developed into a suburban commuter line. The line is three tracks between Adelaide and Salisbury (two broad gauge and one standard gauge), two tracks between Salisbury and Gawler (both broad gauge), and a single broad gauge track between Gawler and Gawler Central. The line to Angaston continues on from Gawler Central; this is the only broad gauge freight line remaining in operation in South Australia.
When delivering the 2008 South Australian State Budget, Treasurer Kevin Foley announced a $116 million dollar plan to re-bed, re-sleeper and re-rail the Gawler line as part of the Government's 10 year $2 billion plan to revitalise Adelaide's public transport network. With Federal Government Support the line was planned to be electrified by 2013. This was in addition to plans for the electrification of the Outer Harbor and Noarlunga lines, and the extension of the Glenelg Tramline.
Read more about this topic: Gawler Central Railway Line
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