Re: Isolated Rail Lines

[billboltonREMOVE-TO-EMAIL@computer.org (Bill Bolton)]

David Bromage <dbromage@omni.com.au> wrote:

> There was another isolated narrow gauge line somewhere in the vicinity
> of Cooktown. Can anybody remember where it ran?

Cooktown to nowhere.... actually to a place called Laura.

It was supposed to go further and an expensive bridge was built just
past Laura.... the track stopped just over the far side of the bridge.
The bridge was only ever used a few times during floods and the rails
were eventually lifted to repair other parts of the line.

Like the Croydon line, the Cooktown line was operated exclusively by
railmotors from the 1920s.  It was finally abandoned circa 1960 when
an "all weather access" highway provided alternative transport
facilities to the area.

Cheers,

Bill