Western Line, Tasmania: Difference between revisions

Western Line
Western Line
Overview
Owner	TasRail
Termini	Bell Bay Line; Wiltshire;
Service
Type	Heavy rail
Operator(s)	TasRail
History
Opened	1871
Technical
Line length	223 km (139 mi)
Track gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Old gauge	5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Route map
	Legend
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Latest revision as of 13:52, 27 September 2023

The Western Line, previously known as the Launceston and Western Line, is a 223 km freight rail corridor that runs from Western Junction to Wiltshire in Tasmania, Australia.

Description[edit]

The original line was built in 1871 as a private 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) broad gauge railway that opened between Deloraine and Launceston to ship agricultural products to port for Victorian markets.^[2]^[3] In 1872, following takeover of the Launceston & Western Railway Company by the Tasmanian Government Railways, the line was made dual gauge with 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge to standardise the Tasmanian rail network. The last broad gauge trains ran, and the outer rail was lifted in 1885.^[4]^[5]

The line still traverses its original survey. It was modified to bypass Latrobe in the 1980s, and new bridges have meant slight variations to its corridor.

Operations[edit]

The line once had a large number of stopping stations and sidings, used when passenger and common goods services were operated by the Tasmanian Government Railways. Nowadays, the line operates direct between Western Junction and Burnie with some stable and passing loops. Old platforms and lineside infrastructure remain extant in some towns.

Infrastructure[edit]

The line has many significant bridges, viaducts and crossings, as it makes its way over the South Esk and Mersey Rivers. At Western Junction, a major level crossing controls traffic on B41 Evandale Road. The old platform from when passenger operations used Western Junction remains, as well as a platform building and temporary office. An old water tower also exists.

The Hunter's Mill viaduct is situated between Western Junction and Perth, where the line crosses the Main Road which previously formed part of the Midland Highway, before the town was bypassed in 2018. The level crossing has 24 hour video surveillance to detect vehicles breaching the crossing.

At Longford, the railway bridge and viaduct are both important engineering milestones, and in the 1960s the line once famously intersected with the town's motor racing circuit, with race cars jumping the level crossing, and weaving beneath the viaduct. The town's old passenger platform exists in disrepair, while an historic semaphore signal remains at the crossing.

Several cuttings and underpasses allow the line to bisect the Bass Highway, and sidings remains at Westbury and Deloraine, where a passing loop and coloured signals allow for traffic to wait at the river crossing. Immediately as it enters the Deloraine township, a major level crossing exists at a roundabout. Continuing on, a junction previously existed at Lemana with the Mole Creek branch, and a disused siding remains at Dunorlan.

At Railton, the former passenger platform still remains, having been turned into a public park. A major marshalling yard exists at Railton to shunt cement trains from the nearby Cement Australia plant, where a newer platform with building are also located for crew.

The line continues towards Devonport on embankments, with little other infrastructure remaining. The line formerly deviated into Latrobe, crossing the Mersey at two separate points. With exception from old level crossing gates, two old semaphore signals at a local bowling club and a shopping area named "Station Square", no remains exist of the former line in Latrobe. The old corridor has now formed part of a memorial park to local war hero Teddy Sheean.

References[edit]

^ "Stations list – 1981".
^ Chamberlain, Brian R (1985), The Launceston and Western Railway Company Ltd., 1867-1904, Regal Press, ISBN 978-0-949457-02-8
^ The Companion to Tasmanian History
^ Stokes, H. J. W. (Henry James W.); Tasmania. Transport Commission (1971), A century of Tasmanian railways, 1871-1971, Govt. printer, retrieved 27 September 2023
^ Cooper, Greg; Goss, Grant (1996), Tasmanian railways 125 years, 1871-1996 : a pictorial history, CG Publishing Co, ISBN 978-0-646-27633-5

[1] "Stations list – 1981".

