The Wolgan Valley Railway: Its Construction (AANS-WOL)

Product No.: AANS-WOL

Title: The Wolgan Valley Railway: Its Construction

Author(s): Deane, Henry
Illustrator(s): N/A
Publisher: A.R.H.S (NSW Division)
ISBN: 0909650616

Condition: New

Binding: Softcover
Dust Jacket: None
Edition: 1st Edition
Publication Year: 2004

Features: 32 Pages with Black/White Photos.

This was originally a 1910 article, by the man who built the line, concerning the construction of the railway. It was reproduced as a small book in 1979  - The Newnes railway line (also called Wolgan Valley Railway) was a railway line in New South Wales, Australia. The line ran for 32 mi (51 km) from the Main Western line to the township of Newnes. The line was constructed and operated by the Commonwealth Oil Corporation for their Newnes Oil Shale mine. Surveying and construction was overseen by Henry Deane.

The line opened in 1907 and closed in 1932. It was primarily intended to carry goods to and from the mine but also provided passenger services. The steep 1 in 25 (4%) gradients along the descent towards Newnes required a different type of steam locomotive. 4 Shay locomotives were imported from the Lima Locomotive Works in the USA. Although rather slow, their unique build which uses crankshafts to propel the wheels made them very suitable, and if a train had to stop on a steep uphill grade, the train could easily start again and keep moving.