The Cockatoo Run is a heritage rail trip, that goes along a line that has been closed to normal passenger trains for thirty years. This is the line between Unanderra and Robertson. The Cockatoo Run trains leave from Central and go to Wollongong and then a bit further along the Illawarra Line to Unanderra and then go off on the line to Robertson and Moss Vale. And then later the train returns to Central along the same route.
To go on this heritage train, which runs about once a month, you need to book well in advance as it’s very popular and fills up quickly. I booked for myself and also for Valerie and Sue.
We met up at Central, a bit before 9 am, and then found the train was running about half an hour late. Here is the train coming in to platform 1 –
Then the two diesel locomotives are uncoupled and shunted to the far end of the train and connected back up.
Looking into one of the heritage carriages –
We then left Central. Here we pass the Mortuary Station –
Crossing the Georges River –
Here, the train is crossing the heritage viaduct near Stanwell Park –
Now we are leaving the main line at Unanderra –
The line here is duplicated and has stanchions for an intended goods line from Maldon to Dumbarton. The line was partly built then cancelled.
It then climbs up through rainforest with filtered views.
One part is covered to protect from stone fall.
There are two tunnels.
Here the line crosses a high viaduct –
The train stops at the old Summit Tank Station, where we can get out and walk a short way to a lookout.
On our visit, it was misty.
The train then stopped at Robertson, where many people got out and waited in the town for it to return. We stayed on and continued to Moss Vale –
We had time to visit the town for refreshments.
To allow other trains to pass, the train is shunted to a siding. There isa; so no need for the engines to be moved to the other end for the return journey as there is a triangle of railway lines where the Roberston line joins the main line.
Then the return journey. We are now sitting on the other side of the train.
And, I missed photographing this waterfall on the way up –
The train arrived back at Central around 7 pm. It had been a long but interesting day.