View source for Railways in Adelaide

{{Short description|Rail network in South Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox public transit
| name = Railways in Adelaide
| image = Adelaide train logo.svg
| imagesize = 100px
| image2 = Adelaide Railway Station (5104232674).jpg
| imagesize2 = 300px
| caption2 = Adelaide railway station, October 2010
| owner = {{unbulleted list|[[South Australian Railways]] (1854–1975)|[[State Transport Authority (South Australia)|State Transport Authority]] (1975–1994)|[[TransAdelaide]] (1994–2010)|Office of the Rail Commissioner (since 2010)}}
| area served = 
| locale = [[Adelaide]], South Australia
| transit_type = [[Commuter rail]]
| lines = 7
| stations = 89
| daily_ridership = 
| annual_ridership = 
| chief_executive = 
| headquarters = 
| website = 
| began_operation = 1856
| ended_operation = <!-- {{end date and age|yyyy|mm|dd|df=yes}} -->
| operator = [[Adelaide Metro]]
| marks = 
| host = 
| character = At-grade with elevated and underground sections
| stock = [[3000 class railcar|3000 class]] <br /> [[Adelaide Metro 4000 class|4000 class]] 
| train_length = 2 ([[3000 class railcar|3000/3100]])<br />3 ([[Adelaide Metro 4000 class|4000]])
| headway = 
| system_length = <!-- {{convert|0|km|mi|abbr=on}} -->
| notrack = 
| track_gauge = {{Track gauge|1600mm|lk=on}}
| ogauge = 
| minimum_radius_of_curvature = <!-- {{convert|0|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} -->
| el = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} [[Overhead line|overhead]] ([[Seaford line|Seaford]]/[[Flinders line|Flinders]] & [[Gawler line|Gawler]] only)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/91975/2013_02_14_Adelaide_EMU_-_A-city_Factsheet.pdf|title=Adelaide A-City EMU|date=2013-02-14|access-date=2018-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614080335/http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/91975/2013_02_14_Adelaide_EMU_-_A-city_Factsheet.pdf|archive-date=2018-06-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| average_speed = <!-- {{convert|0|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} -->
| top_speed = <!-- {{convert|0|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} -->
| map = {{Adelaide commuter rail route diagram}}
| map_name = 
| map_state = collapsed
| caption = 
| line_number = 
| start = 
| end = 
}}

The '''Adelaide rail network''' is a metropolitan suburban rail system serving the city of [[Adelaide]], South Australia, Australia. Operated by [[Adelaide Metro]], it consists of 89 railway stations across 7 lines, which served a patronage of 15.6 million people over the year 2018-19.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dpti.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/624372/DPTI_Annual_Report_2018-19_-_Final_-_November_2019.pdf|title=Annual Report 2018–19|last=South Australia Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure|date=September 2019|access-date=12 February 2020|archive-date=1 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301124017/https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/624372/DPTI_Annual_Report_2018-19_-_Final_-_November_2019.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The metropolitan network is a [[commuter rail|suburban rail]] system designed to transport passengers from Adelaide's suburbs into the Adelaide central business district (CBD) and associated with the main [[Transport hub|hub]] at [[Adelaide railway station|Adelaide station]]. The [[Adelaide Parklands Terminal]] is the main hub for interstate trains services heading north–south and east–west. The first steam train in Adelaide commenced in 1856 between the city and [[Port Adelaide]]. Gradually, a network of lines spread out from Adelaide. These were initially built to carry ore, particularly copper, then later freight from the Murray River, and grain from the broadacre lands. In the first half of the 20th century, most of these lines carried passengers as well as freight. By the later half of the 20th century, many of these lines and branches were closed effectively shrinking Adelaide's rail system into a sparse size. 

The railway network is primarily at ground level, with some underground and elevated sections. There are 126 at-grade level crossings of the road and rail network in Adelaide.<ref>''[https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/map/adelaide-level-crossings-congestion-and-safety Adelaide level crossings congestion and safety]''</ref> There are no heritage railways that are located in the city of Adelaide area. In addition to the primary commuter network, Adelaide also has a small suburban [[Trams in Adelaide|tram network]].<ref>''[https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/plan-a-trip/timetables?num_ranks=20&f.routeModes|routeMode=0 Adelaide Metro]''</ref>

== Operators ==
[[Image:Freightlink container train headed for Darwin passes through Dry Creek on 5 Aug 2005 (cropped).jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|[[FreightLink]] Adelaide to Darwin freight train at [[Dry Creek railway station|Dry Creek]]]]
[[Image:AdelaideRail 6.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|[[Pacific National]] freight from Melbourne to Perth passing [[Belair railway station|Belair]] in the Adelaide Hills]]
[[File:Goodwood Train.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Adelaide Metro [[3000 class railcar]]s at [[Goodwood railway station|Goodwood]] returning to [[Adelaide railway station|Adelaide]] on a Belair service]]
Rail services around Adelaide are provided by a mixture of private and government-owned organisations.

