Historic Lapstone Viaduct and Zig Zag Walking Track

View of the Knapsack Viaduct, Lapstone, NSW
Ffty years after the road over the Blue Mountains was built in 1815, a railway line across the Blue Mountains was constructed.
LAPSTONE HILL IN 1832. This picture, the original of which was made in the year following theestablishment of the 'Sydney Herald,' will appeal to the thousands ofmotorists who now ascend the well-known Lapstone Hill on their wayto the Blue Mountains. Convicts are shown at work on the road, andthe prisoners are guarded by soldiers dressed in the quaint uniforms ofthe period. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938)
Engineer-in-Chief for Railways NSW, John Whitton, had to design and construct a rail line for gradients as steep as 1 in 33 (3%) and curves as sharp as 8 chains (160m).

Whitton preferred tunnels to achieve the ascent of Lapstone Hill, but costs were prohibitive.

The Lapstone Zig Zag, the world's first Zig Zag railway, was built between Emu Plains and Blaxland stations.

The Knapsack Gully Viaduct is 40m tall, made of sandstone, designed by John Whitton and built by William Watkins. The viaduct carried the Main Western railway line across Knapsack Gully.
The Knapsack Viaduct was designed by and built under the direction of John Whitton, second Engineer-in-Chief for Railways. Its purpose was to carry the original Western Railway Line across Knapsack Gully at the head of Jamison Creek. It formed part of the Little Zig Zag, which climbed the eastern escarpment from Emu Plains to today's Glenbrook. No date, BML
On the 11th July 1867, the first official journey by train was made between Penrith and Weatherboard (Wentworth Falls).

The Lapstone Zig Zag walking track is around 3km return, that follows the old train line and historic sandstone arched viaduct called Knapsack Bridge. 
View of the Knapsack Viaduct, Lapstone, NSW. Dated: No date, Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collection
Also along the track is the remains of Lucasville Station.

John Lucas was Minister for Mines in 1875-7, and bought land for a country house near the Lapstone ZigZag.

Lucas used his influence to have a railway station built on the Top Road of the ZigZag. The viaduct fell into disuse in 1913, after the completion of the Glenbrook Gorge Deviation, to the south of the zig-zag.
A New Mountain Road : The Lapstone Deviation Opened After the Opening Ceremony. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 27 October 1926 The walking track starts from the car park at the end of Knapsack Street in Glenbrook, NSW.  A large signpost is at the start of the walk at the end of Knapsack Street in Lapstone, NSW.

Visit the nearby Lennox Bridge - the the oldest stone arch bridge on mainland Australia.


Around The  Lapstone Viaduct and Zig Zag Walking Track 


 Lapstone Viaduct and Zig Zag Walking Track, NSW
 Along the track is the remains of Lucasville Station, Capstone, NSW
 Lapstone Viaduct and Zig Zag Walking Track, NSW

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