"Historic milestone for the Northern Territory and South Australia"
Today's ceremonial turning of the first sod of soil for the $1.3 billion Alice Springs to Darwin rail project is a major key opening the door to the Territory's future, Chief Minister Denis Burke said today.... [also available in rtf format]

Media Release - Premier of South Australia - Hon John Olsen FNIA MP - Official Ceremony to mark the start of Australia's Greatest Rail Link.
[also available in rtf format]

Factsheet - History of the Nickel-Plated Shovel

Factsheet - A Brief History of the Transcontinental Railway

Factsheet - Mparntwe Land, Alice Springs

Factsheet - History of Alice Springs

Factsheet - Historical Photographs and Map showing Alice Springs to Darwin Railway Corridor through the Northern Territory

13 July 2001
Media Release - Chief Minister of the Northern Territory - Hon Denis Burke MLA - Alice Focus of Historic Sod Turning. Prime Minister John Howard will use an historic shovel and wheelbarrow to turn the 'first sod' of the Adelaide to Darwin Railway [also available in rtf format]

Photos of the Turning of the First Sod from the Australasian Railway Association