Australia - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

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Introduction

An excellent portfolio of public transport schematic plans for the whole of Australia is available at the Australian Rail Maps website. This identifies routes with regular, but limited, advertised services (and provides links to timetable information). Therefore, such lines will not be repeated below.

An extensive collection of signalling plans for standard gauge lines in various states is available via the SA Track and Signal site. Information about the various states' rail systems can be found in their 'open access' websites.

In addition to specific references below, the following tour operators sometimes operate over other sections of line without regular passenger service, as advertised on their websites:

Obscure or Sparse services

New South Wales

Concord West - North Strathfield Junction – Flemington NSW1

Entry deleted - service withdrawn - see instead NSW13.

Orange avoiding line NSW2

Indian Pacific trains serve a short platform on the avoiding line and do not serve Orange station. The weekly NSW TrainLink train Sydney ⇔ Broken Hill runs into Orange station and reverses both there and at Orange East Fork Junction (or vice versa on the return from Broken Hill), thus using the Orange Fork East Jn - Orange Fork West Jn curve, not the Orange station - Orange West Fork Jn curve (which has no regular passenger use); this is so that the train formation is not reversed at Orange. Report updated: February 2021

Cootamundra – Bethungra NSW3

The two tracks used by the Sydney - Melbourne and Sydney - Griffith trains are separated with the longer northbound track taking the Frampton deviation and the Bethungra spiral. Reported: January 2008

Unanderra – Moss Vale NSW4

Under the name The Cockatoo Run, East Coast Heritage Rail (3801 Limited) operate excursion trains Sydney Central ⇔ Moss Vale over this 61.44 km line as advertised. Prior to arrival at Moss Vale, the loaded outward train is normally turned on the Moss Vale north fork (triangle). The line itself (but not the north fork) is also used for diversions when engineering work blocks the Main South line between Glenfield and Moss Vale. Report updated: November 2024

Picton – Thirlmere [ - Buxton - Colo Vale] NSW5

In addition to their regular trips Thirlmere ⇔ Buxton, very occasional excursions to or from the NSW Rail Museum (check the "What's on" details) at Thirlmere are operated over this 7.1 km line to the junction with the mainline, as advertised (2024 dates include 10 November 2024). Trips from Thirlmere "towards" Picton are advertised during the Thirlmere Festival of Steam(usually in mid May). Plans have been announced and work is underway for extending the Thirlmere - Buxton service eastwards to a new platform at Picton Avenue, short of the junction at Picton, and westwards to Colo Vale. Report updated: October 2024

Sydney Central – Redfern – Erskineville Junction NSW6

Trains use these distinct routes:

  • Central terminal platforms 1 to 12 and Redfern 1/2: Illawarra Diveunder and Illawarra Lines. Usually denoted by an i note in timetables.
  • Central platforms up to 23 and Redfern 5/6/7/8: Illawarra Local Lines (main route for City Circle trains)
  • Central platforms 16 to 23 and Redfern 9/10: Illawarra Lines (used between Central and Redfern by City Circle trains entering/leaving service from/to Eveleigh Yard at Redfern; little used between Redfern and Erskineville Junction)
  • Central platforms 24/25 and Redfern 11/12 (sub-surface platforms}: Illawarra Relief Lines (Bondi Junction route trains).

Central platforms 13 and 14 are awaiting return to use; platform 15 has been eliminated; platforms 26 and 27 are deep level Metro platforms. Report updated: March 2025'

Cootamundra – Stockinbingal – Goobang Junction (Parkes) – Narromine – Dubbo – Binnaway – Gap (Werris Creek) NSW7

Entry deleted - service withdrawn - See instead NSW10, NSW11 and NSW15.

