Hi All,
I've been looking at the "Ernest Jct, including tunnel" map above. I'm not convinced that this is an accurate depiction of this area as built. It shows a sharper than 90 degree curve at the southern end of the tunnel, and another sharp curve at the northern end. In other words the tunnel is shown as being in the middle of an 8 chain reverse curve. On the map the tunnel appears to run more or less east-west but it's really more like north-south IMHO. After walking this abandoned section and the tunnel itself a few times over the years I reckon the curves as shown must have been eased more than a little when the line was built. The tunnel's location can be seen on Google Earth or Nearmap and is more like north-south. The tunnel length on the map is stated as 121 yards, might get down there in the next few weeks and take a look once again, maybe measure the length. I wonder if anyone has a link to any other map which shows the tunnel area?
rgds,
John Hudson
Hi John,
Did you also download the “Southport” 1966 Military map from the above list I supplied last month? That “Southport” map shows the generally “EAST WEST” tunnel as well. You can zoom in close for details. The grid boxes help with compass directions. I have a map extract from that “Southport” 1966 Military map shown below to illustrate this. That “Southport” army map uses 1:50,000 scale with each side of the black box grids 1,000 metres long. These maps show the rail line as “Dismantled”. Tunnel passes under Ashmore road uphill past the Keen Street and Ashmore Rd intersection at 27°57'56.20"S 153°21'21.88"E
If you are going to visit the area perhaps the following may also interest you?
The line from Ernest Junction to Southport went through a cutting after the points. The deep rail cutting is alongside the **eastern** side of Geoff Wolter Drive at Google Earth 27°58'14.28"S 153°21'39.48"E As you can see below the cutting is quite deep on both sides. That is a normal car tyre in the cutting. I included it in my recent picture as a scale. The cutting is quite easily found from Geoff Wolter Drive [Eastern section].
I suggest you park on the non-house side just as you enter the street and then head into the bush carefully. This cutting, on the line to Southport, east of Ernest Junction, is just above the word "Ernest" on the 1966 Southport army map.
Ernest Junction triangle was located in the vicinity of present day Marybeth Crescent and Geoff Wolter Drive [Western section].
Not sure if you noticed the handwriting on the "Ernest Jct, including tunnel” Working Plans and Sections diagram you mentioned? Those updates tell you that not only were the plans originally printed for the 1880s construction period but also updated with handwritten notes till closure in 1964. Thus these Working Plans and Sections diagrams show the line as it existed till closure.
I notice you have an engineering interest as well as a railway archaeology interest. If you really want to discuss the real world engineering aspects of that line, as distinct from making a Trainz simulator model, please ask your questions over on the following Railpage thread; Home » Forum Index » Queensland » Old railway cutting at Coolangatta - Tweed Heads extension
http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11348803.htm
There are many others at that thread with a similar engineering interest and Railway Archaeology interest as yourself, so you may find an interesting and very informative response.
If you read that thread before replying, you will notice some of the responses on that Coolangatta - Tweed Heads thread shown above will also be of interest to your Ernest Junction question. It has more than just the Coolangatta end of the line. You will also notice some of the people there have an engineering and first-hand experience in connection with the line.
Following are some other Railpage threads that may interest you and you can reply on those threads after you join Railpage;
http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1378367.htm#1378367
http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1509472.htm#1509472
http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1669711.htm#1669711