[2] Chamberlain, Brian R (1985), The Launceston and Western Railway Company Ltd., 1867-1904, Regal Press, ISBN 978-0-949457-02-8

[3] The Companion to Tasmanian History

[4] Stokes, H. J. W. (Henry James W.); Tasmania. Transport Commission (1971), A century of Tasmanian railways, 1871-1971, Govt. printer, retrieved 27 September 2023

[5] Cooper, Greg; Goss, Grant (1996), Tasmanian railways 125 years, 1871-1996 : a pictorial history, CG Publishing Co, ISBN 978-0-646-27633-5

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Railway line in Tasmania}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
 {{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
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  | stations      =
  | routes        =
- | ridership     =
+ | daily_ridership     =
  | ridership2    =
  | open          = 1871
@@ Line 30: / Line 31: @@
  | depot         =
  | stock         =
+ | linelength_km = 223<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.railtasmania.com/lines/stationlist_1981.htm | title=Stations list – 1981 }}</ref>
- | linelength_km =
  | linelength_mi =
  | linelength    =
  | tracklength_km=
  | tracklength_mi=
- | tracklength   = {{Convert|78|km|mi|abbr=on}}
+ | tracklength   =
+  | gauge         = {{RailGauge|1067mm|first=imp|lk=on}}
- | notrack       =
- | gauge         = {{RailGauge|1067mm|first=imp|lk=on}}
+ | old_gauge     = {{RailGauge|1600mm|lk=on|first=imp}}
+ | load_gauge        =
- | ogauge     = {{RailGauge|1600mm|lk=on|first=imp}}
- | lgauge        =
  | minradius     =
  | racksystem    =
  | routenumber   =
  | linenumber    =
- | el            =
+  | speed_km/h    =
- | speed_km/h    =
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  | speed         =
@@ Line 55: / Line 54: @@
  | map_state     = collapsed
 }}
-The '''Western Line''', previously known as the '''Launceston and Western Line''' is a 78&nbsp;km freight rail corridor that runs from Western Junction to Wiltshire in [[Tasmania]], [[Australia]]. The original Line was built in 1871 as a private {{RailGauge|1600mm|first=imp}} [[broad gauge]] railway that opened between [[Deloraine, Tasmania|Deloraine]] and [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]] to ship agricultural products to port for Victorian markets.<ref>[http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/R/Railways.htm The Companion to Tasmanian History]</ref>
+The '''Western Line''', previously known as the '''Launceston and Western Line''', is a 223&nbsp;km freight rail corridor that runs from Western Junction to Wiltshire in [[Tasmania]], [[Australia]].
+==Description==
-== The Railway Act ==
+The original line was built in 1871 as a private {{RailGauge|1600mm|first=imp}} [[broad gauge]] railway that opened between [[Deloraine, Tasmania|Deloraine]] and [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]] to ship agricultural products to port for Victorian markets.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Chamberlain, Brian R | title=The Launceston and Western Railway Company Ltd., 1867-1904 | publication-date=1985 | publisher=Regal Press | isbn=978-0-949457-02-8}}</ref><ref>[http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/R/Railways.htm The Companion to Tasmanian History]</ref> In 1872, following takeover of the Launceston & Western Railway Company by the [[Tasmanian Government Railways]], the line was made dual gauge with {{RailGauge|1067mm|first=imp}} gauge to standardise the Tasmanian rail network. The last broad gauge trains ran, and the outer rail was lifted in 1885.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Stokes, H. J. W. (Henry James W.) | author2=Tasmania. Transport Commission | title=A century of Tasmanian railways, 1871-1971 | publication-date=1971 | publisher=Govt. printer | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/27794043 | access-date=27 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=Cooper, Greg | author2=Goss, Grant | title=Tasmanian railways 125 years, 1871-1996 : a pictorial history | publication-date=1996 | publisher=CG Publishing Co | isbn=978-0-646-27633-5}}</ref>
-Although proposals were considered by the Tasmanian Government for the construction of a railway from [[Hobart, Tasmania|Hobart]] to Launceston as early as 1856, it was not until 27 August 1857 that anything of a definite nature was done. At a supporters' meeting on that date, a resolution was passed recommending that a petition for the construction of a railway from Launceston to Deloraine be transmitted to the Governor. In 1858, a Parliamentary Joint Committee reported in favour of railway construction within the Colony. But, nothing was done until 1865 when the Prospectus of the Launceston and Western Railway Company was issued. The first Railway Act was passed later that year which provided for the construction of a railway between Launceston and Deloraine by private enterprise.