The Wolgan Valley Railway: Its Construction (AANS-WOL)

Description

Product No.: AANS-WOLTitle: The Wolgan Valley Railway: Its ConstructionAuthor(s): Deane, HenryIllustrator(s): N/APublisher: A.R.H.S (NSW Division)ISBN: 0909650616Condition: NewBinding:SoftcoverDust Jacket: NoneEdition: 1st EditionPublication Year: 2004Features: 32 Pages with Black/White Photos.This was originally a 1910 article, by the man who built the line, concerning the construction of the railway. It was reproduced as a small book in 1979 – The Newnes railway line (also called Wolgan Valley Railway) was a railway line in New South Wales, Australia. The line ran for 32 mi (51 km) from the Main Western line to the township of Newnes. The line was constructed and operated by the Commonwealth Oil Corporation for their Newnes Oil Shale mine. Surveying and construction was overseen by Henry Deane.The line opened in 1907 and closed in 1932. It was primarily intended to carry goods to and from the mine but also provided passenger services. The steep 1 in 25 (4%) gradients along the descent towards Newnes required a different type of steam locomotive. 4 Shay locomotives were imported from the Lima Locomotive Works in the USA. Although rather slow, their unique build which uses crankshafts to propel the wheels made them very suitable, and if a train had to stop on a steep uphill grade, the train could easily start again and keep moving.