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Nowingi Towards Millewa South

The Nowingi to 24 Mile station railway was constructed with 60 and 66 pound rail on 8'6"x9"x4½" red gum sleepers. The line was maintained during the majority of its useful life by the Brunswick Plaster Mills (later CSR Ltd.) and judging by the low maintenance budget the railway was not treated as a major asset, but simply a means.

In 1957 Brunswick Plaster Mills ordered 3000 sleepers from the dismantled Newtown to Cressy line.

Typical track standard on the Nowingi to Raak Plain line under the maintenance of the Brunswick Plaster Mills. This rail joint has the fishplate bolted to one rail only.15-6-1975. Photo: Bruce McLean

Another typical track joint. Only one bolt holds the fishplate to the rails. 15-6-1975. Photo: Bruce McLean

Rail breaks were common on the Nowingi line and a patch up approach was typical of the track maintenance standard. Here we see a very short length of rail held by two different fishplate types. The condition of the sleepers was also very poor throughout the length of the line. 15-6-1975. Photo: Bruce McLean

Where the track crossed the Raak Plain, it was amazing that trains did not derail due to the poor condition of the rails and sleepers. In this scene near the gypsum loader, a flow of saline water has cut a water-course across the track with the result that the track has subsided at the rail joints. 24-6-1981. Photo: Bruce McLean

Between March and June 1981, three red gum sleepers per length of rail were inserted into the track using new and serviceable sleepers purchased from the Victorian Railways. In this scene near the 15 mile mark, a serviceable sleeper is being placed between existing rotted sleepers. 24-6-1981. Photo: Bruce McLean

Broken rails were almost a daily hazard. A fishplate bolted through holes cut with oxy-acetylene was the quick-fix on the Nowingi towards Millewa South line. 24-6-1981. Photo: Bruce McLean

The sad sight of a railway being dismantled. This is the scene near the Raak Plain gypsum loader. 12-10-1988. Photo: Russell Savage