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History

Coals to Newcastle

In 1797 whilst searching for escaped convicts Lieutenant John Shortland discovered coal deposits in the area near the current CBD area of Newcastle. By 1831 Newcastle had been settled and coal was starting to be exported. Large deposits also existed in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley regions. Over the years many collieries have opened and closed. Some of these collieries existed in areas that have now become the suburbs of Newcastle.

The first railway line to built in NSW was opened on 26 September 1855. Initially this line was extended to the south and west of Sydney.

Meanwhile in 1857 a railway line was built between Newcastle and Maitland. Initially this line was extended to the north into the Hunter Valley to service the coal mines in the Hunter valley. For many years these two rail systems remained isolated from each other. Finally in 1889 with the completion of the Hawkesbury River bridge. A single line track was completed between Homebush (Straithfield) and Waratah. This completed the "missing link" between the two systems. This line was converted to a double track in 1912.

Thus Newcastle became a major railway hub. Coal still remains a big export earner for Newcastle with long block trains of coal running to the Port of Newcastle.

This MSTS route is based on the railways in existance around the Newcastle area and the Short North line to Sydney in the late 1950 period. Some of the branchlines in the route are now only memories.

This line became known as the "Short North". It is one of the busiest lines within NSW.


Route Statistics


Gosford Racecourse Branch

Opened: 7 December 1916
Closed: 1972?
Down Ruling Grade: 1:60 (Towards Main Line)
Up Ruling Grade: 1:550 (Away from Mainline)
Length: 1 miles (1.6km)

This line was constructed to provide a rail access to the Gosford Racecourse. The station was closed in 1970, however goods traffic kept the branch open to the early 1990s.

Belmont

Opened: 1 September 1892
Closed: 19 December 1991
Down Ruling Grade: 1:50 (Towards Newcastle)
Up Ruling Grade: 1:40 (Away from Newcastle)
Length: 9.635 miles (15.51km)

This line junctions with the main northern line at Adamstown and was built to serve a number of collieries on eastern Lake Macquarie. The line also saw passenger services for part of it's life.


Wickham Branch

Opened: 2 April 1878
Closed: 9 September 1994
Length: Approx 0.87 miles (1.4km)
This line was the original branchline to the Bullock Island wharves. It was truncated to serve some industries in the Wickham area after the opening of the Port Waratah branch.


Port Waratah Branch

Opened: 10 April 1908
Closed:Still Operational
Up Ruling Grade: 1:74 (Towards Newcastle)
Down Ruling Grade: 1:100 (Away from Newcastle)
Length: 3.05 miles (4.9km)

This branch was opened as an alternate route to Bullock Island and ultimately replaced the connection through Wickham. Large amounts of coal and steel traffic pass down this branch.


Toronto Branch

Opened: 7 March 1891
Closed: 11 March 1990 (Last train ran)
Down Ruling Grade: 1:60 (Towards Newcastle)
Up Ruling Grade: 1:60
Length: Approx 2.55 miles (4.1km)

This line was originally opened as a tram line and later converted to heavy rail.


Wangi Branch

Opened:29 May 1954
Closed:19 May 1989 (Last train ran 1972)
Down Ruling Grade: 1:50 (Towards Newcastle)
Up Ruling Grade: 1:66 (Away from Newcastle)
Length: 6 miles (9.6km)

This line was constructed to provide a rail access for the delivery of coal to the Lake Macquarie (Wangi Wangi) Power Station. Plans were also draw up for a station and passenger services however these services were never implemented.