Cronulla railway line, Sydney

Public transport infrastructure in Sydney
logo=
name=Sutherland - Cronulla Line
transport_mode=Commuter rail line
line_owner=CityRail
operation_area=Sutherland
Cronulla
map_colour=Blue
line_length=
stations_number=7
interchange_names=Sutherland
operator_names=CityRail
fleet_names=S, T, G sets
depot_names=Mortdale
date_1=1911
event_1=Tram line opened along the Kingsway.
date_2=1931
event_2=Tram route closed.
date_3=1936
event_3=Construction begins.
date_4=1939
event_4=Line opens to Cronulla.
date_5=1985
event_5=Duplicated between Gymea and Caringbah.
date_6=Future
event_6=Duplication of entire line.The Cronulla railway line is a branch of the Illawarra railway line, serving the southern suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The line is owned and maintained by RailCorp. Their CityRail division operates electric passenger train services over the line.

Description of route

The line branches off the Illawarra line immediately south of Sutherland station. It is single track between Sutherland and Gymea, with the intermediate station of (Kirrawee) having a single platform. The line is then double track through Miranda to Caringbah, all of which have island platforms. After Caringbah, the line becomes single track again through Woolooware station to Cronulla. Cronulla station has a long platform capable of holding two eight-car trains, and several sidings.

As part of the CityRail Clearways Project, the single track sections are being duplicated. Woolooware and Kirrawee stations will be expanded to two platforms and Cronulla yard will be reconfigured. This project will allow peak-hour services on the branch line to increase.

History

A single-track steam tramway was constructed between Sutherland and Cronulla in 1911, following the Kingsway road. The tramway closed to passengers in 1931 due to a competing bus service, which provided a faster service and through service to Hurstville. The line closed to goods traffic in 1932.

Construction of the present heavy rail line commenced in 1936, and it opened on 16 December 1939. The line was single track, with crossing loops at Gymea and Caringbah. The line was duplicated between these two stations, this opened on 15 July 1985. [Forsyth, J.H. (ed.) (1988–93), "Stations & Tracks"; Vol. 1: "Main Suburban & Branches -- Illawarra & Branches". State Rail Authority of New South Wales: Sydney, p. 206.] The line was electrified from its opening date. [Sutherland Local Library, [http://www.suthlib.nsw.gov.au/SSC/rwpattach.nsf/viewasattachmentPersonal/6877C558710E8C1FCA25702E00058AB0/$file/Old%20Study%206%20scanned.pdf Railways and Tramways in the Sutherland Shire] , Accessed 11 January 2007.]

References

External links

* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/citysider/sets/72157606738599711/ Photo gallery showing construction of the Cronulla Line duplication]