A camel train getting ready to deliver.
Stationmaster Bill Ostereich with chief Monister Paul Everingham and Transport Minister Jim Robertson in 1978.
Railway Lines from Ooodnadatta.
Until then all goods to the small township came by camel trains driven by Afghan tribesmen who specialised in handling these hardy 'ships of the desert', and from where the name for train was derived.
The camels brought everything. pianos, motors, furniture and supplies. The arrival of these beasts of burden ws a time of high excitement. Mail, newspapers and long-awaited clothes and cosmetics orders also came this way.
While the new rail opened up the centre to business, tourism and commerce, it also developed a legendary reputation for the many mishaps which occurred. The 1520km. journey from Adelaide passed through some of the harshest country on earth and some of the usually dry rivers it needed to cross on its journey were frequently flooded and several kilometres wide. This sometimes meant the train would not arrive for several weeks or even months. In the 1970's the train was not sighted for 3 months and essential supplies like milk were flown in daily until it meandered through the gap one day to a community reception and breakfast which astounded the passengers.
The old Ghan served the community for some 50 years until a new line was completed, taking a less treacherous route west of the existing line from Tarcoola. New bridges spanned rivers, and the line is continuous, eliminating the 'click click' of the train on the rails as it passes joins in the rail. A detailed story on this will be found in the magazine section of this site.
When the old rail ceased operation in 1980 the track was offerd for tender and was bought by a local businessman, Leon Samsonenko, who sliced much of the track up and sold it as polished souvenirs. The sleepers were collected and sold. many of these are used around town in gardens and other places and there is a house built by Leon with the sleepers.
In 1988 the Ghan Preservation Society opened a museum at the Macdonnell Siding, 10 km. south of town which traces the history of the line. They also operate occasional trips to the Ewaninga Siding south of Alice Springs.
Today the modern rail is a world renowned tourism attraction with prices to match. Travellers arrive well fed and refreshed from their sleeper berths, clean and raring to go.
It is a far cry from the days when the first steam rail chuffed its way into the tiny settlement of 400 or so people.
See Also Ghan Railway Museum
See Also Ghan Railway Station