South Australian Railway Company
# South Australian Railway Company

The South Australian Railway Company was an attempt in the 1840s by private capitalists to establish a railway in the infant colony of South Australia. The company was based in London, where most of the capital was to be raised, £25,000 in the first instance. There were two or three local directors, since in the days before electric undersea cable telegraph, London was too far away for effective control.

## Routes

The first route from Adelaide to Port Adelaide was only 6 miles long, quite straight and flat and suitable for horse drawn operation. The initial line was to be single track, with frequent crossing loops.

A longer route to the Burra copper mines was proposed later on.

## Directors

British directors (possibly incomplete): G. F. Angas, Esq., George Barnes Esq, W.G Gover, Esq., Rowland Hill, Esq., J. B. Montefiore, Esq.: Managing Director.—Edwin Hill, Esq.: Colonial Director—Robert Gouger, Esq.

The provisional committee in February 1846 was:

* Capt. Bagot M.L.C.
* John Baker Esq.
* Charles Beck, Esq.
* James Bunce, Esq.
* William Giles, Esq.
* Jacob Hagen, Esq. M.L.C.
* John Hart, Esq.
* Capt. George Hall
* James Henderson, Esq.
* E. L. Montefiore, Esq.
* J. B. Neales, Esq.
* William Peacock, Esq.
* Saml. Stocks, Jun., Esq.
* W. Younghusband, Esq.

## Collapse

In the event the railway was too ambitious, and ahead of its time. It was stillborn.

## Timeline

* 1836 Colony of South Australia is founded
* 1846 (February) Advertisement for Prospectus to raise capital of £25,000. (with power to increase).
* 1846 (July) Special Meeting to approve amalgamation with the Adelaide City and Port Railway Company
* 1850 Survey of his proposed line to a point distant 65 to 70 miles from Adelaide, and only 26 miles from the Burra Burra Copper mines.
* 1854 Steam operated government railway opens.
* 1856 Sir—May I be permitted to enquire what has become of the funds collected by the South Australian Railway Company. I hold scrip, of which the ...
* 1865 A South Australian Railway Company has been projected, and several influential parties are moving in the matter.
