Darlington to Glen Forrest Railway Heritage Walk

Darlington to Glen Forrest Railway Heritage Walk created by Local History Researchers

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Summary

This walk follows the original Eastern Railway Stage 2 route between Darlington & Glen Forrest. Along this line there are many old engineering features and great scenery!

Description

History of the railway and today's wildflowers and wildlife Construction of this Stage 2 of the Eastern Railway commenced in 1882 and was completed in 1884. The builder was J.W. Wright, assisted by Edward Keane. This route ran from Guildford to Chidlow's Well via Darlington and Glen Forrest. All the work was done by manual labour and the evidence of blast marks and drill holes can still be seen along the line. During the construction, pipe clay was encountered at the big cutting later called the 'Devils Terror'. This required a deviation of the line and the re-routing of Nyaania Creek south of the new alignment. This work added additional costs and time to the project. The inclines on this line were too great for heavy railway loads and an alternative railway route was added via Swan View/Hovea/Parkerville. This latter section became the main line around a decade later with passenger services being carried by both. The Darlington/Glen Forrest railway section closed in Jan 1954, due to falling revenue,.

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Points of Interest

1. Start at the original railway line on the west of Owen Rd.

These narrow gauge tracks were 3 feet 6 inches or 1067 mm wide. They were laid in 1883 and removed in the 1960s. There was only ever a single set of tracks between Mt Helena and Bellevue.

2. Darlington Vineyard platform

Built in 1889, on the south side, to transport produce from Waylen's vineyard close by. It was replaced by a larger station and platform in mid-1906. The platform still exists today.

3. Darlington Station platform, built in 1906.

Waylen's platform was relocated from the south side to the north side and moved further east to this spot. There was also a siding with a loading platform on the other side of the lines.

4. Big Embankment

It was 45 feet (13.7 m) high and 10 chains (approx 200 m) long, with a grade of 1 in 30. The carts used for moving the earth to make this were called 'Dobbins', which are tip carts with 3 wheels.

5. Binbrook Reserve

Reserve 1847 was established 8th July 1891, as a public quarry for the railway. In 1916 it was changed to a National Pk Class A. In 1979 it was named Binbrook and in 1988 it was vested in the Shire.

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6. Junction of Mofflin and Dalry Roads.

This is where the original railway line was surveyed to the north of the present walk trail, but abandoned when the deviation was required to avoid the treacherous pipe clay at 'Devils Terror'.

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7. Nyaania Creek falls

This is the point at which the creek diversion rejoins its original creek line. Seating is available here.

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8. Nyaania Creek Diversion Wall

Built in 1884 to redirect the creek from its natural route and away from the new southern diverted railway route. It is 84 metres in length with a 30 m gap between the shorter and longer walls.

9. Part of the' Devils Terror' section.

This is the pipe clay section, found at the base of the cutting. It acted like quicksand and had the consistency of butter causing the original route and creek to be deviated to the south .

10. Basalt Stone walls

All along this section of the line are basalt stone walls, built using quarried stone from basalt rock nearby, to help retain the collapsing sides of the cutting, especially in wet weather.

11. Basalt cutting showing evidence of blasting.

Drill holes to place the dynamite charges can be seen on both sides in the rock cutting. You should be able to find at least 6 different drill marks and signs of the percussion force in the rocks.

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12. Bilgoman Steps

These lead up to the corner of Bilgoman Rd and Ferguson Rd and where the new power pole is located can be seen the original metal pole for the railway telegraph line.

13. An old Well and railway telegraph pole

This was dug in the 1950’s for irrigating vegetable gardens on private property. Turn around & see an original wooden railway telegraph pole with wires still attached, part of the original railway.

14. Forrest Arms Hotel/Hostel/Braidwood (private house)

Built in 1897 for W.G. Green as a purpose built hotel. The liquor license was removed in 1921, whereby the building became a Hostel until 1958 and then a private residence to the present time.

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15. Station Master’s House

This was built in 1898 by A. Petterson and served until the line closed in 1954. It was then a private residence before being purchased by the Shire in the 1990's. The MHHS operated here until 2009.

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