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Photographs in each section are in chronological order.
The 0-6-0 diesel locomotive makes another journey from Nowingi station yard with another load of empty wagons for filling with gypsum. A rake of six wagons was the usual load. September 1974. Photo: Bruce McLean
The Y Loco, as it was known, and its train of wagons appear to be gliding through a grassy field, however there are tracks in there somewhere! 1974. Photo: Don Turvey
Hauling empty wagons from Nowingi to the gypsum loader. 1974. Photo: Don Turvey
The landscape in the Sunset Country was forever changing with the seasons. In this view looking east at the 329 mile post on 15-6-1975, we see an exposed mile peg in a sandy area without vegetation and grassy plains in the background. Photo: Bruce McLean
Up end points at "Sunset Siding" the officially unnamed loop at 10 miles 61 chains from Nowingi. 1-10-1977. Photo: Bruce McLean
Patched up track on the main line at Sunset Siding demonstrates the lack of capital investment by the company in the railway line brought about principally by the low value of gypsum. 5-8-1980. Photo: Bruce McLean
Winter rains have left a carpet of green grass on the Sunset Country plains. DW232 is shown standing on the 10 mile Sunset Siding on 24-6-1981, presenting a colorful contrast to the surrounding land. Photo: Bruce McLean
View from locomotive M232 as it propels a rake of loaded wagons towards Nowingi. 15-9-1981. Photo: Bruce McLean
M232 stands at Nowingi after arriving with another rake of wagons. The number of GY/G/RY wagons gives a good indication of the gypsum traffic originating from Nowingi when this scene was captured on 15-9-1981. Photo: Bruce McLean
Between 5 and 6 miles from Nowingi, the line passes through mallee scrub. M232 is pulling a load of empty wagons towards the Raak Plain loader. 26-5-1983. Photo: Chris Wurr
M232 hauls empty wagons through a patch of belar near Lake Nowingi salt pan on 26-5-1983 about three miles from the junction. Ahead of the train is the only discernable grade - 1 in 81 facing down trains for just on a third of a mile - otherwise the locomotive's main challenge will be sand encroaching on the track. 26-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr
The Millewa South railway crosses a number of salt pans. Here we see M232 and its empty wagons crossing a salt pan shortly after leaving a forest of belar at about 7 miles from Nowingi on 26-5-1983. To the right of the track, opposite the last wagon, is the remains of a petrol tanker that rolled and exploded when on its way to re-fuel the locomotive on 24-11-1981. More details are in the Accident section. Photo: Chris Wurr
A large sand drift at the 8½ mile mark imposed frequent operating problems for the Brunswick Plaster Mills. A wind chute was reasonably effective when the galvanized iron sheets were replaced after being blown away, however the most effective means of keeping the track clear was to send a front end loader from the loading plant. 26-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr
Y413 was set aside on an isolated piece of track following the introduction of ex-Victorian Railways shunting locomotive M232. This night scene at the washing and loading plant at the Raak Plain also shows the shed where a Rolls Royce engine powered the plant and a drag-line excavator used out on the Raak Plain to recover gypsum deposits for loading into road trucks. 25-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr
This night scene depicts M232 standing at the head of its rake of empty wagons underneath the loader at the Brunswick Plaster Mills Raak Plains plant. The wagons will be loaded in the morning and taken to Nowingi where they will be collected by a goods train from Mildura and taken to Fyansford or Waurn Ponds. 25-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr
M232 with a rake of empty trucks from Nowingi, crosses the roadside track near the 6 mile point on 25-5-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean
The down end of the siding known as "Sunset Siding". When the train was moving on this section it was very close to vehicles travelling on the adjacent track. 25-5-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean
A Brunswick Plaster Mills worker repairs a broken rail 7½ miles from Nowingi. The train driver would have observed the break and marked the position with a tripod of old sleepers shown standing beside the line. Note the sand hills in the background. 29-6-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean
One of the better sections of track is between 5 and 6 miles from Nowingi where there is uncleared mallee on both sides of the track. The mallee scrub has kept the track clear of wind-blown sand and is in generally smooth in comparison with most of the track. This view is taken from the driving cabin of M231 as it heads away from Nowingi towards the Raak Plains loader. 29-6-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean
Locomotive M232 is shown at Nowingi sidings attaching to empty wagons for transfer to the Raak Plains gypsum loader. The wagons to the right are all loaded and waiting for pick up by VicRail for transfer to Waurn Ponds, near Geelong. The Nowingi mallee-type shelter can be seen in the background. 29-6-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean
In this scene we capture the remote, undeveloped mallee near the nine mile point from Nowingi with salt lakes, sand and scattered scrub. Beyond the Raak Plain, the mallee country was superb and the eventual target of this developmental railway. M232 is on its way to the loader at the Raak Plain mine for another train load of gypsum. 29-6-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean
M232 is passing the sand chute at the sand hill that persistently tried to relocate itself onto the tracks, during a run from Nowingi to the Raak Plains loader on 29-6-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean
M232 shunting at Sunset Siding. 26-5-1983. Chris. Wurr
The driver of M232 checks the wheel bearings on M232 at Sunset Siding. 26-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr
M232 with empty wagons about seven miles from Nowingi. 26-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr
Near the highest point on the Millewa South line near Lake Nowingi, M232 pushes its train of loaded wagons towards Nowingi station. 26-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr
M232 passes by the stockpile of washed gypsum near Nowingi on 26-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr
M232 has arrived at Sunset Siding, detached and run around the wagons, and is ready to propel them to Nowingi station siding. 26-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr.
