In 1863, the New South Wales state government let the first of three contracts to extend the Main Western Line beyond Penrith across the Blue Mountains to Bowenfels (about 2 kilometres beyond Lithgow).
The Penrith-Weatherboard (now Wentworth Falls) section was commissioned in 1867, followed closely by extensions to Mt Victoria and Bowenfels in 1869 and 1870 respectively. To conquer the steep gradients on both sides of the ranges, ‘zig zags’ were incorporated at Lapstone on the eastern side and Lithgow on the western side. Both have been eliminated from the Main Western Line by subsequent track deviations. The former disappeared into the undergrowth, but the more famous latter remains in use today, supporting the narrow gauge Zig Zag Tourist Trains. Even so, the current main line still presents a challenging track, with a ruling gradient of 1 in 32 on the eastern face and 1 in 42 on the western side.
This presentation starts at Lithgow Goods Yard in the west and moves towards Penrith in the east, viewing both ‘up’ and ‘down’ freight and passenger trains in the timeframe 1991-2004. We also see the variations over the intervening years on coal train size, motive power and configuration (with/without banking locomotives). Locomotives seen include 46, 85 and 86 Class electrics (all now withdrawn from service) and NR, 48, 80, 81 and 82 diesel-electrics. Passenger trains seen include the Indian Pacific, XPT and Interurban car sets.
Approximate run time: 61 minutes.