Semaphore railway line, Adelaide
Encyclopedia
Semaphore railway line was a railway in the north-west of Adelaide servicing the suburb of Semaphore
and Exeter
. It serviced two stations: Semaphore and Exeter. The line opened in 1882 and closed in 1978.
council made a proposal for a light rail network to be constructed in the North West suburbs, which included a branch along the route of the former Semaphore Line. The state government in the 2008 state budget announced that a light rail network would be constructed, and that a light rail branch was expected to be constructed to Semaphore in 2018.
to serve the new overseas shipping jetty at Semaphore. In 1917 when the Semaphore
to Rosewater
and Albert Park
tram line was opened there was an unresolved dispute over the tramline crossing the railway line near Exeter station. The Railway Commissioner disallowed trams to cross over the railway line. Trams continued to operate with one isolated tram service between the crossing and Largs
, with passengers having to walk across the railway line to use the remaining tramline. After a short period of time the M.T.T
continued full service along the line regardless of not having the rail commissioner’s consent. In response to this rail workers threatened to cut the tramline off by dumping a load of sleepers on the tramway tracks. An agreement was eventually made to allow trams to cross the line on the condition that a signal cabin be installed and a signal man was to cut off power to trams when a train approached preventing trams from proceeding over the railway tracks. This system nearly caused a disaster when a tram happened to be using the crossing when power was cut off. The tram was nearly stranded on the railway line and an accident was barely avoided. The switches for cutting of power was then removed and replaced by a system of traffic lights. The line closed on 29 October 1978. This was partly because traders on the north side of Semaphore road claims of losing business.
>colspan="4"|
|}Semaphore railway station was 14.9 km from Adelaide Railway Station
and on the end of the Semaphore line. The station was located in the middle of Semaphore Road, and next to the Esplanade, and the station platform was level with the northern part of the road. The station closed with the rest of the line in 1978.
Semaphore, South Australia
Semaphore is a north-western seaside suburb of Adelaide of the LeFevre Peninsula 14km from the CBD, in the state of South Australia, Australia and falls under the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is adjacent to Semaphore South, Glanville, Exeter and Largs Bay. The postcode for Semaphore is 5019...
and Exeter
Exeter, South Australia
Exeter is a north-western suburb of Adelaide 14km from the CBD, on the LeFevre Peninsula, in the state of South Australia, Australia and falls under the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is adjacent to Semaphore, Birkenhead, Largs Bay and Glanville. The post code for Exeter is 5019...
. It serviced two stations: Semaphore and Exeter. The line opened in 1882 and closed in 1978.
Description and remains
The line branched off at Glanville station and ran along the centre of Semaphore Road, until it terminated right next to the Esplanade. Semaphore station was located east of Esplanade Road. Exeter station was located to the east side of where Swan Terrace and Woolnough Road intersect. The stations have been demolished and no evidence of the stations remain; also, the track has since been dismantled. The large median strip along Semaphore road remains as a result of the line. In 2006, the City of Port Adelaide EnfieldCity of Port Adelaide Enfield
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield was established on 1 January 1997 by the amalgamation of the City of Port Adelaide and the City of Enfield, and is one of the larger metropolitan councils within South Australia....
council made a proposal for a light rail network to be constructed in the North West suburbs, which included a branch along the route of the former Semaphore Line. The state government in the 2008 state budget announced that a light rail network would be constructed, and that a light rail branch was expected to be constructed to Semaphore in 2018.
History
The line was extended from the port on 7 January 1882 by South Australian RailwaysSouth Australian Railways
South Australian Railways built and operated railways in South Australia from 1854 to the incorporation of its non-urban railways into the Australian National Railways Commission in 1975, together with the former Commonwealth Railways and the former Tasmanian Government Railways...
to serve the new overseas shipping jetty at Semaphore. In 1917 when the Semaphore
Semaphore, South Australia
Semaphore is a north-western seaside suburb of Adelaide of the LeFevre Peninsula 14km from the CBD, in the state of South Australia, Australia and falls under the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is adjacent to Semaphore South, Glanville, Exeter and Largs Bay. The postcode for Semaphore is 5019...
to Rosewater
Rosewater, South Australia
Rosewater is one of the western suburbs of Adelaide and is located 10 km north-west of Adelaide's central business district . Although mainly residential, there are many shops along Grand Junction Road and the retired "Rosewater Loop" railway line runs through the suburb...
and Albert Park
Albert Park, South Australia
Albert Park is a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in the City of Charles Sturt.-History:Named for Prince Albert, Albert Park was laid out in 1877 by a W.R. Cave. The suburb was advertised as:...
tram line was opened there was an unresolved dispute over the tramline crossing the railway line near Exeter station. The Railway Commissioner disallowed trams to cross over the railway line. Trams continued to operate with one isolated tram service between the crossing and Largs
Largs Bay, South Australia
Largs Bay is a north-western suburb of Adelaide 16km from the CBD, on the LeFevre Peninsula, in the state of South Australia, Australia and falls under the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is adjacent to Largs North and Semaphore, Exeter and Peterhead. The post code for Largs Bay is 5016...
, with passengers having to walk across the railway line to use the remaining tramline. After a short period of time the M.T.T
Municipal Tramways Trust
The Municipal Tramways Trust was established in 1907 to operate Adelaide's street tram network. The MTT ceased to exist in 1975 upon the establishment of the State Transport Authority Bus and Tram Division.-History:...
continued full service along the line regardless of not having the rail commissioner’s consent. In response to this rail workers threatened to cut the tramline off by dumping a load of sleepers on the tramway tracks. An agreement was eventually made to allow trams to cross the line on the condition that a signal cabin be installed and a signal man was to cut off power to trams when a train approached preventing trams from proceeding over the railway tracks. This system nearly caused a disaster when a tram happened to be using the crossing when power was cut off. The tram was nearly stranded on the railway line and an accident was barely avoided. The switches for cutting of power was then removed and replaced by a system of traffic lights. The line closed on 29 October 1978. This was partly because traders on the north side of Semaphore road claims of losing business.
Stations
>
|}Semaphore railway station was 14.9 km from Adelaide Railway Station
Adelaide Railway Station
Adelaide Railway Station is the central terminus of the Adelaide Metro railway system. It is at on the north side of North Terrace, west of Parliament House. The Adelaide Casino is in part of the building that is no longer required for the station....
and on the end of the Semaphore line. The station was located in the middle of Semaphore Road, and next to the Esplanade, and the station platform was level with the northern part of the road. The station closed with the rest of the line in 1978.
See also
- Railways in AdelaideRailways in AdelaideThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by Adelaide Metro, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro]public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by...
- List of Adelaide railway stations
- List of closed Adelaide railway stations