The [[Department for Infrastructure & Transport]] (DIT) owns the suburban passenger rail network, comprising seven lines originating from [[Adelaide railway station]] on [[North Terrace, Adelaide|North Terrace]] in the CBD. Between 31 January 2021 and 2 February 2025, operation of the network had been contracted to [[Keolis Downer]].<ref>''[https://www.weare.sa.gov.au/news/2023/q2/rail-services-to-return-to-public-hands. Rail services to return to public hands]''</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/about-us/news/news-items/2025/trains-are-coming-home|title=
Trains are coming home|publisher=Adelaide Metro|date=2 February 2025|access-date=2 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2021 |title=Keolis begins operations and maintenance of Adelaide commuter rail in South Australia |url=https://cms.uitp.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Keolis-PR_New-rail-contract-in-Adelaide_31-Jan-2021.pdf |access-date=26 March 2025}}</ref>

The [[Australian Rail Track Corporation]] (ARTC), an agency of the [[Australian Government|federal government]], owns standard gauge interstate lines heading north and south, together with the [[dual gauge]] freight-only branch from [[Dry Creek-Port Adelaide railway line|Dry Creek to Port Adelaide]] and [[Pelican Point (Adelaide)|Pelican Point]]. The ARTC lines bypass the city to the west and do not enter the CBD. The ARTC network extends from Adelaide towards Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Darwin and is used by substantial interstate freight traffic.<ref>''[https://www.artc.com.au/ ARTC]'' </ref> 

Freight trains are operated by a number of private operators, which have access agreements with rail network owners such as the ARTC. The largest of these is [[Pacific National]], which handles the majority of interstate traffic and has the largest locomotive fleet. Other logistics companies also operate freight trains to and from interstate destinations and within South Australia.

[[Aurizon]] owns the remaining broad-gauge lines beyond the Adelaide suburban network. They were a handful of lines that were used mainly to move bulk grain and stone from the Barossa Valley and mid-north region of the state to the Port Adelaide area.<ref>''[https://www.aurizon.com.au/what-we-do/bulk/bulk-sa-and-nt/access-regional-network Access to South Australia Regional Rail Network]''</ref> 

[[Journey Beyond]] is a private company operating long-distance interstate passenger trains on the ARTC's standard gauge lines, and run from the [[Adelaide Parklands Terminal]], just west of the CBD. Journey Beyond's trains are the ''[[Indian Pacific]]'' to [[Central railway station, Sydney|Sydney]] and [[East Perth railway station|Perth]], ''[[The Ghan]]'' to [[Alice Springs railway station|Alice Springs]] and [[Darwin railway station|Darwin]], ''[[The Overland]]'' to [[Southern Cross railway station|Melbourne]] and the seasonal ''[[Great Southern (train)|Great Southern]]'' to [[Roma Street railway station|Brisbane]]. Regional intrastate passenger services in South Australia were withdrawn in 1990.

There are presently two heritage railways in South Australia run by volunteers, but none of these are in the Adelaide area. [[SteamRanger]] is based at [[Mount Barker railway station|Mount Barker]] and runs services through to [[Victor Harbor railway station|Victor Harbor]]. The [[Pichi Richi Railway]] is considerably more distant from Adelaide, based at [[Quorn railway station|Quorn]], and runs services through to [[Port Augusta railway station|Port Augusta]].<ref>''[https://www.pichirichirailway.org.au/ Pichi Richi Railway]''</ref><ref>''[https://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/ SteamRanger Heritage Railway]''</ref>

== History ==
=== Early days ===
In 1856, the first steam train ran between Adelaide and [[Port Adelaide railway station|Port Adelaide]], stopping at [[Bowden railway station|Bowden]], [[Woodville railway station, Adelaide|Woodville]] and [[Alberton railway station, Adelaide|Alberton]].<ref>The Adelaide, City and Port Railway Callaghan, W.H. [[Australian Railway History]], April/May, 2005 pp. 123-138, 143–149, 182–195</ref> Soon after, a {{Cvt|40|km}} line was built from the [[Gawler]] to [[Adelaide]] to cater for the agricultural and mining industries.

