["The Pilbarra Railway", The Hedland Advocate (Port Hedland, WA), Saturday 20 February 1909, page 3]
The Pilbarra Railway.
A Start Made With The Work.
The First Sod Turned
Port Hedland Jubilant
Thursday, February 18, 1909, will go down to posterity as the date which marked the commencement of a new era in the history of the progress of the Nor'-West, particularly the Pilbarra district, of which Port Hedland is the natural port. On that date the ceremony of turning the first sod of the Hedland-Marble Bar railway took place, with a great demonstration of admiration and approbation.
...
In writing this we are reminded of the early battles of the old residents in the interests of the railway. The more recent struggles were strenuous and disheartening, but what must the struggles have been nine years ago. Many of the earlier battlers have left the district, some have passed the Great Divide, while a small few are left to enjoy, with the latecomers, the privileges so long battled for and now about to be realised. All honor to the pioneers of the agitation which led up to Thursday's celebration!
AB notes:
18 feb 1909: The Hedland Advocate reports the beginning of railway construction.
Walter Barker in full flight:
"Thursday, February 18, 1909, will go down to posterity as the date which marked the commencement of a new era in the history of the progress of the Nor'-West, particularly the Pilbarra district, of which Port Hedland is the natural port."
