GMH Elizabeth Line

In the bustling industrial landscape of northern Adelaide, nestled within the grounds of the General Motors Holden Elizabeth car factory, once stood the GMH Elizabeth railway station.
Built in 1959, this suburban railway station served as a vital link on an industrial spur line, branching off the Gawler line. It was a hub of activity during its heyday, facilitating the transportation needs of the huge factory and workers alike.
But by 1992, the station's platforms fell silent, and its structures were demolished. Today, almost all of the once vibrant railway line lies buried beneath earthworks, a relic of a bygone era. Yet, traces of its existence remain, with rails remaining on either side of Kettering Road, now overgrown and strewn with rubbish.
On Google Earth, what looks like small sections of rail still embedded within the grounds of the old factory serve as a testament to its history.
During its operational years, the GMH Elizabeth station played a crucial role in the transportation network, especially for the General Motors Holden workforce. Industrial trains ferried workers during shift changes, connecting them to the broader rail network. With its two platforms of step-down construction, the station primarily served as a stop for trains that ran express between Adelaide and Salisbury, with some services extending from Port Dock (and later Outer Harbour) to GMH via Wingfield.
As times changed and transportation patterns evolved, the station saw a decline in its services. By 1969, stops at nearby stations like Grand Junction Road and Eastern Parade were discontinued. Despite these changes, the station continued to serve its purpose until its closure in 1992, when the last passenger trains, including the iconic 'red hens' and the State Transport Authority 'Jumbo,' made their final journeys along these tracks.
Today, the GMH Elizabeth railway station may be a memory, but its legacy lives on, reminding us of the important role it played in the industrial history of northern Adelaide.
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IMAGE CREDITS:
State Library of South Australia (used with permission):
Aerial view of General Motors Holden factory at Elizabeth. The body hardware division commenced operations in 1959. ca 1960 B49756
National Railway Museum (used with permission):
1964 GMH - Elizabeth - South Australia loco SAR 708 shunting car wagons - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, David Voysey Slide Collection (CRS 461-452) - (461-452-b212)
c.1980 GMH Elizabeth junction - looking north - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, STA Negative Collection (CRS 5-98) (1-1-14447)
1964 GMH Elizabeth Motor bodies being loaded on specially designed wagons for transport to Melbourne - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, General Print Collection (AGB14447.jpg)
1948 Woodville SAR wagon OA - loading with car bodies at GMH - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, General Print Collection (RB15403.jpg) (1-1-15403)
1970 GMH Elizabeth Loading car bodies - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, General Print Collection (HM19183.jpg) (1-1-19183)
12.6.1973 GMH Elizabeth railcar SAR redhen 314 + 823 + 315 - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, David Parsons Photo Collection (CRS 80-1260) (80-1260-b62-07)
8.4.1987 GMH Elizabeth railcar STA 2118 + 2012 alongside step down - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, David Parsons Photo Collection (CRS 80-1260) (80-1260-a24-33)
c.3.1982 Elizabeth - GMH railcars 2101 on 3 car set - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Colour Slide Collection (CRS 1-3) (1-3-s07131)
c.1980 GMH Elizabeth junction and level crossing in Kettering Road - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, STA Negative Collection (CRS 5-98) (5-98-sc2001)
c.1980 GMH Elizabeth junction and level crossing in Kettering Road - water tower - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, STA Negative Collection (CRS 5-98) (5-98-sc2002)
c.1982 GMH Elizabeth diesel loco AN 846 shunting - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, STA Negative Collection (CRS 5-98) (5-98-sc2087)
c.1982 GMH Elizabeth goods siding - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, STA Negative Collection (CRS 5-98) (5-98-sc2088)
c.1982 GMH Elizabeth track + step-down platform - looking south - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, STA Negative Collection (CRS 5-98) (5-98-sc2085)
Weston Langford (Public Domain):
GMH Elizabeth Looking towards Main Line 1983
GMH Elizabeth Suburban 2000 Class 1983
Baytram Flickr (used with permission):
www.flickr.com/photos/baytram...

[@peterbrittain1963]

my leading hand in the paint shop used to catch that train from woodville to elizabeth every arvo ,, as a younger lad ,, i remember having to get off a couple of trains at salisbury station as the train was going to GMH or penfield ..

[@WEDEL01]

I started my Railway career at Port Dock Station on 4/02/1969. After passing my Tickets exam, I was rostered to check and sell tickets on the GMH Elizabeth. This train departed Adelaide for Outer Harbour, returning to via the balloon loop on the Dry Creek Loop. The Driver changed ends and drove into the Pt. Dock Station where I boarded. we then departed for GMH Elizabeth via the Dry Creek Loop continuing to pick up passengers up to Dry Creek, then express to GMH. I was then dropped off at Adelaide Station and had to find my own way back to Pt Dock.

[@Outdoorstype]

Thank you so much for watching and posting this awesome comment. Comments like these add a new dimension to the videos and are very much appreciated.

[@WEDEL01]

@@Outdoorstype I forgot to mention that on one trip we were involved in a level crossing accident, hitting a truck at the last crossing on the loop. The truck just kept nudging forward and hit the trains air tanks bringing us to an abrupt stop. I saw the whole event as I was standing up the front of the Red Hen. Consequently, as the Ticket Collector, I was sent to walk to the Dry Creek Signal cabin to report the incident in the rain in my newly dry cleaned uniform. Fitters were sent and plugged the holes in the tanks with wooden wedges. We arrived at GMH a couple of hours late.

[@Outdoorstype]

Glad everyone was ok and just late! Thanks again sir.

[@MarkHenstridge]

If I remember correctly in the 70s GMH Elizabeth was one our destinations on a ARHS(SA) mystery tour.

[@vhsdeluxe]

good video my bro, chur from NZ, I wish you fullas still made holdens :(

[@Outdoorstype]

Churz bru.

[@mysteriousshinkachu6149]

Nice History telling ✨️✨️

[@jeremykemp5845]

Great video Mike. Another SA spur line removed from history.

[@Outdoorstype]

Cheers, JK!

[@vincentthao3497]

Good stuff !!!

[@Outdoorstype]

I finally made it!!

[@vincentthao3497]

@@Outdoorstype good as gold 🥇 mate, check out the old Northfield line? Tracks and platforms remain, behind Cavan steak sandwich has tracks and across pt Wakefield Rd , near fishing tackle place has platform remaining also platforms behind home centre ( former abattoirs ) , Also Penfield 3 station remains on Penfield line

[@Outdoorstype]

@@vincentthao3497 yep I did both of those in the last couple of years. Scroll back thru my vids or just google them. Thanks for watching mate! :)

[@darylephillips6778]

A great video well researched Keep up the good work Mike

[@Outdoorstype]

Thanks, will do!

[@Planetrainguy]

Good history and some nice drone shots 👍

[@Outdoorstype]

Thanks 👍

[@MrOlgrumpy]

This video was preceeded by an add for a column heater made in -- yeh you guessed,why we no longer have industries.

[@Outdoorstype]

That's an interesting perspective! Thanks heaps for putting up with the ads and watching.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Great video although I found the music bed too loud as it was sometimes difficult to clearly hear your voice.

[@Outdoorstype]

Thanks, Richard.

[@AussieColonel]

An era when Australia could actually make things,,,,gone

[@Outdoorstype]

I know right.

[@MartintheTinman]

We make the World's best corrupt Politicians