Farley (Lochinvar) – Telarah via Triangle Loop NSW8

Entry deleted - service withdrawn

Flemington – Flemington North Junction [ – Olympic Park] NSW9

This 2.65 km section of the former Homebush Bay branch provides a route direct to Olympic Park from the east. There is no regular service (all regular services at Olympic Park are shuttles from/to Lidcombe) but trains run Sydney Central ⇔ Olympic Park for special events (such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show). Check NSW Transport - events. During engineering work west of Flemington, train services may run Sydney Central ⇔ Olympic Park, for connections with rail replacement bus services at Olympic Park station. Check NSW Transport - trackwork. Report updated: March 2023

Goobang Junction (Parkes) - Stockinbingal - Cootamundra North Junction NSW10

When planned major engineering work or other emergency blocks the regular route between Parkes and Sydney via the Blue Mountains, Journey Beyond Rail's (formerly Great Southern Railway) Indian Pacific trains may be diverted via this 199.5 km line and the Main South line, and intermediate stops at Parkes and east thereof omitted. Such diversion applied in November 2014 and January and February 2020; information may appear on their home - Alert webpage. The 174.6km section between Stockinbingal and Goobang Junction is regularly used by Vintage Rail Journeys Riverina Rail Tour. 2025 Departure Dates, Mon 21 April, Mon 5 May, Mon 19 May, Mon 2 June, Mon 16 June and Mon 30 June 2025. Report updated: December 2024

Griffith - Stockinbingal - Cootamundra NSW11

When planned major engineering work blocks the regular route between Griffith and Cootamundra, NSW TrainLink's once weekly service may be diverted via this 211km line, and intermediate stops such as Narrandera omitted. Such diversion applied in 2013; information may appear on their Travel alerts webpage. The 115m 60ch section between Griffith and Stocktockinbingal is regularly used by Vintage Rail Journeys Riverina Rail Tour. Report updated: December 2022

Sefton Park North Junction - Sefton Park South Junction NSW12

This 0.65km North Fork section of the Main South line between Regents Park and Sefton stations carries a limited service on Mondays to Fridays only: in Sydney Trains T3 Bankstown Line timetable see trains with column note SFD. Report updated: December 2022

Macarthur South Junction - Cabramatta - Chullora Junction West - Chullora Junction North - Flemington South Junction - Flemington - North Strathfield Junction – Concord West NSW13

These sections of the South Sydney Freight Link and Metropolitan Goods Line route are used by Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions (formerly Great Southern Railway) Great Southern Adelaide to Brisbane service which runs January and December each year, as may TRMS-operated railtours (check TRMS tours listing for dates) when running between Paterson and the south main line. South of Sefton Park, the line runs broadly parallel to passenger routes but with grade separation over-passes to avoid conflictions. At North Strathfield, southbound trains use a dive-under but northbound trains use a ground level connection there. See schematic plan. Report updated: March 2024

Turrella - Wolli Creek Junction NSW14

This 1.35km link between the Illawarra Local lines and the East Hills line is used by NSW TrainLink services between Central and the Main South line, and trains on Sydney Trains Table T8 calling at Sydenham and Redfern instead of running via the airport stations. Reported: December 2022

Dubbo – Binnaway – Gap (Werris Creek) NSW15

This 108m 30ch route is regularly used by Vintage Rail Journeys Golden West Rail Tour. 2025 dates Mon 22 September, Sun 5 October, Mon 20 October, Mon 3 November and Mon 17 November 2025. Reported: December 2024.

Wallerawang - Rylstone NSW16

This 85.3km section of the Gulgong and Gwabegar line is regularly used by Vintage Rail Journeys Golden West Rail Tour.

2025 dates. Mon 22 September, Sun 5 October, Mon 20 October, Mon 3 November and Mon 17 November 2025. Reported: December 2024.

Hunter Valley Steamfest NSW17

Each April (2026 dates: 18-29 April; 2027 dates: 10-11 April; 2028 dates: 8-9 April) the Steamfest includes steam train and vintage railmotor trips from Maitland. Many of these are over regular passenger routes, but a limited number of trips cover routes not in regular passenger use although the advertised 'destinations' are not always reached in practice.

