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New Pictures of the Bell Bay and North East line

The Bell Bay line was constructed in 1974 and is one of the newer railways in Tasmania, serving the industries and port in the Bell Bay area. The North East line originally went as far as Herrick, but now only reaches Tonganah, just south of Scottsdale. Much of the the track lifted from this line between Tonganah and Herrick was used on the ABT railway at Queenstown.

Except where otherwise noted, all pictures on this page taken 21 January 2003

2123

Train 52 crossing the Henry street bridge, the first train of the day, 0635hrs. Load was 32 20' containers, and 13 40' containers. Engines were ZBs 2123 and 2121

2123

Passing under the Vermont Road bridge, 0645

2123

2123 just north of Longreach yard, the track passing over the access road to the Longreach chip mills. 0737

2123

The train is split up in the Georgetown yard, and the first half is pushed the 4.8 km to the wharf. 0805

2123

The second man travels on the leading wagon, here crossing Old Bell Bay road, at the western end of the Georgetown yard. 0815

2123

The first half of the train arrived at the Bell Bay wharf at 0832. Here 2123 is arriving back at the wharf at 0911 after running up to Georgetown to get the second half of the train. The first half was shunted to the southern end of the wharf, the second section shown here will be shunted to the northern end. Later in the day this process will be reversed.

2122

1058. The next train for Bell Bay, No. 58 is here seen passing over the North Esk river, just to the north of East Tamar Junction yard. This train comprised engines 2122 & 2126, 18 20' containers, 4 40' containers and 22 loaded log wagons destined for a chip plant at Bell Bay.

2122

Crossing Magazine road at 1145

2141

1203. The next train up the hill was No. 54 heading for Tonganah. In contrast to the ones bound for Bell Bay, ZCs 2141 & 2144 only have 5 wagons in tow. Shown here passing under Lilydale road near Rocherlea.

2141

1259. 2141 about to cross Lilydale road just to the east of Lilydale Falls.

2141

East of Lilydale Falls. Only one engine is running.

2005

April 4 2003. 2005 & 2001 at the same spot with a somewhat larger train 54. Both 2141 & 2145 had been damaged in an accident near Karoola during March hence DQ locomotives were being used for this train.

2141

Passing the site of the Tunnel platform, and about to enter the tunnel.

2005

April 4 2003. 2005 & 2001 approaching Lebrina

2005

April 4 2003. 2005 & 2001 passing the old platform at Lebrina

2005

April 4 2003. 2005 & 2001 approaching Wyena

2141

Crossing the new bridge at Lietinna

2144

1452. The engines are running around their train at Tonganah, and for the first time we get to see the clean front of 2144, recently rebuilt after an argument with a log truck.

2144

In the workshop under repair. The front section has been taken from one of the dismantled ZC class

2144

1545. On the return journey to Launceston and just approaching the siding at the French Pine complex, where one of the loads had been picked up. The train now has 3 loaded wagons and one empty.

2144

1558. Passing the Scottsdale Station.

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More pictures of the Bell Bay area are on the D class pages

To previous pics of the North East line.