Example of a MS Word document converted to HTML code, with additional code inserted to allow the use of a slider, or swiping, to change the transparency of layers of images.

Example text reportedly from the Canberra Times 27 September 1927

A new railway route has been surveyed north of the Molonglo River, which is proposed by the Federal Capital Commission to replace the existing city railway in the Griffin plan of Canberra.

Railway projects of Canberra were discussed at a conference held at the weekend between the Minister for Home and Territories, Mr Marr and Sir John Butters, Chief Commissioner.

If the new line is approved it will serve not only to connect the Northern suburbs of Canberra with the railway, but may act as the first portion of the Yass-Canberra line.

With the realisation that Canberra is not accessible readily by rail to Melbourne and other State capitals, construction of the Yass-Canberra line is likely to be referred again to the Public Works Committee for report.

In `1917 there was a branch running daily across the Molonglo River to a railway siding which is still extinct near Civic Centre [it was near the old Civic Theatre and the block that was later Rogers was built on the site – I remember the remains of the platform]. 

Please wait a minute while images load...then swipe left or right over images to see various layers, as described below.

Images as swipped from left to right:
LEFT: Extract from: Australia. Federal Capital Commission (1930). Plan of Canberra, the federal capital of the Commonwealth of Australia, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-230042522, showing Temporary City Tramway at centre.

MIDDLE: Extract from: Federal Capital Commission & Australia. Royal Australian Air Force. (19--). Commonwealth of Australia Federal Capital. Canberra photomosiac from 1928? aerial photography, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2328395731928.

RIGHT: 2021 colour aerial image of relevant part of Canberra, from https://actmapi.act.gov.au/.

Dave P. Nov 2021

In 1922 a flood swept away the railway bridge across the Molonglo River and damaged the approaches. [It began near Causeway.]  Subsequent flood and fire completed the work of destruction leaving a twisted and somewhat disjointed line of sleepers across the Causeway flat and on the flats of the northern side of the river.

Mildenhall, William James. (). Railway Bridge after 1926 flood Retrieved December 1, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-141421798

The line which was swept away was a temporary railway built during the regime of Mr Walter Burley Griffin in Canberra. It does not follow exactly  the route laid down in his plan of the city, but was not far removed from it. Since the advent of the Federal Capital Commission, the construction of the ...developed in the future as the Market Centre, where on the Griffin plan, the central railway station is located. From this point it strikes towards the foothill slopes of Mount Ainslie and through the locality which was sub-divided about twelve months ago for home garden blocks, but none of which was leased. It was notable that these leases which were for twenty years contained a proviso regarding resumption for railway or road purposes.

It is claimed for the new line that it will obviate the crossings which would be necessary in the construction of the Griffin line. The deviation of the railway from the plan on which a large number of leases has been sold, will, however, probably give rise to protest on the part of business interests in Canberra.

The railway project was discussed by Mr Marr and Sir John Butters, on Saturday, and Sir John said that estimates of the cost of a railway to extend the present line from Eastlake across the Molonglo River to the Northern Suburbs were being prepared.

Railway laid down by the Griffin plan has not been favoured and a new route follows the old line from Eastlake to the old bridge, but at a distance of about 50 feet to the east. After crossing the Molonglo River, the line proceeds to the region which is to be determined.