- Merriwa railway line
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Merriwa railway line branching left off main north line at Muswellbrook
Merriwa Line Legend
Merriwa 
Wappinguy Gungal 
Sandy Hollow- Gulgong line to Gulgong 
Sandy Hollow Myambat Denman Mangoola Roxburgh 
Bengalla Coal Loader 
Main North line to Muswellbrook The Merriwa railway line is in northern New South Wales, Australia. The line branches from the Main North line at Muswellbrook and travels north through Sandy Hollow to the town of Merriwa, a distance of approximately 80 kilometers (50 mi). The line was completed to Merriwa on 29 October, 1917[1], however the section north of Sandy Hollow closed in 1988.[2]. The section between Muswellbrook and Sandy Hollow, combined with the Sandy Hollow-Gulgong railway line forms the Australian Rail Track Corporation's Ulan line between Muswellbrook and Gulgong on the Gwabegar (Mudgee) line.
Restoration of Sandy Hollow to Merriwa section
There have been several attempts to launch a rail preservation group to restore and maintain the Merriwa rail precinct and the section of line between Sandy Hollow and Merriwa.
A small group tried to form a preservation society (which was to be called Merriwa Railway Museum) to restore the station and goods shed to their original condition, as well as the railway yard including the historic steam era turntable and steam locomotive water column. The aim was to restore the line and have a steam locomotive run on it again using historic New South Wales Government Railways rolling stock. It was intended for tourists and train enthusiasts alike. This group was started in early 2002 but failed to progress.
Another attempt was made in 2007, but also failed to proceed past internet speculation.[3]
In December 2009, a new railway society, The Merriwa Railway Society Incorporated (MRS), was legally incorporated. Consultation has been undertaken with Upper Hunter Shire Council, the Australian Rail Track Corporation and the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator.
The main Society webpage is found at http://www.merriwarailwaysocietyinc.org. The MRS was officially launched in Merriwa on 24 October 2009, with the launch being attended by over 42 locals and rail enthusiasts.[4]
Since August 2009, the intentions and plans of MRS have been reported in 5 regional and Sydney based newspapers and on the local Upper Hunter ABC radio station, increasing local residents' awareness of the heritage railway restoration plans.
Check out the merriwa railway societies new Blog at, http://mrsandmuseum.blogspot.com
Gallery
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Level crossing where the railway line crosses Bylong Valley Way near Sandy Hollow
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Looking east along the railway line from level crossing on Bylong Valley Way near Sandy Hollow, showing rear end of train waiting on crossing loop
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Looking west along the railway line towards Sandy Hollow from level crossing on Bylong Valley Way
References
- ^ A Short History of the Muswellbrook - Merriwa Branch Line Preston, R.G. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, October, 1967 pp205-214
- ^ "Merriwa Branch". www.nswrail.net. http://www.nswrail.net/lines/show.php?name=NSW:merriwa. Retrieved 2006-12-03.
- ^ Railpage discussion of 2007 proposal
- ^ Scone Advocate article on launch of MRS
Railway Lines in New South Wales 
Main lines Broken Hill Line · Main North Line · Main South Line · Main West Line · North Coast Line · South Coast Line
Country branch lines Berrima Line • Binnaway-Werris Creek Line • Blayney-Demondrille Line • Boggabilla Branch • Bombala Line • Canberra Branch • Cobar Branch • Coonamble Branch • Grenfell Branch • Gwabegar Line • Hay Branch • Lake Cargelligo Branch • Medway Quarry Branch • Mungindi Line • Naradhan Branch • Newcastle branch • Oaklands Branch • Parkes to Narromine Line • Picton - Mittagong loop • Pokataroo Branch • Sandy Hollow - Gulgong Line • South Maitland Railway • Stockinbingal - Parkes Line • Temora to Roto Line • Tottenham Branch • Troy Junction - Merrygoen Line • Unanderra - Moss Vale Line • Walgett Branch • Warren Branch • Yanco - Griffith Line
Closed: Ballina line • Barraba line • Belmont line • Boorowa branch • Brewarrina Line • Burcher Branch • Camden Branch • Captains Flat Branch • Corowa Branch • Crookwell line • Dorrigo Line • Eugowra branch • Holbrook Branch • Kunama (Batlow) Branch • Kywong Branch • Merriwa line • Molong to Dubbo line • Morpeth line • Mount Hope line • Murwillumbah Branch • Newnes line • Oberon Line • Rand Branch • Rankins Springs Branch • Richmond Vale Railway • Taralga Branch • Tocumwal line • Toronto Line • Tumbarumba Line • Tumut Branch •Wallsend Branch • Westby Branch
Sydney lines Main Suburban Line • City Circle
Airport Line • Bankstown Line • Carlingford Line • Cumberland Line • Cronulla Line • Eastern Suburbs Line • East Hills Line • Epping to Chatswood Line • Illawarra Line • Inner West Line • North Shore Line • Northern Line • Olympic Park Line • Richmond Line • South Line • Western Line
Goods only: Metropolitan Goods Line • Southern Sydney Freight Line
Closed: Camden Line • Kurrajong Line • Rogans Hill Line • Ropes Creek Line • Royal National Park Line • Sandown Line
Interurban and regional passenger services Blue Mountains Line • Hunter Lines • Newcastle & Central Coast Line • South Coast Line • Southern Highlands Line
Proposed or under construction Tourist & heritage railways Glenreagh Mountain Railway • Lachlan Valley Railway • Richmond Vale Railway • Skitube • Zig Zag Railway
Categories:- Regional railway lines in New South Wales
- Standard gauge railways in Australia
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