The Lithgow Zig Zag Railway.

Located around Hartly Valley, Collits Inn is central to many areas and we decided to go to Lithgow and do the steam train ride - as you would if you were mad about trains. They used two trains on this trip that takes about 90 minutes. Sometimes both were at the front or one at the rear and the other at the front. Going through the tunnel you nearly get chocked to death and your eyes start to water but what an experience.

The trip goes from Clarence to Top Points, where the trains are shuffled and then from Top Points to Bottom Points, where they are agaiun shuffled for the return journey. The scenery is breath taking as is the engineering that cut and built the three viaducts that the train goes over.

A map of the trip.	Clive's like a kid in a candy store with trains.	OK. You can stop smiling now.	Your train awaits you.
Train shuffling.	Train shuffling.	You can see the three track levels here.	Centre picture is the tunnel entrance.
A smiling driver.	Here comes engine number 2.	The double header is ready to roll.	Smile Clive.
More heads are out the window.	We're off and running.	Heading towards Top Ppoints.	We stop and get photos here later.

The tunnel wall through the smoke.	Inside our carriage.	At Top Points we swap the engines.	Hooking them back up.
They are somewhere in the steam.	Getting ready to roll.	The rock cuttings were great too.	OK, Now we're rolling.
Full steam ahead.	Smell that steam.	Approaching the signal box.	These kids were having fun.
The scenery was great.	It's ok. We're not falling over.	Looking back.	Top Points signal box.
Top points Station.	Train swapping.	The engine.	With carriages in tow.
The signals are set to caution.	The other engine.	Now reversing back.	Inside the cabin was highly polished.
Gai looks outside the carriage.	Two of the three viaducts can be seen.	Looking to a viaduct.	The carriages have been beautifly restored.
Our photo.	MMM.. Well - yes.	We're about to enter the tunnel again.	Half the train is in.
Climbing back up the slope.	Top points Station again.	Engine swapping again.	Coupling up.
Where's the other engine ?.	Here it comes.	Smoko break.	Back safely at Clarence.
Clive with his toys - he wishes.	Inspecting the engines.	There they go.	Back to their yards.
Too many controls and gauges for me.	Rest time.	The engine.	Important advertising.
Gai couldn't get the camera to work.	Clive wasn't really asleep.	Looking across the valley.	Two viaducts.
Three levels.	A viaduct.	Taking the carriages back to the depot.	Good bye.
View across the other side.