About SideTracked Caches
This geocache belongs to the SideTracked series that is popular in the UK and throughout the world. The first cache was placed on the 10th August, 2007, and is now spreading around the world. It is designed to be a relatively quick cache find around train stations for travellers but, of course, anyone else can find it too! More Information about the series can be found at the SideTracked Series
Please bring your own writing stick to sign the log and remember if you have not signed the physical log inside the cache container you have not officially found the cache and your online log may be deleted. Sadly no photo logs will be accepted.
Ropes Creek and Ropes Crossing
The area was named in honour of Anthony Rope, a First Fleet convict who was granted land fronting the creek.
The area became Defence land during WW2 and at the end of last century development of the suburb of Ropes Crossing began. It includes a primary school and a Regional Park and a section of the suburb is entirely allocated to Over 55's Living.
About Ropes Creek Station
The Ropes Creek line opened on the 29th June, 1942 as a branch line from St Marys passing through Dunheved and Cochrane with Ropes Creek being the last station.
The line was not electrified until 1957 and was primarily used for Defence purposes and later for freight services with one Red Rattler passenger service each morning and again one in the afternoon.
The line closed to passenger trains in the early 1980’s due to lack of patronage and was officially closed on the 22nd March, 1986 with a “train enthusiasts’ special” being the very last service.
As suburban development progressed the platform was shortened from the north to just 50m and the station buildings were preserved. The area was designated as a Heritage area to be included in a Cultural Park in the new suburb. The building was a weatherboard structure with a 40 lever signal operation frame, a waiting room, toilet facilities and a ticket collectors’ box.
Sadly development was slow and the area fell into disrepair and was destroyed by a suspicious fire in June 2011.
All that remains of the original station are the metal overhead supports for the electric wiring and some of the levers in the signal operation frame.
In 2014 the Cultural Park was finally completed and the remaining platform and station elements were incorporated into the design.
Today the park also contains a children’s bike track with pedestrian crossings and miniature signage and a dog leash free area.
To find the cache look around the station and surrounding park and find the following ...
A = the total number of rail lines, count raised and embedded in the asphalt
B = the number of platform signs (check both sides) x2 minus the number of old fashioned platform lights
C = the number of remaining levers inside the cage minus the number of steel poles holding up the roof of the covered area minus the number of letters of the name of the council which controls the dog park
D = 7 if the railway tracks run east-west OR 8 if the railway tracks run north-south
E = 5 if the yellow and black signs in the cycle area are diamond shaped OR 6 if they are triangular
F = 6 if the red, white and black signs in the cycle area are diamond shaped OR 5 if they are triangular
GZ can be found at S 33° 43.ABC E 150° 46.DEF
Check Sum - S35 E34