This presentation covers freight and passenger rail operations on that section of the Werris Creek Line between Muswellbrook and Werris Creek South (Signal) Box in the period 1993 - 2004. It will, in the near future, be supplemented with additional video covering all operations at and beyond Werris Creek).
The Muswellbrook-Werris Creek section of line was completed progressively between 1870 and 1878, during a period of rapid rail expansion. Subsequent extensions such as those to Wallangarra, Mungindi, Walgett etc, made Werris Creek into a railway hub, leading to the construction of a large marshalling yard and workshops in the town to facilitate handling of grain, coal and general freight being hauled by rail and handle repairs of rolling stock and locomotives used for its transportation.
While increased competition from road haulage, the introduction of the diesel-electric locomotive and privatisation of the railways has drastically altered the character of Werris Creek, it nonetheless remains an important railway hub, as does the rail link on which it is located, ie the Werris Creek Line. In this presentation, we observe train operation on this line as we move from Muswellbrook to Werris Creek South (signal) Box.
Operators seen include ARG (Australian Railway Group), Countrylink, Freight Australia, Freight Corp, Pacific National and SRA (State Rail Authority) while locomotive classes seen include CLP/F, G, GM, X, T, 31, (ex WAGR L), 442, 48, 80, 81, and 82.
Approximate run time: 58 minutes.