  • Warabrook crossovers - Hanbury Dive - Scholey Street junction - Waratah arrival road - Morandoo loop - Port Waratah No. 9 departure road - Waratah departure road - Hanbury Dive - Warabrook crossovers (13.4 km) (2023)
  • Warabrook crossovers - Hanbury Dive - Scholey Street junction - Waratah arrival road - Morandoo loop - Port Waratah No. 9 departure road - Waratah departure road - Hanbury Dive - coal line - Maitland ( km) (2024, 2025 ARTC Great Train Race - one of the two trains takes this route, the other train uses only passenger track between Maitland and Broadmeadow in both directions)
  • Islington Junction - Islington Arrival Road - Scholey Street junction - Waratah arrival road - Morandoo loop - Port Waratah No. 9 departure road - Waratah departure road - Hanbury Dive - Warabrook crossovers (9.5km) (2024 & 2025)
  • Camberwell junction - Camberwell balloon loop via coal loaders - Camberwell junction (4.3 km) (2023)
  • Sandgate (west) crossovers - North Fork under Sandgate flyover - Kooragang branch - Holding Road B - Walsh Point line signal K14 (8.2km) (advertised as 'around Walsh Point Loop'; shown to Walsh Point in TAA; turned back at K14 exit signal from Walsh Point line) (2024)
  • Sandgate (west) crossovers - North Fork under Sandgate flyover - down Kooragang branch - Holding Road B - Walsh Point line signal K16 (9.4km) - Holding Road B - up Kooragang Branch - North Fork under Sandgate flyover - Sandgate (west) crossovers (advertised as 'around Walsh Point Loop'; shown to Walsh Point in TAA) (2025)
  • Whittingham junction - Whittingham signal WM188B (2.1km) (advertised as 'the Mount Thorley line'; shown to Saxonvale Junction in TAA; turned back at the end of Whittingham branch loop) (2024)

See ARTC TAAs nearer the date for exact routings. Report updated: April 2025

Queensland

Up to 12 months' prior warning of engineering works - which may lead to use of diversionary routes shown below - can be found at Queensland Rail's website.

[Brisbane] Mayne or Bowen Hills – Exhibition – Roma Street station or Roma Street south junction QLD1

The Exhibition (or Normanby) line has triangular junctions at both ends. Queensland Rail Travel (country) services to the north generally leave by the normal passenger route between Roma Street (platform 10) and Mayne via Central, while inbound trains use the Exhibition line between Mayne and Roma Street. The twice-weekly Queensland Rail Travel Westlander services (Brisbane ⇔ Charleville) use the Exhibition line between Bowen Hills and Roma Street south junction. The Exhibition line and Exhibition station are used for special services in conjunction with the Royal Queensland Show (known as Ekka), held at the RNA Showgrounds early each August (2025 dates: 9 to 17 August) and other events as locally advertised; the basic service is usually an anti-clockwise circuit, calling Roma Street, Central, Fortitude Valley, Exhibition, Roma Street. This line is used when major engineering works blocks the route via Central. Such diversions should appear on Translink service updates. Such diversions applied on 24 and 25 August 2024. A section of the line through Exhibition station will become part of the Cross River Rail line, due to open in 2025. The impact of construction work and of the eventual suburban services on the use of the Exhibition line by Traveltrain services is not known. Report updated: December 2024

Yeerongpilly – Tennyson – Corinda QLD2

This link line between the Gold Coast and Ipswich lines is used when major engineering works blocks either the section between Roma Street and Yeerongpilly or that between Roma Street and Corinda to enable trains to maintain a through service by using the alternative route between Roma Street and this link line. Such diversions (which applied in November and December 2022, April and May 2023, January 2024) should appear on Translink service updates. Report updated: January 2024

