The Zig Zag Railway, nestled in the Blue Mountains near Lithgow, New South Wales, is a remarkable heritage line that showcases both engineering ingenuity and community resilience. Its history spans over 150 years, beginning with its original construction as part of the Main Western railway and evolving into a beloved tourist attraction.
The original Lithgow Zig Zag was opened on 18 October 1869 to overcome the steep western escarpment of the Blue Mountains. Designed by engineer John Whitton, the line used a series of switchbacks—known as zig zags—to climb 550 feet in elevation. Trains had to reverse direction twice to navigate the three sections: Bottom Road, Middle Road, and Top Road. This innovative design allowed the railway to ascend gradients of 1:42, a feat considered so impressive that it was once dubbed the “eighth wonder of the world”.
Despite its ingenuity, the zig zag system quickly became a bottleneck for traffic. Runaway trains and operational delays were common, prompting the construction of the Ten Tunnels Deviation, which bypassed the zig zags. This new route opened in 1910, and the original zig zag formation was abandoned.
The site remained dormant until the late 1960s, when steam enthusiasts led by Ian Thornton envisioned reviving the zig zag as a heritage railway. In 1972, the Zig Zag Railway Co-operative Limited was formed, and the track was relaid to 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow gauge to accommodate locomotives from other Australian states. The first heritage service ran in October 1975, exactly 106 years after the original line’s inauguration.
Over the next decades, the railway expanded in stages. The line reached Mt Sinai Halt in 1987 and Clarence Station in 1988, restoring much of the original zig zag route. The railway operated steam and diesel services, drawing thousands of visitors and becoming a key attraction in the region.
However, the railway faced significant challenges in the 21st century. In 2012, operations were suspended due to safety accreditation issues. Then came a series of devastating events: the 2013 State Mine Fire, 2019–2020 bushfires, and flooding, which destroyed infrastructure, rolling stock, and workshop facilities. Despite these setbacks, volunteers rallied to restore the railway, rebuilding track, carriages, and facilities over a decade.
In May 2023, the Zig Zag Railway triumphantly resumed passenger services, marking a new chapter in its storied history. The restored line now offers 90-minute steam journeys through sandstone viaducts, tunnels, and bushland, with views of the Gardens of Stone National Park. Locomotives like the AC16 218 “The Yank”, a World War II-era engine, have returned to service, symbolising the railway’s enduring spirit.
Today, the Zig Zag Railway stands as a testament to volunteer dedication, historical preservation, and the enduring allure of steam travel. It continues to enchant visitors while honouring its legacy as one of Australia’s most iconic railway feats.
This history was generated using AI and draws on publicly available sources including the Zig Zag Railway official site, Wikipedia, and SBS News.
