The Port Line (2)

The Adelaide to Port Adelaide railway opened for traffic in April 1856. It was the Colony of South Australia’s first steam traction railway.

On 21 April 2026, it will be 170 years since the Adelaide to Port Adelaide train service began operations.

Brian Samuels' presentation will be at the Museum (No Walk). His well-illustrated PowerPoint presentation will also include the line’s little-known links to internationally significant figures and the relatively large number of publications devoted to our rich and varied railway history. He will also touch upon the work currently underway on the 1856 Alberton Railway Station, which is now the oldest railway station building in Australia that still serves as a station.

The banner image shows the first Port Adelaide Railway Station c1870.

Photograph B-34546 courtesy of the State Library of SA