M232 pushing its train, is about one mile from Nowingi where the loaded wagons will be placed into a siding waiting to be picked up by a Victorian Railways goods train. 26-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr
The 330 mile concrete mile peg can just be seen protruding through the sand cover. The old sleeper remnant behind the mile peg was used to identify the mileage mark. 9-7-1985. Photo: Bruce McLean
The state of the formation on 1-6-1991 after dismantling in 1988. This view, looking east, is of the shallow cutting near the top of the rising grade near Lake Nowingi. Photo: Bruce McLean
The view looking westward towards Millewa South from the same location. Note that the track beside the former line has been graded. 1-6-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
The sand dune has steadily moved across the original track formation which passed in the front of the remains of the sand chute. This scene was taken on 1-6-1991 after dismantling in 1988. Photo: Bruce McLean
The "Sunset Siding" could be clearly defined in the grass in the view looking westward on 1-6-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
The down end points at "Sunset Siding". 1-6-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
This rubbish dump of surplus, rusted materials at the Raak Plain gypsum loader, includes wheel sets for the Steel IB wagon Locomotive. On the day this photograph was taken, the author and Geoff Pianta were looking through the rubbish when Geoff found the nameplate "Cleis". The nameplate was used at a later date in a special ceremony at the gypsum loader. 8-4-1973. Photo: Bruce McLean
The last remaining section of track at the 16 mile point was used for the storage of two early locomotives used by the Brunswick Plaster Mills - "Cleis" and the steel IB wagon. The raised broken rail was used to prevent and wagons from the loading plant connecting to the abandoned locomotives. April 1973. Photo: Bruce McLean
Looking in an easterly direction at the Raak Plain gypsum loader. In the early 70's stockpiles of washed gypsum were placed on either side of the track between the loader and the stored locomotives. 15-6-1975. Photo: Bruce McLean
The Brunswick Plaster Mills diesel locomotive has pushed a rake of empty wagons under the loader and as each one is filled, pulls forward. Note the washed gypsum up on the loader. 5-9-1976. Photo: Bruce McLean
Victorian Railway wagons under the Raak Plain loader. Gypsum can be seen falling into a wagon (the light colored effect in the center of the picture). 5-9-1976. Photo: Bruce McLean
Workmen spread the wet gypsum evenly in each wagon to distribute the weight to avoid derailments. Note the gypsum falling into the wagon. Water drained freely from the wagons making the load lighter as the gypsum dried out. 5-9-1976. Photo: Bruce McLean
Mine Manager Adrian Goodwin, lubricates the side-rods of the Y Loco before the loco sets off for the 16 miles run into Nowingi station siding with yet another load of washed gypsum. 5-9-1976. Photo: Bruce McLean
With the gypsum loader standing out on the horizon, the Y Loco hauls its rake of seven loaded wagons across the Raak Plain on its way to the Nowingi siding. The loco will run around its load at Sunset Siding, and propel the wagons to Nowingi. 5-9-1976. Photo: Bruce McLean
The driver's view looking back along his train of seven wagons. 5-9-1976. Photo: Bruce McLean
The driver's view at the track crossing near the Meridian Road. Discernable in the low bushes are photographers and railway research/enthusiasts Bob Whitehead and the late John L. Buckland. Both gentlemen have substantially contributed to this history. 5-9-1976. Photo: Bruce McLean
The Y Loco arrives at Sunset Siding - about 10 miles from Nowingi - where it will run around its rake of seven wagons and propel them to Nowingi. 5-9-1976. Photo: Bruce McLean
The loaded wagons are left standing on the main line whilst the Y Loco moved forward and then ran around the wagons on the loop siding. This siding, known locally as "Sunset Siding" proved to be a very valuable asset for gypsum train operations on the Millewa South line. 5-9-1976. Photo: Bruce McLean
The Victorian Railways railed fresh water to the Brunswick Plaster Mills Raak Plain gypsum mine. Water tanker WT531 is under the gypsum loader. 1-10-1977. Photo: Bruce McLean
There are rails in there somewhere! M232 is propelling G/GY wagons towards the Raak Plain loader at 11½ miles from Nowingi. The water tanks are filled from railway wagons for stock use. 2-3-1982. Photo: Bruce McLean
M232 propels a rake of G/GY wagons past the site of the original gypsum workings near the 14 mile post on 2-3-1982. Photo: Bruce McLean
A stockpile of washed gypsum surrounds loaded GY wagons and water tank wagons at the back of the Raak Plain gypsum loader. "Cleis" and the second IB locomotives can be seen standing at the end of the line. 5-8-1980. Photo: Bruce McLean
This view looking north shows the Raak Plain area at its peak use. At the left, a truck can be seen unloading another load of gypsum from the mining lease further north. After washing, the gypsum is lifted by conveyor belt to the over-rail loader and then dumped into Victorian Railways GY wagons for transfer to Nowingi station. 24-6-1981. Photo: Bruce McLean
