64-710: The Tasmanian Government Railways ( TGR ) was the former operator of the mainline railways in Tasmania , Australia. Formed in 1872, the railway company was managed by the Government of Tasmania , and existed until absorption into the Australian National Railways Commission in 1978. The early railways of Tasmania were constructed by a number of private companies, rather than owned by the Government. Proposals were considered by
128-595: A 50-year lease of the Crown land on which the Tasmanian railway network was situated. Tasrail was granted the exclusive right to use and occupy the land, but owned the infrastructure situated on that land and was obliged to maintain at its own cost. In 2004, the railway was purchased by Pacific National following the purchase of Tranz Rail by Toll Holdings , and the sale of Wisconsin Central 's overseas investments as
192-566: A British line, the "Jones Goods" of the Highland Railway . By the end of the century they were supplying railways at home and all over the world. Between 1898 and 1901, Sharp, Stewart and Company supplied no less than 16 4-6-0 and 4 4-8-0 locomotives to New Zealand Railways . The 4-8-0 B class locomotives survived till the end of steam either as-built, or as 4-6-4T engines of the We class. The 4-6-0 locomotives were dumped in rivers and on
256-465: A day come and go. With the gradual cessation of passenger services in the latter half of the 1970s and the takeover by Australian National Railways in 1978, the railway station was sold and redeveloped in the 1980s. Sections of track that went into the station were demolished for the extension of the Tasman Highway onto Davey Street and Macquarie Street , and today, the redeveloped site houses
320-461: A first-class luxury passenger service, operated with special articulated coaching stock , buffet service and modern X class diesel locomotives. Seating was reserved, and the service ran from Hobart to Wynyard with connections to Launceston, every day of the week except Sundays. The Tasman , as it was colloquially known, outlasted all other TGR passenger services, and was officially the last regular scheduled government passenger train to operate on
384-615: A fleet of railcars used for inter-suburban commuter services. Diesel Railcars These railcars were built by Waddingtons and served the Hobart-Parattah regional and suburban services up until 1974. Steam Rail transport in Tasmania Rail transport in Tasmania consists of a network of narrow gauge track of 1,067 mm ( 3 ft 6 in ) reaching virtually all cities and major towns in
448-655: A house in Wynyard and South Burnie were also requisitioned. In 1978 when passenger services and the TGR ceased, employee numbers fell and subsequently the houses in Stanley, Wynyard and South Burnie were abandoned. Railway Institute facilities were also sold off, and the halls in Devonport and Wynyard were the last to be sold; with Devonport selling just prior to the sale of AN Tasrail to the private consortium ATN TasRail. Today,
512-461: A kitchen and other sporting and social facilities. The Launceston branch was unique, in that it also held a Commonwealth-recognised indoor small-bore rifle range, and boxing stadium. The institute was tasked with training and certifying employees who were to be in charge of railway station accounts. The institute also formed an intrastate sporting events calendar, with teams from each branch participating. More central branches (e.g. Hobart), because of
576-798: A number of 0-4-0 tender engines for the Furness Railway of which Number 20, built in 1863 has been restored to working order by the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway in Cumbria. In 1862, the company began making larger engines, first some 4-6-0 saddle tank engines for the Great Indian Peninsula Railway . By 1865 they were building 0-8-0s , again for India . Since they were also dealing in general brass and ironmongery, and machine tools, it became necessary to move, which they did in 1888. They took over and moved to
640-582: A result of that railroad's takeover by Canadian National . In September 2005, Pacific National angered the Tasmanian State Government and the Australian Federal Government when it threatened to 'withdraw all services' unless the governments paid a $ 100 million subsidy . That was alarming, because a shut-down of all rail services would result in thousands more trucks on already busy roads. Initially, neither
704-702: A single narrow gauge network. On 1 October 1890 the Tasmanian Government bought the Tasmanian Main Line Company, creating the Tasmanian Government Railways . On 15 April 1901 the Devonport line was extended to Burnie , connecting with the Emu Bay Railway 's line to Zeehan , which was completed on 21 December 1900. The government railway was extended to Wynyard on 1 February 1913. The line
