Lake Cargelligo line | |
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![]() Lake Cargelligo railway at near Temora | |
Technical | |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
The Lake Cargelligo railway line is a railway line in Central Western New South Wales, Australia. The first sod was turned commencing construction on 8 June 1913[1] with the line opening on 13 November 1917.[2] The line branches from the Main South line at Cootamundra and travels in a north-westerly direction to the small town of Lake Cargelligo. The line is used primarily for grain haulage, although passenger service was provided until 1983.[3]
The section between Cootamundra and Stockinbingal forms part of the cross country line between the Main South and Broken Hill line, which allows goods trains to bypass Sydney.
In December 2007, flooding washed away several sections of track between Ungarie and Lake Cargelligo rendering the track unpassable.[4] The rail line has since then been repaired between Ungarie and Lake Cargelligo rendering the track open. But the tracks are still rough. The 70 kilometre rail line between Lake Cargelligo and Ungarie is in desperate need of an upgrade.
A section of rail between Lake Cargelligo and Ungarie has been identified as needing upgrades so it can handle mainline locomotives and grain cars, for transporting local grain to port for export.