Unanderra to Robertson Train Rear View with Commentary - East Coast Heritage Rail - Cockatoo Run

In this video, you'll see the whole of this spectacular railway journey from Unanderra to Robertson from the back of the rear carriage of a heritage train.

It's filmed in 4K, so it's almost as good as being there! You'll also have my commentary to help you understand more about one of Australia's most scenic railway journeys.

The Illawarra Highland Line from Unanderra to Moss Vale is primarily used for freight. The only passenger services are those run by East Coast Heritage Rail (formally 3801 Limited). These run every couple of months and this journey was on Sunday 6th June 2021.

This line is affectionately known as the Cockatoo Run and I'll explain why in this video.

After leaving Unanderra and the Farnborough Heights residential areas, this train climbs part of the Illawarra Escarpment on a 1 in 30 gradient for 17 kilometres. When we reach Dombarton, I'll talk about the proposed Dombarton to Maldon freight line, which would have included the 4km Avon Tunnel, which would have been the longest tunnel in Australia.

Between Dombarton and Summit Tank, the train goes through two tunnels, under some snow sheds and across an impressive (and slightly scary viaduct!).

After Summit Tank it's downhill through more spectacular bushland to the old Mount Murray station. It's still visible, and you'll see this heritage listed station in this video.

It's then on to Robertson. The scenery changes here and the A48 Illawarra Highway comes into view as the train gets closer to Robertson. We pass through the tiny Ranelagh Station. Blink and you might miss it!

At Robertson Station (and also earlier at Summit tank), you'll see footage of the heritage train and Class 421 locomotive 42101 which was propelling the train forward!

East Coast Heritage Rail Website (for bookings, volunteering and other information)

https://eastcoastheritagerail.com.au/

Time stamps
00:00 Introduction and map of the route
00:38 Unanderra to Dombarton
15:50 Dombarton to Illawarra Tunnel 2
27:42 Illawarra Tunnel 2 to Summit Tank (includes viaduct)
42:03 Summit Tank to Mount Murray
59:55 Mount Murray to Robertson
1:16:53 Train departing Robertson Station

Links to websites used to create this video.
Wikipedia (these 2 pages and some of the links from them)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unander...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maldon_....

CPH Rail Motor Image (Creative Commons License) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPH_rai...

East Coast Heritage Rail Lineside Notes
https://eastcoastheritagerail.com.au/...

For Tunnels and Intermediate Stations
https://nswrail.net/lines/show.php?na...

For Viaduct. https://www.flickr.com/photos/8379152...

Other websites
https://nswtrains.fandom.com/wiki/Una...

https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/proj...

Maps created using Open Street Map and Affinity Designer
Open Street Map (open source map website)
https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright

Recorded on an iPhone 11 and using the Rode Smartlav+ mic for iPhone. Edited using Final Cut Pro.

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Disclaimers.
COVID-19
Most of my videos are recorded several weeks before being edited and uploaded. I always follow the government COVID-19 advice and requirements that applied on the day of filming. This is why you sometimes see me wearing a mask and at other times you don't. If you're watching this video during a Sydney lockdown, then please note that it was filmed at a time prior to these restrictions coming into effect.

Accuracy
I do my best to make the commentary in these videos as accurate as possible by checking facts on the internet and other sources. However, sometimes the information isn't available, so I'll use my railway knowledge and insight to explain something to the best of my ability. If accuracy is important, do check the comments, as other viewers will often pick up on things I've missed or any mistakes made. Also note that for older videos, things may change over time, causing some of the information to become out of date.