Glenbrook Deviation (1913)

The Glenbrook deviation is a section of track on the Main Western line from Emu Plains to Blaxland stations in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. The approximately seven-mile-long (eleven-kilometre) double-track deviation was constructed from 1911 to 1913 and replaced the single-track first Glenbrook deviation and the first Glenbrook Tunnel.[1][2][3][4]

This article is about the current section of track that is part of the Main Western Line. For the former section of track, now disused, see Glenbrook Deviation (1892).
Glenbrook Deviation (1913)
Overview
OwnerTransport Asset Holding Entity
LocaleBlue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia
TerminiEmu Plains station (east)
33°44′44″S 150°40′19″E
Blaxland station (west)
33°44′37″S 150°36′35″E
Service
Type
SystemMain Western line
ServicesNSW Trains
History
Opened11 April 1913 (1913-04-11)
Technical
Track lengthapprox. 7 miles (11 km)
Number of tracksDouble
Track gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
New South Wales Heritage Database
(Local Government Register)
Official nameGlenbrook Railway Deviation
TypeLocal government heritage (built)
Designated27 December 1991
Reference no.s.170
TypeRailway line
CategoryOther - Transport - Rail
BuildersDepartment of Railways

History

In 1890 it was proposed to bypass the troublesome Lapstone Zig Zag by using a tunnel. This proposal was approved and in March 1891 tenders were called for its construction. The line left Bottom Points and continued into a gully before entering the 2,165-foot-long (660 m) tunnel, on a continuous 1-in-33 gradient.[1] After emerging just below the original alignment, the line curved to the left and ascended slightly before rejoining the original line at Glenbrook. The site of the original Glenbrook Station now lies to the right of the Great Western Highway, near the skate park.

However, the deviation soon proved to be somewhat of a disaster. Even if it did eliminate the Zig Zag which restricted train length, the problem was the design of the tunnel. The first problem was the climb, the tunnel being on a steep, continuous 1-in-33 gradient. The second and main problem was ventilation. The tunnel was single-track, which made the dimensions tight, and towards one end was a curve, which made the ventilation even worse. Passengers found themselves fighting off smoke and fumes from the locomotive.[1] Trains would begin slipping halfway through the tunnel, forcing engine crews to retreat for air.[5] In one incident of 1908, a retreating train met with another down goods train in a collision at the tunnel mouth.

In 1910, work started on a new deviation when the Main Western Line over the Blue Mountains was being duplicated at the time.[6] The second Glenbrook deviation replaced the 1-in-33 deviation with a more gentle 1-in-60 ruling grade across Glenbrook Gorge.[7] This deviation remains in current use.

See also

References
  1. "GLENBROOK DEVIATION". Lithgow Mercury. 16 May 1913. p. 3. Retrieved 17 May 2020 – via Trove, National Library of Australia.
  2. "Former Railway Line and Abandoned Rail Tunnel". New South Wales Heritage Database. Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  3. "Glenbrook Tunnel (Lapstone Hill)". New South Wales Heritage Database. Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  4. Bozier, Rolfe, ed. (n.d.). "Main Western Line". NSWrail.net. Rolfe Bozier. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  5. "THE GLENBROOK DEVIATION". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. 14 May 1913. p. 11. Retrieved 17 May 2020 – via Trove, National Library of Australia.
  6. "EMU PLAINS-GLENBROOK DUPLICATION". The Evening News. New South Wales, Australia. 14 June 1910. p. 8 – via Trove, National Library of Australia.
  7. Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies (2018). "9 Men, Glenbrook Tunnel Deviation 1911". Flickr.com. Retrieved 17 May 2020.

Further reading
  • Bayley, William A. (William Alan) (1972), Lapstone zig zag railway, Austrail Publications, ISBN 978-0-909597-07-8
  • Belbin, Phillip; Burke, David, 1927- (1981), Full steam across the mountains, Methuen Australia, ISBN 978-0-454-00278-2CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Langdon, Mark (2006), Conquering the Blue Mountains, Eveleigh Press, ISBN 978-1-876568-30-6
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