The forgotten South Maitland railway

This production features glimpses of what the South Maitland railway and coalfields look like in 2021. It shows the remaining railway from Maitland to Pelton and remnants of some of the branches and mining operations. Although Elrington Colliery was part of the greater SMR system, footage of this line will be included into a separate video.

[@griffinrails]

This line should be reactivated ASAP! It's perfect for a commuter mainline, possibly even an electrified one? There's space for duplification along the whole stretch and plenty of patronage for it.

[@australiasindustrialage689]

Yes it definitely has potential

[@davidbarnes1563]

Didn't the SMR try that with 3 of their own diesel railcars in the '60s and the service didn't get sufficient patronage?There was also the Cessnock Express, what happened there? I'm surprised the NSWGR didn't buy those railcars after the SMR stopped using them

[@griffinfails3689]

@@davidbarnes1563 The SMR railcars were apparently quite unreliable, and this was the time where rail transport was unfavorable with the public. 60 years on I think there is true potential.

[@robertcameron2808]

Nice little video I saw dozens of steam trains over the years

[@australiasindustrialage689]

Sadly I never saw steam on the line, as I didn't grow up in the Hunter, I only saw glimpses of RVR at Hexham, thanks for comment

[@neilforbes416]

5:20 As I mentioned in another of your videos, in 2017 I took part in a fundraising ride on the Rail Motor Society's *Tin Hare* CPH-class rail motors from Maitland almost to Cessnock. Neath Station is where the train stopped for Morning Tea on the outward leg, and for lunch at the Neath Hotel on the return leg. Poor old Neath Station looking much the worst for neglect over the many decades since services to Cessnock ceased in the early 1960s.

[@travelingman6511]

@Nei Forbes the Cessnock line closed in 1972 station demolished in 1975

[@top40researcher31]

@Neil Forbes imagine how busy maitland station would be if the cessnock line was still there

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Great video, although the intro information zipped through a little quick, not into "speed reading" at my age...seven to 10 seconds per info box would be comfortable. You should pop out this way and do the forgotten Caroline Mine railway and the Mount Hope line.

[@australiasindustrialage689]

Sorry about that, the trouble is the limitations of the video editing software. I would like to get Mt Hope, but I've never heard of the Caroline Mine, Where is that one?

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

@@australiasindustrialage689 Caroline Mine Junction is a short distance from Tottenham NSW at 591.640km mark. You can see the branch line clearly through the double gates in the Up Main direction. It is private property and the mining company still holds the lease, signage warning trespassers on the gates. Was told the mine infrastructure long since demolished, the branch line runs about five miles. There is talk of reopening it using open cut to get what was missed using new technology. Video of trains passing the spur are on my You Tube site under Caroline Mine or Caroline Junction NSW.

[@mattmatty4670]

Cool thanks mate

[@Joe-jd4pn]

I have a road crossing sign and a safeworking ticket from the SMR from when i worked trains out there in 2000s.
Anyone want them?

[@jagarg6573]

Now owned by Aurizon

[@19501952]

Statement at 6.40 is incorrect, that is not the site of Abermain No1

[@neilforbes416]

8:39 "Bee Siding"? Don't go there! You'll get stung! LOL

[@Mediawatcher2023]

@Neil Forbes you are really *Beeside* yourself LOL

[@neilforbes416]

7:15 Weston Station also served Kurri Kurri(where where they they talked talked like like this this!! LOL LOL 😁😁)

[@robertkennedy1087]

Great video
To go back in time to see this busy railway in action would be un real
To all the train drivers and miners who worked the Cessnock coal fields thank you
Now Austar is closed the last link is broken this magnificent seam of coal willl never be worked again

[@australiasindustrialage689]

Very well said

[@bryanc8439]

It would be nice if they converted the old right of way to a tourist cycleway and walking path clean up some of the old buildings still standing as a tribute to the people who worked there and the contribution they made to the community and area.

[@australiasindustrialage689]

I'm in favour of cycle paths along some routes where it is unlikely that the line would be viable as a commericial or tourist railway.

[@bryanc8439]

@@australiasindustrialage689 whilst I am in favour of lines being restored back into operation what usually happens is that they remain abandoned for many years and either land holders nearby take over the right of way making it hard if not politically impossible to take it back or governments find ways to sell off portions which means the corridor is no longer available. Whilst I know that an active path can present problems in the future it at least keeps the corridor in the public domain.