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- Molonglo (Bungendore to Captains Flat)
Molonglo (Bungendore to Captains Flat) - Trail Description
Trail
Molonglo (Bungendore to Captains Flat)
| Type: | Rail trail |
| Location: | Southern NSW near Canberra, 272km south of Sydney |
| Start/end: | Bungendore to Captains Flat |
| Status: | Possible |
| Length open: | 0km |
| Surface: | Coarse gravel |
| Terrain: | flat to slight incline |
| Contact Region: | Country NSW & ACT |
Details
Features
This rail trail is not yet open. It is one of 17 potential Rail Trails in NSW
This is a potential 36km rail trail running from the popular visitor town of Bungendore near Canberra, to the historic mining town of Captains Flat.
Much of the station and surrounds at Captains Flat is still intact, although somewhat overgrown. The station, which is now privately-owned, still retains its name board. The station yard (0.5km away) are also largely intact. The elevated loading bin was demolished by ARTC in 2010.
Description
Local groups are hoping to develop this former branch line that follows the Molonglo River for some of its distance.
Interest has been renewed in 2014 since the formation of RT4NSW. This group is actively lobbying the State Government to allow development of Rail Trails on abandoned government rail lines in NSW. For further information click on the link below.
Background Information
The line only operated from 1940 to 1968, though in 1969 it was used briefly during the making of the original "Ned Kelly" movie.
The Captains Flat station resided on a 63m curved island platform, located between the arrival and departure roads. There was also an engine run-around line and turntable, water tank and ash pit. Beyond the station area was the yard where the nearby mines would load their ore. An elevated loading ramp sat over the main line, with a goods shed on the adjacent siding.
Links
A news article on the cover of the Bungendore MIrror 16 April 2014 mentions this rail trail as an example of the protential benefits of rail trails in NSW.
For more information on Rail Trails in NSW click here
The Molonglo Rail Trail Friends Group have their own website here.
July 2020
To advertise your rail trail support business on this page, please click here.
Contact Us About This Trail
Email or click here: nsw@railtrails.org.au.
Photos
Molonglo (Bungendore to Captains Flat) - Photos
Comments
Comments
20 September , 2020 by JD
I am an adjoining landowner and I also do no support this rail trail. Dear ppower - YES this will put the primary productions businesses along the rail trail at risk. Your response shows a complete ignorance to the different types of bio-security risks faced by sheep, beef and goat production vs vineyards and apple orchards. Canberra and Bungendore region already has plenty of mountain bike tracks and cycle ways. Enough of the vocal minority. Time for some sanity.
16 August , 2020 by ppower
Businesses put at risk? With over 1000kms of Victorian rail trails there have been no reports of adverse biosecurity effects on adjoining landholders. NSW rail trails approval process requires a biosecurity risk assessment and the risks to be addressed. We support better schools, roads, weed and feral animal control and rail trails as they have a net positive benefit. Businesses in Bungendore and Captains Flat stand to benefit, just as businesses in Rosewood and Tumbarumba have - four new businesses since the rail trail opened in April. Locals use it - the Rosewood counter showed 2116 people in the first 8 weeks when Covid travel restrictions confined the trail to locals. When restrictions are lifted walkers and bike riders from all over Australia will visit and enjoy it. And the photo shows Foxlow bridge, on the Captains Flat line.
01 June , 2020 by Resident
The local community who this who this rail trail will reportedly benefit do not support the establishment of this rail trail. Significant funding would be needed and it would put at risk numerous small business collectively worth millions. We would rather our state government taxes and council rates be spent on a local high school, roads, weed and feral animal control, not entertainment for Canberrans. (PS the bridge shown in the picture is part of the live rail line between Goulburn and Canberra - which it is illegal for the general public to be on ....)
04 March , 2020 by wow01
Update - the local rail trail group has completed a trail feasibility study and is now renewing its request to Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council to fund the trail development plan. There is a good article in the Canberra Times newspaper on 23 Feb 2020.
30 July , 2017 by ian@iralph.net
Sadly it looks like nothing has happened since 2014 - this is 2017.