A joint production by Sarlines Railway Books and Blue Goanna Digital.
The historical material was researched and written by John Wilson. This topic was originally presented within the 2018 publication, The Riesling Railway. This audio-visual presentation has been produced in September 2024 by Stu Nankivell. Duration 8 minutes. This work is copyright but permission is freely granted for reproduction of the printed and audio versions provided there is no alteration and that appropriate acknowledgement is made.
This was given to us by Des Smith, former Chief Civil Engineer of Australian National Railways, who had charge of the construction of the Tarcoola to Alice Springs railway from its inception through to its opening in 1980. Des died in June 2025 aged 94. He is instantly recognisable in this film by his floppy hat that falls over his left eye. For Des only had vision in his right eye. And there is the long-wheelbase Land Rover of which the number-plate has been preserved.
This film was produced in 1979 which was in the era before OH&S! One of the high points in the film is the kid on his bike. And at the movies someone declares it SHIT! And right at the end is some archival B&W of our future Queen as a young girl. The sound quality in the copy that Des provided us was poor but Stu Nankivell of Blue Goanna Digital has sharpened the sound. We have a video of an interview of Des in his den that was produced by Kane’s Trains about a year before Des’ death. It will soon appear on our website after some editing. If you have enjoyed this present production you will find the interview of Des in his den fills a lot of gaps. There is also a short video in our collection where Des gets a mention – it is the interview with the artist, Greg Judd.
<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>
Sarlines Books collaborated with Blue Goanna Digital to produce our feature video “A Tribute to Bob The Railway Dog”, to celebrate the release of our 2022 publication “The Amazing Adventures of Railway Bob”, South Australia’s most celebrated canine.
Greg has done many of the caricatures for the Sarlines books over the years. There is a video featuring Greg talking about these works, and particularly, the piece that featured on the front end-papers of the train to Oodna Woop Woop. The original has been donated to the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society with the intention that it be auctioned. The video was done in August 2023. Greg passed away on 10 April 2024.
Railway icon The Ghan is the oldest named train in Australia. As it approaches its centenary, a new book by rail historian and author John Wilson reveals the person who named The Ghan and why it was given this moniker. And his descendent is a well-known South Australian politician! They both chat to Deb Tribe about the importance of the train and how it tells the story of the State’s social and economic history.
Listen on ABC or download the Audio file here.
