• Current Media Releases **UPDATED**
• Previous Media Releases
• Alerts and other information
• Images of First Train Celebrations

Current Media Releases

17 January 2004

• Media Release - Prime Minister
  INAUGURAL JOURNEY OF THE ALICE SPRINGS TO DARWIN
  RAILWAY
  I am delighted to be in the Northern Territory today to welcome the first train to travel directly from Adelaide to Darwin.
• Media Release - NT Chief Minister
  FIRST FREIGHT TRAIN ARRIVES IN DARWIN
  A day many people thought would never arrive is here with the first freight train on the new AustralAsia Railway pulling into the Port of Darwin this afternoon.
• Media Release - Senator Scullion
  TERRITORY RAILWAY DREAM NOW A REALITY FOR KATHERINE RESIDENTS
  A Federal Government commitment from the time of Federation, and a 100 year old dream for Territorians becomes a reality today with the first freight train from Alice Springs to Darwin, said Senator Scullion today.

16 January 2004

• FREIGHT TRAIN BEGINS FIRST HAUL THROUGH THE TERRITORY
  History in the making today with the Northern Territory leg of the inaugural freight train journey, from Adelaide to Darwin, beginning in Alice Springs.

• TERRITORY RAILWAY DREAM NOW A REALITY FOR ALICE SPRINGS
  A Federal Government commitment from the time of Federation, and a 100 year old dream for Territorians becomes a reality today with the first freight train from Alice Springs to Darwin, said Senator Scullion today.
  

15 January 2004

• Prime Ministers Message
  Today’s inauguration of the Alice Springs to Darwin Railway represents a momentous achievement for all those involved in its planning and construction.

• Inaugural Adelaide - Darwin Freight Train Journey Begins
  The start of the first freight train journey from Adelaide to Darwin has been described by Chief Minister, Clare Martin, as “a defining moment in Territory history.”

• ADELAIDE TO DARWIN RAILWAY : THE FUTURE STARTS HERE
  Premier Mike Rann says that he expects South Australians to hop on board and take advantage of the great opportunities offered by the new $1.3 billion rail line - when the very first train from Adelaide to Darwin pulls out of Regency Park this morning.

• FreightLink Media Releases, including Speaker Profiles, Kellogg Brown & Root, Barclay Mowlem, Australian Railroad Group, John Holland, Macmahon Holding, Central Land Council, Northern Land Council, Loco reproduction, Locomotive synopsis

14 January 2004

• Martin to send off Inaugural Train
  The first train to Darwin on the new AustralAsia Railway will be carrying more than just freight, Chief Minister, Clare Martin, said today.
• Royal Australian Mint | Order Form
  To commemorate the inauguration of the rail extension from Adelaide to Darwin the Royal Australian Mint is releasing a $5 silver Proof Coin. A limited edition of 12,500 coins will be available giving Australians an opportunity to mark this historical event.

13 January 2004

• Media Releases Australian Railroad Group

  • Driver - Geoffrey Noble
  • Driver - Geoff Stansborough
  • Driver - Mick Corey
  • Driver - Michael Fuller

• FreightLink wishes to announce it has launched a new website.
  Log on to http://www.freightlink.com.au
  This site provides information on Domestic - Australia (download the latest schedules), International, Track Access and Safety etc

11 January 2004

• First Train this week
  Premier Mike Rann has issued a public invitation to South Australians to come and witness the very first train to leave Adelaide for Darwin on Thursday this week.
  

9 January 2004

• Tent severely damaged but the show will go on
  Despite major damage to the main public area tent, next Saturday's ceremony to mark the Darwin arrival of the first train on the new AustralAsia Railway will go ahead.

8 January 2004

• All aboard for first train celebrations in Alice
  Alice Springs residents are invited to join the celebrations when the first freight train to Darwin departs next week

Past Media Releases

• 19 June 2003
  NTG Media Release - Dates released for first passenger train
  The inaugural passenger train on the new Adelaide to Darwin railway will arrive hot on the heels of the first freight service it was announced today...

GSR Media Release - Crikey! The Ghan Inaugural Journey to Darwin 1 February 2004
Great Southern Railway today announce The Ghan will leave Adelaide on its inaugural journey to Darwin on Sunday 1 February 2004 - 126 years after the Great North-South Line was first conceived...

• 17 June 2003
  FreightLink Media Release - Whistle stop to Darwin will mark first freight train in January
  The historic first train trip between Alice Springs and Darwin on the new laid 1420 km rail track will take place in January next year...

NTG Media Release - First Train to Arrive 17 January 2004
Territorians will soon see the first train travel along the AustralAsia Railway with the arrival date confirmed today...

Alerts and other information

• Media Alert Alice Springs
• Media Alert Darwin
• Media Alert - Coin Launch 14/1/04
• Indigenous Artwork on Locomotives
• Media Alert Adelaide 12/1/04
• Information to accompany kits - *updated*
• Telstra media facilities for First Train Events *updated*
• History of Survey & Planning - Extract from Planning a New Railway, provided by RTSA
• Media Alert 3/12/03