Australia
Country Details
See Wikipedia
Timetable
Extensive information is available at the Man in Seat 61.
Summary timetables are available in some editions of the European Rail Timetable.
Maps
See Australian Rail Maps and Maps and Plans
Infrastructure
Infrastructure Authority
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is a federal government owned corporation that owns, leases, maintains and controls the majority of the inter-State main line standard gauge railway lines on the mainland of Australia.
Gauges
One of three gauges is normally used on main line railways. Each started in different parts of country, due to historic development precedents in gauge choice in particular states and because such state systems were initially isolated from one another.
- 1,435 mm (4 feet 8½ inches) standard gauge
- 1,600 mm (5 feet 3 inches) broad gauge
- 1,067 mm (3 feet 6 inches) narrow [Cape] gauge
There is an ongoing programme to convert both broad and narrow gauge lines to standard gauge.
Narrower gauges of
- 600 mm (2 feet)
- 760 mm (2 feet 6 inches)
were used on industrial lines and remain on some tourist lines.
Electrification
Suburban networks can have electrification at either
- 1,500 V DC
or
- 25 kV AC.
- 750 V DC is used on tramways.
Tourist Lines
See Wikipedia
Metros
Melbourne and Sydney.
Trams/LRT Systems
In Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Newcastle and Sydney.
See Urban Rail
Recent and Future Changes
Recent Changes
The Adelaide 1 km Port Dock Railway Line branch reopened on 25 August 2024 after decommissioning in 1981.
Future Changes
Lines with Obscure or Sparse Passenger Services
See Australia - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services.
