Holsworthy railway line explained

Holsworthy line
Start:Liverpool
End:ANZAC Rifle Range
Continuesfrom:Main South line
Open:21 January 1918
Close:21 June 1977
Operator:Public Transport Commission
Linelength:4mile

The Holsworthy railway line was located in South-western Sydney. It was constructed during World War I, mainly using labour from the Holsworthy Internment Camp. Its purpose was to service the army facilities opening on 21 January 1918.[1] [2]

Constructed largely with second-hand materials, It branched off the Main South line north of Liverpool station crossing the Georges River via a bridge that had nine 30 metre approach spans which came from old crossings of the Wollondilly River by the Main South line near and of Solitary Creek by the Main Western line near .[3]

The main span was a truss from the Main South line bridge over Argyle Street, .[4] After crossing the river the line followed Greenhills Avenue through Clinches Pond Reserve, then curved to the east, following Anzac Parade on its south side to .[3]

After the line opened, several additional sidings were constructed. The Ordnance Stores Siding opened 29 April 1919 with standing room for 75 four-wheel wagons on three loop sidings. On 2 October 1923 the line was curtailed to Anzac Rifle Range. After falling into disuse, World War II resulted in the line being restored. After declining again, the line was formally closed in June 1977. The only tangible signs of the line today are the piers across the Georges River and a bridge across Harris Creek,adjacent to Heathcote Road, that today is used by foot and cycle traffic.[1] [5] [6]

When the East Hills line was extended from to in 1986, a siding was provided to the army facilities. The site will also be served by the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal which will be connected to the Southern Sydney Freight Line near station.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Liverpool to Holdsworth Military Railway. Royal Australian Historical Society.
  2. Web site: Transport in Liverpool: The Coming of the railway. City of Liverpool. 14 May 2017. 24 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160324090702/http://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/5226/The-Coming-of-the-Railway-Fact-Sheet.pdf. dead.
  3. http://www.visitsydneyaustralia.com.au/lost-rail-holsworthy.html Lost Railways: Holsworthy Line
  4. News: NEW BRIDGE AT MOSS VALE. . . 2411 . New South Wales, Australia . 9 April 1887 . 6 . National Library of Australia . 16 March 2018 . 1 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230701103138/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/236749758 . live .
  5. http://www.liverpoolchampion.com.au/story/4258057/old-rail-bridge-in-jeopardy/ Forgotten Harris Park rail bridge in jeopardy
  6. http://www.rahs.org.au/harris-creek-historical-railway-bridge/ Harris Creek Historical Railway Bridge
  7. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-12/qube-moorebank-intermodal-hub-infrastructure/6541514 Qube's Moorebank intermodal hub a major infrastructure boost