Margaret Siding On Old Ghan Railway Along Oodnadatta Track

Margaret Siding was one of many small stops along the historic Old Ghan Railway in South Australia. After leaving Curdimurka Siding where we had camped overnight we stopped in at Margaret Railway Siding for a look. It’s a really interesting site with a lot still left to explore. It played an important role in supporting the railway as it crossed the remote outback landscape.

Just as well we stopped for a look as Amanda found that an unopened jar of crushed garlic had unscrewed it’s own lid on the corrugations along the Oodnadatta Track and spread its contents throughout the fridge. I decided to send up the drone to take some video and photos and left Amanda to clean up the mess – I’m pretty good like that!

Siding On The Oodnadatta Track

Purpose Of Margaret Siding

Built during the late 19th century Margaret Railway Siding served as a minor stop for maintenance and refueling on the Old Ghan line which connected Adelaide to Alice Springs. It was primarily used for water supply and as a place where trains could pass one another on the single-track line.

The Old Ghan Railway

The Old Ghan Railway was a key transportation route traversing the Australian outback. It operated through some of the toughest environments. Ranging from desert plains to rugged mountain ranges. Sidings like Margaret siding were essential for ensuring that trains could complete the long journey particularly when steam engines required frequent stops for water.

Siding On The Oodnadatta Track

Decline And Abandonment

With the introduction of diesel engines and the construction of a more direct and flood-proof rail line, the Old Ghan route became obsolete. By the 1980s, the railway was rerouted and Margaret Railway Siding like many other stops along the old line was abandoned.

Margaret Siding Today

Today very little remains of Margaret Siding but it continues to hold historical significance for railway enthusiasts. The site is a reminder of the determination and engineering needed to build and maintain a railway through the harsh Australian interior.

Abandoned Water Tank On Ghan Railway

Can You Camp At Margaret Railway Siding On The Oodnadatta Track?

Unfortunately you can’t. There is no camping allowed at Margaret Railway Siding on the Old Ghan Railway alongside the Oodnadatta track.

Conclusion

Although Margaret Railway Siding no longer functions as a railway stop. Its legacy is part of the broader story of the Old Ghan Railway. It symbolises the hard work and perseverance required to connect the remote parts of Australia via one of the country’s most iconic railroads.