Ardglen Tunnel

Last updated

Ardglen Tunnel
Ardglen001.jpg
Ardglen station with a train past summit of the Liverpool Range, 26 October 1954
Overview
Official nameArdglen Tunnel
Other name(s)Liverpool Range tunnel
Doughboy Hollow
Line Main North railway
Coordinates 31°44′29″S150°47′48″E / 31.741478°S 150.796634°E / -31.741478; 150.796634 Coordinates: 31°44′29″S150°47′48″E / 31.741478°S 150.796634°E / -31.741478; 150.796634
Crosses Liverpool Range
Operation
Work begun1874
ConstructedMr. J. Wolfe [1]
Mr. William Wakeford [1]
Opened13 August 1877 (1877-08-13) [2]
Technical
Length528 yards (483 m) [3]
Track gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Lowest elevation2,161 feet (659 m)
Official nameArdglen Tunnel
TypeState heritage (built)
Criteria f.
Designated2 April 1999
Reference no.1021
TypeRailway Tunnel
CategoryTransport - Rail

The Ardglen Tunnel, also called the Liverpool Range tunnel, is a heritage-listed summit rail tunnel located on the Main North railway between Ardglen in the Liverpool Plains Shire and Murrurundi in the Upper Hunter Shire local government area, both in New South Wales, Australia. The tunnel crosses under the Liverpool Range near its east end, below Nowlands Gap (otherwise known as Murrurundi Gap), the crossing used by the New England Highway, and provides a vital link between Newcastle and Werris Creek. The tunnel was completed in 1877 and is owned by the Transport Asset Holding Entity, a state-owned corporation of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Description

The tunnel is 528 yards (483 m) long, and is approached on either side by 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) climbs at the ruling grade of 1 in 40 (2.5%). The single track tunnel, the oldest of its type in use in New South Wales, [4] [5] [6] when combined with the steep grades, make this section of the Main North rail line a rail bottleneck.

Construction of the tunnel was commenced by boring from both ends. The new line from Murrurundi had been finished up to the east of the tunnel to aid in the supply of materials, and the two bores had met with the tunnel navigable by foot. [7] By June 1876 the tunnel was enlarged and brick lined with track laid. The contractors engine made it through the tunnel by July 1876. [8] The line to Quirindi was opened in August 1877. [9]

Fumes

The Ardglen Tunnel is at the summit of ruling grades, and because of its narrow profile, it created fume problems during steam days. [10] Larger locomotives, such as the 60-class Garratt, were either prohibited or limited in load. Fortunately most heavy trains went through the tunnel in the downhill direction, towards Sydney and Newcastle.

The modern ARTC Curve and Gradient chart shows the tunnel as being level. Sydney and Newcastle are to the left. Ardglen003.jpg
The modern ARTC Curve and Gradient chart shows the tunnel as being level.
Sydney and Newcastle are to the left.

Proposed deviations

To cope with considerably increased coal traffic from north of the tunnel from 2010 and beyond, various deviations are proposed. These deviations can either keep the existing summit tunnel, or bore a much longer tunnel at a 200-metre (660 ft) lower elevation. The deviations that keep the existing tunnel increase the length of the line so as to ease the gradient to 1 in 80 which is the ruling gradient on the rest of the line to the port. The existing line would be retained for empty trains going the other way, so forming double track.

Stations

The stations on either side of Ardglen Tunnel from the south are:

Heritage listing

Ardglen tunnel is of high significance as the oldest single line tunnel in use in the State and as one of the very few remaining single line tunnels in use. It is also an important landscape element at the head of the ridge which is approached by steep grades in both directions. [4]

Ardglen Tunnel was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria. [4]

The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

This item is assessed as historically rare. This item is assessed as scientifically rare. This item is assessed as archeologically rare. This item is assessed as socially rare. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

Upper Hunter Shire Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

The Upper Hunter Shire is a local government area in the Upper Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. The Shire was formed in May 2004 from the Scone Shire and parts of Murrurundi and Merriwa shires.

Liverpool Plains Shire Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Liverpool Plains Shire is a local government area located in the North West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia. The Shire was formed on 17 March 2004 by the amalgamation of Quirindi Shire with parts of Parry, Murrurundi and Gunnedah shires.

Main North railway line, New South Wales

The Main North Line is a major railway in New South Wales, Australia. It runs through the Central Coast, Hunter and New England regions. The line was the original main line between Sydney and Brisbane, however this required a change of gauge at Wallangarra. As of 1988, the line closed progressively north of Armidale with services gradually withdrawn till 2004, with the main route between Sydney and Brisbane now the North Coast line.

Bethungra Spiral

The Bethungra Spiral is a heritage-listed rail spiral near Bethungra, between Junee and Cootamundra, carrying the northbound track of the Melbourne → Sydney railway line.

Bank engine Locomotive used to assist trains up steep inclines

A bank engine, banking engine, helper engine or pusher engine is a railway locomotive that temporarily assists a train that requires additional power or traction to climb a gradient. Helpers/bankers are most commonly found in mountain divisions, where the ruling grade may demand the use of substantially greater motive power than that required for other grades within the division.

