Re: Old Castle Hill branch

[Eddie Oliver <eoliver@efs.mq.edu.au>]

It might help to provide a consolidated view of the rail route.

It left the western line just past Westmead, curving to the right in the
direction of what is now Westmead hospital. It crossed the creek (piers
still visible) near Redbank Road, and rejoined the old tram route near
the area where the major road junctions now are.

It then basically followed the present route of Windsor Road and Old
Northern Road, with some variations. The site of Model Farms station is
reflected by a memorial in a small park on the west of Windsor Road
(logically quite near Model Farms Road). 

Baulkham Hills station was evidently in the area where the Bowling Club
and small car parking area now is, just past the Windsor Rd /Old
Northern Rd junction. Earthworks in this area are possibly
railway-related, although the area must have been considerably modified.

The signal in the park at Castle Hill (in the V where Old Northern Road
goes somewhat to the right, past the centre of Castle Hill shopping
area) probably does not accurately reflect the station site. However the
railway station and tram terminus were not identically located, and the
Terminus St name may well go back to tramway days.

The line continued along the hillside somewhat lower than Old Northern
Road, to the terminus at Rogans Hill below and behind the present BBC
Hardware. Subdivision activity in the area seems to be removing most of
what little was remaining, although the flattened area is still somewhat
discernible. 

Eddie Oliver