Journal Article

This address explores the historical development, economic impact, and future prospects of railway motive power in Australia, emphasizing its role in the nation's social and economic development. ​It provides a brief historical overview of transport developments in Britain, highlighting the transformative impact that railways had on land transport. The evolution of railways in Australia from 1854, and it's influence on the Australian economy is explored, and the expansion into inland areas, which facilitated the development of natural resources, agriculture, and population distribution. The economic challenges faced by railways, today and tomorrow, are examined including unprofitable developmental lines and competition from road and air transport. The paper then focusses on the traction problem and motive power, emphasizing the need for cost-cutting measures and the importance of engineering and economic studies in selecting appropriate efficient motive power. The various forms of railway traction - steam, diesel, gas turbine, and electric - are analysed in terms of their technical and economic characteristics, with comparisons of their efficiency, costs, and suitability for different terrains and services, and finally draws some conclusions about the most economic motive power for metropolitan services, main line services, shunting, and in general use.