The galvanized iron shed in the foreground housed the Rolls Royce diesel engine used to generate power for the gypsum washing plant and worksite. The over-rail loader is to the left. 24-6-1981. Photo: Bruce McLean
Portrait of M232 in front of the gypsum loader at Raak Plain. Note the number plate lettering has been colored yellow from its original white, by train driver Mr. F. Mabey. 2-3-1982. Photo: Bruce McLean
The Millewa South line passes through variations in the mallee landscape including flat, grassy plains with occasional stands of mallee, mallee and Murray pine, and belar. Here we see M232 en route to the Raak Plain loader with eight empty G/GY wagons. 26-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr
Looking towards Nowingi at the boundary of the Brunswick Plaster Mills Raak Plains gypsum mining site. The letter box beside the track was for the site manager's house located to the left of the view. The train driver would place mail in the box on his trip in from Nowingi. 16-5-1983. Photo: Chris. Wurr
The desolate scene after the lifting of rails and removal of most of the facilities at the Raak Plain loader. 1-6-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
The remaining section of the gypsum loader, workshop and office were all that remained at the Raak Plain works on 1-6-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
Following a fire through the 18 mile station area in 1975, the low level platform edging was quite discernable. 15-6-1975. Photo: Bruce McLean
The 18 mile siding after fire looking towards Nowingi showing the site of the down end points directly in the foreground of the view with the siding leading off to the left. The low level platform was to the right and a ramped goods platform was on the siding. 15-6-1975. Photo: Bruce McLean
Remains of the barracks at the 18 mile station site on 15-6-1975. There was plenty of evidence of habitation with broken bottles and rusting cans. Photo: Bruce McLean
Beyond the gypsum loader the Raak Plain gave way to thick mallee and undulating sand hills. In this view looking to the east, the track bed of the former railway line is about to leave the saltbush and push through inhospitable country. Note the sleeper indents still visible in the roadbed. 25-5-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean
The up end of the 18 mile station reserve looking westward from the cattle pit. The station and siding were located in a clearing beyond the mallee scrub. 25-5-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean
The platform at the 18 mile station site can be seen to the left and the goods platform ramp remains, to the right in this view looking westward. The line cuts a swath through the mallee in the distance heading for the 24 mile station. 25-5-1983. Photo: John Page
The remains of the ramped goods platform at the 18 mile station. Note the sleeper indentations still evident in this view taken on 25-5-1983. Photo: John Page
An original survey peg about 17 miles from Nowingi, still in place on 1-6-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
The 18 Mile station when visited on 1-6-1991. Looking eastward. Photo: Bruce McLean
The site of the 18 Mile barracks on 1-6-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
The 24 mile station ground looking in an easterly direction. The car tyre marks to the left are in the approximate position of the rails with sleeper indentations quite clear. A grader has passed through the area to make a fire break. Note the remaining telephone poles in the scrub to the right. A loop siding was laid to the right of the grader clearing. The orange cutting to the right marks the roadway cleared to one of two entrances built on the southern side of the station reserve. 25-5-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean
Another easterly view of the 24 mile station reserve showing the position of the loop siding with some sleepers still in place. The red loam and disturbed area marks the site of the ramped goods platform. To the right the roadway to the entrance gate can be seen. The roadway ended at thick mallee scrubland. 25-5-1983. Photo: John Page
This is the station entrance at the 24 mile station reserve. Behind the photographer is thick mallee scrub. The burnt post was once fitted with a gate. The entrance and station yard had a cover of limestone placed over the sandy soil. The vehicle partly visible in the background is standing on the former main line. 25-5-1983. Photo: John Page
One of the two box culverts between the 18 and 24 mile stations. 1-6-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
24 Mile station looking towards the east. 1-6-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
The entrance to the goods yard at the up end of the 24 mile station site. Note the gate stop still standing to the left. The roadway from the goods yard ended abruptly in the mallee scrub and literally went nowhere! 2-4-1998. Photo: Bruce McLean
In this view looking in the up or easterly direction towards Nowingi, the construction of the track was halted. The 24 mile station is in the mid distance, Track clearing had proceeded some further distance to the west at the time of the halt to construction. 25-5-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean
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