Holsworthy railway line, New South Wales

The Holsworthy railway line was located in South-western Sydney. It was constucted during World War I, mainly using labour from the Holsworthy Internment Camp. Its purpose was to service the Holsworthy army facilities opening on 21 January 1918.[1][2]

Holsworthy line
Overview
TerminiLiverpool
ANZAC Rifle Range
Continues fromMain South line
Operation
Opened21 January 1918
Closed21 June 1977
Operator(s)Public Transport Commission
Technical
Line length4 miles 73 chains (7.9 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

Constructed largely with second-hand materials, It branched off the Main South line north of Liverpool station crossing the Georges River via a bridge that had nine 30 metre approach spans which came from old crossings of the Wollondilly River by the Main South line near Carrick and of Solitary Creek by the Main Western line near Tarana.[3]

The main span was a 98 foot (30 m) truss from the Main South line bridge over Argyle Street, Moss Vale.[4][5] After crossing the river the line followed Greenhills Avenue through Clinches Pond Reserve, then curved to the east, following Anzac Parade on its south side to ANZAC Rifle Range.[3]

After the line opened, several additional sidings were constructed. The Ordnance Stores Siding opened 29 April 1919 with standing room for 75 four-wheel wagons on three loop sidings. On 2 October 1923 the line was curtailed to Anzac Rifle Range. After falling into disuse, World War II resulted in the line being restored. After declining again, the line was formally closed in June 1977. The only tangible signs of the line today are the piers across the Georges River and a bridge adjacent to Heathcote Road that today is used by foot and cycle traffic.[1][6][7]

When the East Hills line was extended from East Hills to Glenfield in 1986, a siding was provided to the army facilities. The site will also be served by the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal which will be connected to the Southern Sydney Freight Line near Casula station.[8]

References
  1. "The Liverpool to Holdsworth Military Railway" (PDF). Royal Australian Historical Society.
  2. "Transport in Liverpool: The Coming of the railway" (PDF). City of Liverpool.
  3. Lost Railways: Holsworthy Line Visit Sydney
  4. "NEW BRIDGE AT MOSS VALE". The Daily Telegraph (2411). New South Wales, Australia. 9 April 1887. p. 6 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. Oakes, John (William John); Australian Railway Historical Society. New South Wales Division (1997), Sydney's forgotten military railways, Australian Railway Historical Society, New South Wales Division, ISBN 978-0-909650-41-4
  6. Forgotten Harris Park rail bridge in jeopardy Liverpool Champion 1 November 2016
  7. Harris Creek Historical Railway Bridge Royal Australian Historical Society
  8. Qube's Moorebank intermodal hub a major infrastructure boost ABC News 12 June 2015
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