Scone railway station

Scone railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Northern line in Scone, in the Upper Hunter Shire local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The station serves the town of Scone and opened on 17 April 1871. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Cougal Spiral

The Cougal Spiral is a heritage-listed single track railway tunnel and spiral feature of the North Coast railway line in Australia that connects New South Wales with Queensland through Richmond Gap in the Kyogle Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built during 1930. It is also known as the Border Loop railway formation and landscape, Cougal To Border Loop and Railway Spiral and Landscape. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Victoria Street railway station, New South Wales

Victoria Street railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Northern line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the Victoria Street area of East Maitland. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Muswellbrook railway station

Muswellbrook railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Northern line in Muswellbrook, in the Muswellbrook Shire local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The station serves the town of Muswellbrook and was designed by John Whitton, the Chief Engineer of NSW Railways. It is also known as Muswellbrook Railway Station and yard group and Musclebrook Railway Station. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Wagga Wagga railway station

Wagga Wagga railway station is a heritage-listed railway station and now museum and railway station located on the Main South line in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. The station is also known as the Wagga Wagga Railway Station and yard group. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Grafton Bridge (New South Wales)

The Grafton Bridge is a heritage-listed bascule truss bridge that carries the Bent Street and North Coast railway line across the Clarence River in Grafton, New South Wales, Australia. The bridge links the Grafton central business district with South Grafton, and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Lithgow Zig Zag

The Lithgow Zig Zag is a heritage-listed former zig zag railway line built near Lithgow on the Great Western Line of New South Wales in Australia. The zig zag line operated between 1869 and 1910, to overcome an otherwise insurmountable climb and descent on the western side of the Blue Mountains. It was designed by John Whitton and built from 1863 to 1869 by Patrick Higgins as contractor. It is also known as the Great Zig Zag Railway and Reserves and Zig Zag Railway. The property is owned by Department of Planning and Infrastructure. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Culcairn railway station

Culcairn railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main South line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the town of Culcairn. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Ten Tunnels Deviation

The Ten Tunnels Deviation is a heritage-listed 9.2-kilometre (5.7 mi) section of the Main Western Line between Newnes Junction and Zig Zag stations in Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the New South Wales Government Railways and built from 1 June 1908 and 16 October 1910. It is also known as Great Zig Zag Railway deviation tunnels and Bell to Zig Zag Ten Tunnel Railway Deviation. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Ardglen, New South Wales Town in New South Wales, Australia

Ardglen is a village on the Main North railway line and close to the New England Highway on the North West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia.

Tamworth railway station, New South Wales

Tamworth railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Northern line in Tamworth, in the Tamworth Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It serves the city of Tamworth, and opened on 9 January 1882 when the line was extended from West Tamworth to Kootingal. It is also known as the Tamworth Railway Station, yard group and movable relics. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Murrurundi railway station

Murrurundi railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Northern line in Murrurundi in the Upper Hunter Shire local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built between 1872 and 1917. It is also known as Murrurundi Railway Station group. The station serves the town of Murrurundi and opened on 4 April 1872. The station served as the terminus of the line until it was extended to Quirindi on 13 August 1877. The station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Willow Tree railway station

Willow Tree railway station is located on the Main Northern line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the village of Willow Tree, opening on 13 August 1877 as Warrah when the line was extended from Murrururundi to Quirindi. It was renamed Willow Tree in 1879.

Quirindi railway station

Quirindi railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Northern line in Quirindi in the Liverpool Plains Shire local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The station serves the town of Quirindi and opened on 13 August 1877 when the line was extended from Murrurundi. It was the terminus of the line until it was extended to West Tamworth on 14 October 1878. It is also known as Quirindi Railway Station group. The railway station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Rydal rail underbridges

The Rydal rail underbridges are a series of heritage-listed railway underbridges and viaducts that carry the Main Western line over Solitary Creek at Rydal, in the City of Lithgow local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The property is owned by RailCorp, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

References

  1. 1 2 "QUIRINDI". The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser . XXXIV (4593). New South Wales, Australia. 16 October 1877. p. 7 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ "Ardglen Tunnel". NSWRail.Net. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  3. ↑ "The Northern Railway Extension". The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser . XXXII (4211). New South Wales, Australia. 13 May 1875. p. 4 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ardglen Tunnel". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Office of Environment and Heritage. H01021. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Ardglen Railway Tunnel". New South Wales Heritage Database. Office of Environment and Heritage . Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Ardglen Tunnel". New South Wales Heritage Database. Office of Environment and Heritage . Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  7. ↑ "PROGRESS OF THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY". The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser . New South Wales, Australia. 18 August 1876. p. 8 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ "LOCAL NEWS". The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser . XXXIII (4394). New South Wales, Australia. 13 July 1876. p. 5 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "MISCELLANEOUS". The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser . XV (799). New South Wales, Australia. 17 August 1877. p. 2 – via National Library of Australia.
    "Extension of the Northern Line to Quirindi". Evening News (3156). New South Wales, Australia. 14 August 1877. p. 3 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ Bailey, William A. (1974). Tunnel on Australian Railways. Austrail Publications. p. 9.

Attribution

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.