Railways and Tramways of Australia

Year Opened:

Penrith–Weatherboard (now Wentworth Falls) 1867; Weatherboard (now Wentworth Falls)–Mount Victoria 1868; Mount Victoria–Bowenfels (near Lithgow) 1869

 

Stations:

Lapstone, Glenbrook, Blaxland, Warrimoo, Valley Heights, Springwood, Faulconbridge, Linden, Woodford, Hazelbrook, Lawson, Bullaburra, Wentworth Falls, Leura, Katoomba, Medlow Bath, Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Bell, Zig Zag, Lithgow

 

Typical Journey Time:

118 minutes (Sydney–Katoomba); 138 minutes (Sydney–Mount Victoria); 167 minutes (Sydney–Lithgow); 223 minutes (Sydney–Bathurst)

 

Typical Peak Frequency:

15 minutes (Katoomba); 30 minutes (Mount Victoria); 60 minutes (Lithgow)

 

Typical Off-peak Frequency:

60 minutes (Katoomba); 60 minutes (Mount Victoria); 120 minutes (Lithgow)

 

Typical Weekend Frequency:

60 minutes (Katoomba); 60 minutes (Mount Victoria); 120 minutes (Lithgow)

The Blue Mountains are west of Sydney, and the railway line begins climbing after the line crosses the Nepean River and passes Emu Plains. From Sydney the line shares the Western suburban line to Emu Plains, and then continues to Lithgow. Some services terminate at Springwood and Katoomba, with most extending to Mount Victoria and some to Lithgow. The line has steep gradients, including lengthy sections of 1 in 33 between Valley Heights and Katoomba. Its maximum elevation is reached near Bell, which has an altitude of 1067 metres above sea level. The line is double track throughout. Most services on the Blue Mountains line are operated by V Sets, with only occasional H Sets running as far as Springwood. Trains typically stop at all stations between Emu Plains and Lithgow, with some services running semi-express. Scenic mountain views can be seen from sections of the line, particularly between Lapstone and Glenbrook and between Leura and Mount Victoria. One service operating from Bathurst to Central and return daily is also shown in the Blue Mountains timetable.

 

 

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