Chapter 28

There is regular rail service between Sydney and Orange with Lithgow acting as a major interchange ... Syd to Lithgow, Lithgow to Dubbo, Lithgow to Orange and beyond. The Zig Zag route was part of the main line until the Tunnels made the Zig Zag obselete. The Ten Tunnels were bored to eliminate the hazards of the ZZ. As with so many thing abandoned in Australia ... the zig was just left.

Rail enthusiasts banded together to reopen the Zig line as a thrillride ... and it is. There are places where the tracks are visible below ... a long way below. Steam locomotives going out of usage for the more reliable diesel engines were abandoned ... later than the line itself. These were restored by volunteers.

Then came the flood and two fires.

Service was restored in ‘22.

The ride isn’t far ... but it encompases the best of the Zig Zag route.

A journey on the Zig Zag Railway is a chance to relive the magical era of steam trains. You will be offered views of grand sandstone viaducts as well as the remarkable scenery of the Blue Mountains. Accompanying you will be the romantic sights, sounds and smells of a steam locomotive, hauling you and your fellow passengers over the Great Lithgow Zig Zag. Thanks Google

I let the three women off at the yellow building with the red roof, watched as they bought tickets and waited until they were boarded snd then I drove to the end of the tour. Newnes Junction railway station.

Myndee and I settled in for a wait.

“Your daughter is growing up. I have money, do you still need me?”

“Do you want to go?”

“No. She’s like my own kid.”

“You’re the only mother she’s known. If I let you go, Abby would never speak to me again. You’ll probably be a fixture in her home until you decide to leave.”

“Remember when she was mad at you and didn’t speak to you for months?”

“Yes ... and you wouldn’t pass on what she said unless you thought it was important. It was so peaceful at the house.” I was silent for a bit ... reflecting, then, “Remember what she said when I took her to her mother’s cars?”

“Yes... ‘Tell my dad I’m still mad at him and he’s spoiling it.’”

The tour train stopped and let our three girls off. The tour went back to Clarence.

“Daddy, thank you ... it was great. The views ... ooo.” Alice and Janna nodded like bobble heads.

“Some day soon we want to take the train from Bathurst to Sydney,” said Alice. “We’ll go shopping.”

The drive the rest of the way, while scenic was filled with talk about the train. I just drove.

Sydney was growing. The suburbs started closer to the mountains. Construction everywhere ... for sure, Australia ... coastal Australia was booming.

Hurstville hadn’t changed much. I drove directly to the hotel. Alice sold her gold and was amazed at the zeros on the cheque.

I took one look and said, “You’re buying the gas, little girl.”

Abby looked at the number, “Yes Alice ... and dinner.”

Janna agreed ... even though Alice split it with her.

Replete, Janna said, “I’m not leaving my job ... but I mighty buy the place.”