The Member for Braitling, Lorraine Braham, says it is appropriate to name a railway overpass after one of central Australia's transport pioneers.

The overpass on the Stuart Highway, 15 kilometres north of Alice Springs, will be named after Alice Springs' first train examiner, James Orr.

Mrs Braham has campaigned on behalf of the family and says the naming honours a person who played a key role in central Australia's development.

"When they came up with the wonderful idea of, 'why not the overpass', I think that's very fitting because you can stand on top of that overpass and see the line either side heading north and south and it will be a great way of commemorating that name and having it there for posterity," she said.

The late Mr Orr worked for Commonwealth Railways in the Northern Territory from 1929 until 1941 and was involved in the arrival of the first Ghan at Stuart, as Alice Springs was known in 1929.

His son "Lucky" Orr says it was his father's responsibility to ensure the Ghan was in working order before departure.

"Prior to the departure of any train, whether it was goods or the Ghan, he had to make sure the loco was watered and fired up and ready for work," he said.

ABC Regional Online