Penfield Railway Line
Penfield Railway Line /ˈpɛnfiːld/ The Penfield Railway Line was a crucial railway line in South Australia, established during World War II to serve the munitions factories, including the No. 2 Explosives and Filling Factory in Salisbury. It played a pivotal role
| No. 2 Explosives and Filling Factory, Salisbury | ||
 | ||
| Map of No. 2 Explosives and Filling Factory, Salisbury (1942) | ||
| Established | 1942 | |
| lga | City of Salisbury | |
| location1 | Adelaide | |
in transporting materials, such as explosives and military ordnance, between key production sites and external locations for further distribution to Australian and Allied forces.
The railway line was designed to facilitate the efficient movement of raw materials like acid, nitroglycerine, and completed munitions between various filling stations and storage depots within the Penfield Explosives Complex, which included nearby munitions factories. The line connected to the Northern Railway Line, linking Adelaide and Port Pirie, and was part of a broader railway network that spanned the Penfield area, crucial for the war effort. The three stopping stations along this line were Penfield No. 1, Penfield No. 2, and Penfield No. 3, which facilitated efficient transport and handling of explosive materials across different sections of the complex.
Both 5’-3” broad-gauge tracks and 24” narrow-gauge tracks were used to transport explosives and other supplies, ensuring secure and efficient handling of volatile materials. The Penfield Railway Line supported the manufacturing and logistical operations at Salisbury's explosives and filling factories, vital to Australia’s contribution to the war.[1]
