The Lake Cargelligo railway line is a railway line in Central Western
New South Wales
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, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by ...
. The first sod was turned commencing construction on 8 June 1913 with the line opening on 13 November 1917. The line branches from the
Main South line
The Main South Line, sometimes referred to as part of the South Island Main Trunk Railway, is a railway line that runs north and south from Lyttelton in New Zealand through Christchurch and along the east coast of the South Island to Inverca ...
at
Cootamundra
Cootamundra, nicknamed Coota, is a town in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia and within the Riverina. It is within the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council. At the 2016 Census, Cootamundra had a population of 6,782. I ...
and travels in a north-westerly direction to the small town of
Lake Cargelligo
Lake Cargelligo () is a town in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia, on Lake Cargelligo. It is in Lachlan Shire. At the , Lake Cargelligo had a population of 1,479 people. Its name is said to be a corruption of the Aboriginal ...
. The line is used primarily for grain haulage, although passenger service was provided until 1983.
The section between Cootamundra and
Stockinbingal
Stockinbingal is a town in the South West Slopes and Riverina regions of New South Wales, Australia. The town is in the Cootamundra–Gundagai Regional Council local government area and on the Burley Griffin Way. At the , Stockinbingal had a ...
forms part of the cross country line between the Main South and Broken Hill line, which allows goods trains to bypass Sydney.
In December 2007, flooding washed away several sections of track between
Ungarie
Ungarie is a town in New South Wales, Australia which is the second major town of the Bland Shire, located in the Central West region of New South Wales. It is located west of Sydney and north of Melbourne, between the towns of West Wyalong ...
and Lake Cargelligo rendering the track unpassable. The rail line has since then been repaired between Ungarie and Lake Cargelligo rendering the tracks open.
Early operations
From the opening of the line in 1913 daily passenger services were operated by mixed goods and passenger steam trains, the passenger carriages being 'dog box' configuration. It was not until 1938 after much complaint by passengers that more comfortable 'corridor' type passenger carriages were introduced on the branch line to Lake Cargelligo.
In the same year after more agitation from residents serviced by this line the Railway Commissioners agreed to a new diesel rail motor service to operate between Temora (departing daily at 08:30am) and Lake Cargelligo, the new train commenced from late 1938 replacing the mixed steam trains that had operated since opening. Later
CPH railmotor
The CPH (or 42 foot) rail motors were introduced by the New South Wales Government Railways in 1923 to provide feeder service on country branch lines.
Introduction
Often referred to as "Tin Hares", having evolved at the same time as the mechanica ...
s operated on this line until passenger services were ceased in 1983.
Management
The line is owned by the Rail Infrastructure Corporation of New South Wales, however the section between Cootamundra and Stockinbingal is leased by the
Australian Rail Track Corporation
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is an Australian Government-owned statutory corporation.
It operates one of the largest rail networks in the nation spanning 8,500km across five states, 39 worksites and more than 50 First Nations.
...
(ARTC) who are responsible for the maintenance and operation of the line. The ARTC is responsible for co-ordinating operations over the remainder of the line.
Gallery
File:Lake Cargelligo - Signal Box & Gantry Crane.jpg, Lake Cargelligo - Signal Box & Gantry Crane
File:Lake Cargelligo Water Tower & Turntable.jpg, Lake Cargelligo Water Tower & Turntable
File:Pacific National 81 class locos (8169 and 8137) at the Temora Sub Terminal.jpg, Pacific National 81 class locos at the Temora Sub Terminal]
File:Tullibigeal Lake Cargelligo Rail Line.JPG, Near Tullibigeal
File:CPH 12, 25 and 24 railmotors at Temora railway station.jpg, Temora Railway Station
File:Stockinbingal railway station (1).jpg, Stockinbingal railway station
See also
*
Rail transport in New South Wales
The Australian state of New South Wales has an extensive network of railways, which were integral to the growth and development of the state. The vast majority of railway lines were government built and operated, but there were also several pri ...
Further reading
The Centenary of Lake Cargelligo and the Railway's Role -