Railways in the Territory
ADrail – a piece of history to remember
The new railway line from Alice Springs to Darwin was built by ADrail, a consortium of several major civil engineering companies (Brown and Root Engineering and Construction, John Holland Group, Barclay Mowlem Construction, Macmahon Holdings). ADrail was appointed to build the railway by Asia Pacific Transport Consortium (APT).
On 26 June 2002 ADrail was granted in the Territory rail safety accreditation as "owner and operator" for the duration of the construction. ASR, as ADrail's contractor, provided main line train operations, including transportation of ballast and rails.
After completing all work related to the construction and commissioning of the new line at the end of 2003, ADrail ceased its operations.
The following railway organisations operated in the Territory (as of 1 July 2007):
FreightLink
When the construction of the new railway was completed and its status commissioned, FreightLink became its owner. On 30 October 2003, FreightLink was accredited as an owner under the NT Rail Safety Act 1998. The accreditation covers track, civil and electrical infrastructure, including signalling systems.
On 12 January 2004, FreightLink took over also the old railway line between Tarcoola and Alice Springs.
On 15 July 2006 FreightLink has successfully fulfilled the requirements of the NT Rail Safety Act 1998 and has become an accredited Operator of rolling stock in NT.
More information about FreightLink
Genesee Wyoming Australia (GWA)
(formally Australia Southern Railroad (ASR)
ASR was accredited in NT as an Owner of train control and communications systems and Operator of rolling stock (freight trains) between the SA/NT border and Darwin from 22.03.2001.
GWA, after taking over ASR, applied for a transfer of the ASR’s accreditation under the new name. Since the accreditation was granted on 1.06.2006, GWA has been operating the train control and communications systems and freight trains in NT.
Pacific National Rail (PNR)
PNR was created in June 2002 from National Rail, FreightCorp, Toll and Patrick, thus becoming the largest interstate freight railway operator in Australia. Until 12 January 2004, they operated (as National Rail) freight trains with a significant tonnage to and from Alice Springs, equal to about 500 fully laden road trains every month.
PNR has been accredited in NT as an Operator and also as an infrastructure Owner since 28 June 2002. They own about eight km of standard gauge tracks and intermodal terminal within the Alice Springs railway yard. PNR operates freight terminals in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin.
Great Southern Railway (GSR)
GSR is the only interstate passenger railway operating in NT. It runs the famous long-distance passenger train The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin and back. The Ghan operates twice a week (2 in and 2 out of Darwin).
GSR has been accredited in NT as an Owner and Operator of passenger trains since 1 July 1999. GSR owns the passenger terminal in Alice Springs and operates the remaining passenger terminals in Darwin, Katherine and Tennant Creek.
BJB Joint Venture (BJB)
BJB has been accredited in NT since 30 October 2004 as an Operator of specialised rolling stock and track maintenance machinery.
BJB provides regular maintenance of the railway infrastructure (track maintenance, signalling, level crossing equipment, etc) as a part of their contractual agreement with FreightLink, the owner of the new railway line.
EDI Rail (EDI)
EDI Has been accredited in NT since 17 January 2004 as an Operator of rolling stock within the boundaries of their Darwin-based workshop.
Their main specialisation is in maintenance and repairs of locomotives and freight wagons. Less complex work is done in the Berrimah’s workshop and more demanding work in their main workshop at Dry Creek in Adelaide.
Ghan Preservation Society (GPS)
GPS, a heritage tourist railway has been accredited in NT since 25 February 2000. They used to operate over 22 km of NG track until 2002 when massive flood destroyed a huge portion of the track.
GPS now operates on about 7 km of the remaining line however, they intended to rebuild as much of the original line as possible. They own refurbished pieces of rolling stock, in some cases dating to the beginning of 20th century.
Trains are run mainly on weekends.
John Holland Pty Ltd Rail Division (JHR)
JH has been accredited in NT since 19 June 2007 as an Operator of specialised rolling stock and track maintenance & inspection vehicles and machines.
Patrick PortLink
Patrick has been accredited in NT since 1 February 2005 as an Operator for rolling stock (freight trains).
More information about Patrick