The South Line, through the [[Adelaide Hills]], opened to [[Aldgate railway station, Adelaide|Aldgate]], then [[Nairne railway station|Nairne]] in 1883, and extended to [[Bordertown railway station|Bordertown]] in 1886. The first through train between Adelaide and [[Melbourne]] – ''[[The Overland|The Intercolonial Express]]'' – ran on 19 January 1887, and was the first intercapital rail journey in Australia without changing trains at a [[break-of-gauge]] station.
[[File:Adelaide Metropolitan Rail Transport System.webp|thumb|A map of Adelaide's rail lines c.1970s]]
Most of the lines around Adelaide were built before 1900.

=== Early private companies ===
The Adelaide, Glenelg & Suburban Railway Company opened [[Glenelg tram line|Adelaide's fifth railway]] on 2 August 1873, a {{RailGauge|5ft3in|lk=on}} broad gauge, commencing at the [[Angas Street]] corner of [[King William Street, Adelaide|King William Street]] and followed that thoroughfare to [[South Terrace, Adelaide|South Terrace]], then ran through the [[Adelaide Park Lands|South Parklands]] and the south-western suburbs on its own right of way to Brighton Road, [[Glenelg, South Australia|Glenelg]] where street running recommenced, using [[Jetty Road, Glenelg|Jetty Road]] to terminate outside the [[Pier Hotel, Glenelg|Pier Hotel]] on [[Moseley Square]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208166698 |title=Opening of the Adelaide and Glenelg Railway |newspaper=[[The Express and Telegraph]] |volume=X |issue=2,928 |location=South Australia |date=2 August 1873 |access-date=25 March 2018 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Steam trains ceased on 2 April 1929 and the line was closed to be rebuilt as a double track standard gauge, electrified at 600 V [[Direct current|DC]] and converted to tramway operation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46046924 |title=Railway to Glenelg |newspaper=[[Barrier Miner]] |volume=XLI |issue=12,371 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=12 January 1929 |access-date=13 June 2016 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The [[Goodwood Overpass]] was constructed at this time, separating the new tram tracks from the conventional railway.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53453606|title=Tramway Bridge at Goodwood |date=16 May 1929 |newspaper=[[The Register News-Pictorial]] |issue=27,379 |location=South Australia|volume=XCIV|page=31 |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref> The line was reopened on 14 December 1929 with the city terminus reverting to Victoria Square.

The Holdfast Bay Railway Company built [[Holdfast Bay railway line|its own railway]] from [[Victoria Square, Adelaide|Victoria Square]], the geographic centre of the [[Adelaide|City of Adelaide]], to the Glenelg seafront at [[Moseley Square, Glenelg|Moseley Square]]. It was designed to compete with the existing [[Glenelg tram line|Glenelg railway line]].<ref name=180years>{{cite book|title=Adelaide's public transport – the first 180 years |first=Tom |last=Wilson |first2=John |last2=Radcliffe |first3=Christopher |last3=Steele|date=2021 |location=Adelaide |publisher=Wakefield Press |pages=10–12 of part 2.03 |isbn=9781743058855 }}</ref> 

The Grange Railway and Investment Company opened a railway line from Woodville to [[Grange railway station|Grange]] in September 1882.

=== The Webb Era ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2024}}
Despite the earlier geographic expansion, by 1920 the infrastructure and rolling stock of [[South Australian Railways]] (SAR) had become run down, inadequate and outdated. Many of the operating practices, such as train control and signalling, were backward by the standards of the time.

However the 1920s saw substantial and expensive improvements in most facets of the SAR's operations under the leadership of Railways Commissioner [[William Alfred Webb|William Webb]]. Webb was an American who had substantial operational experience with US railroads, and served as Commissioner between 1922 and 1930.

During his reign, track, bridges, railway workshops, rolling stock and especially steam locomotives were all modernised and upgraded along essentially American lines. [[Adelaide railway station|Adelaide station]] was rebuilt with a handsome sandstone building as a showpiece of the city on [[North Terrace, Adelaide|North Terrace]]. The building still stands; the lower level remains as the railway station, but the upper levels have been converted into a casino.

