{{Short description|Railway line in Adelaide, South Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}} {{Infobox rail line | name = Flinders line | color = {{rcr|Adelaide|Flinders}} | logo = Adelaide_train_logo.svg | logo_width = 80px | image = Flinders_Station_Adelaide.jpg | image_width = | image_alt = | caption = Flinders station with a 4000 class EMU in the background | type = Commuter rail | system = | status = | locale = Adelaide, South Australia | start = {{stnlnkA|Adelaide}} | end = {{stnlnkA|Flinders}} | stations = 11 | routes = | open = 1966 | close = | event1label = Re-sleepered<br />(concrete) | event1 = February 2012–13 | event2label = Electrified | event2 = February–September 2013 | owner = | operator = Adelaide Metro | stock = 4000 class | linelength = {{cvt|13|km}} | tracks = {{Plainlist| * 2 (to Mitchell Park) * 1 (to Flinders) }} | gauge = {{Track gauge|1600mm|lk=on}} | old_gauge = | electrification = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} from overhead catenary | map = {{Flinders railway line RDT}} | map_state = collapsed }}
The '''Flinders line''' is a suburban commuter line in Adelaide, South Australia, that branches off the Seaford line at Mitchell Park, and ends opposite Science Park, close to the Flinders University and the Flinders Medical Centre. The line is single track for most of its length, from Celtic Avenue, near Mitchell Park station, to its terminus.
==History== The railway was constructed between 1965 and 1966, as a branch line from Woodlands Park railway station on what was then the Willunga railway line, to serve the new Chrysler assembly plant at Clovelly Park. Construction of the plant had commenced in 1963, and the assembly line was opened in October 1964, remaining operational until it was closed in March 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mitsubishi could announce Adelaide closure today|publisher=Australian Car Advice|url=http://www.caradvice.com.au/10032/mitsubishi-could-announce-adelaide-closure-today/|access-date=2008-04-28|archive-date=12 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412090317/http://www.caradvice.com.au/10032/mitsubishi-could-announce-adelaide-closure-today/|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon opening, the Tonsley line served three stations: Mitchell Park, Clovelly Park, and the original Tonsley station.
=== Re-sleepering and electrification === From 27 February 2012, the line between Woodlands Park and Tonsley was closed for reconstruction.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-03/tonsley-grange-rail-lines-buses/3809264?section=sa Two Adelaide rail lines facing disruption] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205050038/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-03/tonsley-grange-rail-lines-buses/3809264?section=sa |date=5 February 2012 }} ''ABC News'' 3 February 2012</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Novak |first1=Lauren |title=Travellers shunted from Tonsley and Grange train lines |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/travellers-shunted-from-tonsley-and-grange-train-lines/story-e6frea6u-1226261239063 |access-date=2022-06-01 |work=Adelaide Now |date=2012-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204201136/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/travellers-shunted-from-tonsley-and-grange-train-lines/story-e6frea6u-1226261239063 |archive-date=2012-02-04}}</ref> During the closure, the line was duplicated between Tonsley Junction and Mitchell Park station, the track was re-sleepered with dual gauge sleepers to allow for the line to be converted to standard gauge at a future date, and the entire line electrified.<ref name="RR">[http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/tonsleyparkPT Rail revitalisation Tonsley line] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413034616/http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/tonsleyparkPT |date=13 April 2014 }} Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure</ref> The closure, initially planned to last one year, was extended until September 2013, to allow the electrification of the line, along with the Noarlunga Centre line.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121215043835/http://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements/Service-updates/Rail-Network-Closures-2013 Rail Network Closures 2013] Adelaide Metro</ref> In late 2013, a plan was announced to convert the line to a double-track railway, to be funded through joint State and Federal initiatives, but the incoming Federal government announced it would be changing their focus to roads, and cut funding. Accordingly, with $18 million having been spent on the project, the future of the line was unclear.<ref>[http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/west-beaches/marion-council-lobbies-for-state-and-federal-governments-to-put-tonsley-rail-upgrade-ahead-of-politics/story-fni9llx9-1226748202171 Marion Council lobbies for state and federal governments to put Tonsley rail upgrade ahead of politics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029160422/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/west-beaches/marion-council-lobbies-for-state-and-federal-governments-to-put-tonsley-rail-upgrade-ahead-of-politics/story-fni9llx9-1226748202171 |date=29 October 2013 }} ''Guardian Messenger'' 3 October 2013</ref> It eventually reopened on 5 May 2014, more than two years after closure.<ref name="RR" />
