The Leigh Creek coalfield owes its very existence to two major events, the first being the search for water to support steam locomotive operation on the original narrow gauge Ghan Railway line (the Great Northern Railway), the second being South Australia’s (SA) desire to be less dependent on coal from interstate.
Starting from Port Augusta in 1878, a narrow gauge track (the original GNR Ghan) was constructed reaching Quorn, Hawker, Branchina, Copley, Telford and Marree in 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882 and 1884 respectively. By 1891 it had reached Oonadatta, but it took a further 28 years until it was extended to Alice Springs. To support steam locomotive operation, it was necessary to provide a stable source of water from aquifers along the selected track route and it was during this search for water that large quantities of sub bituminous coal (brown coal) were discovered in the Leigh Creek area. This coal was deemed unsuitable for steam locomotive and power station boilers because of its high ash content and while Leigh Creek Coal Mining company was formed in 1889, its fortunes fluctuated as it passed between various owners before closing.
Up until the outbreak of World War II in 1939, South Australia had been totally dependent on coal transported by ships from Newcastle in NSW. The war created pressure on shipping and post war industrial action by Newcastle coal miners left SA in a very delicate position for electricity to support industry, domestic and transportation requirements. Both railways systems (SAR and Commonwealth) and the Adelaide Electricity Supply Co were forced to convert some assets to expensive oil burning to remain in operation. The then SA premier, Thomas Playford, decided that such interstate dependence should end and set about utilising Leigh Creek coal, which when mixed with NSW coal, could meet power station requirements. By 1944 narrow gauge trains were moving Leigh Creek coal via Quorn and Peterborough to Terowie where it was transhipped to broad gauge equipment for the trip to the Adelaide Electricity Supply Co’s Osborne Power Station.
By 1949 the then recently formed Electricity Trust of South Australia (ETSA) began looking into the construction of a new power station located at Port Augusta and fed from the Leigh Creek coalfield, only 250km away. It was quickly realized that the existing narrow gauge track via Quorn would become saturated with traffic and so the same year the Commonwealth Railways recommended the construction of an entirely new standard gauge track to run to the west of the Flinders Ranges from Stirling North direct to Brachina where it would meet up with the existing narrow gauge line formation. With GM 1 Class diesel electric locomotives to be in service by 1951, the need for water no longer existed. Meanwhile the narrow gauge line via Quorn would provide coal for the new Port Augusta ‘Thomas Playford’ power station, the first generator of which came online on 25th July 1954.
This presentation traces the 140 to 170 wagon Leigh Creek coal train, empty from the Port Augusta Power Station to Leigh Creek Coalfield and full on the return journey. We also view the main features of the balloon loops at both ends of this dedicated track. Locomotives seen in action along the way include NR, SCT, V, XRB and 82 Class.
Approximate run time: 98 minutes.