Kahibah Public School - Glenrock Railway (original) (raw)

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Glenrock Railway, also known as Red Head Railway, Burwood Beach Railway, Newcastle Coal and Copper Railway.

In 1883 the Burwood Coal Mining Company was formed, but it was December 1884 before a shaft was started which was completed on 1885-05-10. A private railway was built from the mine across the lagoon around the cliff face and along Burwood Beach (then known as Smelters Beach) past Murdering Gully through 2 tunnels behind the current Merewether Baths along Watkins Street. At this time it was known as the Redhead Railway because the colliery on the lagoon was called Redhead Colliery on Glenrock Lagoon.

At Glebe Road it joined 3 other railways line. This became know as "The Junction" and the suburb still bears that name. The rail lines are now streets, from south through to west there are, Watkins Street, Mitchell Street, Merewether Street and Railway Street. See the mapfor a better view. The line crossed Glebe Road at the intersection of Watkins Street, Glebe Road and Kenrick Street, just to the east of the War Memorial. It then passed through the East Point Building to travel in between Corlette and Bruce Streets. The line crossed Bruce Street at Centennial Park. From Bull Street to Laman Street, the right of way is still accessable and is now called Glovers Lane which is between Bruce and Dawson Streets. It then travelled under Laman Street across Civic Park. The single line made then a direct line to Burwood Street to cross Hunter Street (then known as Blane St) to Wharf Road at Newcastle Harbour.

The Great Northern Railway had access to the sidings on the wharfs of Newcastle Harbour. In 1889 the mine had 225 wagons in use on a daily basis. One of these wagons (#903) can still be seen (be it in a very poor state) behind the Merewether Baths, (view 1 , 2). Another (#4428) in good condition is located under cover at Newcastle Regional Museum. Also behind Merewether baths is the blocked off entrance to the #1 tunnel, (to the left and behind the wagon). The coal line was still in place during 1940's at Merewether Baths. A photographic history can also be found at various libraries around the country.

From the mouth of Glenrock Lagoon, the Great North Walkruns on the beach parallel with the railway until you reach Merewether Baths.

Various parts of Glenrock Railway environs have been listed for Heritage purposes.

Superimposed on a portion of a 1950 map of railways in Newcastle, the dotted line shows the approx position of the rail line. Even through the rail line may have been removed over 50 years ago, the effect on the property boundaries and street layouts can easily been seen still today, (refer to the Newcastle City Council Local Environmental Plan 2002 - map 6).

See also Glenrock & Great North Walk pages

�2004 This page updated: Saturday, 2007-01-06