FRHG Gauge Choice Queensland
Gauge choice Queensland[edit]
Railways were a top priority when the Queensland colony separated from the New South Wales colony in 1859. It had an elected Legislative Council from 1860. Railways in NSW had started in 1855 with the Template:Track gauge. Queensland's European (non-Aboriginal) population was 23520. An important decision was the choice of gauge. Track gauge of Template:Track gauge was advocated by Carl Abraham Pihl from Norway. The narrower gauge passed parliament by apparently a single vote.
If 1067mm gauge saves money compared to 1,435 millimetres (4.708 ft) mm, then why stop there; Track gauge 610 millimetres (2.00 ft) would be cheaper still. Unfortunately the president created by the Festiniog Railway in far-off Wales does not appear to have been noticed. Amongst other things, the FR did not as yet have any narrow gauge steam locomotives. Communication between Queensland and Wales was by slow ship as the electric telegraph had yet to be connected with Europe and Britain; this only arrived in 1872.
To save more money Queensland proposed some 2' 9" (838mm) gauge lines; this foolish idea did not succeed.
South Australia started with 1600mm gauge but build many "islands" of 1067mm gauge railways, some of which where widened to 1600mm.
Victoria succumbed to having cheap narrow gauge lines, originally 610mm (2' 0") which was altered to 762mm (2' 6") to use rolling stock designs from India.
New South Wales resisted having narrow gauge but developed light and cheaper standard gauge 1435mm (4' 8.5") "pioneer lines with lighter axleloads and lighter rails of 30kg/m (50lb/yd). There is through running from the pioneer branch lines and the heavy main lines, but not the other way round. Rails can be incrementally strengthened to 60kg/m (120lb/yd) where the traffic warrants it.
Western Australia followed the Queensland president and chose 1067mm.
Tasmania which had initially chosen 1600mm followed Queensland and changed to 1067nn.
Sydney (New South Wales) had steam trams with 1435mm gauge, 1 in 20 gradients and 20m curves, and trailing carriages limited to 3 bogie carriages.
An important argument in favour of a narrow gauge was that it was said to be a choice between "narrow gauge railway or no railway".
See also[edit]
- FRHG FRHG - jump to top of pyramid.
- FRHG Gauge Choice Austrailia
- FRHG Gauge Choice Worldwide