Old Illawarra Line alignment - neety's trainpage

The Ghost Train Walk Tour is run by John Oakes in conjunction with the ARHSNSW. It is a bushwalk along the old alignment of the South Coast Line. When the line was altered, it became longer, with an easier grade (to benefit freight trains) and less tunnels between Waterfall and Stanwell Park.

I recommend going on the tour - its a good way to get some fresh air and exercise, see part of railway history and get your feet wet/muddy while walking through some old tunnels. If you are interested in going on any part of the tour, please contact ARHSNSW and leave your details with them so they can pass them onto John Oakes.

It is interesting to note that most of the old tunnels have been used at one stage or another as mushroom farms. The conditions inside the tunnels make it ideal for growing mushrooms. Some remains of the mushroom farm 'railways' can be seen in some of the photos below.

The image below shows the current alignment (solid dark line) as well as the old one (broken line).

Above: Otford. New South Wales. December 17, 2003.

Above: The north portal (Otford end) of Otford tunnel. February 18, 2006.

Above: The north portal of Otford tunnel. February 18, 2006.

Above: Remains of the mushroom farm in the north portal of Otford tunnel. February 18, 2006.

Above: The drainage system in Otford tunnel. February 18, 2006.

Above: Machinery from the mushroom farm in Otford tunnel. February 18, 2006.

Above: The ventilation shaft inside Otford tunnel. February 18, 2006.

Above: The ventilation shaft above Otford tunnel. May 28, 2006.

Above: A manhole near the south portal of Otford tunnel. February 15, 2006.

Above: The south portal (Stanwell Park end) of Otford tunnel. February 15, 2006.

Above: The support structure inside the south portal of Otford tunnel. February 15, 2006.

Above: The support structure inside the south portal of Otford tunnel. February 18, 2006.

Above: The south portal of Otford tunnel. New South Wales. August 18, 2005.

Above: The south portal of Otford tunnel.. February 15, 2006.

Above: Otford tunnel looking towards Chellow Dene Avenue, Stanwell Park. New South Wales. August 18, 2005.

Above: Chellow Dene Avenue, Stanwell Park looking towards Otford tunnel. New South Wales. August 18, 2005.

Above: A footbridge over Lawrence Hargrave Drive marks the original site of Stanwell Park station. February 15, 2006.

Above: The current (3rd station) at Stanwell Park. New South Wales. December 17, 2003.

BACK

Page Created: 10/10/05 Last Updated: 05/07/06

All photos are property of Anita Lukaszyk unless stated otherwise.
Please contact me or the owner if you wish to use them.