
The Emu Bay Railway was a Tasmanian railway company that linked the Tasmanian Government Railways system at Burnie with that at Zeehan, further connecting to the Mount Lyell railway, allowing passage through to Queenstown. The railway was significant during its full operation as it facilitated the transportation of both passengers and minerals. The Emu Bay Railway was, therefore, of great importance to the West Coast community in Tasmania, an island state of Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| State | Tasmania |
| Railway Company | Emu Bay Railway |
| Function | Linked the Tasmanian Government Railways system at Burnie with that at Zeehan, which further connected to the Mount Lyell railway allowing passage through to Queenstown |
| Listing | Melbourne Stock Exchange |
| Operation Dates | 1878-1998 |
| Length | 71 kilometres |
| Traction | Horse-drawn |
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What You'll Learn
- The Emu Bay Railway was a Tasmanian, Australian railway company
- It linked the Tasmanian Government Railways system at Burnie with that at Zeehan
- The railway was listed on the Melbourne Stock Exchange
- The origins of the railway can be traced back to February 1878
- The company was purchased by the Australian Transport Network in 1998

The Emu Bay Railway was a Tasmanian, Australian railway company
The origins of the Emu Bay Railway can be traced back to February 1878 when the Van Diemen's Land Company opened a 71-kilometre, horse-drawn wooden tramway line from Emu Bay (Burnie) to Rouse's Camp, close to Waratah, to serve the Mount Bischoff tin mines. The line was surveyed by John C. Climie. In 1887, the line was taken over by the Emu Bay to Mount Bischoff Railway Company and relaid with steel rails, allowing for the operation of steam locomotives.
The Emu Bay Railway operated steam locomotives built by British manufacturers. Notable among these were three Beyer, Peacock, and Company-built Garratts delivered in 1930. In 1953, a North British Locomotive Company 0-8-0 diesel-hydraulic locomotive entered service, with the intention of replacing the steam locomotives. However, the design was not well-suited to the conditions, and it was eventually replaced by ex-TGR Garratt locomotives.
In October 1984, the Emu Bay Railway was included in the sale of EZ Industries to North Broken Hill Peko. In 1989, an 11-kilometre branch from Moorey Junction opened to serve Aberfoyle's Hellyer Mine. On May 22, 1998, the company was purchased from Pasminco by the Australian Transport Network and integrated into its Tasrail business. The railway ceased operations in 1998.
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It linked the Tasmanian Government Railways system at Burnie with that at Zeehan
The Emu Bay Railway served the Australian island of Tasmania. It linked the Tasmanian Government Railways system at Burnie with that at Zeehan, providing a vital transport link for the mining industry and playing a significant role in the development of the region's economy.
The railway was constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to facilitate the You may want to see also
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The Emu Bay Railway was a Tasmanian, Australian railway company. During its full operation, the railway linked the Tasmanian Government Railways system at Burnie with that at Zeehan, which further linked to the Mount Lyell railway, allowing connection through to Queenstown. The Emu Bay Railway was significant for this reason. In 1887, the Emu Bay to Mount Bischoff Railway Company took over the line and relaid it with steel rails, converting it into a 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge railway line. This allowed steam locomotives to operate on the route. Over time, the Emu Bay Railway expanded its operations, serving passengers and tourists in addition to freight services. In 1984, the Emu Bay Railway was included in the sale of EZ Industries to North Broken Hill Peko. Subsequently, in 1989, an 11-kilometre branch from Moorey Junction was opened to serve Aberfoyle's Hellyer Mine. On May 22, 1998, the company was purchased by the Australian Transport Network and integrated into its Tasrail business. The listing of the Emu Bay Railway on the Melbourne Stock Exchange reflected its significance and success as a private railway company in Australia. It operated for an extended period, serving the community's transportation needs and contributing to the development of the region. You may want to see also The Emu Bay Railway was a Tasmanian, Australian railway company. The origins of the railway can be traced back to February 1878, when the Van Diemen's Land Company opened a 71-kilometre, horse-drawn, wooden tramway line from Emu Bay (Burnie) to Rouse's Camp, close to Waratah. This line was built to serve the Mount Bischoff tin mines and was surveyed by John C. Climie. The opening of this tramway line in 1878 was a significant development, as it established a transport link to the Mount Bischoff tin mines, facilitating the movement of both goods and people in the region. The tramway line played a crucial role in connecting remote areas and supporting the mining industry, which was a key economic driver in Tasmania during that period. At the time, Tasmania was a thriving centre for mining, particularly tin mining, and the establishment of this tramway line reflected the need for efficient transportation systems to support the industry. Horse-drawn tramways were a common mode of transport in the late 19th century, providing a relatively fast and reliable means of travelling across distances. The Van Diemen's Land Company, recognising the potential benefits of improved transportation infrastructure, took the initiative to construct this tramway line. By doing so, they not only enhanced their mining operations but also contributed to the overall development of the region, making it more accessible and connected. In 1887, the line was taken over by the Emu Bay to Mount Bischoff Railway Company, marking a significant transition in its history. Under the new ownership, the line underwent substantial upgrades, with the wooden tramway being relaid with steel rails, transforming it into a 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge railway line. This upgrade was undertaken to accommodate steam locomotives, which offered greater speed, capacity, and efficiency compared to horse-drawn tramways. You may want to see also The Emu Bay Railway served the Australian island of Tasmania. It was a Tasmanian railway company that linked the Tasmanian Government Railways system at Burnie with that at Zeehan, which further connected to the Mount Lyell railway, allowing passage through to Queenstown. The railway was listed on the Melbourne Stock Exchange. The Emu Bay Railway was included in the October 1984 sale of EZ Industries to North Broken Hill Peko. In 1988, the company merged with CRA Limited to form Pasminco. On May 22, 1998, the Emu Bay Railway was purchased from Pasminco by the Australian Transport Network and integrated into its Tasrail business. The history of the Emu Bay Railway dates back to February 1878 when the Van Diemen's Land Company opened a 71-kilometre, horse-drawn wooden tramway line from Emu Bay (Burnie) to Rouse's Camp, near Waratah. This line served the Mount Bischoff tin mines and was surveyed by John C. Climie. In 1887, the Emu Bay to Mount Bischoff Railway Company took over the line, relaying it with steel rails to accommodate steam locomotives. Over the years, the Emu Bay Railway operated various steam and diesel-hydraulic locomotives, including those built by British manufacturers such as Beyer, Peacock and Company, and the North British Locomotive Company. The railway also introduced passenger services for its employees and later for tourists. The Australian Transport Network's acquisition of the Emu Bay Railway in 1998 marked a significant transition for the railway company, integrating it into its Tasrail operations. This purchase reflected the network's expansion plans and commitment to freight services in Tasmania. You may want to see also The Emu Bay Railway serves the island of Tasmania. The Emu Bay Railway was founded in February 1878. The railway was originally built to serve the Mount Bischoff tin mines. Tasmania is not part of any Australian state; it is a separate island state in itself. The railway originally used horse-drawn tramways.Superannuation Method: When Did Australian Employers' Payments Change?
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The railway was listed on the Melbourne Stock Exchange
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The origins of the railway can be traced back to February 1878
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The company was purchased by the Australian Transport Network in 1998
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