- Glenbrook Tunnel (1892)
The Glenbrook Tunnel (1892) is a single gauge
railway tunnel , originally part of the Main Western railway line, which bypassed theLapstone Zig Zag across the Blue Mountains,New South Wales ,Australia . It is approximately m to ft|634 long and is constructed in an 'S' shape with a gradient of 1:33.The tunnel was built located to the west of
Glenbrook and opened on18 December 1892 . Due to the steep gradient, seepage keeping the rails wet causing slippage, poor ventilation and planned duplication of the track, plans were drawn up to bypass the steep route. Trains commonly stalled in the tunnel for some time before having to back the locomotive out of the tunnel for another attempt. The tunnel was closed on25 September 1913 , and was utilised for growing mushrooms. In1942 , duringWorld War II , theRoyal Australian Air Force (RAAF) stockpiled 500lb bombs in the tunnel and in1944 the RAAF stored chemical munitions in the tunnel. The facility was known as "No. 2 Sub Depot" of "No. 1 Central Reserve RAAF " and was vacated by the RAAF in1946 .References
* [http://infobluemountains.net.au/rail/lower/glen-tunnel-old.htm Info Blue Mountains]
* [http://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/index.asp?id=259 Penrith City Council]
* [http://www.nswrail.net/locations/show.php?name=NSW:Glenbrook+Tunnel+(1st)&line=NSW:main_west:1 NSW Rail.net – Glenbrook Tunnel]
* [http://bluemountains.yourguide.com.au/multimedia/images/full/143898.jpgImage of RAAF Mustard Gas Stockpile]
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