Heathcote railway line
| Heathcote Railway Line | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Termini | |
| History | |
| Opened | August 1890 |
| Closed | 3rd December 1958: (Rangelea - Heathcote)
7th November 1968: (Heathcote - Heathcote Junction) 1990's?: (Rangelea - North Bendigo Junction) |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 111.5[1] km (69.3 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) |
The Heathcote railway line was a cross-country link between Bendigo and Heathcote Junction. It was partly opened in 1888 and, by 1890, it was fully operational.[2] It was partially closed in 1958 and fully closed in 1968.
In 1975, it was decided to dismantle the track and, today, only some trestle bridges remain.[3]
History
[edit]The line was authorised by the Victorian Parliament in 1881, and construction began in 1888.[citation needed] The first section, between Heathcote and Bendigo opened in October 1888, and the entire line became operational in August 1890.[4] Including 50 bridges, the line took 21 months to complete, at a cost of 88,409 pounds, with two derailments during the process.[5]
Stations
[edit]The line had the following stations:[2]
- Kilmore Junction - now Heathcote Junction
- Leslie
- Bylands
- Kilmore
- Willowmavin
- Moranding
- High Camp
- Pyalong
- Tooborac
- McIvor siding
- Argyle
- Heathcote
- Derrinal
- Knowsley
- Axedale
- Longlea (previously Axe Creek)
- Strathfieldsaye (closed 1911)[6]
- Bendigo
Today
[edit]The original line may have been ripped up, but there are few instances where the original track still remains. It now makes up the O'Keefe Rail Trail
References
[edit]- ^ "Heathcote Junction to North Bendigo". Victorian Railway. Victorian Railways. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ a b Wallan - Bendigo Victorian Railways Grades Book
- ^ Bendigo - Kilmore Friends of the Bendigo - Kilmore rail trail
- ^ Harrigan, Leo J. (1962). Victorian Railways to ‘62. Melbourne: Victorian Railways Public Relations and Betterment Board. p. 283.
- ^ O'Keefe Rail Trail Heathcote stories
- ^ "Strathfieldsaye Detail". VK3CKC. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
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