=== The war lines ===
A railway line opened in September 1940 and departed from the main Port Line at [[Woodville railway station, Adelaide|Woodville station]]. It headed in a northerly direction and serviced a wartime munitions works at [[Cheltenham, South Australia|Cheltenham]] Park (Actil Station) and a Government Supply Depot at Finsbury station. It was built primarily to service wartime industrial plants. Following the conclusion of the war, the industrial activity in [[Athol Park, South Australia|Athol Park]] was maintained for a period, before declining to an extent that the Finsbury line was regarded as unnecessary, leading to its removal.

A railway opened in 1940 to serve nearby factories at [[Hendon, South Australia|Hendon]] during [[World War II]]. After the war, rail traffic declined and passenger services at Hendon were reduced to morning and afternoon peak-hours only, providing services to residents and workers of factories established in the old munitions factories, including [[Philips#Australia and New Zealand|Philips Electrical Industries]] and the [[South Australian Brush Company]].<ref name=Bulletin>"The Hendon Branch Line" ''[[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]]'' September 2002 pp. 323–327</ref>

A line opened in 1941 to serve various [[World War II]] armaments factories at what was then known as [[Penfield, South Australia|Penfield]]. Because it was built for industrial purposes, [[railway siding|sidings]] branched off both the [[Rail directions#Up and down|up and down tracks]] at many locations.  The largest siding went into what is now [[RAAF Base Edinburgh]], the approximate location of the [[Salisbury Explosives Factory]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Forgotten World War 2 Relics in South Australia | website=WeekendNotes|first=Dave|last= Walsh | date=6 August 2017 | url=https://www.weekendnotes.com/world-war-2-relics-south-australia/ | access-date=19 January 2021}}</ref> built between November 1940 and November 1941.<ref name=archdbjory>{{cite web | website=Architects of South Australia | title=Architect Details: Jory, Harrold Herbert (Herbert) | url=https://www.architectsdatabase.unisa.edu.au/arch_full.asp?Arch_ID=82 | access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref> During the war years, the line was used by [[passenger train]]s carrying workers to the [[munitions]] factories in the area, which manufactured components for the [[Small Arms Ammunition Factories]],  as well as [[freight train]]s carrying raw materials in and [[armaments]] out. Passenger trains were necessary because [[Salisbury, South Australia|Salisbury]] was a semi-rural community at the time and most of the workforce had to be brought in from other districts. A more limited peak-hour passenger service to Penfield continued after the war, serving staff at the government Weapons Research Establishment, later to become the [[Defence Science and Technology Organisation]] (DSTO). 

=== SAR, STA, and AN ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2024}}
From early colonial days up until 1978, the SAR had built and operated most of the railway system within the state.

The [[Commonwealth Railways]] (CR), owned by the Federal Government, also had a significant role in the northern part of SA, with lines from Port Augusta across the [[Nullarbor Plain]] to [[Kalgoorlie railway station|Kalgoorlie]], and to [[Marree railway station|Marree]] and [[Alice Springs railway station|Alice Springs]]. None of its lines came close to Adelaide.

During the early 1970s, the [[First Whitlam Ministry|Whitlam Federal Government]] proposed a strategy to nationalise and standardise the various state rail systems around Australia. South Australia and [[Tasmanian Government Railways|Tasmania]] were the only states to participate in this initiative and negotiations were long and drawn out. The result was that in March 1978 the SAR became defunct and South Australia's railways were split between Commonwealth and State Government ownership.

A new Commonwealth Government organisation, [[Australian National Railways Commission]] (ANR), took over all the former SAR and CR track in South Australia outside the metropolitan area. Other rail facilities such as property and workshops were also transferred to ANR. ANR become Australian National (AN) as it refined its corporate identity.

The State Government retained ownership and control of tracks and trains in the Adelaide suburban area under the auspices of the [[State Transport Authority (South Australia)|State Transport Authority]] (STA). The STA had been created in 1974 to co-ordinate all public transport in South Australia.

In 1994, the STA was abolished and reformed as the government-owned corporate body [[TransAdelaide]] as a prelude to competitive tendering for operation of bus and rail services in metropolitan Adelaide. TransAdelaide subsequently lost all its bus services to private operators, but has retained the contracts to operate train and tram services.

In November 1997, AN was broken up and sold as part of a Federal Government privatisation agenda. Track, workshops, depots and passenger and freight operations were sold to various private organisations, which has led to today's operational structure described in an earlier section.

