North Coast Line Pt2 reviews freight and passenger operation on both the ‘up’ and ‘down’ directions on that section of track between Coffs Harbour and Casino, travelling north from Coffs Harbour.
As covered in the North Coast Pt1, the line from Sydney reached Coffs Harbour in 1915. The section of track of interest to us in this presentation was completed by two separate divisions. The southern end was completed from north to south, South Grafton (now called Grafton City) to Glenreagh in 1915 and Glenreagh to Coffs Harbour in 1922. The northern end from Grafton to Old Casino was completed as an extension of the Murwillumbah Line in 1905. It would not be until 1932 that the missing link, the combined rail, road and pedestrian bridge across the Clarence River, was completed, linking South Grafton to Grafton and providing rail service all the way from Sydney to Casino. The Glenreagh to Dorrigo Line, briefly covered in this presentation, was opened in 1924, but ceased operation in 1975 after serious flood damage, the junction at Glenreagh being officially disconnected in 1990. However the Glenreagh Mountain Railway still uses the lower section of the line as a steam tourist railway.
While not of concern in this presentation, the remaining sections of the North Coast Line, namely Casino to Roma St Brisbane (which will be covered in North Coast Line Pt3) were opened as follows: Casino North Junction to Kyogle in 1910, Kyogle to South Brisbane in 1930 and South Brisbane to Roma St in 1986.
Locomotives seen in this presentation include BL, DL, NR, XPT, 19, 421, 44, 442, 48 and 81 from CountryLink, Freight Rail, Glenreagh Mountain Railway, Northern Rivers Railway and Pacific National.
Approximate run time: 82 minutes.