Crookwell railway line

The Crookwell railway line is a disused branch railway line in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. It has never officially been closed. It branched from the Main South line at North Goulburn and passed north through the localities of Kenmore and Roslyn to the town of Crookwell.

Construction
The Crookwell district north of Goulburn is rich and productive agricultural land, with a high annual rainfall. A railway to Crookwell was proposed as early as 1857, but it was not until the late 1870s and early 1880s that formal submissions were made by local residents and landowners to the Commissioner for Railways. Various routes and proposals were considered, including the option of a tramway as a feeder to the Main South railway. From 1884, public meetings were held and deputations were made, but not until 1899 did the NSW Parliament finally pass a Bill for the construction of the Crookwell line.

At Roslyn, a branch line to Taralga opened on 23 February 1926. The station buildings were of concrete, similar to other stations constructed in that period.

Service
From opening, the line carried a mix of goods and passenger traffic. Superphosphate and livestock were the main goods carried, and superphosphate in particular was responsible for keeping the line operational long past the closure of similar branch lines. Initial passenger traffic was locomotive hauled 'mixed' trains of passenger and goods cars until the introduction of railmotors (CPH) from 1926. Two return daily railmotor services were provided allowing day return travel in either direction. The Taralga branch had a similar level of service, with trains six days a week.

The Taralga branch was the first to close on 1 May 1957, with service already reduced to once a week (Wednesday) only at the time of closure. From the mid 1970s, goods traffic began to decline in competition with road transport. Passenger traffic ceased in 1974, and by the 1980s goods traffic had dwindled to such unprofitable levels that the final train operated in 1985 and the line listed 'out of use' in 1989.

Route
The major engineering feature was a heavy (and expensive) steel lattice bridge over the Wollondilly River to the north of Goulburn. The line then passed through rolling hills to the town of Crookwell, and was opened in 1902. A platform was provided at Argyle, near the Goulburn Training Centre (now the Goulburn Correctional Centre), and stations were built at Kenmore, Norwood, The Forest, Woodhouselee, Roslyn, McAlister and Crookwell, with sidings at each of these locations. Several intermediate sidings were provided for stock loading and similar activities.

Current state
Much of the alignment and track of the line remains in place, including the substantial bridge over the Wollondilly River. Only the connection to the main line at North Goulburn has been removed. Since 2001, Goulburn Crookwell Heritage Railway Inc. has been restoring the line, with the intention of operating heritage rail trips over the line. Sleeper replacement operations commenced in 2010. Currently, only the area around Crookwell station is being restored, with other sections to follow.

The Taralga branch has been lifted and little remains of the formation. Part of the original alignment remains but has been turned into a road.