Wolgan Valley Railway

darganbell · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:47 pm

Is anyone aware of the NSW Roads & Traffic Authority meeting being held in Lithgow on Tuesday 2nd Sept. to discuss an upgrade of the Great Western Highway, Mt Victoria to Lithgow. The alternate proposal is to by-pass Mt Victoria, go across to Bell, then to Clarence and follow the Newnes Plateau to Marrangaroo where it will rejoin the existing highway. This must impact on the old embankments and culverts etc remaining from the Wolgan Valley Railway.
Does the Wolgan Line have a preservation order on it?

GeoffreyHansen · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 12:15 am

See http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/constructionmaintenance/majorconstructionprojectsregional/greatwesternhighway/mt_victoria_lithgow/index.html

and

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/constructionmaintenance/majorconstructionprojectsregional/greatwesternhighway/mt_victoria_lithgow/newnesplateau.html

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johnboy · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:32 am

I believe the impact would be minimal. It would cross the line once.

And, no, there is no preservation order on the old line. Not even a right-of-way.

Not for this forum, but such a road way would kill off any passing trade at Lithgow, which is really only McDonalds etc... But there is a big issue on how to upgrade the road down Victoria Pass and Riverlett.

I am all for the alternative route as I often drive to out there.

tezza · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 3:49 pm

interesing , that route basically follows the original planned route of the 1860s railway before it was diverted into Lithgow

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moaner · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:46 am

For being such a historic line there is little to show for it until you get closer to Newnes.A group of friends & our family did the" glow worm" tunnel to Newnes thing a few weeks back,whilst they did the walk(bad back stopped me) i drove back trying to look for Signs of the line on the plateau unless you use a GPS & good topo map there is next to nothing to see,so i dont think the new road will much impact in the old line..Mabe different if the track was still in place but in saying that i don't think the RTA would give a s...., a good example of the RTA is when they did the Pacific Hwy upgrade south of Taree they had to cut through the Mayers point timber railway(tramway) now parts of it are under historic listing but they didn't care a friend worked there & during const they came acros a bit of the line it went into land fill ( he saved small bit of rail now mounted in our office) what more can be said

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4426_No_2_end · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:42 pm

Does the plan across the Newnes Plateau cause any concern for any extensions planned by the Zig Zag Railway? Confused

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Iain · Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:08 am

The project will inevitably be under the notorious Part 3A of the Environment and Planning Act which in effect turns off the heritage (an environmental ) protection under other legislation and relies on the Department of Planning Officers and the RTA to protect our heritage (they have done such a good job so far).

Of course by the time construction starts petrol may be $1.00 more and all the road traffic is going by train!

Iain Stuart

jibbonpoint · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:26 pm

Off to Newnes this weekend for a spot of camping, industrial archeology & photography with the georgeous one.

I haven't been there for over 35 years when we ventured on our motorbikes, got terribly p****** at the pub & generally had a great time.

More subdued now & keen to do more exploring; need to see the glow-worm tunnel & get some 'photo's.

Any advises from anyone re the rail line & the above Glow-worm tunnel?

Thanks

drwaddles · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:04 pm

I've only been there once - camped near the Glowworm Tunnel in 1998(?) when I was a cub scout.

The only advice I can give is that be advised you can't drive all the way through to Newnes from Clarence, after you've been to Glowworm tunnel, you will need to drive back through Lithgow and Lidsdale to get to Newnes proper.

Take lots of photos! Smile

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574M · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:41 pm

jibbonpoint · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:35 pm

Ok, Thanks Dr Waddles. How far is the glow worm tunnel from Newnes? Any impediments along the track?

drwaddles · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:52 am

This page should give you all the information you need:
http://www.railtrails.org.au/states/trails.php3?action=trail&trail=52

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jibbonpoint · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:18 pm

Thank you dr waddles

GeoffreyHansen · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:24 pm

CoalScuttleKid · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:47 pm

Emirates is currently in the process of building a large resort down in the Wolgan Valley. I mention it just for information. Further information here....

http://users.tpg.com.au/newnes/e/emirates.htm

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