northeastvictoria.online

RAILWAYS OF NORTH-EAST VICTORIA

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TATONG-TOOMBULLUP TRAMWAY

Construction of the Tatong-Toombullup Tramway began in 1920, primarily to facilitate the on-going logging of the Toombullup State Forest.

Four years later, the tramway was complete, and the grunt needed to haul the logging trolleys was primarily provided by tractors, but horses were also on the job.

The terminus of the tramway was at the Toombullup Mill, and from here cut timber was taken to the Tatong Railway Station for further transportation.

At the height of its activity there were about 30 workers at the mill, and these people provided the bulk of the population at the village of Toombullup.

After 1930, the timber mill was relocated several times, finally to Barjarg (north-west of Mansfield).

Closure of the mill came in 1937, and despite that being a long time ago, there are still remnants of the tramway to be seen.

Using the recommended map (Rooftop Maps, Benalla-Mansfield - Strathbogie Ranges Adventure Map), access to the Toombullup area can be via the Tiger Hill Road (4wd only) out of Tatong, the Tolmie Road out of Tatong (4wd or SUV), or the Tatong Road (4wd or SUV) from just east of Tolmie (on the Mansfield - Whitfield Road).

More details on the Tramway, and its history, can be found on the Light Railway Research Society of Australia website (link below).

Light Railway Research Society