Brisbane Steam Train Sunday QLD3

Entry deleted - service withdrawn

Rocklands triangle QLD4

The Central Line diverges from the North Coast Line some 10km south of Rockhampton, at Rocklands triangular junction of which the North Coast Line forms one leg. To maintain the forward- facing formation, the Spirit of the Outback [Brisbane ⇔ Longreach] train runs head-on into Rockhampton station, performs its station work and changes train locos. A shunt loco is attached rear and the train drawn back to the apex of Rocklands triangle by which it entered, the shunt loco removed and the train reverses again. Thus, the Longreach-bound Spirit covers the north- south (North Coast Line) and south-west legs of the triangle, while the Brisbane-bound train covers the north-west and south-west legs. Report updated: August 2014

Toowoomba triangle QLD5

Toowoomba station is at the south apex of a triangle where the Main (from Brisbane), Southern and Western Lines converge. To maintain the forward-facing formation, The Westlander [Brisbane ⇔ Charleville] train runs head-on into Toowoomba station. Having performed its station work, it propels back to the apex of the triangle by which it entered and reverses. Thus, the Charleville-bound Westlander covers the east-station and east-west (avoiding line) legs of the triangle, while the Brisbane- bound train covers the west-station and east-west (avoiding line) legs. Report updated: August 2014

Toowoomba – Wyreema - Clifton – Hendon – Warwick – Stanthorpe – Wallangarra QLD6

The 196 km south of Toowoomba are without regular passenger service, while the 103 km south of Warwick have no regular freight traffic either.

Yarongmulu – Laidley QLD7

The two tracks used by the Brisbane - Charleville Westlander trains are significantly separated over much of this 5.3 km section. Report updated: August 2021

Croydon turning triangle QLD8

The weekly in-bound Gulflander train on Wednesdays turns on the triangle immediately after arrival. Reported: November 2010

Forsayth turning triangle QLD9

The weekly in-bound Savannahlander train on Thursdays turns on the triangle immediately after arrival. Reported: November 2010

Ipswich (Workshops branch junction) – Ipswich Workshops Rail Museum QLD10

This 1.5km branch provides access to The Workshops Rail Museum and is used by excursions starting from the museum. Formerly operated by the museum itself, occasional excursions are now sponsored by The Australian Railway Historical Society's Queensland Division (trading as Sunshine Express), as advertised, for example to Toowoomba on 28 September 2024. Report updated: September 2024

Victoria Sugar Mill, Ingham QLD11

Entry deleted - service withdrawn.

Queens Park, Maryborough: Kent Street extension QLD12

QR's Maryborough Wharf Extension line runs through Queens Park and is used by Maryborough City Whistle Stop Inc. for trips over the 0.9km section between Sussex Street level crossing and Kent Street (all passenger joining/alighting at Macalister station off Wharf Street), on the mornings of Thursdays and of the last Sundays of the month. Advertising has, in recent years, at different times, indicated that the 0.6km extension alongside Kent Street towards the Hyne timber yards at Tiger Street (a.k.a. Granville bridge) would be used by (a) no trips, (b) some trips, or (c) all trips. Current advertising indicates that all trips cover the whole 1.5km. Make local enquiries. Report updated: October 2024

South Australia

Adelaide: Rundle Mall - Festival Plaza SA1

This short northwards branch of the Glenelg tram line operates only at weekends and for special events at Adelaide Oval. Report updated: August 2024

Port Augusta - Woolshed Flat [ - Quorn] SA2

Of the 3ft 6in gauge Pichi Richi Railway, the westernmost 23.5km section beyond Woolshed Flat operates approximately monthly, as advertised. Report updated: August 2024

South Australia and Victoria

Adelaide - Melbourne standard gauge route

The governments of Victoria and South Australia are paying subsidies to keep Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions (formerly Great Southern Railway) twice-weekly The Overland running on the standard gauge route between Adelaide and Melbourne until 2027. Report updated: February 2024

Victoria

Newport, Altona Junction – Laverton Junction VIC1

Metro Trains suburban trains booked to call intermediately between Newport and Laverton use the single track Altona link line via Westona, but trains not booked to call intermediately use the double track main line via Paisley (closed station). Report updated: December 2022

