Railways and Tramways of Australia
23 February
The inaugural run of The Indian-Pacific prior to departure from Sydney station with electric locomotives 4601 and 4602 at the front of the train, 23 February 1970. Photo: NSW State Archives, NRS-22489-1-2-CN001726.
Making history on the rails
The inaugural run of The Indian-Pacific passenger train made history when it departed from Sydney on 23 February 1970.
When The Indian Pacific began service, it became possible for passengers to travel from Sydney to Perth for the first time without changing trains.
The Indian-Pacific was promoted as a luxury express train. Publicity stated that the facilities on board would enable passengers to enjoy the same amenities as a first class hotel.
Commonwealth Engineering manufactured 58 stainless steel carriages for the train at Granville in Sydney.
On the evening of 23 February 1970, a dinner was held at Sydney’s Wentworth Hotel to mark the inauguration of The Indian-Pacific. A ceremony followed at Sydney station and the Governor-General unveiled a plaque to commemorate the inauguration of standard gauge passenger train services between Sydney and Perth.
The inaugural run of The Indian-Pacific departed from Platform 1 on time at 10.50 pm. It began its 2461-mile (3961-km) journey across Australia. The train conveyed 122 invited guests from Sydney to Perth. Throughout its journey many people gathered beside the railway line to witness the history-making train pass by.
Electric locomotives 4601 and 4602 hauled the train from Sydney to Lithgow, where they were replaced by diesels. Locomotives were also changed at Broken Hill, Port Pirie and Kalgoorlie.
The inaugural Indian-Pacific crossing the Nullarbor Plain hauled by Commonwealth Railways diesel locomotives CL1 and GM25, February 1970. Photo: National Archives of Australia, A1200, L86283.
Inaugural Indian-Pacific hauled by L Class diesel locomotive L270 in the Avon Valley, Western Australia, 26 February 1970. Photo: Western Australian Government Railways, Wikimedia Commons.
Finally, the train arrived at East Perth Terminal on time at 11.20 am on 26 February, where it was greeted by a crowd of around 10,000 people. The Indian-Pacific had arrived, completing the first standard gauge journey from Sydney to Perth by a passenger train.
Following arrival in Perth, Governor-General Sir Paul Hasluck, said:
This train is clearly destined to take its place among the great trains of history. It marks the commencement of another great period in Australian history.
Bibliography
‘The inauguration of the Indian Pacific Express’, New South Wales Digest, vol. 7, no. 10, February 1970, pp 12–13.
G Johnson, ‘Enthusiastic crowds greet inaugural Indian Pacific’, Railway Transportation, vol. 19, no. 3, March 1970, p 3.
D Matheson, ‘Inaugural journey of The Indian-Pacific’, Australian Railway History, no. 988, February 1970, p 4–13.
The inaugural Indian-Pacific arriving in Perth, 26 February 1970. Photo: National Archives of Australia, A1200, L86290.