RAILWAYS OF NORTH-EAST VICTORIA
(www.northeastvictoria.online)
SPRINGHURST - RUTHERGLEN - WAHGUNYAH
This branch line was opened in 1879, and remained in service until 1962. It was built to service the riverboat traffic at Wahgunyah, and gradually lost its importance as the riverboat era came to an end.
Leaving the main line (the Melbourne - Wodonga Line) at Springhurst, there were stations at Lilliput, Consuls Siding, Rutherglen and Wahgunyah.
The Wahgunyah Railway Station used to be in Barkly Street (a right turn, just before crossing the Foord Bridge) and this is where the action took place, just around the corner from all of those riverside warehouses and wharfs.
There are many features of the former railway still to be seen. For example, driving towards Rutherglen from Springhurst, the railway lines are still visible to the right, as are many railway/road crossings, with their warning signs.
If you drive real slow, then some of the original railway bridges (albeit small ones) are still to be seen, through the saplings that have sprung up since the line became disused.
The gradient of the line was quite moderate, and this has made the route taken by the tracks a prime candidate for a Rail Trail. At present, the Rail Trail just extends from Wahgunyah to Rutherglen.
The path taken by the rail trail is through fairly open country, however there are no steep gradients, so this is a nice trip for all bikers.
The Trail terminates at the former Rutherglen Railway Station (in Douglas Street, just near the VIC) not far from the main commercial street of the town, and some nice coffee shops.
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