Historical information

Sir Harold Winthrop Clapp KBE (7 May 1875 – 21 October 1952) was a transport administrator who over the course of thirty years had a profound effect on Australia's railway network. In two decades as its Chairman of Commissioners, he revolutionised Victorian Railways, with unprecedented attention to customer service and innovations such as more powerful locomotives, air-conditioned carriages, and faster services culminating in the introduction of the flagship Spirit of Progress express train. Seconded to the Federal Government in World War II, he played a pivotal role in the manufacture of fighter aircraft in the defence of Australia. As Director-General of Australia's Land Transport Board, he presented a report on railway gauge standardisation that ultimately led to the eventual linking of all Australian mainland capital cities by a uniform rail gauge. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Winthrop_Clapp, accessed 02/10/2013)

Physical description

Grey, soft covered, stapled report of 89 pages. "Standardization of Australia's Railway Gauges" by Harold Clapp is a report and recommendation regarding the standarization of Australia's railway gauges.

The contents include:
* Lines suggested for conversion or new lines to be constructed
* scheme of conversion of tracks and structures
* scheme of conversion of locomotives and rolling stock
* Estimated costs
* Associated works
* Estimated manpower which the project will absorb in its various phases
*Standardization of rolling stock
* Other considerations associated with the project
* Estimated time involved in the various phases of the work.

The report includes 8 maps:
* Map of Australia showing the various proposals referred to
*Map of Australian railways showing extent of standard gauge if proposals are carried out
* Map of Australian railways as of 30 June 1944
*Map of Australia showing principal mileages referred to in the report
* Railway Map of Western Australia, 1945
* Railway Map of South Australia, 1945
* Railway Map of Victoria, 1945
* Railway Map of Melbourne Suburbs, 1945