<ref name=bull>''Tasmania's First Railway'' [[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]], October 1941, pp.&nbsp;41-44</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Launceston and Western Railway Act (29 Vic, No 24)|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/num_act/tlawra29vn24418/|website=austlii.edu.au|accessdate=10 August 2014}}<br>{{cite web|title=The Launceston and Western Railway Act, No 2 (30 Vic, No 28)|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/num_act/tlawran230vn28445/|website=austlii.edu.au|accessdate=10 August 2014}}<br>{{cite web|title=The Launceston and Western Railway Act, No 3 (31 Vic, No 43)|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/num_act/tlawran331vn43445/|website=austlii.edu.au|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref>
+The line still traverses its original survey. It was modified to bypass Latrobe in the 1980s, and new bridges have meant slight variations to its corridor.
-The Launceston and Western Railway was a [[Joint Stock Company]] of £450,000 capital, chiefly borrowed in England, with the interest guaranteed by the Tasmanian Government. The land-holders, whom the line would benefit, entered into an obligation to recoup the State should the returns from the railway fall short of the interest money.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Chamberlain, Brian R | title=The Launceston and Western Railway Company Ltd., 1867-1904 | publication-date=1985 | publisher=Regal Press | isbn=978-0-949457-02-8 }}</ref>
-== Construction ==
+==Operations==
+The line once had a large number of stopping stations and sidings, used when passenger and common goods services were operated by the Tasmanian Government Railways. Nowadays, the line operates direct between Western Junction and Burnie with some stable and passing loops. Old platforms and lineside infrastructure remain extant in some towns.
-The Launceston and Western Railway was formed on 9 May 1867 and the first sod of the line was turned on 15 January 1868 by the [[Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha|Duke of Edinburgh]] who was on a visit to the Colonies.
+==Infrastructure==
-A Contract for the construction work was let in July 1868. Construction work progressed during the following 18 months, but delays were experienced with the construction of the bridge over the South Esk River. In 1869, the contractors brought from [[State of Victoria|Victoria]] two tank locomotives for construction work.
+The line has many significant bridges, viaducts and crossings, as it makes its way over the South Esk and Mersey Rivers. At Western Junction, a major level crossing controls traffic on B41 Evandale Road. The old platform from when passenger operations used Western Junction remains, as well as a platform building and temporary office. An old water tower also exists.
+The Hunter's Mill viaduct is situated between Western Junction and Perth, where the line crosses the Main Road which previously formed part of the [[Midland Highway (Tasmania)|Midland Highway]], before the town was bypassed in 2018. The level crossing has 24 hour video surveillance to detect vehicles breaching the crossing.
-The date for completion as set out in the Contract was 10 March 1870, but an extension was given and construction continued to a point where the Opening Date could be set for the following September. Extensive rains resulted in further delays and it was not until 10 February 1871 that the line was opened for traffic by the Governor.
+At Longford, the [[Longford Railway Bridge|railway bridge]] and viaduct are both important engineering milestones, and in the 1960s the line once famously intersected with the town's [[Longford Circuit|motor racing circuit]], with race cars jumping the level crossing, and weaving beneath the viaduct. The town's old passenger platform exists in disrepair, while an historic [[semaphore signal]] remains at the crossing.
-In 1868, two locomotives were ordered from [[Robert Stephenson and Company]]. These arrived in December 1869, together with goods and passenger vehicles. A repeat order for an additional two locomotives was placed in November 1869 and these were placed in service in November 1870.<ref name=bull/>
+Several cuttings and underpasses allow the line to bisect the [[Bass Highway (Tasmania)|Bass Highway]], and sidings remains at [[Westbury, Tasmania|Westbury]] and [[Deloraine, Tasmania|Deloraine]], where a passing loop and coloured signals allow for traffic to wait at the river crossing. Immediately as it enters the Deloraine township, a major level crossing exists at a roundabout. Continuing on, a junction previously existed at Lemana with the [[Mole Creek, Tasmania|Mole Creek]] branch, and a disused siding remains at [[Dunorlan, Tasmania|Dunorlan]].
-== Services begin ==
-When the line was opened, a service of three [[double-heading|double-headed]] trains each way per day was operated, but this proved unsatisfactory and later on one locomotive per run was used.
