Info Blue Mountains Railway Pages
Glenbrook Gorge
3 Sisters, Blue Mountains, Australia.
Gateway to the Blue Mountains
The City in a National Park - World Heritage Region

Blue Mountains Australia

Glenbrook Gorge Route

The low, poorly ventilated tunnel on Lapstone Hill caused severe passenger and crew discomfort, with locomotives sometimes stalling on the steep grade & having to reverse out of the stifling tunnel. In one instance, ".....passengers had to spend nearly an hour admiring the beauties of the interior of Glenbrook tunnel. Whilst traversing the tunnel the train stopped, & not until divided in two sections could progress be made. The stoppage is said to be due to the lack of sufficient head of steam." (The Nepean Times, 12/9/1912) With further increases in traffic necessitating duplication of the line, a new route was planned.

Following the opening of the Lithgow Zig Zag deviation, the men & machines were moved to Glenbrook  In 1911, the present line through Glenbrook Gorge was opened. The grade was reduced to 1 in 60, a new brick viaduct constructed over Knapsack Gully, and Glenbrook Station re-located. This route remains in use to the present day.

 

Steam train climbs Glenbrook gorge, Blue Mountains. First train through Glenbrook Gorge, in 1911. Note the second locomotive assisting the climb. Locomotives are believed to be Beyer Peacock P-6 Class 4-6-0, later re-classified 32 class. Today, such a view would be obscured by trees, undergrowth and overhead power cables. Electrification was bad news for photographers!

Glenbrook Gorge is now part of the World Heritage listed national park. Travellers to the Blue Mountains are advised to sit on the left side of the carriage, in the upstairs compartment, for the best views.

Map...

Electric & steam train services.....
Photo: Harry Phillips
Courtesy BMCL

 

A Tangara interurban electric train climbs Glenbrook Gorge.

Photo D. Martin

GlenbrookGorge_Tangara.jpg (36834 bytes)

Glenbrook.....

 

 
Info Blue Mountains 
Activities Info...
History Plaza...

Photo Gallery... 
Plaza 
Tourist Gateway...
Add your Web site
Bibliography 
Feedback
Railway Pages 
Tour 
Train Services
Visit These Places
Promote your Web site in Info Blue Mountains. Get included.....
Copyright 1997-2003, David Martin,  except where other copyright applies.
Company & brand names are the property of their respective owners.
Established 1996 - originally "Blue Mountains Plaza".

Greater Western Sydney, NSW, Australia
Web Hosting Proudly Sponsored by
Auzzie.Biz Domain Services
Web Site Maintenance Sponsored by
Debweb
 

.