Newmarket – Showgrounds – Flemington Racecourse VIC2

This 2.25km branch is used by special Metro Trains services Melbourne Southern Cross ⇔ Flemington Racecourse for race meetings and other events. For dates of forthcoming events see Flemington Racecourse website. Services for race meetings normally run from/to Southern Cross (calling at North Melbourne when advertised); details from the Metlink web site a few days before the event. From inbound trains, it may not be possible to exit the station without paying an event admission fee (although an immediate return by an advertised train should be practicable). However, by walking from 57 tram route at the Melbourne Showgrounds/Union Road stop 33 (ca. 20 mins via Langs Road and Leonard Crescent to The Hill Gate entrance) passengers should be able to access afternoon return trains without incurring such fee. The branch is also used - as advertised - for events at Showgrounds (but these trains do not cover the final 0.8km of the branch). These services may also use the Broadmeadows Suburban Lines (see VIC3) between Southern Cross station and Kensington. When major engineering work calls for bus substitution in the Melbourne outer western suburbs such replacement services may use Flemington as their inner terminal, with linking rail service over this branch - see the PTV service alterations website. Report updated: May 2023

North Melbourne – Kensington (via Broadmeadows Suburban Lines flyover) VIC3

This 1.8km route is an alternative to the normal (East Suburban Lines route), is only accessible from platforms 13-16 at Southern Cross station and 5/6 at North Melbourne. Usage can be found in V/Line Passenger Schedules - North Eastern Region Goulburn Valley (broad gauge) train pages for their trains; routing is denoted by column note BS at North Melbourne (Down) / Kensington (Up) and a timing given against Spion Kop (up trains only) a. Services: 16:09 SuO Shepparton - Southern Cross (train 8368) and 12:29 SO Shepparton - Southern Cross (train 8366). Inbound trains using this route also use the North Melbourne Flyover if using one of the lower numbered platforms at Southern Cross. This route may also be used by trains in VIC2. Report updated: April 2025

Melbourne : Flinders Street – Southern Cross via Through Suburban Lines viaduct VIC4

Following a noticeably different alignment - swinging closer to the Yarra River than the four track City Loop viaduct - is a two-track viaduct, carrying the Through Suburban Lines. These tracks are used by V/Line Gippsland line services and Metro Trains services between the Frankston and Newport lines, which use the higher numbered platforms at Flinders Street and Southern Cross. Report updated: December 2022

Bungaree loop VIC5

Entry deleted - service withdrawn. The original north track was taken out of service from 28 December 2020 - only the newer, shorter track remains in use.

Newport Workshops – Newport VIC6

Vintage Rail Travel (707 Operations Inc.), Diesel Electric Rail Motor Preservation Association of Victoria and Steamrail Victoria use this 0.6km branch to access their rolling stock stabling points at the Workshops but tours seem no longer to be advertised there. It may be possible to join the empty stock from the Workshops (Shea Street) by prior arrangement only. Report updated: August 2022

Newport – Brooklyn Junction – Sunshine VIC7

The dual gauge, reversible east track of the 4.6km section between Newport and Brooklyn Junction is used by Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions (formerly Great Southern Railway) trains shown in entry VIC8; there is no regular broad gauge passenger service over that section. For layout see schematic plans, pages 53 and 51. The section (broad gauge only) between Brooklyn Junction and Sunshine has no regular passenger service. Report updated: May 2023

Werribee - Manor Junction VIC8

This 7.7km section of the broad gauge Melbourne - Geelong line has no regular passenger service (apart from occasional empty stock moves) as all V/Line regular trains run via Deer Park and Wyndham Vale. However, the parallel standard (not mixed) gauge track (see schematic plan) is used by Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions (formerly Great Southern Railway) twice-weekly The Overland and their Great Southern Adelaide to Brisbane service which runs January and December each year and is confirmed as taking this route in 2025. Report updated: December 2024


