Re: A spectacular 2 foot gauge railroad in Tasmania

tgbcvr - thanks for the link to the first Garrat locomotive K1 that is now in Wales. When the engine is returned to operating condition, there would be another incentive to make a return to the Welsh Highlands Railway (as if there were not enough incentives already). It is pretty amazing that the first and the last Garrats built are both 2 foot gauge, and will be meeting again on the WHR at some time. I have attached a few photos of K1 and K2 in their earlier years on the NE Dundas Tramway.

Russo - the NE Dundas Tramway route still exists. The eastern section from Montezuma Falls to Williamsford (actually not all the way to Williamsford), a distance of 3 miles, is now a hiking trail through the rainforest The trail appears to be very well maintained. On part of the grade the tops of the ties are on the surface. The trestle at the falls is gone. The grade west of the falls leads to a view point, from which the grade is apparently accessible to vehicles for a 9 mile stretch in dry weather.

Montezuma Falls then and now. Either garrat K1 or K2 is in charge of this mixed train halted on the trestle.



Driving the eastern grade in wet weather is not necessarily a good idea, besides vehicles don't do much to preserve the historic narrow gauge alignment



Hiking the railroad grade would seem to be a far more enjoyable experience. With the RR trestle gone, the trail features a suspension bridge across the stream.


Here a garrat has crossed the waterfall bridge and is heading toward the mining area at Williamsford



Here is garrat K2 in new condition, possibly still at Beyer Peacock in 1906. It is notable that K1 and K2 were the only garrats ever built with cylinders facing inward. The crews complained of uncomfortably hot cabs when the engines were working hard, as they were directly above one set of cylinders. All future engines had the cylinders facing outward.



to be continued



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/11/2020 11:30PM by Olaf Rasmussen.