Description of Route
The route follows the Main West and Main South railway line routes until Strathfield, where it diverts north and follows the route of the Main North line until Broadmeadow, before diverting east along the route of the Newcastle branch line. The line is electrified at 1500V DC throughout, and is primarily double track, although there are passing loops at Hawkesbury River, Gosford, Wyong, Awaba, and Sulphide Junction (between Cockle Creek and Cardiff). Terminating of trains is available at Gosford, Wyong, and Morisset stations.
Prior to electrification of the route, steam hauled passenger trains were varied and interesting. The line was electrified as far as Gosford in 1955, and extended in stages to Newcastle between 1976 and 1981.
There are two stations planned on the line - a new station for Warnervale town centre (Woongarrah) at North Warnervale and a Glendale station between Cockle Creek and Cardiff. Both of these are in the planning stage.
This line is currently receiving ongoing track work between Gosford and Newcastle. This is part of the Track Reconstruction Strategy which commenced in 2003. Track reconstruction work includes replacing timber sleepers with concrete, new rails, ballast cleaning, reconditioning, drainage, resurfacing track, overhead wiring adjustments, track adjustments, signal restoration works and rail corridor clean-up and presentation. The track work is expected to be completed in 2009/10. During track work times, buses replace most trains when tracks are not ready.
The line is notable for the detailed Street art murals that adorn areas near most stations between Hornsby and Newcastle, incorporating imagery and names related to the appropriate station. The route also takes in a meandering but picturesque section along the Hawkesbury River, Brisbane Water and Lake Macquarie.
Read more about this topic: Newcastle And Central Coast Railway Line
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