Cowra to Eugowra Rail Trail - Trail Description

Features

This trail is not opened or developed.  It is one of 17 possible rail trails in NSW.

This disused railway line runs between Cowra and Eugowra via Canowindra.  The line runs through very scenic rural countryside and farmlands.  Some of the infrastructure along this line such as station buildings has been removed.  Some road crossing bridges in Cowra have also been removed.

The total length of the line is 80kms, and Canowindra is about halfway, being 38kms from Cowra.  All three towns have accommodations, and refreshments available.  This makes it an ideal distance for both day trippers and the slower multi day tourers on bicycles..

Some of the scenery in this area is spectacular, especially in the Cowra area, which also boasts the beautiful Japanese Gardens and headquarters of the Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre.

Canowindra is the home of the hot air ballooning group, which has regular joy flights, as well as hosting the annual International Balloon Challenge usually held in April.

Background Information

The Eugowra branch lies in the central-west. It branches off the Blayney-Demondrille line at Cowra, and heads west to the town of Eugowra.

This branch was built to open up the rich lands between Cowra and Forbes. Originally built as far as Canowindra, there were various plans to link up with the Main West or the Stockinbingal - Forbes line; in the end it was extended as far as Eugowra. The line was built to "pioneer" standards, which meant earth ballasting and no fences.

The main traffic on the line was grain - passenger levels were always poor due to the relative shortness of the branch. Although boasting a CPH service from 1927, in the years leading up the the cessation of passenger services in 1974 people were carried in the brake van of the regular freight.

The line was truncated at Trajere in 1991 due to a washaway near Eugowra, but was completely closed by the end of the year. In 1994, the line was re-opened by the Lachlan Valley Railway as a tourist railway. In recent years the bridge over Cucumber Creek, near Canowindra, has been removed to facilitate water flow in times of flood. Some local groups are fighting to get this line re-opened.

Currently, services are suspended on the branch, with a stop block placed on the line at 369.85km, just beyond the location of Cowra West. There are many trees in the tracks along the line, and there have been moves to remove the infrastructure within the town of Cowra. It is unlikely that this line will ever re-open.

Links

September 2020

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Contact Us About This Trail

Email or click here: nsw@railtrails.org.au.