Last week I rode the Sydney CityRail system north to Gosford. Just prior to reaching Gosford, we crossed the Hawkesbury railroad bridge. Of course, being on the bridge, I couldn't take a picture of it. It was a beautiful shoreline route for most of the trip. I have found that you can stop at a station near the bridge and there are tours and tourist things to do. The bridge was originally built around 1880 in 50-60 meters of water. This original bridge eventually failed and a replacement bridge was built. Interestingly, this area had submarine nets during WWII after a midget submarine attack on Sydney. There is more history at this website: http://www.hawkesburyriver.org.au/History.htm Picture of the bridge here. One of these bridges has been removed. Highly recommended for a railfan visit. [ 27. November 2004, 20:43: Message edited by: sapacif ]
Flash, glad you enjoyed the trip to Gosford, in my office I have almost the identical photograph hanging on the wall. The trip to the central coast is very scenic with the rail line hugging the banks of the Hawkesbury river, some of the rail line is only accessible by boat. When the 33kv power system was upgraded a few years ago, heavy duty helicopters were required to deliver and install the high poles and tension wires. I always enjoy travelling that route as it is so picturesque especially looking into the river and seeing all the oyster farms.
Colonel: I forgot about the oyster farms. The passengers I talked to on the train said that maost, if not all, of them were abandoned because of the pollution. The oysters just moved out. The water looks nice enough. I was surprised they said it was polluted. Next time I will get off at the river stop and take the boat tour.
Flash,I think the station your talking about is Long Island,( where I met my wife 12yr ago ).Did track work all through there for months & like Paul mentioned,only accessible by boat/barge.My job was to drive 30t dump trucks loaded with ballast,two to a barge took 2-3hours to go up stream,drive them off,dump,drive back on & another 2 hour trip!Then spent weeks on excavators/front end loaders repairing the Woy Woy tunnel entrances & track work at night time,even got to see the new Tilt Train that was being trialed at the time. There is a little stop not far past the bridges,near an old sand stone quarry that has sand stone sculptures & you can camp there & hike around the area,great sea food joint at Long Island too! [ 28. November 2004, 09:12: Message edited by: JASON ]
The name of the station you are referring to is Hawkesbury River (with the seafood shop) but if you want a real riverside experience get off at Wondabyne which is located between the bridge and Woy Woy tunnel (that's the loooong one)....here's the catch it's a flag stop so not easy to get to. I recommend Hawkesbury River station though nice area Anyways heres is a shot taken from the rear of a train crossing the bridge
In my continuing effort to bring all thing railfan to TB, here is my latest trip to Hawkesbury River station to ride the post riverboat cruise. We went under the railbridge and I took these photos. The first picture is a complete view of all the spans. Pretty good size bridge that would make a great model. Old pilings on the left.