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#1732780666529768-600: A third rail over the broad gauge tracks of the Launceston and Western Railway between Evandale Junction and Launceston. Approval was given and the TMLR began operating over a dual gauge line into Launceston on 1 November 1876. The Tasmanian Main Line Railway Company (TMLR) later opened their Hobart to Evandale line in 1876, to a 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ). Because of the break-of-gauge ,
832-550: A vast range of motive power and rolling stock, including many steam and latterly diesel locomotives and railmotors. Throughout the history of the TGR, the company set a number of milestones in railways, including being the first operator of mainline diesel locomotives in Australia, and being the first in the world to operate a Garratt locomotive . In 1936, the TGR owned 92 locomotives, 13 railcars, 143 carriages, 52 brake vans and 2.048 goods wagons. The passenger rolling stock of
896-571: A view of the Government taking over the line, with legislation enacted making the L&;WR hand all assets to the Government on 3 August 1873. The Government took over operation of the line from 31 October 1873, and while it was not formally organised as such, the Tasmanian Government Railways were established. The line was initially built in 5 ft 3 in ( 1,600 mm ) Broad or Irish gauge . Very shortly after
960-446: Is cement, which is carried from Railton to the port at Devonport . Other major commodities carried are coal, logs, containers and newsprint. A 5 ft 3 in ( 1,600 mm ) " Irish gauge " railway line was opened between Deloraine and Launceston on 10 February 1871 by the private Launceston and Western Railway , on the basis of debt guarantees from landowners who stood to benefit. The line went bankrupt in 1872 and
1024-506: The 2007 lease arrangement. Historically, all the mainline railways were operated by the Tasmanian Government Railways , which was absorbed into the Australian National Railways Commission in 1978 and renamed TasRail . In November 1997, TasRail was sold to the Australian Transport Network , a partnership of New Zealand based Tranz Rail and United States railroad Wisconsin Central . This sale also included
1088-680: The Atlas Works in Manchester in 1828. They had built a few stationary steam engines, and in 1833 built a locomotive, Experiment for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway . It was a four-wheeled 2-2-0 with vertical cylinders over the leading wheels. After a number of modifications, three similar locomotives (Britannia, Manchester, and Hibernia ) were built in 1834 for the Dublin and Kingstown Railway . Although they were relatively fast,
1152-583: The Colonies. On 15 July 1868 tenders were opened for the construction of the railway. Shareholders criticised the tenders for being unfair to local firms, preferring those from the other colonies rather than Tasmania. The contracts were awarded to Melbourne-based Overend and Robb , who had worked on railways in Victoria . In August 1868, construction started at Jingler's Valley near Young Town . The undulating country presented few engineering challenges, with
1216-555: The Government takeover in 1873 a decision was made to convert the line to the narrow gauge as used by the newly created Tasmanian Main Line Railway. In March 1876, the Tasmanian Main Line Railway Company had completed the construction of a 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ) gauge line from Hobart to Evandale and entered into negotiation with the Government for the construction of
1280-785: The Guard of the centenary train with "Scrolls of Greetings", which were presented to the Wardens of the Municipalities of Evandale , Longford , Westbury and Deloraine. The Centenary Train also conveyed special mail from the Launceston Post Office, as well as politicians and invited guests. After the Centenary train, further special trains were run through to St Marys on the Fingal Line, south down to Ross on
1344-428: The Launceston and Western Railway at a break-of-gauge at Western Junction with the line to Deloraine, however the line between Western Junction and Launceston was made dual gauge. The line between Western Junction and Deloraine was converted to dual gauge on 17 March 1885. On 30 May 1885, the line was extended to Devonport . The Launceston - Deloraine was converted to solely narrow gauge on 18 August 1888, creating
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#17327806665291408-417: The Launceston and Western Railway consisted of 14 passenger carriages, 4 horse boxes and 84 goods vehicles. A proposal to take up the outer rail was examined and it was decided that greater economy of operation would be achieved. The last broad gauge train ran on 20 August 1888. The Government had during this time continued to take over failed railway companies across the state, and it soon became apparent that