== Electrification and modernisation ==

By the 2000s, Adelaide's rail system had become run down, with the last major investment on the suburban tracks having taken place nearly 30 years earlier.{{Original research inline|date=September 2024}} 18-year-old [[2000 class railcar|2000 class railcars]] (known colloquially as "Jumbos") were still in operation, the tracks were in disrepair and trains derailed frequently.<ref>''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6qn_wu7wQo&t=2s Gawler Line Electrification Project Explained]''</ref>{{sps|date=September 2024}} In 2008, the South Australian government announced, in collaboration with the Federal government, a plan to upgrade and electrify the [[Seaford line|Noarlunga line]] (now Seaford line) and [[Flinders line|Tonsley line]] (now Flinders line); the Belair line was also partially electrified as far as Goodwood to allow for electric train movements. Work on electrification began in January 2013 with the Belair line completed in mid-July 2013,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Kara |date=July 1, 2013 |title=Belair rail line to reopen, Transport Minister Chloe Fox announces |work=Herald Sun |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/belair-rail-line-to-reopen-transport-minister-chloe-fox-announces/news-story/5b30bd3d5eec7ad37682fa50b0207d09}}</ref> and electric train services beginning in February 2014 on the recently extended Seaford Line.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wills |first=Daniel |date=January 19, 2014 |title=Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis turns on new electric Noarlunga train lines |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/transport-and-infrastructure-minister-tom-koutsantonis-turns-on-new-electric-noarlunga-train-lines/news-story/d444b8f6e445563e69086f5ae592ea6b }}</ref> The ageing fleet of 2000 class railcars were all retired by 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nrm.org.au/collections/31-search-our-collections/231 |title=Collections at the National Railway Museum |last= |first= |date= |website=nrm.org.au |publisher= |access-date=1 September 2024 |quote=}} </ref>

Previously cancelled in 2013, electrification of the [[Gawler line]] was announced in 2018. Though Stage 1 electrification as far as Salisbury was initially planned,<ref>{{cite web |last=Probert |first=Oliver |date=22 January 2018 |title=$615m Gawler electrification deal signed |url=https://www.railexpress.com.au/615m-gawler-electrification-deal-signed/ |access-date=7 July 2018 |website=Rail Express |archive-date=7 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707100846/https://www.railexpress.com.au/615m-gawler-electrification-deal-signed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> a $220 million grant from the Federal Government also allowed for Stage 2 electrification on the remainder of the line to proceed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Langenberg |first=Adam |date=13 July 2018 |title=$615m Gawler electrification deal signed |work=The Advertiser |location=Adelaide |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/gawler-line-electrification-expected-to-be-completed-in-2020/news-story/6a228b49ae134aa83c3b96b1a0418d0f |access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref> Works commenced in November 2019, and after many delays electric train services began on 12 June 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Metro |first=Adelaide |date=2022-06-13 |title=Gawler rail line reopens Sunday 12 June |url=https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/about-us/news/news-items/2022/gawler_rail_line_reopens_sunday_12_june |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Adelaide Metro |language=en |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606011431/https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/about-us/news/news-items/2022/gawler_rail_line_reopens_sunday_12_june |url-status=live }}</ref> The Outer Harbor railway line was rebuilt in preparation for its electrification but the project was cancelled in June 2012.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/budget/previous-budgets/2008-09| title=2008/09 State Budget| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227223416/http://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/budget/previous-budgets/2008-09| archive-date=27 February 2015| author=South Australian Department of Treasury & Finance| date=June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/rail-project-stopped-in-its-tracks/story-fn8x9piw-1226072473185| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815022559/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/rail-project-stopped-in-its-tracks/story-fn8x9piw-1226072473185| archive-date=August 15, 2012| title=SA State Budget 11 - $200m in rail revitalisation work delayed| last=Martin| first=Sarah| date=10 June 2011| access-date=2011-06-10| work=Adelaide Advertiser}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/australia-nz/south-australia-cuts-back-adelaide-electrification.html| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220010128/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/australia-nz/south-australia-cuts-back-adelaide-electrification.html| archive-date=December 20, 2013| first=Mark| last=Carter| title=South Australia cuts back Adelaide electrification| work=International Railway Journal| date=8 June 2012}}</ref>