=== Flinders extension === In July 2008, a feasibility study was commissioned by the government to extend the line to Flinders Medical Centre.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23967700-2682,00.html Government looks at extending Noarlunga, Tonsley rail lines] ''Adelaide Advertiser'' 3 July 2008</ref> On 13 May 2016, as part of its 2016 federal election campaign, the Liberal pledged $43 million for the project. The State Labor Party committed $42 million towards the project, the estimated cost of which was $86 million.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yaxley|first1=Louise|title=Coalition's $43m Adelaide rail funding pledge aimed at shoring up marginal seat, Anthony Albanese says|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-13/funding-pledge-for-train-between-adelaide-to-flinders-university/7410668|access-date=13 May 2016|work=News|agency=ABC|publisher=ABC|date=13 May 2016|archive-date=13 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513041224/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-13/funding-pledge-for-train-between-adelaide-to-flinders-university/7410668|url-status=live}}</ref> The extension, referred to as the ''Flinders Link Project'', would extend the line by {{Convert|650|m}} and replace the Tonsley station terminus on Sturt Road with a new terminus station adjacent to Flinders Medical Centre. An elevated single track, with a pedestrian and bike path, was to begin just north of the original Tonsley station site, and cross Sturt Road, Laffer's Triangle and Main South Road, before terminating at Flinders station.<ref>{{cite web|title=Flinders Link Project|url=https://infrastructure.sa.gov.au/major_projects/flinders_link_project|website=Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure|publisher=Government of South Australia|access-date=26 September 2017|archive-date=26 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926235400/https://infrastructure.sa.gov.au/major_projects/flinders_link_project|url-status=live}}</ref> Clovelly Park station would be replaced by a relocated Tonsley station as part of the extension project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.saplanningcommission.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/526882/3.1.1_DPTI_Flinders_Link_Project_-_Report_and_Attachments.pdf |title=Flinders Link Project - Report and Attachments |publisher=Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232435/https://www.saplanningcommission.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/526882/3.1.1_DPTI_Flinders_Link_Project_-_Report_and_Attachments.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Etheridge">Etheridge, Michelle. (28 February 2018). "New station on track", ''CoastCity Weekly'', p5.</ref>
The original Tonsley station was closed after the final service on 28 June 2019, allowing construction of the rail overpass at the station site. Services terminated at Clovelly Park station until the extension was completed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements/Service-Updates/Tonsley-station-closing |title=Tonsley station closing |date=6 June 2019 |website=Adelaide Metro |publisher=Government of South Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606081130/https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements/Service-Updates/Tonsley-station-closing |archive-date=6 June 2019 |access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> Built concurrently with the adjacent Darlington Upgrade for the Southern Expressway,<ref>{{cite web|title=Darlington Upgrade Project|url=http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/nsc/darlington_upgrade_project|website=Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure|publisher=Government of South Australia|access-date=13 May 2016|archive-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525003140/http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/nsc/darlington_upgrade_project|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Green light for $85.5m Flinders Link rail extension |url=https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/index.php/stephen-mullighan-news-releases/524-green-light-for-85-5m-flinders-link-rail-extension |website=Premier of South Australia |publisher=Government of South Australia |access-date=3 August 2017 |archive-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803090018/https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/index.php/stephen-mullighan-news-releases/524-green-light-for-85-5m-flinders-link-rail-extension |url-status=live }}</ref> major works took place from July 2019 to October 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wills |first=Daniel |date=29 April 2019 |title=Tonsley rail line extension to Flinders to be complete next year, price tag blows out to $125m |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/tonsley-rail-line-extension-to-flinders-to-be-complete-next-year-price-tag-blows-out-to-125m/news-story/09e25037bc10022a98742829746fb646 |work=The Advertiser |location=Adelaide |access-date=11 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Henson |first=Elizabeth |date=19 July 2019 |title=Construction work begins on $125m 'Flinders Link', a 650m extension of old Tonsley line |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/construction-work-begins-on-125m-flinders-link-a-650m-extension-of-old-tonsley-line/news-story/a94ab3be5540f3dc7f0fda381f1b3153 |work=The Advertiser |location=Adelaide |access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref> The line was temporarily closed after the last service on 20 November 2020 for the extension to be commissioned, and fully reopened on 29 December. The operating hours of the line were expanded to include weekday nights and weekends. Before that, the line only ran between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm on weekdays, and was closed on weeknights and weekends.