Published Resources Details
Journal Article
- Title
- Obituary: Keith Smith 1915-2011 - railway commissioner
- In
- Engineers Australia
- Imprint
- vol. 83, no. 12, Engineers Media, Crows Nest, NSW, Dec 2011, p. 64
- ISBN/ISSN
- 1448-4951
- Url
- https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.922779286751888
- Abstract
Keith Smith was a distinguished Australian railway engineer and manager. Beginning as an apprentice at Eveleigh Railway Workshop, he excelled academically, earning honours degrees in mechanical and chemical engineering at the University of Sydney. During World War II, Smith contributed to aircraft production and the Australian Cruiser Tank Project. In 1950, he advanced to chief mechanical engineer for Commonwealth Railways, pioneering diesel locomotives, concrete sleepers, and long-welded rails. As commissioner, from 1960, he oversaw the construction of the Tarcoola to Alice Springs line and the amalgamation of the Commonwealth, Tasmanian and South Australian railways into the National Railways Commission. When he retired in 1981 he was the longest serving railways commissioner in Australia's history.