Strezlecki Railway

aus.rail · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 10:26 pm

This line ran from Kooweerup, is there anything left of it?

PS. sorry for the questions, I have an interest in the railways of this
area.

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aus.rail · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 10:26 pm

"One Of A Kind" wrote:

> This line ran from Kooweerup, is there anything left of it?
>
> PS. sorry for the questions, I have an interest in the railways of this
> area.

Yes, there is quite a bit to see.

From Koo-wee-rup to Heath Hill, however, the line ran across the reclaimed
Koo-wee-rup swamp, and is this is all but dead flat, there is next to
nothing in the way of earthworks to see.

Koo-wee-rup: The remains of the old loco area (turntable pit, inspection
pit) exist on the down side of the level crossing. The formation towards
Bayles can be see curving away.

Bayles: The station yard is now a fauna sanctuary and there is a $2(?)
admission, and probably not much (of railway interest) to see, although I
haven't looked. There is a sign, a station nameboard, a (road) weighbridge,
and maybe a mile post.

From Bayles to Catani the line ran on the north side of the canal. You can
see the alignment readily enough, but that is about all.

A road has been built on the formation through Catani station. A few trees
on an uncharacteristic mound mark the remains of the platform.

A road continues on the formation most of the way to Yannathan.

Yannathan station ground can be discerned by the fences marking the boundary
if you know where to look.

I haven't inspected the route from Yannathan to Heath Hill as it is not very
accessible.

There are buildings in the former Heath Hill station grounds. I believe
that one may be the old D.R.

From Heath Hill to Triholm the line followed the Lang Lang River, so some
earthworks are visible.

Just beyond Heath Hill the remains of a large cutting exist. The road used
to cross this on a bridge, but the cutting is now filled in at this point.

From about a mile beyond Heath Hill to Athlone a road parallels or is built
on the formation, including through a curved cutting of reasonable size.
There are remains of a couple of bridges in this section.

At Topiram the cattle yards remain.

At Athlone and Triholm there are signs commemorating the line. The
formation where the line crosses the (current) road is easily visible.

From Triholm to Strezlecki the line climbed at 1 in 30 to 1 in 40, and
earthworks were extensive. However, apart from a short distance part
Triholm and a short distance before Strezlecki, most of this is well away
from the nearest road and not readily visible.

Just before Strezlecki there is the site of a very large trestle, followed
by a very deep cutting which was previously crossed by a road bridge. Part
of this cutting has been filled by using it as a tip, but enough remains to
appreciate it.

From here to Strezlecki the line paralleled the main road and is mostly
easily seen. There is a metal shed on the station grounds, and the
formation continues some distance past the station to the turntable site cut
into the side of the hill. It must have had the best view of any turntable
in the state! Unfortunately, this last section from Triholm was only open
for eight years, if I recall correctly.

To find the turntable site (pit and concrete abutments exist), you have to
travel down a gravel road with a name that has something to do with a dog.
You should know what I mean when you see it!

--
John

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aus.rail · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 10:27 pm

"steam3801" <nospam@givup.com> wrote in message
news:dc7g4vgo7aa2uiggfbrihhrnhcfi8kh1hr@4ax.com...
>
> Brilliant description - pity anyone outside the local area still
> hasn't got a clue where the hell it is!!!
>
>
>
> You know it makes sense.
> steam3801

I am sure most Victorians would know more or less where these places are.
Even Croweaters or New South Welsh who are not terminally ignorant should
have a fair idea . In fact anybody who has a slight interest in Australian
geography would know where the Strzeleki Ranges are in Gippsland .

Perhaps, steam, you should start a city.rail newsgroup, if you have a
problem with things that are out of Sydney.

You know you never make much sense.

RMOD

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bcvos1 · Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2003 8:58 am

A few of us did a little tour of both the Thorpdale and Strzeleki lines just prior to New Year.

Like the extensive description given above, there is a lot to see if you know where to look. Thorpdale line is by far the easiest to follow. The lower end of the Strzeleki line is almost impossible to trace between Bayels, Catani, Yannathan and Heath Hill with out the aid of some local knowledge, good maps (old and new) and the VR grade book. In many cases the allignment is simply a pair of parallel spoon drains running accross a paddock!

I recommend that a trip into the Hills on the Warragul to Korrumburra road. The roads name where the turntable at Strzeleki is Wild Dog road. For the best veiw of th 1:30 section there is a road that parallels the railway from the next ridge to the south of the railway allignment. Once at the Strzeleki station follow the main road back toward Warragul (North) and take the first left. Spectacular views to be had!

Take some mates, a few maps and keep a keen eye, the sepctacular bits a pretty easy to locate.

Cheers