<ref>{{cite news|date=12 October 2020|title=More services for the Adelaide passenger rail network|url=https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements2/Service-updates/More-services-for-the-Adelaide-passenger-rail-network|work=Adelaide Metro.com.au|location=Adelaide|access-date=25 October 2020|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025045644/https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements2/Service-updates/More-services-for-the-Adelaide-passenger-rail-network|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=20 November 2020|title=New Flinders Railway Line|url=https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements2/Service-updates/New-Flinders-Railway-Line|work=Adelaide Metro.com.au|location=Adelaide|access-date=1 December 2020|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130073548/https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements2/Service-updates/New-Flinders-Railway-Line|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Line guide == {|class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;" |- !colspan=7 style=background:#{{rail color|Adelaide|Flinders}}|<span style="color:white;">Flinders Line</span> |- !Name !Distance from<br>Adelaide !Year opened !Serving suburbs !Connections |- |'''{{rwsa|Adelaide}}''' |0.0 km |1856 |Adelaide |{{Rail color box|system=Adelaide|line=Gawler|inline=croute|type=|note=}} {{Rail color box|system=Adelaide|line=Grange|inline=croute|type=|note=}}<br>{{Rail color box|system=Adelaide|line=Outer Harbor|inline=croute|type=|note=}} {{Rail color box|system=Adelaide|line=Port Dock|inline=croute|type=|note=}} {{ric|Adelaide|Bus}} Bus {{ric|Adelaide|Tram}} Tram |- |'''{{rwsa|Mile End|A}}''' |2.0 km |1898 |Mile End | |- |'''{{rwsa|Adelaide Showground}}''' |4.0 km |2014 |Keswick, Wayville | |- |'''{{rwsa|Goodwood}}''' |5.0 km |1883 |Forestville, Goodwood |{{Rail color box|system=Adelaide|line=Belair|inline=croute|type=|note=}} |- |'''{{rwsa|Clarence Park}}''' |6.3 km |1913 |Black Forest, Clarence Park | |- |'''{{rwsa|Emerson}}''' |7.1 km |1928 |Black Forest, Clarence Park | |- |'''{{rwsa|Edwardstown}}''' |7.9 km |1913 |Edwardstown | |- |'''{{rwsa|Woodlands Park}}''' |9.1 km |1925 |Ascot Park, Edwardstown |{{Rail color box|system=Adelaide|line=Seaford|inline=croute|type=|note=}} {{ric|Adelaide|Bus}} Bus |- |'''{{rwsa|Mitchell Park}}''' |11.5 km |1966 |Clovelly Park, Mitchell Park | |- |'''{{rwsa|Tonsley}}''' |12.4 km |2020 |Mitchell Park, Tonsley | |- |'''{{rwsa|Flinders}}''' |13.7 km |2020 |Bedford Park |{{ric|Adelaide|Bus}} Bus |}
=== Former stations === * {{rwsa|Clovelly Park}} - opened 1966, closed 2020. * {{rwsa|Tonsley}} – original station opened 1966, closed 2019.
== Services == Trains to and from Adelaide operate every 20 minutes during weekday peak periods, every 30 minutes off-peak on weekdays, and on weekends into the late evening.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/content/download/1473948/7636147/version/1/file/AM_tt-train-seaford+V2.pdf |title=Flinders & Seaford proposed train timetable - Adelaide Metro |access-date=25 October 2020 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022064739/https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/content/download/1473948/7636147/version/1/file/AM_tt-train-seaford+V2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements2/Service-updates/New-Flinders-Railway-Line|title=New Flinders Railway Line|publisher=Adelaide Metro|access-date=17 November 2020|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124064556/https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements2/Service-updates/New-Flinders-Railway-Line|url-status=live}}</ref> Before the extension to Flinders, services operated between 6.30 am and 7.30 pm on weekdays only.<ref>[https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/var/metro/storage/original/application/85a61478521f6729a670aaeb5a7624d6.pdf Seaford & Tonsley timetable] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123142101/http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/var/metro/storage/original/application/85a61478521f6729a670aaeb5a7624d6.pdf |date=23 January 2015 }} Adelaide Metro 20 July 2014</ref> Services were only extended to operate during weekday off-peak periods in 2004. Stations between Adelaide and Woodlands Park are also served by Seaford line trains, and stations between Adelaide and Goodwood are also served by Belair line trains. Prior to 2014, most trains were operated by 3000 class railcars, augmented at times by 2000 class railcars. Following the electrification of the line, the latter were no longer authorised to operate on the line<ref>"Limited life for 2000 class Jumbo railcars" ''Railway Digest'' January 2015 page 20</ref> and they were retired from service in 2015. The line is now operated by 4000 class electric multiple units.
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Clovelly Park station.JPG|Former Clovelly Park station in 2007, now demolished File:TonsleyStation.JPG|Former Tonsley station in 2009, now demolished File:Tonsley_Station_Adelaide.jpg|Tonsley station in 2020 File:Flinders_Station_Adelaide.jpg|Flinders station in 2020 </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == * https://adelaidemetro.com.au/routes/FLNDRS [Flinders to City - Adelaide Metro website] {{Adelaide Metro railway stations|Belair=y|Gawler=y|Outer Harbor=y|Grange=y|Port Dock=y|Seaford=y|Flinders=y}} {{Adelaide public transport}}
Category:Railway lines in South Australia Category:Railway lines opened in 1966 Category:Transport in Adelaide Category:1966 establishments in Australia Category:25 kV AC railway electrification