SideTracked - Bodallin
Location Information
About the Location
Bodallin Station is located a short distance east of town. If you've driven the Great Eastern Highway, the chances are you'd know Bodallin well, even if you haven't visited the station, as Bodallin is one of the only level crossings on the Great Eastern Highway. If you drive through often, you'll probably jag one of the passing freight trains that see the boomgates down for a lengthy period, generating vehicle convoys behind slow road trains for kilometres after. The level crossing is rather iconic, characterised by large hills either side of the train tracks. These hills were part of a former railway flyover, which is no longer used.
Photo Information and Credit (all images accessed via Rail Heritage WA): (1) A.Tilley, 1971 - XA class 1416 ( livery green with red/yellow stripe) crosses the Bodallin flyover hauling ARHS Esperance Reso train to Merredin. The photo is taken looking along the standard gauge line with side view of XA locomotive, Z brakevan and AQZ carriage. (2) M.Searle, 12 July 1971 - L Class 268, on No 1204 freight train, passing under the Bodallin flyover. (3) L Class 260 and L Class 261 diesel locomotives on the inaugural "Indian Pacific" Sydney to Perth passenger train, view of the train taken from the flyover at Bodallin.
Access Information
Catch the Prospector to this cache. Alternatively, the cache is 2WD accessible with parking available off Bodallin South Road. Caravans and towing vehicles can park and turn around at the listed waypoint. There is also an access track on the northern side of the railway, closest to the station building, but I am unable to report if it is 2WD accessible.
Cache Information
About SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breath taking view. It's a distraction for the weary traveller, but anyone else can go and find it too. More Information can be found on the SideTracked Series website.
Container Description
This cache is a preform tube. It contains a logbook, but does not have room for swaps or trackables.
Important Reminders
Please replace the cache as found and bring your own pen to sign the log.