+At [[Railton, Tasmania|Railton]], the former passenger platform still remains, having been turned into a public park. A major marshalling yard exists at Railton to shunt cement trains from the nearby Cement Australia plant, where a newer platform with building are also located for crew.
-Up until 1880, three classes of passenger accommodation were provided but third class was withdrawn after that year.
+The line continues towards Devonport on embankments, with little other infrastructure remaining. The line formerly deviated into [[Latrobe, Tasmania|Latrobe]], crossing the Mersey at two separate points. With exception from old level crossing gates, two old semaphore signals at a local bowling club and a shopping area named "Station Square", no remains exist of the former line in Latrobe. The old corridor has now formed part of a memorial park to local war hero [[Teddy Sheean]].
-By December 1872, it was agreed that a fifth locomotive was required and an order was placed with [[Sharp Stewart and Company]].
-The construction contractor continued to operate the railway until November 1871, the Company then took over.<ref name=bull/>
-== Financial difficulty ==
-During the construction period, the Company had experienced some difficulty in raising the necessary finance to meet the cost of construction. It applied to the Government for assistance. The Government appointed two Railway Commissioners to generally supervise all railway construction and advance the Company the finance to complete the building of the line.
-Traffic showed an increase after the Company took over the working of the line, however difficulties were experienced in continuing operations. Negotiations were commenced with a view of the Government taking over the line. These negotiations were concluded and the Government took over the line from 31 October 1873.<ref name=bull/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Launceston and Western Railway Act 1873 (37 Vic, No 20)|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/num_act/tlawra187337vn20418/|website=austlii.edu.au|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref>
-== A Change of Gauge ==
-The line was initially built in {{RailGauge|1600mm|first=Imp}} Broad or [[Irish gauge]]. Very shortly after the Government takeover in 1873 a decision was made to convert the line to a narrower gauge.<ref name=Scott>{{cite book|title=Hagley|type=A Short history of the early days of the Village and district with notes on the pioneer families|last=Scott|first=E.G.|publisher=Birchalls |location=Launceston |ISBN=0-949-457-05-1|pages=26&ndash;28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Launceston And Western Railway Act 1883 (47 Vic, No 36)|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/num_act/tlawra188347vn36418/|website=austlii.edu.au|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref>
-In March 1876, the [[Tasmanian Main Line Company|Tasmanian Main Line Railway Company]] had completed the construction of a {{RailGauge|1067mm|first=Imp}} gauge [[South Line, Tasmania|line]] from [[Hobart, Tasmania|Hobart]] to [[Evandale, Tasmania|Evandale]] and entered into negotiation with the Government for the construction of a third rail over the broad gauge tracks of the Launceston and Western Railway between Evandale Junction and Launceston. Approval was given and the TMLRC began operating over a dual gauge line into Launceston on 1 November 1876.
-During the early 1880s, the Tasmanian Government decided upon construction of further narrow gauge lines and commenced with a {{RailGauge|1067mm|first=imp}} line from Deloraine to Devonport which opened on 1 September 1885.
-In 1887, the broad gauge rollingstock of the Launceston and Western Railway consisted of 14 passenger carriages, 4 horse boxes and 84 goods vehicles. A proposal to take up the outer rail was examined and it was decided that greater economy of operation would be achieved. The last broad gauge train ran on 20 August 1888.
-The rolling stock was converted to the narrow gauge. The four Stephenson locomotives were sold and the Shar Stewart was converted to narrow gauge, emerging with a 4-2-2 wheel arrangement, the only '[[Single (locomotive)|Single]]' to run on the narrow gauge railways of Australia.<ref name=bull/>
 ==See also==
@@ Line 102: / Line 83: @@
 {{reflist}}
-== Further reading ==
-* Stokes, H, ''A Century of Tasmanian Railways'' Hobart 1971
-* Cooper, Greg. and Goss, Grant (1996) ''Tasmanian Railways 125 years, 1871-1996 : A Pictorial History'' Devonport, Tas. : CG Publishing Co. ISBN 0-646-27633-6
 [[Category:Defunct railway companies of Australia]]
@@ Line 110: / Line 88: @@
 [[Category:Railway lines opened in 1871]]
 [[Category:3 ft 6 in gauge railways in Australia]]
+[[Category:1871 establishments in Australia]]

Latest revision as of 13:52, 27 September 2023

Description[edit]

Operations[edit]

Infrastructure[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]