Pending delivery of their "power by the hour" NR class diesel electric locomotives from Goninans, National Rail leased a considerable number of modern locomotives from the SRA/Freight Rail. This forced the Freight Rail to return a number of its retired locomotives to service, including the 442 and 49 Class. This DVD-R traces the 1994-1996 operation of these and other veteran diesel locomotives, including the 48 and 422 Class, over what remains of the Botany Line. A 2009 review highlights the changes that have occured over the last 14 years.
The Botany line opened on October 11th 1925. It starts at Marrickville where the Southern Metropolitan goods line from Lidcombe branches away from the Bankstown line and separates the Illawarra and the Botany lines. While relatively short with a track distance of only some 9km, Kandos Cement, Southern Portland Cement, British Petroleum, Mt Frome Lime, as well as many general freight forwarders) and featured some 13 sidings between Cooks River Goods Yard and Botany Yard, these being Sims Metal, Playfair, Murray-Moore, Ascot Sand, Commonwealth, Stewart and Lloyd, Aerocrete, Ready-Mix, Gelco, Total Oil, Kelloggs, ICIANZ, and Bates sidings. Beyond Botany Yard, it serviced Boral, Sleighs and the Bunnerong Power Station.
Many of the original bridge and creek crossing structures were constructed with the obvious intention of moving the line to a dual track operation as traffic increased, but this did not eventuate until 2005 when the Marrickville to Cooks River section was duplicated. (With existing loops and sidings, it is effectively duplicated to Robey St Mascot). The only other major changes to occur to the line were the deviation around Mascot Airport in the early 1960's to cater for airport expansion, and the Port Botany Terminal changes for container traffic in the late 80's/early 90's.
Sadly in 2009 all of the above customers have closed or moved to road transport, and the Botany Line's only business is container traffic to Cooks River Goods Yard, Botany Goods Yard and the Port Botany Container Terminals.
Approximate run time: 102 minutes.