Bethungra Spiral

["Christopher J. Steele" <dck@cea.com.au>]

I have recently been in the area of the Bethungra spiral, but have a number
of questions regarding its history:

1.  On what date was the original railway at the site of the Bethungra
spiral open?  Was the original railway in fact just a straight track and not
a spiral at all?  Is this now the current 'down' track?

2.  Why is it suggested in previous postings that the down track grade would
be better off with its grade reduced to 1:66 from 1:40?

3.  On what date was the Bethungra spiral (the present 'up' track) opened?

4.  Was the Bethungra spiral part of the duplication of the railway north of
Junee?

5.  Were the present small tunnels at the site of the Bethungra spiral all
the tunnels at the site?  Or was there originally one, single longer tunnel
which has been opened up?  It seems strange that all that earth has been
excavated out between two tunnels so close together.

Any other comments/info on the history of this site would be greatly
appreciated.

                                                        Cheers,
                                                                    Chris.