Terowie railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Terowie
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Station remains
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| Coordinates | 33°09′02″S 138°55′16″E / 33.1505°S 138.9212°E |
| Operated by | Australian National |
| Line(s) | Peterborough railway line |
| Distance | 221 kilometres from Adelaide |
| Platforms | 1 |
| Construction | |
| Structure type | Ground |
| Other information | |
| Status | Closed |
| History | |
| Opened | 1880 |
| Closed | 26 July 1988 |
The Terowie railway station was once a busy train station in the town of Terowie, located in South Australia. It was part of the main railway line that connected Adelaide to Peterborough. This station played a very important role in moving goods and people across Australia for many years.
Contents
The History of Terowie Station
Terowie station first opened its doors in 1880. At this time, a wide train track, called a broad gauge line, was finished. This line connected Terowie all the way to Adelaide.
Why Terowie Was So Important
Just one year later, in 1881, Terowie became a junction station. This means it was a place where different train lines met. A narrower track, called a narrow gauge line, opened from Peterborough.
Because of these different track sizes, Terowie became a key transshipment point. This means goods had to be moved from trains on one type of track to trains on another. Imagine moving all the cargo from a big truck to a smaller truck because the roads change! This made Terowie a very busy place for the South Australian Railways.
Growing Traffic and Changes
In 1917, the opening of the Trans-Australian Railway brought even more trains and goods through Terowie. This railway connected the eastern and western parts of Australia. However, by 1937, this route changed. The line from Adelaide was extended to Port Pirie, so trains no longer needed to go through Terowie for this long journey.
Later, in the 1940s, a new coal mine opened at Leigh Creek. This meant a lot more coal needed to be moved. So, Terowie became busy again with freight. But this also changed in 1957 when a new line opened directly from Stirling North to Marree.
The Final Years of the Station
In 1970, the train line north of Terowie, going towards Peterborough, was changed to the broad gauge. This made Peterborough the new point where the track sizes changed. Terowie's importance slowly faded.
Finally, on July 26, 1988, the Terowie railway line closed down. The station, once a bustling hub, became quiet.
General Douglas MacArthur's Famous Visit
Terowie station is also famous for a special visitor during World War II. On March 20, 1942, United States General Douglas MacArthur was changing trains at Terowie. He had just left the Philippines, which was being fought against Japan.
The "I Shall Return" Promise
While at the station, two journalists from an Adelaide newspaper interviewed General MacArthur. He told them that the President of the United States had ordered him to leave the Philippines and go to Australia. His mission was to organize an American attack against Japan. He said his main goal was to help the Philippines.
MacArthur then made a very famous promise: "I came through and I shall return." The next morning, the newspaper printed his words under the headline: "I Shall Return." General MacArthur loved this powerful phrase. He used it many times in his speeches and press releases until he finally returned to Manila in February 1945.
Today, a special plaque on the old station platform remembers this important moment in history.
