Commonwealth Railways
CR
1917 – 1 July 1975
Commonwealth railway operator, headed by the Commonwealth Railways Commissioner, that ran the Trans-Australian Railway and, from 1926, the Central Australia and North Australia railways.
How it came into existence
Established in 1917 under the Commonwealth Railways Act 1917, with a Commonwealth Railways Commissioner appointed to operate the Trans-Australian Railway between Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie, which opened in October 1917. Construction of the line had been run by the Department of Home Affairs and then the Department of Works and Railways.
- Operation of the Trans-Australian Railway
- Commonwealth railway administration
Legislation: Commonwealth Railways Act 1917
Changes during its life
- 1926Took over operation of the Central Australia Railway (Port Augusta–Oodnadatta) and the North Australia Railway (Darwin–Katherine), which the Commonwealth had acquired with the Northern Territory in 1911.
How it ended
Replaced on 1 July 1975 by the Australian National Railways Commission, established under the Australian National Railways Act 1975, which took over its railways, rolling stock and staff.
- Trans-Australian, Central Australia and North Australia railways
- Commonwealth rail freight and passenger services
Main functions
- Operation of the Trans-Australian Railway
- Operation of the Central Australia Railway
- Operation of the North Australia Railway
- Railway construction and track maintenance
- Passenger and freight rail services
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Transport.
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Other sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.