Lilyvale railway tunnels facts for kids

The Lilyvale railway tunnels are old railway tunnels in Lilyvale, Australia. They are found on the Illawarra railway line. These tunnels are special because they are "heritage-listed." This means they are important historical places that are protected. The tunnels were designed and built by the New South Wales Government Railways. Today, they are owned by RailCorp, a government agency in New South Wales. The tunnels were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.

History of the Lilyvale Tunnels

Building the Illawarra Railway Line

Building the railway line through the Illawarra escarpment was very hard. This area has tricky rock formations and steep hills. Because of these challenges, the railway section from Waterfall to Stanwell Park took a long time to build. It opened in 1888, almost two years after the southern part of the line.

The Original Tunnels

This difficult part of the railway needed six tunnels. Most of these tunnels were later closed in 1915. This happened when a new, straighter railway line was built. This new line, called the "Helensburgh Deviation," went from Waterfall to Coalcliff. It had two tracks instead of one.

The two tunnels at Lilyvale are known as Tunnel No. 5 and Tunnel No. 6. Tunnel No. 5 is now used to provide road access. This means cars and other vehicles can drive through it.

The New Deviation Tunnel

The new double-track tunnel built in 1915 is still used today. It is called the Deviation Tunnel. In 1986, the railway line was updated. Electricity was added to power the trains all the way to Wollongong. This meant new electrical equipment had to be put inside the 1915 tunnel.

What the Tunnels Look Like

The Lilyvale area has two main tunnels. One is the old 1888 tunnel, which is no longer used for trains. The other is the 1915 tunnel, which trains still use. These tunnels are located southeast of Helensburgh. They are also west of Lady Wakehurst Drive.

The 1888 Lilyvale Road Access Tunnel

The original tunnel from 1888 was built for a single railway track. It is made of brick and has a rounded, egg-like shape. This tunnel is now used as a service road for the railway system. It still has its original entrances and curved brick walls inside.

The 1915 Lilyvale Railway Tunnel

The tunnel built in 1915 has two tracks. It is made of brick and has a semi-circular arch shape. It also has brick buttresses, which are supports built into the walls. In the middle of the arch, there is a sandstone keystone. This stone helps hold the arch together.

Other Nearby Features

There is another old road access tunnel from 1888 nearby. It is called Road Access Tunnel Number 1. This tunnel is now owned by the Department of Lands. The tunnels were in good condition when they were listed as heritage sites. They still look much like they did when they were built.

Why the Tunnels are Important

The two Lilyvale Railway tunnels are very important to the history of New South Wales. They clearly show how railway building changed over time. The original 1888 tunnel is still mostly the same. It sits right next to the 1915 railway tunnel. The 1915 tunnel was built to make the railway line better. It helped trains avoid the steep and difficult parts of the old 1888 line.

Having both tunnels side-by-side shows how the railway system's needs changed. It also shows the different building skills and technology available in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Because of this, the two tunnels are a great example. They help us understand how railway engineering and design improved over time.

The Lilyvale railway tunnels were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. They met several important requirements to be listed.

• They show how history happened: The tunnels clearly show two important times in the building of the Illawarra Line. The old 1888 tunnel, now a road, is next to the 1915 railway tunnel. This shows how the railway system changed and improved.
• They show great design and skill: Both tunnels are important for their design and the building skills used. The brickwork is very well done. The way the 1888 tunnel sits in the landscape also makes it look very interesting and old.
• They can teach us more: The two tunnels are a key place to learn about railway building. They show how engineering and design changed from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
• They are good examples: These tunnels are good examples of railway engineering from their different time periods.