Zig Zag Railway

The Zig Zag Railway is a heritage railway at Lithgow in New South Wales, Australia on the site of the famous Great or Lithgow Zig Zag which operated between 1869 and 1910. As built, the line formed part of the Main West line from Sydney across the Blue Mountains and served to lower the line from its summit into the Lithgow valley on the western flank of the mountains. The Zig Zag railway run steam and diesel hauled trains over the Zig Zag for tourists. They are unique in NSW as being the only heritage operator to run everyday except Christmas Day. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays railmotors are operated. Every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday a steam loco with train will operate. Sunday has a two train timetable. Special events include a Day Out with Thomas and a Wizards express event held a couple of times per year. During most of the NSW school holidays steam services run every day.

Preservation History

In the 1967/68 a group of steam enthusiasts headed by Ian Thornton decided to restore the Lithgow Zig Zag as a heritage railway due to its fascinating history, the grand nature of the line and its proximity to Sydney. Negotiations with the Zig Zag Trust, the NSW Department of Lands and the Lithgow City Council began in March 1969. In 1972 the Lithgow Switchback Railway Co-op Ltd was born and this became the Zig Zag Railway Co-op Ltd in 1974. However, the New South Wales Government would not supply heritage locomotives and rolling stock to anyone...
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