1472-511: The Main Line, and as far up as Railton on the Western line. Several trains were also timetabled to pick up passengers flown from Melbourne to Western Junction. The centenary celebrations were overall viewed as an astounding success, with most seats booked on each special train. Aside from the use of one Y Class diesel locomotive on a train for "special guests", every train scheduled as part of
1536-578: The Mayor of Launceston to organise a meeting on the issue on 27 August, with discussions around the need for a railway to assist farmers in getting produce to market, given the poor state of roads and the cost of transporting goods. Subsequently, a petition was organised to deliver to the Governor. In 1858, a Parliamentary Joint Committee reported in favour of railway construction within the Colony, but nothing
1600-665: The Railway Institute still remains, but is now known as the AN (Railway) Institute of Tasmania Inc. . Several holiday homes also still exist and are in use, with the house in Devonport having been retained from TGR days. Two units in St Helens and two units in Claremont are also available, as well as a three-bedroom house in Launceston which was attained from AN Tasrail after they vacated offices there. These are owned outright by
1664-578: The Showgrounds ended in 1978, and were the last TGR passenger trains to be run in Tasmania. In the 1970s, with the increase in car ownership, funding for highways and the loss of goods consignments, the TGR's operations suffered, and passenger services were eventually ceased across the network. Hobart suburban services ended in 1974, with passenger services ending entirely in 1978. TGR introduced in 1954 some containers for bulk goods such as cement, sand, gravel and superphosphate. Hobart railway station
1728-441: The TGR included the 1955–58 series ACS class 'articulated country saloons', 76-seat first class with air suspended reclining seats, tray tables, state-of-the-art lighting and heating, and buffet service with hostesses. To the end in 1978, the TGR still used AAL class first class saloons with leather seats and maple panelling, as well as SP class brake and 2nd class passenger carriages, converted from Sentinel steam railcars. When TGR
1792-789: The TGR operated workers trains and freight for the Electrolytic Zinc Company and its zinc works in Lutana , as well as the Cadbury's Chocolate Factory in nearby Claremont . Special trains were also conveyed on Hobart's suburban network, with trains operating to Elwick Racecourse for the Hobart Cup , and to the Royal Hobart Showgrounds for the Royal Hobart Show . The special show trains to
1856-411: The TMLR laid a third rail upon the L&WR line, and operated dual gauge for the final 11 miles (17.7 km) to Launceston. During the early 1880s, the Tasmanian Government decided upon construction of further narrow gauge lines and commenced with a 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ) line from Deloraine to Devonport which opened on 1 September 1885. In 1887, the broad gauge rolling stock of
1920-410: The Tasmanian Government and Pacific National formally entered into a business sale agreement for purchase of the Tasmanian rail business, with rail infrastructure and railway operations to be maintained, managed and owned by a new State-owned rail company, Tasmanian Railway Pty Ltd trading as TasRail . Tasrail has operated the mainline railways in Tasmania since 2009 and provides freight service across
1984-458: The Tasmanian Government for the construction of a railway from Hobart to Launceston as early as 1856, when the colony gained responsible government . In June 1857, railway committees were formed in Deloraine , Carrick , Longford , Perth and Westbury , to lobby for the construction of a railway between Launceston and Deloraine. Delegations from these committees were successful in lobbying
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2048-554: The Tasmanian Main Line Railway would suffer financial issues. With the absorption of the Hobart-Evandale line in 1890, the railway network became whole, and thus created an official public railway service in Tasmania. As a result of this takeover, all Tasmanian railways were relaid or newly constructed in 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ) gauge. On 1 July 1939, the railway administration
2112-499: The Tasmanian rail network, departing Hobart at 9.20am on Friday 28 July 1978 . In the 1930s, the TGR formed the Railway Institute as a social and recreational branch for employees of the TGR and their families. Staffed by railway personnel, the TGR provided facilities to the institute; with recreation halls and branches founded in Hobart, Launceston, Conara, Devonport and Wynyard. These halls contained offices, libraries, billiards rooms,
