The Strahan–Zeehan Railway, also known as the "Government Railway", was a railway from Strahan to Zeehan on the west coast of Tasmania.
It linked two private railways: the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company railway line (now known as the West Coast Wilderness Railway) between Queenstown and Regatta Point, and the Emu Bay Railway between Zeehan and Burnie.
Early photographs of the Strahan wharf and buildings adjacent taken from the north usually have the railway tracks in the lower section of the photograph, as the line followed the shore from Regatta Point around the bay before passing northward in what is considered to be West Strahan today.
The line ran parallel to Ocean Beach before heading towards Zeehan.; a photo of unidentified location on the route
It was a critical link, due to the difficulties of shipping negotiating the entrance to Macquarie Harbour and was essential during the 1912 North Mount Lyell disaster. The track gauge of the lines between Burnie was the same all the way to Queenstown.; a news report with local concern about construction of the line, and its completion
Flooding and fire affected the most important link, the Henty Bridge, at stages in the line's history. 1920 was one year where the break in the line is recorded.
The line was heavily reliant upon the mining industry and its fortunes, and traffic reduced drastically at times of mining down-turns.; an early 1947 call for the closure, it remained open for over another ten years; the decision to delay closing due to uncertainty of mining industry in Zeehan
Following its closure, parts became tracks and eventually the formation was made into the Zeehan-Strahan Road.
Dates The line was opened on 4 February 1892, and it was closed 2 June 1960.
Stations and stopping places Zeehan Silver Bell Austral Oceana Junction in 1892 mentioned as one of the intermediate stations on the line, along with Henty, and West Strahan Professor Grieves Siding at heading Queensberry Mine Eden Powell's Siding Mallana—renamed Fowler's Siding Fowler's Siding as homing pigeon racing location Henty Bridge—renamed Koyule (1926) Henty a picture of Henty Station from a photo of 1909 Beach Road—also known as Ocean Beach Bellinger referred to as Bellinger culvert Opah—renamed Stella (1903) West Strahan a picture of West Strahan turntable Strahan Wharf Regatta Point
See also Railways on the West Coast of Tasmania
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Further reading