Glenbrook Tunnel (1892)
 Glenbrook tunnel entrance | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Line | Main Western Line |
| Location | Glenbrook |
| Operation | |
| Work begun | April 1891 |
| Opened | December 1892[1] |
| Closed | 1913 |
| Owner | NSWGR |
| Technical | |
| Length | 31.5 chains (690 yd; 630 m)[2] |
| No. of tracks | 1 |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Grade | 1:33 |
The Glenbrook Tunnel (1892) is a single-gauge railway tunnel, originally part of the 1892 single-track deviation, which bypassed the Lapstone Zig Zag across the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia. It is approximately 660 meters (2,170 ft) long and is constructed in an 'S' shape with a gradient of 1:33.[3]
The tunnel was built to the east of Glenbrook and opened on 18 December 1892. Due to the steep gradient, seepage keeping the rails wet causing slippage, poor ventilation and planned duplication of the track, plans were drawn up to bypass the steep route. Trains commonly stalled in the tunnel for some time before having to back the locomotive out of the tunnel for another attempt. The tunnel was closed on 25 September 1913, and was utilised for growing mushrooms. In 1942, during World War II, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) stockpiled bulk mustard gas stocks in preparation for a possible Japanese chemical weapons attack.[4] The facility was known as No. 2 Sub Depot of No. 1 Central Reserve RAAF and was vacated by the RAAF after the war. It features in the "Alcatraz Down Under" episode of Cities of the Underworld on the History Channel.[5] Its past secret history has been revealed by Geoff Plunkett.[6][7][8][9]
References
- ^ "The Lapstone Tunnel". The Evening News. No. 7972. New South Wales, Australia. 19 December 1892. p. 3. Retrieved 20 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "LAPSTONE HILL DEVIATION". The Australian Star. No. 1576. New South Wales, Australia. 20 December 1892. p. 7. Retrieved 20 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Glenbrook Tunnel". nswrail.net. Rolfe Bozier. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ^ Chemical warfare in Australia
- ^ Alcatraz Down Under episode
- ^ Lid lifted on wartime history
- ^ Glenbrook's secret history
- ^ Deadly chemicals hidden in war cache
- ^ Geoff’s terrible secret war
External links
- Old Glenbrook Tunnel Info Blue Mountains
- "Bridges around the Penrith Area". Penrith City Council. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012.
- Image of RAAF Mustard Gas Stockpile
- "Glenbrook Railway and World War Two Mustard Gas Storage Tunnel". Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
East End along Tunnel Gully Reserve - 33°46′04″S 150°38′06″E / 33.76777°S 150.63509°E
West End at Mushroom Farm - 33°45′49″S 150°37′48″E / 33.763581°S 150.629925°E