Tickhole Tunnel

The Tickhole Tunnel, also called the Kotara (Tickhole) Railway Tunnel, is a heritage-listed double track railway tunnel that carries the Main Northern railway line beneath the Newcastle Inner City Bypass (A37) and is a diversion over the Tickhole Creek. The tunnel is located between Cardiff and Kotara stations in the City of Newcastle local government area of New South Wales, Australia.[1][2]

Tickhole Tunnel
Overview
Other name(s)Kotara (Tickhole) Railway Tunnel
LineMain Northern railway
LocationHunter Region, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates32°56′38″S 151°41′11″E / 32.9440°S 151.6865°E / -32.9440; 151.6865
SystemNSW Trains
Crosses
StartKotara
EndCardiff
Operation
Opened15 August 1887 (1887-08-15)
OwnerRailCorp
Technical
Length
  • 165 metres (180 yd) (northbound)
  • 205 metres (224 yd) (southbound)
No. of tracks2
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrified1984
New South Wales Heritage Database
(Local Government Register)
Official nameKotara (Tickhole) Railway Tunnel
Designated28 May 2009
Reference no.s.170

The original 161-metre (176 yd) tunnel opened on 15 August 1887. It initially only had one track, but provision was made for the line to be duplicated which duly occurred in 1891.[3][4][5][6] As part of the electrification of the line, in 1983 tenders were called for a second tunnel, of 205 metres (673 ft), completed in 1984.[7] This second tunnel is used by southbound services, while the original tunnel once again became single track for northbound services.[1][2]

See also

References