Lithgow Zig Zag, Heritage railway line near Lithgow, Australia
The Lithgow Zig Zag features three stone viaducts with semi-circular arches crossing deep valleys in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
Engineer John Whitton designed this railway system between 1863 and 1869 to overcome the steep western descent of the Blue Mountains without constructing long tunnels.
The railway stands as an example of 19th-century engineering solutions, demonstrating the advancement of Australian transportation infrastructure during colonial expansion.
Visitors can access the site through guided tours departing from Clarence station, which detail the technical aspects of this former railway system.
The railway achieved a 550-foot descent using a gradient of 1:42 through a series of reversing points, allowing trains to zigzag down the mountainside.
Location: New South Wales
Website: http://zigzagrailway.com.au
GPS coordinates: -33.47167,150.18950
Latest update: May 16, 2025 17:38
Zig Zag Railway
439 m
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Rydal rail underbridges
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Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum
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Breenhold Gardens
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Govetts Leap lookout
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