Those who are not familiar with the break-of-gauge situation in Australia will find it helpful to refer to the map in the pocket at the back of the book which shows the various gauges in colour and the mileage of each gauge.
A second map (p.118) shows what the situation will be when the plan now envisaged has been carried out. When that happy day arrives only two gauges will remain in Australia, the narrow (3 ft. 6 in.) gauge of Queensland and Western Australia [and Tasmania!] and the standard 4 ft. 8 1/2 in. forming the transcontinental connexions from Brisbane to Fremantle in the east-west direction and from Adelaide to Darwin in the north-south direction, all the capitals of the mainland being linked up with the standard gauge and all modern types of railway vehicles being able to travel from one State to another. This work should take no more than ten years.
Had a continuing plan been adopted after World war II the work would have been completed by now. With the advent of the diesel locomotive, long distance trunk-line railways are good business propositions, and so uniform gauge can pay dividends.
Australia is still a young and growing country with the technical knowledge and resources for this work and should not have to look long in vain for the political leadership which is the first requirement.
THE AUTHOR
Brighton Beach
Victoria
Although Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth have now been linked by the standard gauge tracks for several years, the link to Darwin has only just been completed. It was opened for commercial traffic in January 2004, over 100 years since the work on the line was started.
However, it will be many more years before the broad gauge (5 ft 3 in) tracks in Victoria and South Australia are converted to standard gauge and Mr Harding's plan is realized.... if ever!
Greg Mayman
22 June 2004