Adelaide to Darwin railway 10 years old

Northern Territorians on Thursday will mark the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the Adelaide to Darwin railway.

A rail line linking Australia's southern states with the tropical north was first suggested in 1858, but it took until 2004 for the first freight train to roll into Darwin from the South Australian capital.

Critics originally called $1.2 billion railway a white elephant, but supporters said it was a nation-building project.

Ten years later, two passenger services and about 30 mining and general freight trains trundle up the 1420-kilometre line each week.

Genesee & Wyoming Australia, which owns and operates the railway, will hold a ceremony on Thursday to mark the anniversary.

NT Chief Minister Adam Giles and former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer are expected to attend.