In 2017, $16.4&nbsp;million was allocated in the [[Government of South Australia|state budget]] for a new station to be built next to Baker Street, near the original site. It was to be at the end of a new 1.0&nbsp;km (1100&nbsp;yard) spur line off the existing Outer Harbor rail line,<ref name="ABC_news">{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-24/port-adelaide-new-train-station-rail-spur/8648778|title=Port Adelaide to get new train station served by 1km rail spur|date=24 June 2017|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|access-date=25 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="ADVstatebudget">{{cite news |last=Kemp |first=Miles |date=24 June 2017 |title=State Budget 2017: Trains return to the heart of Port Adelaide after a 36-year absence |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/state-budget-2017-trains-return-to-the-heart-of-port-adelaide-after-a-36year-absence/news-story/592f09121f365f1a4774df13e2f0b948 |work=The Advertiser |location=Adelaide |access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref> using the existing corridor beside the [[National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide|National Railway Museum]] that connects to the Outer Harbor line.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pisani |first=Ashleigh |date=30 June 2017 |title=National Railway Museum warns issues to resolve before Port Dock Railway spur can return |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/west-beaches/national-railway-museum-warns-issues-to-resolve-before-port-dock-railway-spur-can-return/news-story/3fab1387106d6b33fbb2ab5225e9e2a0 |work=Portside Messenger |location=Adelaide |access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pisani |first=Ashleigh |date=18 July 2018 |title=Barossa Wine Train booted from the Port |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/west-beaches/barossa-wine-train-booted-from-the-port/news-story/9c296a5456dce5d823ea9a77be6c514e |work=Portside Messenger |location=Adelaide |access-date=1 August 2018}}</ref> However, in June 2019 when some museum track had already been dismantled, the development was "put on hold" while a North West Planning Study was conducted; a forecast cost increase to $40&nbsp;million was cited.<ref name="ABC_news2019" /><ref>{{cite magazine |title= DPTI News |first=Bob |last=Sampson |date= July 2019 |magazine= Catch Point Magazine |location= Port Adelaide |publisher= National Railway Museum |page= 6 }}</ref>{{efn|For a double mainline connection and signalling, a 300-metre loop, about 700&nbsp;metres of new line, a level crossing and basic station.}} On-ground preparatory work was reversed in January 2020, with sleepers bought for the project being reallocated to other lines.<ref name="ABC_news2021">Sutton, Malcolm (6 May 2021). [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-06/port-adelaide-fight-to-bring-railway-spur-to-life/100118734 Port Adelaide community rustled up to bring 'cancelled' railway spur back to life] ABC News. Retrieved 28 March 2023.</ref> In 2022, the state government committed $51 million for the construction of the new Port Dock Railway Line with a new station and bus interchange at Baker Street,<ref name=DIT2022 /> adjacent to the National Railway Museum. A short platform face was also constructed for Railway Museum heritage services running along a parallel stretch of track. Site preparation works began for the new railway line in June 2023; the tracks were completed in April 2024, and a [[3000 class railcar]] (3123-3124) made a test run on 2 June.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k2jEai4UTY "First Train to Port Dock Station, History Made!" - YouTube, uploaded 2 June 2024]</ref>{{sps|date=September 2024}} The station and interchange officially open on 25 August 2024.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Port Dock Railway Line Project |url=https://ptpa.com.au/projects/port-dock-railway-line |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=PTP Alliance |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>[https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/about-us/news/news-items/2024/port-dock-railway-line Port Dock Railway Line - Adelaide Metro website, 17 June 2024]</ref>

== Future projects ==

=== Seaford line extension to Aldinga Beach ===
In 2019, [[South Australian Housing Trust|Renewal SA]] delivered a Draft Structure Plan of a 94 hectare area of land in [[Aldinga, South Australia|Aldinga]] which is set to include a new school and a railway station as an extension of the [[Seaford line]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.victorharbortimes.com.au/story/6188476/plan-for-land-revealed/|title=Development of Aldinga train station inches closer|website=Victor Harbour Times|date=29 May 2019|access-date=1 November 2019|archive-date=1 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101170606/https://www.victorharbortimes.com.au/story/6188476/plan-for-land-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Gawler line extension to Concordia ===
The SA government has allocated $10 million to explore extending Adelaide's rail line further north and south of the city including a possible extension of the [[Gawler railway line|Gawler line]] to the new proposed city of [[Concordia, South Australia|Concordia]], 7 kilometres northeast of Gawler.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

=== Underground city centre link ===
In 2019, Infrastructure SA intended to complete electrification of the Gawler line, and analyse the feasibility of an underground rail link in the CBD between the northern and southern railway lines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://infrastructure.sa.gov.au/project-pipeline|title=Project Pipeline – Infrastructure SA|access-date=10 May 2019|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510132925/https://infrastructure.sa.gov.au/project-pipeline|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Belair line extension to Mount Barker ===
The SA government has allocated $10 million to explore extending Adelaide's rail line further north and south of the city including an extension of services from Belair to Mount Barker. The cost has been estimated to reach $5 billion but has the acknowledgement that the city of Mount Barker will need better transport.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

