> In <mauried.293.33CCA55F@commslab.gov.au> mauried@commslab.gov.au (Maurie Daly) writes:
>
> >>Where is Roto?
>
> >Where is Roto !!!!!
> >Roto is the geographic railway centre of Australia,or would have been if it
> >had not been totally abolished.
> >NO seriously Roto was a tiny railway station in the middle of nowhere which
> >used to boast a triangle connection.
> >To the East is Parkes , to the West is Broken Hill and to the South is
> >Griffith.
>
> Roto was critical during WW2 since the shortest route that was mostly
> standard gauge from Broken Hill to Melbourne was via Roto, Naranderra and
> Tocumwal. Grain is still hauled form Hillston in the wheat season.
>
> The triangle connection at Roto is disconnected from the mainline, but the
> apex end is still virtually all intact, sans signalling, etc.. The track is
> all there though.
>
> Regards,
>
> Craig.
> --
Talk of ROTO reminds me that when I lived near the Temora - Griffith
line and the Parkes - Broken Hill line was closed by floods west of
Parkes the Silver City Commet ran Temora - Griffith - Roto. The Indian
Pacific ran Junee - Griffith - Roto at the same time.
This all raises another concern of mine with closing lines such as
Broken Hill. Rail is losing alternative routes, thus it becomes less
reliable, thus it loses more business! Road has alternative routes.
Stephen