North East Branch to Tonganah [ formerly Herrick ]
16th October 2005

This was my favourite area on the Tasmanian rail system. It became the first casualty of Pacific Nationals takeover. The section of track from Coldwater Creek Junction to Tonganah is now a suspended service. The line is unlikely to ever see another train. The line formerly winded its way across the ranges to Herrick. The line was lifted to just east Tonganah. The section from C.C.J. to Lilydale was rather hard to cover as the line traversed isolated areas, hard to reach by vehicle. The area around Lilydale was great with much scope. The line progressed eastbound through the old narrow tunnel, through Lebrina, Wyena, Nabowla, Lietinna to Scottsdale. At Scottsdale stands an impressive station building, now deteriorating away. Once upon a time all kinds of goods were loaded in the yard. Prior to the lines demise, the yard was bare and there was no indication of the stations former prosperity. East of Scottsdale was the important Ling Siding, where manufactured wood products were loaded. Also some other products were loaded there, including onions. The plant also received pine logs on the outbound train. A short distance away was Tonganah Loop and just a couple of kilometres the end of the line in another wood manufacturing plant.
Now all the loading, which was admittedly spasmodic now travels by road. This road is a shocker and very dangerous indeed. Another 60 kilometres of rail service gone. This also saw the end of the English Electric ZC class, this line being its last hurrah.

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No54-Lietinna.jpg
Train 55 climbing out of Lilydale in most picturesque countryside: Monday 18.49: Pentax 6x7, 150mm lens
Train 55 climbing out of Lilydale in most picturesque countryside: Monday 18.49: Pentax 6x7, 150mm lens
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55-Lilydale.jpg
 Train 55 with units ZC's 2145/2144 approach Lilydale at the end of the day. Monday 22-3-04: Time 18.45. Camera Pentax 6x7, 150mm lens
Train 55 with units ZC's 2145/2144 approach Lilydale at the end of the day. Monday 22-3-04: Time 18.45. Camera Pentax 6x7, 150mm lens
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Last-rays-at-Lilydale.jpg
 ZC's 2145 and 2144 pass through Lebrinna with train no 55 to East Tamar ex Tonganah. Monday 22-3-04 : Time 18.22: Camera Pentax 6 x 7 using 150mm lens
ZC's 2145 and 2144 pass through Lebrinna with train no 55 to East Tamar ex Tonganah. Monday 22-3-04 : Time 18.22: Camera Pentax 6 x 7 using 150mm lens
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Lebrinna.jpg
 No 55 passes Wyena at the KPN38 marker en route to East Tamar with units 2145 and 2144 [ZC class]. Time 18.10 : Monday 22-3-04: Camera Pentax 6x7 using 150mm lens.
No 55 passes Wyena at the KPN38 marker en route to East Tamar with units 2145 and 2144 [ZC class]. Time 18.10 : Monday 22-3-04: Camera Pentax 6x7 using 150mm lens.
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No55-north-east-line.jpg
Gingerly easing through tight radius curves and the bridge, units 2145 and 2144 approach Liettina on Monday 22-3-04. Time 17.17: Camera Pentax 6 x 7: Lens 150mm.
Gingerly easing through tight radius curves and the bridge, units 2145 and 2144 approach Liettina on Monday 22-3-04. Time 17.17: Camera Pentax 6 x 7: Lens 150mm.
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No55-approaches-Lietinna.jpg
 Train no 55 with ZC units 2145 and 2144 crawl through Scottsdale yard, passing the old station building which is boarded up and deteriorating. Monday 22-3-04: Time 17.10. Cameral : Pentax 6 x 7 using 150mm lens.
Train no 55 with ZC units 2145 and 2144 crawl through Scottsdale yard, passing the old station building which is boarded up and deteriorating. Monday 22-3-04: Time 17.10. Cameral : Pentax 6 x 7 using 150mm lens.
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55-at-Scottsdale-Station.jpg
 ZC's 2145 and 2144 burst out of typically wooded country between Ling Siding and Scottsdale at 17.00 on Monday 22-3-04: Camera Pentax 6x7 using 150mm lens
ZC's 2145 and 2144 burst out of typically wooded country between Ling Siding and Scottsdale at 17.00 on Monday 22-3-04: Camera Pentax 6x7 using 150mm lens
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 No55 starts its trip westbound to East Tamar, as it pulls away from Tonganah with units 2145 and 2144 on train no 55: 16.35: Tuesday 2-3-04: Pentax 6x7 150mm lens
No55 starts its trip westbound to East Tamar, as it pulls away from Tonganah with units 2145 and 2144 on train no 55: 16.35: Tuesday 2-3-04: Pentax 6x7 150mm lens
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55-leaving-Tonganah.jpg
© 1998-2009 Steve Bromley - All copyrights rest with the Author
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