Re: WA. rottnest tourist rail

["Bernard Smith" <epping.smiths@gatewaynet.bigpond.com>]

"Peter Ware" <pwware@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
3A090C51.E087706B@ozemail.com.au">news:3A090C51.E087706B@ozemail.com.au...
>
> When I was on Rottnest about 4 yrs ago there was a narrow gauge tourist
> railway running from behind the main settlement (where the ferries arrive)
> to the big gun on top of the hill. It was originally a military railway to
> service the large gun enplacements upto about the 1950s. The current
> operators (if it still runs) built the extension to the settlement and had
> just completed an extention at the line at the other end to reduce the
walk
> (and climb) for the tourists. There is also a spur line running to the
> original port terminus used by the military.
>
> The trains consisted of converted open wagons with seating and a canvas
> roof - not unlike the People Mover "trains" that run around Darling
Harbour
> in Sydney and were hauled by diesel shunters. There were two or three
> complete train sets when I was there.
>
> It has (had) the unusual distinction of running right along side the
runway
> of Rottnest Airport - it made take-off and landing interesting

According to http://www.rottnest.wa.gov.au/todo/Timetabl.pdf it was still
there earlier this year, running 5 services a day.