Major 19th century engineering achievement; tourist railway
Introduction |
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Fantastic Aussie Tours
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The Lithgow Zig Zag was the second of two zig zags (switch-backs)
constructed to carry the Western Railway over the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. The
first, at Lapstone Hill, carried the line up the eastern
escarpment. One the far side of the mountains, the larger Lithgow (or Great) Zig Zag
carried the line down into the Lithgow valley.
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| The Zig-Zag received much attention from the press,
both here and abroad. Some example may be viewed here...
Opened Monday October 18, 1869; it was by-passed in October 16, 1910, by a
series of 10 tunnels, the new route utilising the zig zag's bottom road. In the 1980's a
railway preservation group re-opened the line. More info on the new route...
The zig zag attracted a great deal of attention both in Australia
and overseas; being regarded as a major engineering feat of its day and attracting many of
the ablest engineers of the time. It is said that, with two or three exceptions, the work
was without parallel in the world.
The construction involved, in some places, surveyors being
suspended by ropes from the cliff-tops. Two blasts were carried out, with great publicity
and ceremony, the second being triggered by the Countess of Belmore, the governor's wife.
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Statistics |
| Descent (from Clarence Tunnel to valley floor) |
470ft |
| Gradient |
1 in 42 |
| Blast 1 - Using 3¼ tons of "blasting powder" triggered
by "galvanic agency" (electricity) |
40,000 tons of rock |
| Blast 2 - Using 3½ tons of "blasting powder" triggered
by "galvanic agency" (electricity) |
45,000 tons of rock |
| Viaducts, with 30ft semi-circular arches |
3, of sandstone |
| Tunnels |
1, stone lined |
| Cost per mile |
£20k - £25k |
The Zig-Zag remained in
service until 1910, when it was by-passed by a series of ten
tunnels.
Early photograph of the Lithgow Zig Zag. Note the
three viaducts. Top, middle and bottom roads are clearly visible.
Courtesy BMCL
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Lithgow Zig Zag Today
Visit the Lithgow Zig-Zag tourist
railway - official web site.
Visit the Lithgow
Tourism Information web site.
Colour photo on our Railway Services page.
David Johnson's Zig Zag Photos
Ed's Zig Zag Photos
Steam hauled services at weekends, public holidays,
& NSW school holidays, midweek diesel railmotor service includes site and workshop
tours. Details... |
| Related pages: History Plaza | Lapstone Hill | Railway Services |
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