| The Cockatoo
Run is a railway journey
run by an organisation
known as 3801 Limited.
3801 is a steam engine
owned and operated by
the organisation, of
the last, largest and
most powerful type used
in New South Wales. It
is a magnificent monster.
At this point, therefore,
lest any misunderstanding
arise, it should be made
clear that 3801 is not
the engine used on this
trip. The Cockatoo Run
is operated by an elderly
diesel locomotive.
The journey thus far
is a pretty one, but
it can, in fact, be travelled
by a double-decker CityRail
train offering an even
better view. Now, however,
the train branches off
the main line and runs
on a single-track line
leading up the Illawarra
escarpment to Robertson
and Moss Vale. This was
originally constructed
to take pressure off
the main line and to
allow heavy trains travelling
to the industrial areas
around Wollongong and
Port Kembla to avoid
passing through the Sydney
suburbs. The problem
with it is that it is
very steep. The line
rises some 600 metres
in sixteen kilometres,
a long, long climb at
an average gradient of
1 in 27, so it is little
used nowadays. The climb
up the escarpment is
a scenic one and the
views are very good,
with the train making
one stop for photographs.
As mentioned above,
there are CityRail trains
to Thirroul which offer
a better view and are
much cheaper. The
train reaches Robertson
at which point
the climb ends and it
is a flat run to Moss
Vale.
Passengers have the option
of alighting at Robertson
and going on a bus tour
of the area, including
a lavender farm, or continuing
to Moss Vale without
the benefit of the tour.
The tour, if taken, is
included in the fare.
Another option is to
have lunch on the train
as it climbs the escarpment.
|
