The popular Zig Zag Railway is in the final stages of restoration and is set to reopen later this year. The heritage-listed tourist attraction, which runs steam train services from Lithgow to the Blue Mountains was shut down in 2012 after a number of safety and financial issues. With bushfires in 2013 followed by storm damage and then more bushfires in 2019, the railway was forced into closure. The trains offer views of sandstone viaducts and stunning scenery of the Blue Mountains.
Zig Zag Railway
The NSW Government will contribute additional funds to accelerate efforts as the railway reaches its final stages of restoration.
“The Zig Zag Railway has been an icon and tourist drawcard for the Blue Mountains for nearly half a century thanks to its committed volunteers dedicated to keeping the romance and heritage of Australia’s steam train era alive,” Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said in a statement.
“The sights, sounds and smells of the old locomotives chugging through sandstone viaducts to reveal the remarkable scenery of the Blue Mountains is a unique experience of international significance.”
The steam railway has a storied history. It first opened in the 1860s and was primarily used to transport passengers and cargo from Western NSW to Sydney. It experienced a resurrection of sorts in the 1970s and became a popular tourist attraction before having to close in 2012.
A team of dedicated volunteers has been working hard to restore the site with help from the NSW government. The railway is expected to reopen this winter. You can follow all the updates on their website or Facebook page.