Dargans Deviation facts for kids

The Dargans Deviation was a special part of the original Main Western railway line in New South Wales, Australia. It was built across the Blue Mountains between 1896 and 1897. The main goal was to make the railway tracks less steep. The old tracks had a very steep slope (1 in 33), which made it hard for trains. The new deviation made the slope much gentler (1 in 60) from Newnes Junction to Clarence. This change, along with some extra tracks for trains to pass each other, allowed much longer and heavier trains to use the line. The Dargans Deviation was later closed after a newer section called the Ten Tunnels Deviation was built.

Building the Dargans Deviation

Construction on the Dargans Deviation began around July 1896. It was needed because more and more trains were using the Western Line. This new section of track was longer than the original path. However, it made the slopes much easier for trains to climb, changing them to 1 in 60. The deviation stretched for about three miles (around 4.8 kilometers) between Newnes Junction and Clarence.

When the new tracks met the old ones at Clarence, some changes were made. An old train platform was taken away. A new platform was built a few hundred meters to the west. Today, this platform is used by the Zig Zag Railway as the end of their line. Another platform on a loop track was also removed.

The builders first thought the project would take only six months. But there were several delays. For example, one time a controlled explosion happened too early. Because of these issues, the Dargans Deviation officially opened in April 1897.

Future Plans for the Zig Zag Railway

The Zig Zag Railway is a heritage railway that uses parts of the old railway lines. They hope to extend their railway. Their plan is to use the Dargans Deviation to connect Clarence to Newnes Junction. This would allow more people to experience this historic railway section.