Boorowa railway line

The Boorowa railway line is a closed railway line in New South Wales, Australia. The line ran for 29 km (18 mi) north to the town of Boorowa from the Main South railway line at Galong.

Boorowa Branch Line
Route map Legend km Station 29 Boorowa 18 Gooramma 13 Oreston 9 Nannong 5 St Clements 2 St Michaels 0 Main South line at Galong

Part of the abandoned Boorowa railway line, now habitat for the Superb parrot

Boorowa railway line cutting at Galong, New South Wales (2015)

Construction

The Main Southern Railway was extended through the Galong area in 1877. Residents of Burrowa (as the ultimate terminus of the branch line under discussion was then known) began agitation for their own branch line. Subsequently, in February, 1884, a Public Meeting was held in Burrowa and it was resolved to send a deputation to the Minister for Public Works to voice their feelings. By the following August, the Galong to Burrowa branch was included in a list of branch railways under consideration. On 28 October 1884, Parliament confirmed the line as part of list of lines to be constructed in the near future. But, that was where it stopped.

Following further inquiries, it was not until 27 February 1912, that the Galong to Burrowa Authorisation Bill came before Parliament and it passed through all stages on 28 March 1912.

The first sod was turned on 15 June that year and the line opened on 10 October 1914. As from that date the station was known as Boorowa.^[1]

Galong-Burrowa Railway - Opening Ceremony, Burrowa, Saturday 10 October 1914. Perfect weather and a record gathering attended the official opening of the Burrowa railway on Saturday. The Chief Secretary, Mr. Cann, severed the ribbon. He said that the line, which was estimated at £81,000, had cost £114,000, the excess being due to the radical alteration in the cost of labour and materials since the making of the estimate some years ago. (Sydney Morning Herald)^[2]

Passenger traffic

The branch had three scheduled services a week, Mixed Trains running Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. In 1929, an additional railmotor service was introduced, running on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In 1937, a 4-wheel Rail-bus was introduced on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but it was discontinued by 1942.

The railmotor services were discontinued by 1949, leaving the thrice weekly Mixed train as the sole service once again.^[1]

Passenger services ceased

Passenger services were withdrawn on 11 August 1974.^[3]

Last train and closure

The last train to use the line ran on 23 October 1987.

A rail trail is proposed to reuse the closed line. Funding for a feasibility study has been approved by Hilltop Council.

References

• Boorowa branch - NSWrail.net

1. A Short History of the Boorowa Branch Line Pollard, N.J. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, September, 1977 pp193-215
2. "Galong - Burrowa Railway". The Sydney Morning Herald. Trove Australia. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
3. The Intercapital Daylight Banger, Chris Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, June, 2001 p215 (Table 2)