== Lines ==
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |Line
!First service
!Image
!Length
!Stations
!Electrification
!Rolling stock
!Map
|-
| style="background-color:#{{rcr|Adelaide Metro|Belair}};" width="0.5em" |
![[Belair line]]
|1883
|[[File:AdelaideRail 9.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|{{convert|21.5|km|mi|2|abbr=on}}
|15
|{{partial|{{small|between {{rwsa|Adelaide}} {{br}}and {{rwsa|Goodwood}}, {{br}}no electric services}} }}
|[[3000 class railcar|3000 class]]
|{{Rapid transit OSM map|system_qid=Q4881878|single_line=y|stations=y|stations_qid=Q4881878|frame-width=120|frame-height=150}}
|-
| style="background-color:#{{rcr|Adelaide Metro|Gawler}};" width="0.5em" |
![[Gawler line]]
|1857
|[[File:ADG Gawler station 1.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|{{convert|42.2|km|mi|2|abbr=on}}
|27
|{{ya}}
|[[Adelaide Metro 4000 class|4000 class]]
|{{Rapid transit OSM map|system_qid=Q5528455|single_line=y|stations=y|stations_qid=Q5528455|frame-width=120|frame-height=150}}
|-
| style="background-color:#{{rcr|Adelaide Metro|Grange}};" width="0.5em" |
![[Grange line]]
|1882
|[[File:Grange railway station2.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|Branch: {{convert|5.5|km|mi|2|abbr=on}}{{br}}Total: {{convert|13.0|km|mi|2|abbr=on}}
|Branch: 3{{br}}Total: 11
|{{sdash}}
| rowspan="3" |3000 class
|{{Rapid transit OSM map|system_qid=Q5595697|single_line=y|stations=y|stations_qid=Q5595697|frame-width=120|frame-height=150}}
|-
| style="background-color:#{{rcr|Adelaide Metro|Outer Harbor}};" width="0.5em" |
![[Outer Harbor and Port Dock lines|Outer Harbor line]]
|1856
|[[File:AdelaideRail 2.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|{{convert|21.9|km|mi|2|abbr=on}}
|22
|{{sdash}}
|{{Rapid transit OSM map|system_qid=Q7111976|single_line=y|stations=y|stations_qid=Q7111976|frame-width=120|frame-height=150}}
|-
| style="background-color:#{{rcr|Adelaide Metro|Port Dock}};" width="0.5em" |
![[Outer Harbor and Port Dock lines|Port Dock line]]
|2024
|[[File:Port Dock railway station, 24 August 2024 (day before opening).jpg|none|thumb|120px]]
|{{convert|12.0|km|mi|2|abbr=on}}
|Branch: 1{{br}}Total: 11
|{{sdash}}
|{{Rapid transit OSM map|system_qid=Q128493035|single_line=y|stations=y|stations_qid=Q128493035|frame-width=120|frame-height=150}}
|-
| style="background-color:#{{rcr|Adelaide Metro|Seaford}};" width="0.5em" |
![[Seaford line]]
|1913
|[[File:Onkaparinga_River_train_viaduct.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|{{convert|35.9|km|mi|2|abbr=on}}
|24
|{{ya}}
| rowspan="2" |4000 class
|{{Rapid transit OSM map|system_qid=Q7045547|single_line=y|stations=y|stations_qid=Q7045547|frame-width=120|frame-height=150}}
|-
| style="background-color:#{{rcr|Adelaide Metro|Flinders}};" width="0.5em" |
![[Flinders line]]
|1966
|[[File:Flinders Station Adelaide.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|Branch: {{convert|4.5|km|mi|2|abbr=on}}{{br}}Total: {{convert|13.0|km|mi|2|abbr=on}}
|Branch: 3{{br}}Total: 11
|{{ya}}
|{{Rapid transit OSM map|system_qid=Q7821676|single_line=y|stations=y|stations_qid=Q7821676|frame-width=120|frame-height=150}}
|}

=== Closed lines ===
[[Image:willunga-marino railtrail in reynella.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The [[Coast to Vines Rail Trail]], built on the route of the former Willunga line.]]
{{main|List of closed railway stations in South Australia}}
Adelaide's passenger rail network decreased in size during the later half of the 20th century, with the closure of several lines and branches, including:

