Merriwa railway line

The Merriwa railway line is in the Hunter Valley of Northern New South Wales, Australia. The line branches from the Main North line at Muswellbrook and travels southwest to Denman then generally northwest through Sandy Hollow to the town of Merriwa, a distance of approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi). The line was completed to Merriwa on 29 October 1917,[1] however the section north west of Sandy Hollow closed in 1988.[2]
There are 3 mines, Bengalla & Mt Pleasant, just southwest & west of Muswellbrook & Mangoola, 1/2 way to Denman with Ballon Loops of this line & a number of Passing Sidings have been built with the traffic to / from the 3 mines @ Ulan near Gulgong.
The section between Muswellbrook and Sandy Hollow, combined with the Sandy Hollow – Gulgong railway line (formally known as the Sandy Hollow to Maryvale Railway Line when being constructed) forms the Australian Rail Track Corporation's Ulan line between Muswellbrook and Gulgong on the Gwabegar railway line.

Merriwa railway line branching left off main north line at Muswellbrook
Merriwa Line
 Merriwa
 Wappinguy
 Gungal
 Sandy Hollow – Gulgong line to Gulgong
 Sandy Hollow
 Myambat
 Denman
 Mangoola
 Roxburgh
 Bengalla Coal Loader
 Main North Line to Muswellbrook

Restoration of Sandy Hollow to Merriwa section

A small group tried to form a preservation society (which was to be called Merriwa Railway Museum) to restore the station and goods shed to their original condition, as well as the railway yard including the historic steam era turntable and steam locomotive water column. The aim was to restore the line and have a steam locomotive run on it again using historic New South Wales Government Railways rolling stock. It was intended for tourists and train enthusiasts alike. This group was started in early 2002 but failed to progress.


A new railway society, The Merriwa Railway Society Incorporated (MRS), was officially launched in Merriwa on 24 October 2009, with more than 42 locals and rail enthusiasts in attendance.[3] Consultation has been undertaken with Upper Hunter Shire Council, the Australian Rail Track Corporation and the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator.

Since August 2009, the intentions and plans of MRS have been reported in 5 regional and Sydney based newspapers and on the local Upper Hunter ABC radio station, increasing local residents' awareness of the heritage railway restoration plans. Of recent times the appearance of the station has improved with painting.


  • Level crossing where the railway line crosses Bylong Valley Way near Sandy Hollow
    Level crossing where the railway line crosses Bylong Valley Way near Sandy Hollow
  • Looking east along the railway line from level crossing on Bylong Valley Way near Sandy Hollow, showing rear end of train waiting on crossing loop
    Looking east along the railway line from level crossing on Bylong Valley Way near Sandy Hollow, showing rear end of train waiting on crossing loop
  • Looking west along the railway line towards Sandy Hollow from level crossing on Bylong Valley Way
    Looking west along the railway line towards Sandy Hollow from level crossing on Bylong Valley Way

References
  1. A Short History of the Muswellbrook - Merriwa Branch Line Preston, R.G. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, October, 1967 pp205-214
  2. "Merriwa Branch". nswrail.net. Retrieved 3 December 2006.
  3. Scone Advocate article on launch of MRS Archived 5 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine

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