I'm not embarrassed to ask this, but I couldn't find a more appropriate place than this thread.

If the NSW western line was cut because a mountain caved into one or more of the 10 tunnels east of Lithgow, landslide, whatever, and this was going to be for an extended period of time, could the zig zag railway be reconnected between Clarence and Newnes Junction (and bottom station and Lithgow) just for pax services? Of course it would have to run on standard gauge.  Could a train as long as the XPT use the switchback or be supported by the viaducts?  The XPL/endeavours would have no problem obviously being small.

Could this line be rebuilt regardless for such contingencies?

I'm not embarrassed to ask this, but I couldn't find a more appropriate place than this thread.

If the NSW western line was cut because a mountain caved into one or more of the 10 tunnels east of Lithgow, landslide, whatever, and this was going to be for an extended period of time, could the zig zag railway be reconnected between Clarence and Newnes Junction (and bottom station and Lithgow) just for pax services? Of course it would have to run on standard gauge.  Could a train as long as the XPT use the switchback or be supported by the viaducts?  The XPL/endeavours would have no problem obviously being small.

Could this line be rebuilt regardless for such contingencies?

the zig zag has been relaid on narrow gauge

I'm not embarrassed to ask this, but I couldn't find a more appropriate place than this thread.

If the NSW western line was cut because a mountain caved into one or more of the 10 tunnels east of Lithgow, landslide, whatever, and this was going to be for an extended period of time, could the zig zag railway be reconnected between Clarence and Newnes Junction (and bottom station and Lithgow) just for pax services? Of course it would have to run on standard gauge.  Could a train as long as the XPT use the switchback or be supported by the viaducts?  The XPL/endeavours would have no problem obviously being small.

Could this line be rebuilt regardless for such contingencies?

Sure, with enough time and cash, anything is possible. But it won’t happen. Why?
So Does Sydney trains(or whoever have the option to acquire ZZ right of way?)


But, there is no connection at Newnes or Bottom points to the mainline. Let’s not overlook the break of gauge. Plus clearances and load limits on viaducts built in the 1860s.
Should the worst occur and the line through the tunnels is impassable, Pax services would be operated by buses. Mt Vic and Lithgow. As has happened recently.
Freight services would go Via Parkes and Coota West. There may be a valid reason to reinstate the Mudgee line, under the circumstance you’ve described. Harden-Blaney, no hope.

I know the zz has been relaid NG, but say it was SG, and the tunnels were toast, could the viaducts support XPL and XPT trains? The alignment between Clarence and Newnes would be straight up. Surely the existing zz alignment could support these trains.

How incredible that the ZZ actually was conceived to solve the problem of getting over the mountains.

Pay rent to ZZ for use of the line.

.. And yes, bustitution would happen in anyone's language

ANR, my polite way to say it ain’t happening.

Thought this thread had disappeared. I understand that this is in the "it will never happen" category, but my question is:

is it technically feasible to reconnect Newnes Junction to Clarence, and bottom points to the main west? Can the viaducts support a 2 or even 3 car XPL if SG was laid where the NG currently sits?

This sounds equivalent to building a connection to a regauged version of the CAR between Stirling North and just north of Edeowie, as a backup corridor to the current (disused) much flatter standard gauge alignment that bypasses the Flinders Ranges.

If it was practical, it would be done probably 60 years ago by now.

I know this is an old thread but in the past I've wondered if the Zig Zag could be used as a track work alternative. Maybe the Zig Zag could be extended to Newnes Junction and a third rail (dual gauge) could be laid on the tracks between Bottom Points and Lithgow to recreate the experience of reversing twice. Just a crazy idea I suppose.

I know this is an old thread but in the past I've wondered if the Zig Zag could be used as a track work alternative. Maybe the Zig Zag could be extended to Newnes Junction and a third rail (dual gauge) could be laid on the tracks between Bottom Points and Lithgow to recreate the experience of reversing twice. Just a crazy idea I suppose.

They were actually working on a Newnes extension before it closed, I believe that track had been laid for half the route (in narrow gauge of course).

I think that the plan was to extend it to the station, rebuild the station to modern standards and reopen it, closing Zig Zag station in the process.