* '''[[Dry Creek–Port Adelaide railway line|Dry Creek–Port Adelaide line]]''': opened 1868 (last passenger service in 1988; now freight only)
* '''[[Finsbury railway line|Finsbury line]]''': [[Woodville railway station, Adelaide|Woodville]] to Gillman Junction, 1940–1978
* '''[[Northfield railway line|Northfield line]]''': [[Dry Creek railway station|Dry Creek]] to [[Northfield railway station|Northfield]], 1857–1987
* '''[[Penfield railway line|Penfield line]]''': [[Salisbury railway station, Adelaide|Salisbury]] to [[Penfield 3 railway station|Penfield 3]], 1941–1991
* '''[[Semaphore railway line|Semaphore line]]''': [[Port Adelaide]] to Semaphore, 1878–1978
* '''[[Willunga railway line|Willunga line]]''': [[Hallett Cove railway station|Hallett Cove]] to [[Willunga, South Australia|Willunga]], 1915–1969 (now the [[Coast to Vines Rail Trail]])
* '''[[Henley Beach railway line]]''': [[Grange railway station|Grange]] to [[Henley Beach, South Australia|Henley Beach]], 1894–1957
* '''[[Bridgewater railway line]]''': [[Belair railway station|Belair]] to [[Bridgewater, South Australia|Bridgewater]], 1883–1987
* '''[[Hendon railway line]]''': [[Albert Park railway station, Adelaide|Albert Park]] to [[Hendon railway station, Adelaide|Hendon]], 1940–1980

Many of these were industrial branch lines which were intended mainly for freight, but were also provided with passenger trains at peak hours.

== Rolling stock ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Class
! Image
! Type
! Top speed<br />(km/h)
! Builders
! Built
! Number
! Lines Served
! Notes
|-
| [[3000 class railcar|3000]]
| [[File:RailcarsAtUnleyPark.jpg|frameless|117x117px]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Diesel multiple unit|DMU]]
| rowspan="2" | 130
| rowspan="2" | [[Commonwealth Engineering|Comeng]]<br />[[Clyde Engineering]]
| rowspan="2" | 1988–1996
| 30
| rowspan="2" | {{rcb|Adelaide|Belair|croute}}<br />{{rcb|Adelaide|Grange|croute}}<br/>{{rcb|Adelaide|Outer Harbor|croute}}<br/>{{rcb|Adelaide|Port Dock|croute}}
| rowspan="2" | Interiors refurbished 2011 and 2021–22.
Mechanically refurbished 2018–19.
|-
| [[3000 class railcar|3100]]
| [[File:3000-3100 Class Railcars 3124 and 3123 at Midlunga railway station.jpg|alt=3124 and 3123 at Midlunga.|frameless|117x117px]]
| 40 2-car sets
|-
| [[Adelaide Metro 4000 class|4000<br />(A-City)]]
| [[File:Adelaide Metro 4000 Class EMU at Hallett Cove.jpg|frameless|117x117px]]
| [[Electric multiple unit|EMU]]
| 110
| [[Bombardier Transportation|Bombardier]]<br />[[Alstom]]{{efn|name=Alstom|[[Bombardier Transportation]] was acquired by [[Alstom]] on 29 January 2021, during construction of the second batch of A-City trains. All of this batch were delivered by Alstom.}}
| 2013–2015,<br />2019–2023
| 34 3-car sets
| {{rcb|Adelaide|Gawler|croute}}<br />{{rcb|Adelaide|Seaford|croute}}<br>{{rcb|Adelaide|Flinders|croute}}
|
|}

== See also ==
* [[List of Adelaide railway stations]]
* [[List of closed Adelaide railway stations]]
* [[List of public transport routes in Adelaide]]
* [[Trams in Adelaide]]
* [[Transport in Adelaide]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.sa.gov.au South Australia Central]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050205211219/http://www.opt.dtup.sa.gov.au/ Office of Public Transport]
* [http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/ Adelaide Metro]
* [http://www.natrailmuseum.org.au/ National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide]
* [http://www.steamranger.org.au/ SteamRanger]
* [http://www.sa-trackandsignal.net/ SA railway track and signalling]

{{Adelaide public transport}}
{{Australian rail}}

[[Category:Regional rail in Australia]]
[[Category:Rail transport in South Australia]]
[[Category:5 ft 3 in gauge railways in Australia]]