RAILWAYS OF NORTH-EAST VICTORIA
(www.northeastvictoria.online)
WANGARATTA - BRIGHT (OVENS VALLEY) RAILWAY
Community agitation for a rail service from Wangaratta to Myrtleford, and thence Bright, began soon after the construction of the Wangaratta - Beechworth Line, and the line carried its first passengers and freight between Wangaratta and Myrtleford in 1883.
Many of the earthworks associated with this section of line can still be seen in the immediate environs of Myrtleford, and more earthworks were required to extend the line to Bright, and for the same reason - low lying, flood-prone terrain.
However, the biggest task of the project was to provide the base for the line to cross over Taylors Gap, the highpoint of the Wangaratta - Myrtleford section.
The climb began just after Everton, with the impact of the gradient being lessened by an extensive cutting to the west of the Gap, as well as a tunnel under the Great Alpine Road. From here the locomotives could enjoy cruise-control on the descent to Myrtleford.
So, the complete line was opened in 1890, only to meet its partial nemesis in 1952 (the closure of passenger services), a victim of rising standards of living and improved roads (freight services were withdrawn in 1983).
There were eight stations on the line; Wangaratta, Bowser, Tarrawingee, Everton, Myrtleford, Eurobin, Porepunkah and Bright, all of which form landmarks on the modern day Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.
Intro Screen on a fresh browser page
COPYRIGHT © 1995-2020, Chris McLaughlin.