Dubbil Barril, Tasmania facts for kids
Dubbil Barril is a special stopping place and railway station in Tasmania. It sits right on the northern bank of the King River. Today, it's an important stop on the famous West Coast Wilderness Railway.
This spot was once part of the old Mount Lyell railway line. It gave travelers a chance to explore the beautiful area around the King River. Because it's so close to the river and quite low down, the railway line here often faced challenges. It could flood easily, and bushfires were also a risk.
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What is Dubbil Barril?
Dubbil Barril is more than just a name on a map. It's a key location for the West Coast Wilderness Railway. This railway is a popular attraction that takes visitors on an exciting journey through Tasmania's wild west coast. Dubbil Barril acts as a turning point for the trains.
A Stop on the Old Railway
Long ago, Dubbil Barril was part of the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company's railway line. This original line was taken apart in the 1960s. When people decided to rebuild the railway, which later became the West Coast Wilderness Railway, Dubbil Barril was seen as the furthest point they would rebuild to. It marked the end of the new track for a while.
Challenges Along the Line
Life on the railway wasn't always easy at Dubbil Barril. Being so close to the King River meant the area was often affected by floods. Heavy rains could make the river rise and cover the tracks. Bushfires were another big problem. These natural events could damage the railway line and make it unsafe for trains to pass. Railway workers had to be very careful and work hard to keep the line open.
Dubbil Barril Today
Today, Dubbil Barril is still a busy place for the railway. It's home to a special device called a turntable. A turntable is like a giant spinning platform that helps trains turn around. This is very useful for the steam locomotives that run on the West Coast Wilderness Railway. It allows them to change direction for their journey back.
Exploring the West Coast Wilderness Railway
The West Coast Wilderness Railway takes passengers on an amazing trip through forests and along rivers. Dubbil Barril is one of the many interesting stops along this historic route. It's a chance to see how railways worked in the past and enjoy Tasmania's stunning nature.
Stations You'll See
When you ride the West Coast Wilderness Railway, you'll pass through several unique stations. Dubbil Barril is one of them. Here's the order of some of the main stops:
- Queenstown (Tasmania) railway station
- Lynchford
- Rinadeena
- Dubbil Barril
- Teepookana
- Regatta Point