2176-911: The Transport Commission on 1 July 1975. As a result of the transfer, the Tasmanian Government ceased claimancy for funds from the Commonwealth Grants Commission, and was relieved of its debt obligations and interest payments incurred for money borrowed from the Commonwealth in construction of the Bell Bay Line in 1971. With around 16 lines across the state, the TGR operated a combination of approximately 275 stations, halts and junctions (as of 1949). Large stations were located at Hobart, Derwent Park , New Norfolk , Parattah , Launceston, Zeehan , Burnie and Devonport . On Hobart's suburban branch spurs,
2240-534: The centenary used well-maintained steam locomotives that were still in use on Tasmanian main lines. In 1975, the Federal Whitlam government sought to nationalise and take control of ailing state rail systems in a bid to revitalise them. Tasmania accepted the proposed Australian National Railways Commission on 23 May 1975, and the Railways (Tasmania) Act 1975 was passed. The Commission took control from
2304-405: The construction of culverts and extra drainage, and it was not until 10 February 1871 that the line was opened for traffic by the Governor. When the line was opened, a service of three double-headed trains each way per day was operated, but this proved unsatisfactory and later on one locomotive per run was used. During the construction period, the company had experienced some difficulty in raising
2368-468: The design of James Edward McConnell , the so-called " Bloomers ", subcontracted from Wolverton . In 1852, the senior partner, John Sharp, retired and was replaced by Charles Patrick Stewart, the name of the company changing to Sharp, Stewart and Company. Thomas Sharp also retired and was succeeded by Stephen Robinson. In 1860 sole rights were obtained for Giffard's patent injector . The company acquired limited liability in 1864. The company provided
2432-446: The federal or state government acted on the issue, claiming they would not be "held to mercy" by Pacific National, owned by Toll and Patrick Corporation , "which are extremely profitable multi-national companies". Later, the state infrastructure minister Bryan Green and his federal counterpart, transport minister Warren Truss , announced a $ 120 million rescue package, designed to ensure that Pacific National would continue operation in
2496-408: The first appointments of stationmasters and staff were made, and sidings had been completed at Perth, Longford and Westbury. Stations at Launceston, Longford, Westbury, Deloraine, and other stops were being built at this time, and the final shipment of rails from England meant completion of the line was expected by mid-August. Extensive rains resulted in further delays, with flooding in parts requiring
2560-600: The first were sold to the Grand Junction Railway , with the "Sharpies" becoming a standard to compare with the "Bury" engines. In 1843, Roberts left and the firm became Sharp Brothers and Company. Between 1846 and 1848 the company provided eight 2-2-2 passenger and two 0-4-2 goods locomotives to the Lynn and Dereham Railway . From 1851 to 1853 twenty engines were built for the London and North Western Railway to
2624-514: The higher number of members, often fielded two or more teams. As well as providing hall facilities, the Institute purchased several holiday homes located across Tasmania, as a way of providing members and their families with affordable holidays. A two-bedroom home at Scamander and a three-bedroom former station master 's house at Claremont were initially acquired. The TGR also provided a six-bedroom house in both Stanley and Devonport, and later
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2688-415: The institute, after in the 1980s during the time of the Australian National Railways Commission 's ownership, a Master of Operating lease was created to prevent future railway administrations from taking away Institute facilities. Due to legal threats from the state government, however; the institute was made to purchase the outstanding equity in the holiday homes of the TGR, to become completely separate to
2752-562: The island state of Tasmania , Australia. Today, rail services are focused primarily on bulk freight, with no commercial passenger services being operated. The mainline railways of Tasmania are currently operated by TasRail , a Government of Tasmania -owned Corporation, who owns and maintains both rolling stock, locomotives, and track infrastructure. Tasmania has a small rail system by world standards. It currently carries no regular passenger services . Freight services are supported (in part) by state government funding. The main cargo carried
