13 December 2004
Sandfly Returns to Where It All Began
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Clare Martin MLA
Chief Minister
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The Territory Government and Great Southern Railway (GSR) - operators of The Ghan - today announced that the historic steam locomotive, Sandfly, will be permanently housed at Stokes Hill Wharf .
Chief Minister and Minister for the AustralAsia Railway, Clare Martin, said the locomotive was transported to its new home today with the official unveiling occurring soon.
“The Sandfly spent its working life as a ‘light shunter’ hauling freight on the Wharf and around the yard - this is where made its impact on the Territory and this is where it should be,” she said.
“My Government is committed to preserving Territory heritage, such as the Sandfly, and it will be an important addition to the attractions at the $1 billion Darwin City Waterfront.”
Following a number of discussions with Government, the Sandfly was gifted to the Territory by GSR in August 2005 at a special ceremony marking the 75 th Anniversary of The Legendary Ghan.
The small locomotive arrived by ship in Darwin in 1886 where it was assembled, tested and put to work hauling loads of rail and sleepers. It worked in Darwin until decommissioned in 1950 and sent to Adelaide in 1960. For years it sat proudly at Port Augusta Railway Station - saved form the scrap heap - and then Adelaide Rail Passenger Terminal, Keswick.
Ms Martin thanked GSR Chief Executive Officer Tony Braxton-Smith for recognising the importance of the locomotive in Territory railway history.
“The Sandfly will be on permanent display at Stokes Hill Wharf following a brief period at the Darwin Railway Terminal and in storage,” she said.
“It was built by loco manufacturer, the Baldwin Company in Philadelphia USA, a legendary producer of great trains in the Age of Steam, and worked the Top End’s narrow gauge railway, connecting Darwin with the Pine Creek goldfields for over 60 years.
“The Sandfly was severely damaged by Japanese bombers in 1942, formally retired from service in 1950 and then sent to South Australia where it was displayed and restored.”
The third engine used on The Ghan is called Sandfly II in honour of the historic locomotive.