Railways on the West Coast of Tasmania

The history of the Railways on the West Coast of Tasmania has fascinated enthusiasts from around the world, because of the combination of the harsh terrain in which the railways were created, and the unique nature of most of the lines. The Mount Lyell rack railway which has an Abt rack system, the presence of the world's first Garratt locomotive on the North East Dundas Tramway, and the collection of narrow-gauge lines as the only links to the outside world for a number of the communities for over fifty years.

The haulage railways at Mount Read, and at the Mount Lyell mining lease - were also significant in their use in moving both people and metal ore.

A number of proposed railway lines that were proposed in the late nineteenth century, and early twentieth century - but never appeared - are not listed here.

The main mining towns during their boom times were connected with the outside world by railway as the main form of transport into their communities and also out to the outside world.

Contents

Railways and Tramways

Most lines were 3' 6" (1067mm) gauge, or 2'0" (610mm) gauge.

See also Zeehan for tramways that centred on that location

The following list is of most of the significant named lines but it is not a complete list. There have also been haulage lines, and other tramlines within small areas that existed in mining leases and forest areas.

Proposed but not constructed

West Coast Railways Timeline

Dispersal of Rolling Stock

Following closing of various lines, engines and carriages were often re-located on other working railways. Ex Mount Lyell passenger stock can be found on the Puffing Billy Railway in Victoria, while by serendipity the West Coast Wilderness Railway has seen the return of reconditioned engines that used to work on the original Mount Lyell lines. A number of steam engines are held at the West Coast Pioneers Museum in Zeehan.

Following the closures of most railways in the early 1960s, rolling stock was dispersed but engines were fortuitously retained on the west coast, in most cases at the museum in Zeehan. Some of these have returned to service on the West Coast Wilderness Railway.

Notes

  1. ^ http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/10399793?searchTerm=Metals+Extraction+Tramway#pstart888611
  2. ^ a b c d e Quinlan, Howard & Newland, John R. (2000). Australian Railway Routes 1854-2000. Sydney: Australian Railway Historical Society New South Wales Division. ISBN 0-909650-49-7. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f Rae, Lou (2005). The Abt Railway Tasmania's West Coast Wilderness Railway. Sandy Bay: Lou Rae. ISBN 0-9592098-8-3. 
  4. ^ a b c Australian Railway Atlas Quail Map Company 2004 ISBN 1-898319-69-3
  5. ^ Rae, Lou (1984). A History of Railways and Tramways on Tasmania's West Coast. Sandy Bay: Lou Rae. ISBN 0-9592098-0-8. 

References

2003 edition - Queenstown: Municipality of Queenstown.
1949 edition - Hobart: Davies Brothers. OCLC 48825404; ASIN B000FMPZ80
1924 edition - Queenstown: Mount Lyell Tourist Association. OCLC 35070001; ASIN B0008BM4XC