2816-509: The line would benefit, entered into an obligation to recoup the State should the returns from the railway fall short of the interest money. The Launceston and Western Railway was formed on 9 May 1867. Surveying of the line begun almost immediately, with pegs being laid as far as Perth by July 1867. The first sod of the line was turned on 15 January 1868 by the Duke of Edinburgh who was on a visit to
2880-589: The main Tasmanian Railway system when built, but most connected to the Emu Bay Railway . The North Mount Lyell Railway and a few other smaller lines were not connected to the Emu Bay line. The Emu Bay Railway was purchased by Australian Transport Network on 22 May 1998, thus merging that line with the remainder of the system that company then operated. Today known as the Melba line, it was excluded from
2944-408: The necessary finance to meet the cost of construction. It applied to the Government for assistance. The Government appointed two Railway Commissioners to generally supervise all railway construction and advance the company the finance to complete the building of the line. The construction contractor continued to operate the railway until November 1871, the L&WR then took over. By December 1872, it
3008-754: The only major works being a bridge over the North Esk in Launceston, cuttings and embankments climbing from St Leonards to Western Junction, a brick viaduct at Perth, and the Longford Railway Bridge . Steam transport began earnestly in June 1869, when the contractors began hauling ballast from a quarry in Invermay. On 19 August 1869, the first "ride-on-rails" excursion took place between Jingler's Valley and Launceston, giving residents their first experiences with train travel. By February 1870, most of
3072-493: The permanent way was complete, except for areas around Westbury and the Longford bridge. New tenders were issued for the construction of station buildings, while further carriages and rolling stock were being fabricated. The date for completion as set out in the contract was 10 March 1870, but an extension was given and construction continued to a point where the opening date could be set for the following September. In July 1870,
3136-634: The railway administration. The Tasmanian membership paid $ 100,000 and the national administration of the ANR Railway Institute borrowed some more to buy the railway's equity in St Helens, Launceston, Devonport and Hobart. In 1997, the Institute in Tasmania became almost autonomous and became administered by volunteers. The Institute in Tasmania is assisted in administration by the board of AN Institute Inc. and its staff in Port Augusta, South Australia . The Tasmanian Government Railways had
3200-436: The railways. From 7–14 February 1971, the TGR celebrated its centenary of operations, with special trains scheduled during this time for trips between Launceston and Deloraine with intermediate stops. Special fares were arranged for these trips, with return tickets between the two termini priced at $ 1.00 (approximately $ 9.74 in 2012). Trains were arranged with either single, double or triple-headed steam locomotives, depending on
3264-656: The state. In May 2007, the Tasmanian Government, the Federal Government and Pacific National came to an agreement regarding the funding, ownership and operation of the Tasmanian railway network. The State of Tasmania was to acquire the railway infrastructure previously leased to Pacific National. Pacific National would continue to provide rail services on the network. The Federal Government's AusLink program provided $ 78 million in funding for capital works. The Tasmanian Government also agreed to provide $ 4 million funding each year for maintenance. In September 2009,
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#17327806665293328-531: The state. It operates twelve DQ class, one DV class, seventeen TR class and one Y class, a total of 27 operational locomotives. It also has various locomotives of different classes in storage. The following table lists railways and museums which run vintage passenger trains and rolling stock: Sharp, Stewart and Company Sharp, Stewart and Company was a steam locomotive manufacturer, initially located in Manchester , England . The company
3392-654: The studios of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Baháʼí Faith Centre of Learning , with the only remaining part of the rail terminal the original sandstone TMLR station building from 1871. The Tasman Limited was the only named train operated by TGR ( The West Coaster was operated by the private Emu Bay Railway ). Inaugurated in April 1954, the train originally began as an express railcar service; however, later became
