About the Art:
This monument commemorates the Ghan, the railway line that extends from Port Augusta to Alice Springs and derives its name from the hard-working Afghans who ran the old-time camel communications network in the Australian outback.
The words on the plaque pictured in the photo gallery are transcribed below:
In commemoration of the arrival of the inaugural passenger train into Alice Springs on the Tarcoola–Alice Springs Railway
9th October 1980
In the presence of
H.R.H. Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Mrs. Angus Ogilvy
The Hon. Ralph Hunt, M.P.,
Commonwealth Minister for Transport
The Hon. P. A. E. Everingham, M.L.A.,
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
The Hon. D. O. Tonkin, M.P.,
Premier of South Australia
Construction of the 831 km standard gauge railway was carried out by the Australian National Railways Commission.
Mr. K. A. Smith, A.M., O.B.E.,
Chairman
Mr. D. P. Smith,
Chief Civil Engineer
📷Image / Photo Source: ASTC Photo Archives
📍Alice Springs Train Station - 30 Kidman St, Alice Springs (on the train platform)