While caching with odlids recently, we had no idea why they had caches on their GPS that we didn't have until we got home and found we were searching for Archived caches. It seems that odlids kept all their old Pocket Queries and for this weekend away loaded an old one. This was one of the caches we found that was still in place and in perfect condition. I tried to contact Scenic Routers but got no reply.
Their cache was set up to draw you into learning about some of the early construction provided so that goods and people could be moved through the Valley.
The line was constructed and operated by the Commonwealth Oil Corporation for the Newnes oil and kerosene shale mines. It was primarily intended to carry goods to and from the mine but also provided passenger services.
The trains used on this line were unique, owing to the steepness of the gradients along the descent towards Newnes. Four Shay Locomotives were imported from the Lima Locomotive Works in Ohio, USA. Although rather slow, they used crankshafts to propel the wheels and a system of gears, enabling the train to start easily if it was forced to stop on a steep grade. They were also compatible with the gauge used on the main western line.
Newnes was a bustling town during the oil shale years. Oil shale had also been found at Hartley in 1866, at Torbane in 1865 and, later, Glen Davis. The Commonwealth Oil Corporation, which had been formed in London in 1905, bought out these leases in 1906, and acquired leases throughout the Capertee and Wolgan Valleys. Newnes, founded in that year was named after the chairman of the Commonwealth Oil Shale Company. Cutting the railway was a major investment but as newnes was a bustling town, it must have seemed worth it. However there were many industrial, technological and corporate failures and the works closed in 1912. The Works were relaunched by various interests, and during the Depression they were propped up by the Commonwealth Government as unemployment relief. However by 1938 all works had been relocated to Glen Davis.
The original logbook is in itself a historic item and has been left in place so that the history of GC10MZH Cutting Edge continues. Please enjoy reading back through the old logs and take care to maintain it's future for cachers who follow you to enjoy.
FTF goingplaces2