3456-494: The type of stock and number of passengers carried. On 10 February, the official ceremony was held at Launceston Railway Station, with addresses from the Transport Commissioner George Webb and Minister for Transport Leonard Bessell , as well as the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by the then- Premier of Tasmania William Angus Bethune . Richard Green, the Mayor of Launceston, also presented
3520-478: The vertical cylinders meant they were too hard on the track at speed. However, in 1834 Charles Beyer also joined the firm and contributed to its success in locomotive building as Roberts soon delegated most of the locomotive design work to him. A new 2-2-2 design was soon produced with horizontal inside cylinders under the smokebox and additional bearings to support the crank axle. Around 600 of these Sharp Single locomotives were built between 1837 and 1857. Ten of
3584-701: The works of the Clyde Locomotive Company in Springburn , Glasgow , renaming it Atlas Works. A number of compounds were built for the Argentine Central Railway in 1889, some 4-4-0 and some 2-8-0 . In 1892 they received an order for seventy five 4-4-0s and 0-6-0s from the Midland Railway . By now they had built a number of 4-6-0 engines for overseas railways, but in 1894 came their first Glasgow order for
3648-404: Was abolished in 1978, most rollingstock was transferred onto the register of Australian National Railways (with the exception of all passenger stock other than that kept for departmental use). The TGR had a large and varying fleet of both steam (and diesel in 1950) locomotives, and many served a multi-purpose position in the system; hauling freight, passenger, and mixed trains. The company also had
3712-460: Was absorbed into the newly created Transport Commission and became its Railway Branch. The commission was empowered to co-ordinate and improve land transport within the State, and one of its policies was to encourage the use of the railway wherever possible. Consequently, to aid the railway, Tasmania's road network was divided into nine road transport zones, with levies instituted against trucks which crossed between zones if they were in competition with
3776-449: Was agreed that a fifth locomotive was required and an order was placed with Sharp, Stewart and Company . Traffic showed an increase after the company took over the working of the line, however difficulties were experienced in continuing operations and the payment of interest on loans. The Launceston and Western Railway was struggling to pay its creditors, and it became necessary for the Government to step in. Negotiations were commenced with
3840-447: Was done until 1865 when the Prospectus of the Launceston and Western Railway Company was issued. The first Railway Act was passed later that year which provided for the construction of a railway between Launceston and Deloraine by private enterprise. The Launceston and Western Railway was a Joint Stock Company of £450,000 capital, chiefly borrowed in England, with the interest guaranteed by the Tasmanian Government. The land-holders, whom
3904-408: Was extended to Wiltshire Junction on 12 July 1922, connecting with the already existing line between Stanley and Smithton . Trains no longer operate out of Hobart and under current plans the mainline will be severed from Hobart by 2024 with building of new road only bridge across Derwent replacing existing dual road-rail bridge. The earlier lines of the West Coast, Tasmania were independent of
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#17327806665293968-488: Was formed in 1843 upon the demise of Sharp, Roberts & Co. . It moved to Glasgow , Scotland , in 1888, eventually amalgamating with two other Glaswegian locomotive manufacturers to form the North British Locomotive Company . Iron merchant Thomas Sharp and mechanical engineer Richard Roberts first formed a partnership, Sharp, Roberts & Co. (about which, see also company section in article on Roberts ), to manufacture textile machinery and machine tools. They opened
4032-465: Was taken over by the Tasmanian Government on 31 October 1873, which then attempted to recover the debt from the guarantors, leading to civil unrest. On 1 March 1876, another private railway, the Tasmanian Main Line Company , which was guaranteed by the Tasmanian Government, opened a narrow gauge 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ) line from Hobart to Evandale , near Launceston. A further extension, opened on 1 November 1876, connected with
4096-432: Was the largest terminus in the state. Originally constructed in 1871 by the Tasmanian Main Line Company, the station was further expanded in the 20th century, with the station reconstructed and modernised in 1950. After the completion of construction works, the station had four platforms and a large concourse, as well as shopping stalls and food vendors. In the 1960s and early 1970s the railway station saw more than 70 trains
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