General Information
| Other name(s): | Lapstone Zig-Zag |
|---|---|
| Completion: | 1867 |
Project Type
| Function / usage: |
Railroad (railway) line |
|---|
Location
| km | Name |
Technical Information
Dimensions
| longitudinal slope | 1:33 |
Chronology
| 1892 | Middle and top sections abandoned after tunnel diversion line completed. |
|---|---|
| 1913 | Bottom section also abandoned following further route diversion. |
| 1926 | Bottom section, including masonry arch viaduct, used for new highway. |
| 1995 | Highway relocated. Conversion of Zig-Zag to walking track completed. |
Notes
Steeply graded railway sections forming zig-zag (switchback) with 7-span viaduct on bottom section.
One of Australia's most famous artists, Sir Arthur Streeton, depicted work on the east and west portals of the 1892 deviation tunnel in his two paintings: 'Cutting the tunnel, Blue Mountains' and the well-known 'Fire's on! Lapstone tunnel 1891'. The shout 'Fire's on!' was the warning before explosives were detonated. Both paintings are in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney.
Participants
- John Whitton (designer)
Relevant Web Sites
Relevant Publications
- (2006): Conquering the Blue Mountains. Eveleigh Press, Sydney (Australia), pp. 148.
- (1988): The Greatest Public Work. The New South Wales Railways 1848 to 1889. Hale & Iremonger, Sydney (Australia).
- About this
data sheet - Structure-ID
10000615 - Published on:
23/12/2004 - Last updated on:
28/05/2021
