Ten Tunnels Deviation
The Ten Tunnels Deviation is a heritage-listed 9.2-kilometre (5.7 mi) section of the Main Western Line between Newnes Junction and Zig Zag stations in Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the New South Wales Government Railways and built from 1 June 1908 and 16 October 1910. It is also known as Great Zig Zag Railway deviation tunnels and Bell to Zig Zag Ten Tunnel Railway Deviation. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
A 1958 map of the Lithgow Zig Zag and deviation | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Line | Main Western |
| Location | Lithgow, New South Wales |
| Coordinates | 33°29′33″S 150°13′06″E |
| Status | Operating |
| Start | Newnes Junction station |
| End | Zig Zag station |
| Operation | |
| Work begun | 1 June 1908 |
| Opened | 16 October 1910 |
| Owner | Transport Asset Holding Entity |
| Operator | NSW TrainLink |
| Technical | |
| Length | Ten tunnels of varying length from 70 to 825 metres (230 to 2,707 ft) |
| Line length | 9.2 kilometres (5.7 mi) |
| No. of tracks | 2 |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Electrified | 1957 |
| Grade | 1:90 |
| Official name | Great Zig Zag Railway deviation tunnels; Bell to Zig Zag Ten Tunnel Railway Deviation |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Criteria | a., c., e., f., g. |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1037 |
| Type | Railway Tunnel |
| Category | Transport – Rail |
| Builders | NSW Government Railways |
When they opened in 1910, the tunnels replaced the Lithgow Zig Zag, which limited the length of trains over the mountains and required two changes in direction. The deviation comprises ten tunnels of varying length from 70 to 825 metres (230 to 2,707 ft) over 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi). The work also included the excavation of a 61-metre (200 ft) cutting, the deepest cutting on the NSW rail system. Journey times were reduced by 20 to 30 minutes.