The Bombala line branches out from Joppa Junction (near Goulburn) on the Main Southern Line. It passes through towns such as Queanbeyan, Michelago and Cooma.

The line connecting Queanbeyan to Sydney was completed in September 1887 after more than four years work just on the section from Goulburn. During this time, work was also progressing on the line as far south as Michelago, the latter opening only a few months later in December 1887. For a short time from 1887, Michelago was the terminus for the line that was eventually extended to Cooma in May 1889 and to Bombala 1921. It closed in 1986. The line survived intact until 12 years ago. At that time it was progressively closed down to a point where the Canberra line branches off. Since then, it has been re-opened from Queanbeyan to Michelago by the Michelago Tourist Railway, a division of the Australian Railway Historic Society, ACT division. Diesel railcars, known as "Tin Hares" operate on this section many times a year. From Cooma onwards the territory becomes very hilly, and the line winds its way through the hills to the terminus at Bombala. Re-opening of the line has been proposed a few times, but a number of bridges and railway crossings would need to be re-instated first. The Cooma-Monaro Railway operates restored railmotors between Cooma and Chakola.

If you have any further information or photos, please email me.

Above: Joppa Junction. January 16, 2009.

Above: Komungla. January 23, 2005.

Above: Lake Bathurst. July 16, 2004.

Above: Tarago. July 16, 2004.

Above: Bungendore. July 16, 2004.

The Aboriginal name for Bungendore is said to have been ‘Bungadow’, meaning ‘place of gum blossom’ or ‘big hill rising from the plain’.

Above: Bungendore Signal Box. July 16, 2004.

Above: Queanbeyan. July 16, 2004.

Above: Harman. January 23, 2005.

Above: Royalla. July 17, 2004.

Above: Williamsdale. July 17, 2004.

Above: The Home Signal at the Queanbeyan end at Michelago. July 17, 2004.

Above: Michelago. July 17, 2004.

Above: Colinton. July 17, 2004.

Above: Bredbo. July 17, 2004.

Above: Chakola. July 17, 2004.

Above: Chakola cattle ramp. July 17, 2004.

Above: Bunyan. July 17, 2004.

Above: Cooma. July 17, 2004.

Cooma is said to have come from the Aboriginal word ‘Coombah’, meaning ‘big lake’ or ‘open country’.

Above: Cooma Goods Shed and Platform. July 17, 2004.

Above: Cooma Loco Office. July 17, 2004.

Above: Cooma Water Tank. July 17, 2004.

Above: Cooma Yard. July 17, 2004.

Above: Rock Flat. July 17, 2004.

Above: Rock Flat. January 24, 2005.

Above: In the middle of the field lies Coonerang. January 24, 2005.

Above: Nimmitabel. July 17, 2004.

Above: Nimmitabel. January 24, 2005.

Above: Mc Laughlins. January 24, 2005.

Above: Holts Flat. January 24, 2005.

Above: Jincumbilly. January 24, 2005.

Above: Robert & Jane Harris's photo of Bukalong.

Above: Bombala. January 24, 2005.

Bombala is the Aboriginal word meaning ‘meeting of the waters’.