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Located in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, 130km west of Sydney

Why Are There TWO Newnes Junctions?

A number of people have asked the question and for those not familiar with the territory there is great confusion. For the purpose of this explanation they will be referred to as (Old) Newnes Junction and Newnes Junction. However, as the 1910 Newnes Junction station still exists it is convenient to use it as a reference point. The story involves three railways - New South Wales Government Railway (NSWGR), The Wolgan Valley Railway (WVR) and The Zig Zag Railway (ZZR). To understand the situation you have to appreciate the development of railways in the area. In 1869 the main Western line of the NSWGR after leaving Bell Station travelled west until just before the site of the modern NJ Station whence it followed a different route through to Clarence Station (ZZR) before proceeding via the Great Zig Zag to Lithgow. In 1897 the NSWGR line was deviated, continuing northwest on a new route known as Dargans Deviation through to Clarence where it re-joined the original route to Lithgow. The original route became a road and a part of the Great Western Highway through to Clarence Station (ZZR) In 1906 work started on building the WVR from a point on the Dargans Deviation and a short platform and shelter named Newnes Junction constructed to manage safe working between the two railways. (Old) Newnes Junction station continued in service until late 1910 when Dargans Deviation beyond the junction was closed and removed following the opening of the NSWGR 10 Tunnel Deviation. The 10 Tunnel deviation started some 500 metres further east where a new Newnes Junction station was created as a part of the deviation works. This station is currently closed.

Updated 14 November 2008