The presentation Illawarra Line Pt1 covered passenger operations from Sydney’s Central railway station and Freight operations from Meeks Road near Sydenham on both the ‘down’ and ‘up’ Illawarra main line to and from Otford. Illawarra Line Pt2 continues the journey south from Otford down to Nowra (Bomaderry).
The Illawarra Line was operational from Central to Otford (and beyond to Clifton) in 1888. The remaining sections of the Illawarra main line between Otford and Nowra, namely Clifton to Bombo and Bombo to Nowra (Bomaderry), became operational in 1887 and 1893 respectively. Back closer to Wollongong, the Dunmore to Shellharbour Quarry line opened in 1890, the Coniston to Port Kembla line in 1916, the Federal (now Bombo) Quarry line in 1923, the Unanderra to Moss Vale line in 1932 and the Port Kembla balloon loop in 1963 (with extensive modification in 1981).
We will start our journey on the ‘down’ side of Otford railway station and work our way south to Nowra (Bomaderry), viewing both passenger and freight operation on the ‘down’ and the ‘up’. Locomotive classes seen include 2200, 3100, 422, 442, 45, 48, 49, 80, 81, 82, 830, 86, DL and L in the liveries of ARG, ATN Access, BHP, Freight Corp, Freight Rail, National Rail, Queensland National (ARG & Interail) and 3801 Ltd, while passenger equipment includes Tangara, Oscar, Endeavour and Double Deck Suburban and Interurban rolling stock from CityRail.
Approximate run time: 82 minutes.