[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: Bethungra Spiral
"Christopher J. Steele" <dck@cea.com.au> wrote:
>I have recently been in the area of the Bethungra spiral, but have a number
>of questions regarding its history:
The answers to many of these questions can be found in NSWGR's "Main
Southern Lines Maps" book, but that's an old publication and rare.
Below is what I dredged from my memory (I have the book, but not at
hand.)
>1. On what date was the original railway at the site of the Bethungra
>spiral open?
It would have been in about 1871 - 1873 period.... the railway was
already at Albury by 1873 (?).
> Was the original railway in fact just a straight track and not
>a spiral at all?
Yes. Well, a topologically simple track, it had lots of curves.
> Is this now the current 'down' track?
Yes
>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?
Don't know why those people said that. Presumably to make the haulage
task easier.
>3. On what date was the Bethungra spiral (the present 'up' track) opened?
15th July 1946 was supposed to be the introduction of double line,
including the spiral..
>4. Was the Bethungra spiral part of the duplication of the railway north of
>Junee?
Yes, see Q3
>5. Were the present small tunnels at the site of the Bethungra spiral all
>the tunnels at the site?
Yes