Re: My trip to the Central West of NSW

[rolfe@shado.bozonet]

In article <3902c577@news.iprimus.com.au>,
Eric Cartman <erk_cartman_RESPECT_MY_AUTHORITAH@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Seeing as though this weekend is quite on here (with the Easter steam
> weekend in Victoria and the ARHS ACT tour to Broken Hill, I thought I'd add
> this for something that you might like to read. It is about my recent 2 day
> trip to the Central west of NSW on 1-2/4/2000.
>
> [...]

In the same vein...

I spent a few days over Easter visiting a few of the more remote parts of NSW
checking out some of the old lines.  Taking the scenic route to Echuca, I
headed down to Queanbeyan and started following the old line down to Bombala.
I was pleased to find that most of the locations on this line still have
substantial remains.  As it was midweek, there were no tourist trains running
around Queanbeyan or Cooma.  Oh well.

One location was quite interesting.  At Maclaughlin Siding is a huge building
with a platform facing (see the photo at
http://www.pobox.com/~rolfeb/nsw/images/maclaughlin01.jpg).  Does anyone
have an idea what this was used for?

Crossing the border I stayed at Orbost, and cursed the fact that I hadn't
brought any Victorian rail data with me!  From there I headed over to
Echuca via Mt Hotham, Bright and Shepparton.

A few days later I headed up to Hay, and visited most of the line across
to Narrandera, and then down to Jerilderie.  I don't imagine the outermost
part of the Hay line will ever see traffic, but I'm always struck by how
good the condition of the line from Narrandera to Tocumwal is.  This
is really a line which could be re-opened without a huge effort.  It
is heavy gauge rail, and it well ballasted.

Amyway, if you're interested in photos of these lines, check out the
links off: http://www.pobox.com/~rolfeb/nsw/lines.html.

Sadly, in all these travels I didn't see *one* train :-)

See ya,
Rolfe

-- 
Rolfe Bozier           rolfe@pobox.com       http://www.pobox.com/~rolfe
Programmer for hire!   +61 (0)2 9427 8373
			    "The gull sees furthest who flies highest"