Melbourne Southern Cross - Sunshine VIC9

The 14km section of line has three distinct but broadly parallel routes, segregating passenger traffic types:

  • broad gauge electrified Main Suburban Lines: Metro Trains services with Sunbury (this is principally the "original" route over this section)
  • broad gauge non-electrified Regional Rail Lines: V/Line services with Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and beyond. Trains using this route also use the Spion Kop - Flyover Junction link (near South Kensington) and the North Melbourne Flyover if using one of the lower numbered platforms at Southern Cross and shown with a "Flyover Junction" timing in V/Line Passenger Schedules - Western, Northern, and South Western Region pages, respectively.
  • standard gauge line: V/Line and NSW TrainLink services with Albury (and, east of Tottenham Junction, Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions (formerly Great Southern Railway) twice-weekly The Overland with Adelaide). These all use the North Melbourne Flyover. V/Line Passenger Schedules - NESG pages.

The latter two "routes" derive from former goods lines, route widenings, and modern flyovers. Report updated: May 2023

Melbourne City Loop VIC10

Four independent but parallel, reversibly signalled, single track tunnels (Clifton Hill & City Circle loop, platform 1; Caulfield loop, platform 2; Northern loop, platform 3; Burnley loop, platform 4 - platforms shown for the three tunnel stations) comprise the tunnel section of the loop, running parallel between Flagstaff and Parliament. Only the Clifton Hill & City Circle loop has a triangular junction at one end (its east end) and so it is the only one that can function also as a continuous circle when required. This facility - and thus its curve from Parliament to Flinders Street - has no regular service, but has occasionally been used during blockage of the other tunnels. The Northern loop also runs between Parliament and Flinders Street, but - lacking a triangular junction at either end - is unable to function as a circular route. Report updated: December 2022

Tottenham Junction, west leg VIC11

The west leg of the triangular Tottenham Junction is used by Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions (formerly Great Southern Railway) Great Southern Adelaide to Brisbane service which runs January and December each year, from December 2021. Note that passengers may not be on the train when the Brisbane to Adelaide journey uses this curve. For layout see schematic plans, page 51. Report updated: May 2023

[Belgrave - ] Lakeside - Gembrook VIC12

Of the 2ft 6in gauge Puffing Billy Railway, the easternmost 10.5 km section beyond Lakeside operates only on Fridays to Sundays, as advertised). Report updated: August 2024

Western Australia

Whiteman Park : Mussel Pool – Mussel Pool Tram Workshop WA1

Beyond the public running section of the Whiteman Park Heritage Tramway in Whiteman Park, WA the track extends a couple of hundred metres to the workshop and depot ("car barn"). On the fourth Sunday of the month during Autumn [March, April, May] and Spring [September, October, November] conducted tours of the workshop are available, leaving Whiteman Village by tram between 11:00 and 15: 30. If visiting Whiteman Park, beware that the hourly tram service does not seem to adhere to the notional schedule on their web site - it’s normally just one tram, on a (theoretical) hourly rotation - but it does run as a “triangular” route: Whiteman Village - Trans-Perth station - Mussel Pool - Whiteman Jn (for BBR) - Whiteman Village, thus doing all three sides of the triangle at Stockman’s Crossing. For access to the site there is a free “vintage” bus service every 15 mins from the Trans-Perth station to Whiteman Village. See Perth Electric Tramway Society website. Report updated: March 2025
The park is also home to the Bennett Brook Railway (2ft gauge) which also serves Mussel Pool.
Maps and schematics for the Bennett Brook Railway railway, Mussel Pool and Whiteman Village are available in the Maps and Plans section.

Perth - Leederville WA2

Entry deleted - service withdrawn

Clarkson - Butler WA3

The tracks used by the inbound and outbound Transperth Trains' Yanchep Line trains are separated for some 2km around the Nowergup maintenance facility. Report updated: March 2025


See also

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