"Rails Around Broken Hill"
By Steve McNicol & Tony Woodland
Paperback cover 36 pages colour & black/white photos
INTRODUCTION
In 1876 silver was discovered just over the border in New South Wales (NSW) and in no time at all the township of Silverton emerged. Provisions for this new settlement were first supplied by bullock teams from South Australia but even then a rail link was envisaged. The South Australian Government passed a bill in November 1884, known as 'The Silverton Railway Bill' authorising the contruction of a 3ft 6inch gauge railway line from Petersburg (name later changed to Peterborough) to Silverton. Work commenced in April 1885 and was completed to the South Australian - NSW border in June 1887, but the New South Wales Government would be not permit the South Australian Railways to construct a railway within its boundary.
To overcome this problem a private company known as 'The Silverton Tramway Company' was formed on May 30th, 1885, with a capital of £250,000 made up of 50,00 shares at £5 each. During this time ore was discovered at the Broken Hill and another township arose. The New South Wales Government gave the Silverton Tramway to Broken Hill in October 1886. The contract for this 35 mile 48 chain railway was given to C&E Millar, the company which had also constructed the line from Peterborough.