The Southern Line @southernline - Tumblr Blog

The structures were repainted some years ago by a community group. They still appear to be in reasonable condition despite some fading being evident. The waiting room wall more closely shows the original colour shade. Or perhaps that's where the next coat has begun to be applied.

Fifty kilometers north of the photos below, the track tells a different story. Either side of the level crossing, new track bolts were in evidence either side of the level crossing, the bed was clean and relatively weed free, and most sleepers appeared in serviceable condition.

Track speed is signed at 10 over the crossing and 30 afterwards. This is a passive crossing protected by stop signs only.

#thulimbah

Rails at Thulimbah. A repaint is in progress ...?

#thulimbah

This isolated stretch at approx 353kms has multiple burnt out bridges either side, so there were no concerns about unexpected track movements. Elsewhere this was a real potential as a hi-rail vehicle was sighted at Glen Aplin the same morning.

This is facing south, note the burn marks on the tree trunks to the right hand (highway) side. The sleeper surface area appears intact but even without this possibility, there were multiple sleepers showing signs of age-related wear, degradation and possible fire damage.

Some of the sleepers appeared charred, but I'd seen enough and didn't check further. Any serious considerations of reopening would probably need partial sleeper renewal at a minimum (see below), despite the deceivingly intact grass-free surface.

Looking north towards one of the burnt out bridges, grassy overgrowth is visible in the distance. Its possible the white painted rail markings were part of a damaged sleeper count made for track work repair estimates after the fires.

These white markings were frequent along this section. Note the fresh vegetation regrowth and multiple blackened tree trunks either side of the track, suggesting there was fire activity in this section.

#wallangarra #fire damage

A trestle bridge gone missing at 352.87kms.

#southernline #wallangarra

Track beneath the road bridge at Bald Mountain (353.8kms) appears intact. The press release indicated there were five burnt out bridges, with a cursory check identifying four of them, either side of this now isolated piece of track.

#southernline