The Ghan is Going Part 2 of 4

A program made by channel 7 just before the new standard gauge line opened.
The first sod was turned on Friiday 18th January 1878 to start building the line heading towards Quorn. Men working on the construction where paid 6 shilling a day (.60 cents) & later 8 shillings
It opened on 15th Dec 1879 to Quorn.
When the northern railway was finished it soon became known as The GHAN. This train eventually ran from Port Augusta via Quorn, Hawker, Parachilna, Copley, Farina, Marree, Curdimurka, William Creek and Oodnadatta to Alice Springs. Construction of this narrow gauge line started in 1878, at the hight of the railway boom, in the hope to develop the pastoral and mining potential of the inland.
The railway went through some of Australia's most desolate and flood prone country, often suffering wash-outs with passengers marooned for several days. By 1881 it had reached Beltana. Within two years it reached Farina and by 1884 Hergott Springs (Marree) had become the railhead. After some years the line was pushed further north past Callanna, Alberrie Creek, Curdimurka, Coward Springs, Strangways Springs, William Creek, Anna Creek, Box Creek, Edwards Creek, Warrina, Algebuckina and Mount Dutton until it finally reached Oodnadatta in 1891.
Oodnadatta remained the railhead for the next forty years. In an effort to advance the line and get construction going once again, it was stated in 1895 'that the interior was not all desert, but had extensive areas of good land fit for cultivation and a variety of tropical products'. Unfortunately it was not until 1929 when the line was extended to Alice Springs, and where it has remained until 2003.

[@martylee5299]

I pulled up the track behind me. So am offically, the last person, on the last flat top wagon, to leave william creek. Cheers. Marty Lee

[@jimcrawford5039]

It would have been a rocky trip on that old track with standard guage coaches on narrow guage bogies. Wish I had made the trip when I had the chance.

[@mattmatty4670]

Cool thanks mate

[@jessesands4099]

Just a good simple breakfast!😉🥣🍳🥓

[@warrenhennessy7684]

I remember l Was on the Ghan back in the eighties AND it was a great journey l hàd one really good booze up landed work in the Alice lwill never forget that Ride lsaid look there's Ted egen riding a emu across the dessert plains alot of people laughter broke some of the bordem not putting it down or anything l always Wonder WHY people say l need a drink a man's not a 🐪 Camel you could smoke BACK then they had smoking carriages so yeah there got some bloody Good drinker's in the northern territory warren and ingrid 🇦🇺😎🌞

[@samueljesse2179]

I went on the rattler from Port Augusta to Rawlinna no air-conditioning just a fan and hard bench seat that you had to sleep upon

[@warrenhennessy7684]

@@samueljesse2179 that would be Hot 🥵 AND wooden seat's would HAVE BEEN very uncomfortable to say The least warren Melbourne Australia 👍🇦🇺🤠🤠

[@warrenhennessy7684]

@@samueljesse2179 did you work on a cattle station slim dusty Aussie Ballards were Great sadly missed