The Southern Highlands line was closed between Campbelltown and Moss Vale, but has now reopened.

The Blue Mountains line is closed (bustitution) between Lithgow and Mt Victoria, and will remain closed until the signalling equipment is repaired.

Here (http://www.sydneytrains.info/service_updates/service_interruptions/service_interruptions_detailed;jsessionid=1F2870DC39CECB0F478A2465C0469B6D.node01?lineId=bm) are some photos of burnt out signalling huts along the line.

A fire is also burning on the SWRL.

This is the first time I've heard about houses being burnt in Mount Victoria. Last October there was heavy snow.

193 homes lost in and around Springwood alone with 109 more severely damaged.  That's only in one area and there are unknown but "expensive" losses in the Southern Highlands fires.

IP was to be diverted via the escarpment and Stockingbal.  Can anyone say if it actually did this?

From friends in the Blue Mountains currently dealing with fires literally in their backyards in some cases this isn't over yet by a long way.  The Great Western Highway is open intermittently as and when it's considered safe and Bells LOR has reopened this morning but those could close again at any time.

With the GWH closed no bus service was possible east of Lithgow but that is currently in operation though not serving Bell.

The ZZR which has sustained significant damage has its own topic.

193 homes lost in and around Springwood alone with 109 more severely damaged.  That's only in one area and there are unknown but "expensive" losses in the Southern Highlands fires.

IP was to be diverted via the escarpment and Stockingbal.  Can anyone say if it actually did this?

From friends in the Blue Mountains currently dealing with fires literally in their backyards in some cases this isn't over yet by a long way.  The Great Western Highway is open intermittently as and when it's considered safe and Bells LOR has reopened this morning but those could close again at any time.

With the GWH closed no bus service was possible east of Lithgow but that is currently in operation though not serving Bell.

The ZZR which has sustained significant damage has its own topic.

Friday AM peak a reasonably good service was maintained in spite of a 4 car V set laid up in the Lawson Up relief with a seized axle. Most of the trains were about an hour late but customers did not notice as the late trains came along reasonably close to timetable time. Good effort by all NSW Trains staff to maintain a service under difficult conditions.

Arrived to open Valley Heights station with the glow of the Springwood fires behind the car park and kept an eye on the progress of the fire just in case.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fire-tears-through-iconic-zig-zag-railway-20131019-2vt6v.html

The annual NSW bushfire crisis is beyond a joke.  When will the Powers That Be learn that prevention is better than the cure?  Cut down the trees before they get burnt.

Latest from Sydney Trains

Due to bushfires causing rail infrastructure damage, trains are not operating between Bathurst, Lithgow and Mount Victoria. Buses are replacing