MOUNT LYELL RAILWAY
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From the terminus of the Government line at Regatta Point the Mount Lyell Company’s railway of similar gauge (3ft 6 in.) continues to Queenstown (fare, 11s return), and on to the Smelters site. Skirting the shore of Macquarie Harbour for three or four miles till it comes to the King River, the line proceeds along the right back of this pretty little stream to Teepookana, which, until a few years ago, formed the terminal station from Queenstown, passengers and cargo having then to cover the distance between Teepookana and Strahan by steam launch. Teepookana (native Tasmanian for kingfisher) is the head of the navigable portion of the King, which is justly famed for its picturesque beauty and the vividness of its reflections. The boat trip from Strahan to Teepookana and back is one that should be made by all visitors. It can readily be accomplished in half a day. Leaving Teepookana, the Lyell railway traverses some of the 14½ miles of wonderful country 'ere arriving at Queenstown. Having crossed the King by an iron bridge at Teepookana, the line follows the left bank of the river for some two miles, and then recrosses by a pile bridge which, with approaches, is 800ft. in length. The bridge proper consists of two truss spans of 85 ft. each, carrying the track 40ft. above the usual level of the river. For another three miles or so the railway is hewn out of the steep sideling of the north bank of the King, on one side being precipitous rock hundreds of feet high, or heavily-timbered hills rising so abruptly as to darken the railway carriage, while on the other, the traveller looks down into the waters of the King flowing, it may be, a couple of hundred feet almost sheer below. At Dubbil-Barrill commences so steep a rise (1 in 20 in parts) that the ordinary adhesive system of line is no longer sufficient, and the Abt rack rail has had to be introduced. Midway between the ordinary rails are two parallel steel rack bars provided with cogs, into which fit two pinion cog wheels in the special combination engine, and which are worked by a separate pair of cylinders. The cogs of the rack rails are cut with minute exactness, and arranged so that the cog of one rail is precisely opposite the space in the other, consequently one of the pinion wheels always has a grip. The scenery on this section of the line is thrillingly grand, particularly just where the route leaves the King River. Here what is known as the King River Gorge is formed by two precipitous mountains, between which the river foams, that to the south known as “Gentle Annie” being about 2,000ft. high of almost bare rock, while the northern hill is covered with dense forest and a tangle of scrub. At the summit of the Abt (about 850ft. above sea-level) is Rinadeena (aboriginal “Drops of Rain”). Here the train waits for a few minutes for water, and then follows the descent over the other part of the Abt at a grade of 1 in 16 to Hall’s Creek. Thence to Queenstown the rack rail arrangement is dispensed with.