Railways - Australia: Books - History and Rolling Stock

Rails Across Australia : A Journey Through the Continent

This book presents a collection of photographs by David Cable, a British author known for his railway photo albums worldwide.

The images were taken between 1967 and 1973 while Cable lived in Adelaide, and during later visits across the Commonwealth in the twenty-first century.
They showcase a wide range of trains across mainland Australia, from Queensland to the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The photographs include scenic views of trains in their landscapes, as well as detailed shots of locomotives for modelling enthusiasts.

The book also illustrates the historic gauge differences between the states, showing locomotives built for each, alongside modern designs for standard-gauge tracks now connecting them.

Product details

Australia's Last Steam Railways - The South Maitland and Richmond Vale Railways

NEW

The South Maitland and Richmond Vale Railways formed a large standard-gauge network serving coal mines in New South Wales. The first section opened in 1893 for coal transport, with passenger services added in parts of the SMR system from 1902. Due to heavy traffic, some sections were double-tracked and signaled.

The New South Wales Government Railways ran passenger services from 1930 to 1961, after which SMR continued with diesel railcars until 1972. RVR operated passenger trains for miners until 1959. The railways used British-built steam locomotives, including saddle tanks, locomotives originally from the Mersey Tunnel, and thirteen ROD tender locomotives built for World War I in France. The last locomotives in use were Beyer Peacock 2-8-2 tank engines.
Steam operations on the South Maitland system ended in 1983, while Richmond Vale was the last commercial steam railway in Australia until its closure in 1987. Part of the Richmond Vale Railway is now a museum line, and many locomotives have been preserved.

John Woodhams documents the history of these railways with a vivid collection of previously unpublished images.

Product details