This website has been archived from TrainWeb.org/aussiepix to TrainWeb.US/aussiepix.
Railfanning the Parwan area
This site is just designed to be a simple guide to railfanning the area of the Ballarat - Melbourne line around Parwan. The immediate area contains three level crossing and a crossing loop. To the west is an elegant curve and Bacchus Marsh where many peak trains terminate. To the east is the impressive bridge over Melton Wier. The area of track is busiest in the morning and afternoon peak. The majority of trains are passenger with a mix of N,P and A classes and Sprinter railcars. Soon the new Velocity VFT railcars will be operating. The fastest track speed in the section is 130kph.
This map shows the main areas of the line good for photography. All of the roads are good, except Telephone road is unsealed in some sections. This is also shows hoe the area can be accessed from Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Geelong.
This
map shows the main areas of interest. The first section shows the main loop
area. Speeds along here range from 130-115kph. The area between the Whelans
road and the first private access crossing is open country. The section between
the middle crossing and the last is wooded. There are sections of gravel off
the main road near the crossing for parking so your car can stay safe. In between
the two middle crossing there is a slight hump and trains can appear unexpectedly.
The line drops downhill just after the Parwan CFA station. If you continue along
Parwan - Exford road towards Bacchus Marsh and turn right into Geelong road
and then right again into Woolpack road. You will drive over the railway. You
will notice an access road to your left heading towards the railway. Park your
car here (remember to leave room for any cars to go down it and then walk to
the side of the line. You will get good views of the curve heading into Bacchus
Marsh here. Also if you stay on Geelong road you will cross a creek bridge and
the railway will be on an embankment to your right. If you park to the side
just before the road heads uphill again you can see trains in a gap in the trees
on the embankment.
The second section of the map shows the telephone road area. To access telephone road head east down Parwan - Exford road. You will see an intersection coming up. Just before this on you left is Telephone road. Drive down here. Note: Partly unsealed. After traveling along for a bit you will see a RR crossing. You can turn left and go down Staughton Siding road to another RR crossing or just continue straight. If you go to the very end of Hickney road you will be able to see the bridge through the trees on your right. Alternatively if you go down to the end of Lark road you can see trains in the cutting to your right.
I haven't explored the roads to the south of Lark road yet, but I will update once I have. For some shots of these areas see... http://rrpicturearchives.net/archivethumbs.aspx?id=2261
http://www.stormpages.com/rgth/Serviceton/Parwan/Parwan.html is also very useful for other stations along the line.
© Adam Brooks 2004
