The Ropes Creek line branched out from St Mary's on the Main Western Line. The stations on the line were Dunheved, Cochrane and Ropes Creek. There was also a small branch from Dunheved into the munitions area in the ADI site. The line is now closed and only a small part of the track (estimated guess 1km??) is still in use near St Mary's. The line to Ropes Creek was electrified, but now only 200m (??) of the overhead wiring  remains at St Mary's which is sometimes used by CityRail electric trains. The remaining unwired section at St Mary's has been used by freight trains in 2002-2003 to store wagons and some sort of dirt which I believe came from a construction area in Sydney. 

At the end of the "storage area" at St Mary's, the line has been asphalted over and Christie St runs over it through to the industrial area of Dunheved to the ADI site (where the remains of Cochrane and Dunheved station are). The line was also asphalted over on Links Rd (about 1km past Dunheved) near the ADI site.

Shortly after February 2003, the rails and stanchions were removed from Christie St to Dunheved. In 2004-2005, the former yard at Dunheved became a storage site for large concrete pipes. Also during this time, part of the ADI site was being developed for the 'Ropes Crossing' housing estate.

As of December 31, 2007, the station at Ropes Creek can be viewed from the roads within Ropes Crossing. Access was not possible because of the fencing and construction areas. Cochrane was not visible form the road, but the platform may still be present and accessible as construction ceases and more roads open.

As of July 26, 2008, the main entrance to Ropes Crossing (near Links Rd) has now opened. A large 'feature' has been erected at the entry with many lengths of rail fanning out of it. Ropes Crossing Boulevard followed the formation of the old line. Cochrane station is still not visible, so I guess that it is now gone for good. More roads are being constructed near Ropes Creek station, which is still intact and visible from the road.

As of January 17, 2009, further roads have opened in Ropes Crossing allowing closer access to Ropes Creek platform.

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

Above: The remaining part of the Ropes Creek line used by CityRail trains. March 3, 2003.

 Above: Christie Street looking towards St Mary's where part of the line remains in use. February 23, 2003.

 Above: Looking from Christie Street towards Ropes Creek. February 23, 2003.

 Above: Looking from Links Rd into the ADI Site/towards Ropes Creek. February 23, 2003.

 Above: Looking from Links Rd towards Dunheved station. February 23, 2003.

 Above: Dunheved yard looking towards St Mary's. February 23, 2003.

 Above: Dunheved yard looking towards Ropes Creek. February 23, 2003.

 Above: Dunheved yard looking towards St Mary's. February 23, 2003.

 Above: Dunheved yard looking towards Ropes Creek. February 23, 2003.

 Above: Dunheved yard looking towards St Mary's. February 23, 2003.

 Above: Dunheved platform looking towards St Mary's. February 23, 2003.

 Above: The remains of Dunheved signal box. February 23, 2003.

 Above: Dunheved footbridge looking towards Ropes Creek. February 23, 2003.

 Above: Dunheved footbridge looking towards Ropes Creek. February 14, 2006.

 Above: Dunheved footbridge looking towards St Mary's. February 14, 2006.

 Above: Dunheved yard looking towards St Mary's. February 14, 2006.

 Above: Dunheved platform looking towards Ropes Creek. February 14, 2006.

 Above: The remains of a level crossing (near Dunheved Golf course) into the munitions area. February 14, 2006.

 Above: Ropes Creek. December 31, 2007.

 Above: Ropes Creek. December 31, 2007.

 Above: Dunheved footbridge. July 26, 2008.

 Above: Dunheved yard looking towards Ropes Creek. July 26, 2008.

 Above: Dunheved yard looking towards St Mary's. July 26, 2008.

 Above: Dunheved footbridge looking towards Ropes Creek and down to the platform. July 26, 2008.

 Above: Dunheved signal box. July 26, 2008.

 Above: Dunheved looking towards St Mary's. July 26, 2008.

 Above: Links Road level crossing at Dunheved. July 26, 2008.

 Above: The entrance to Ropes Crossing neat the Links Road level crossing. July 26, 2008.

 Above: Ropes Creek. July 26, 2008.

 Above: Wagons on the Ropes Creek branch at Christie Street, St Mary's. July 26, 2008.

 Above: Pipes at Dunheved. January 17, 2009.

The following photos are of Ropes Creek:

 Above: The stairs on the northern side. January 17, 2009.

 Above: The footbridge. January 17, 2009.

 Above: The stairs leading to the southern side. January 17, 2009.

 Above: The stairs leading to the platform. January 17, 2009.

 Above: The urinals inside the mens toilets. January 17, 2009.

 Above: The ladies toilets. January 17, 2009.

 Above: The signal box. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Inside the signal box. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Inside the signal box. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Inside the signal box. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Inside the signal box. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Looking towards the terminus. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Looking towards the terminus. January 17, 2009.

 Above: A signal hut. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Inside the signal hut. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Inside the signal hut. January 17, 2009.

 Above: A garbage bin. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Looking towards Dunheved. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Looking towards Dunheved. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Underneath the stairs leading to the southern side. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Underneath the footbridge. January 17, 2009.

 Above: The stairs leading to the platform. January 17, 2009.

 Above: The lights along the stairs leading to the platform. January 17, 2009.

 Above: The view from the stairs on the northern side. January 17, 2009.

 Above: The remains of a stanchion and overhead wiring. January 17, 2009.

 Above: A semaphore signal. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Semaphore signals. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Colour light signals. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Remains of frames, levers and points equipment. January 17, 2009.

 Above: Remains of a water column?? January 17, 2009.

 Above: Ropes Creek as viewed from the road. January 17, 2009.