Melbourne Sojourn: Menangle to Melbourne

We had left Sydney Central at 7.42 this morning...Central to Menangle

Before we get to Picton, we pass boggies parked on the adjoinng tracks and an Alpaca farm.

A freight train, carrying shipping containers, passes. The mobile (3G) phone network has cut out. However, there are historic telegraph poles running along the railway track and at Tahmoor station.

A Grain conveyor belt, passes over the railway line, before we pass Bargo.

We pass under one of many brick bridges. A Coal train passes us in the opposite direction, before the train curves round a bend to Yanderra.

There are plants growing in the granite cuttings and wattle bushes are in bloom.

A short passenger train passes by. After a tunnel, we wait for a freight train. By the tracks seedlings have been planted with plastic bags to protect them from the cold winds.

We pass another little town, on an old siding, then under a brick bridge and another freight train passes, travelling in the opposite direction.

The Tycan factory comes into site, and white native heath (Epacris impressa) is in bloom beside the tracks. We passed the township of Nattai River. Telegraph poles appeared to be in use with cables intact - though there is still no mobile phone (3G wireless) access. We then pass the Bowral brickworks.

Our next stop is Mossvale at 9.45am. The train disturbs some kangaroos grazing on a golf course, before we pass a minature wind turbine. The train passes through Exeter, Bundanoon and Penrose.

The train passes Sylvan Glen, Wingellow, Tallonc with river views and golfers. Old railway lines are now being used as telegraph poles. Just before Marulan, we pass a quarry. There are a few gliders parked in a field, pass under an old stone bridge and disturb a flock of black and white water birds.

We passed through Harden at 12.45. Enroute to Cootamandra there are quite a few wind turbines. We also pass Conqueror Flour Mills, Allied and ABM silos.

Along the way we have seen goats, black, white and brown cows, a stork.

At Geogary, they have or once had a Doll Museum. Ettamonga is a rail hub and there are geotextile tubes stacked on the platform. A little later we pass what appears to be a Geotextile tube manufacturing plant.

Albury

Due to night trackwork on the Victorian line, we switch to a Coach.

We arrived at Melbourne's Southern Cross Bus Station, on the evening of 12th July 2012....more

Page Created 20 July 2012. Page updated 13 December 2016.