Idiot Train - what killed the Sorell Line?

Bellerive to Sorell Rail Line in Hobart was abandoned within four short decades of opening in 1892. Isolated from the other lines in Tasmania it never linked up with the greater network. I attempt to retrace the faded path. What happened?
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Book recommendation - The Bellerive to Sorell Railway Revisited edited by John Houghton, John Sargent and Wayne Smith

[@user-pv5zy4ot7f]

My parents purchased the property after Mr Pasztoor. There was an application made to turn it into tea room/restaurant, this was declined by the council as there is no second escape entry if a fire broke out. It was used by my father back then as a “garage” eclectic collection of more items to the already large collection of Mr Pasztoor. The interior of the tunnel had a constant temp of 11deg. The other 100mtr section of the tunnel was leased by the university of TAS, at one time they were breeding mosquitoes, we had some of the biggest mosquitoes hovering around in the late 80’s

[@angusthornett]

Interesting, mate.

[@jeremykays]

I've heard a rumour that there's an old Melbourne W-class tram placed into one end of the tunnel (not the mushroom far end), anyone know anything about this?

[@nikiharris2848]

I can't begin to imagine how much research and effort (and local chinwagging!) goes into creating these episodes. As one of the people who gets to sit back on their bum with a cup of tea and soak up all the stories without lifting a finger- thank you! ☺

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Niki. Enjoy away.

[@Meg0860]

What a fascinating story, I've lived in Hobart for 63 years and never knew about this railway, you learn something new everyday I suppose. Thanks great stuff.

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Meggsie.

[@ZENbulldozer]

Another masterpiece of research, pacing, delivery, and production. Crimmally underwatched by any measure.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, homes.

[@DandamanV]

You are quickly becoming my favourite urban historian, and I’m not even Tasmanian! Well done sir.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks dude. Tasmania is just part of the world. And you're part of the world.

[@BrendanMoonHotCheddar]

❤ 😅

[@betula2137]

10:23: this is a bit of a generalisation; cars and trucks were not and are not cheaper -- the roads run at a loss even more than the Sorell line. The difference is that we publicly-fund roads and transitioned to that model over the last century. We deliberately drained funds from public transit, in order to shift to cars; this is not good for drivers because there is a mutual benefit to having viable alternatives in a system, especially since they're practical. Dependence is never better. That line probably would have justified itself and profited eventually (with enough demand) and those patrons would spend a few hundred dollars on fares & taxes a year, compared to the $18,000 a year we do on transport currently. A more similar comparison would be a totally-private toll road, though they have to have huge volumes. But anyway, there's probably an interesting history to uncover in how Tasmania followed the rest of Australia (who followed the rest of the Anglosphere) in that mix of bandwagoning and lobbying interests. Because it was not a natural course, there were policies and investment shifts that drove it (pun not intended).

[@andrewrose9707]

As a regular visitor to Tassie the railways have always fascinated me and saddened me at the same time. There are some glorious trails the trains used to take and I just wish I could have experienced them. Thanks for another great video

[@angusthornett]

We have to find new things to experience.

[@lachee3055]

Even in our history, it seems the government is Trainsphobic.

[@jontydalton178]

Thanks Angus for another great video. The Bellerive-Sorell line has been a special interest of mine that began several years ago when I first saw the section with the stock underpass near Grahams Rd, Mt Rumney - hopefully you got to see this part during your research. I've visited the south end of the tunnel that is now the mushroom farm, and I got to housesit the cottage that used to be the Cambridge station. I have an old large rusty nail that was dug up nearby that was probably from the track. I was not aware of the rails being used in the homes, so that was very cool to see.

[@angusthornett]

Interesting. And thanks for the donation to the channel. Yeah, the reused rails in houses seems to have occurred each time different lines were removed. It's hard to tell which is which but if you look at the dates of when a house was built and when a line was removed you get a very decent guess. Still, there's usually gonna be a level of uncertainty.

[@xr6lad]

Excellent. While I agree about romanticizing things I look at that line and think ‘as a light rail/tram it might work well today’ given the urban spread and more frequently stopping. Same as the south shore line.

[@betula2137]

Yes this is very true, because something else happened: Back then, Tasmania wasn't very wealthy per capita, and public infrastructure investments still had to be economical. However, what we did in the latter 20th century, was to spend huge on a different kind of massive infrasteucture: highways. They have been normalised in their scale today, but really it's a similar investment to the railway, with the only difference being double standards in accountability -- we do not expect the highway to make a return or to be self-sufficient (society pays for its cost), which is not a luxury we afford railways. This isn't because railways are more costly, they aren't -- trains are very efficient, which is how they can provide a profit even on skeleton routes, but mainly on mass routes to move a large number of people reliably and sustainably. By comparison, the average Hobartian spends over $18,000 on using those roads _per year._ And they aren't spending that on upkeep (that comes from general taxes, not included), that's in expenses (lost) as well as to automotive and oil interests. For every dollar put to roads, society pays $8-12; for every dollar spent on trains or active modes, society _is returned_ $1-6. The highways are more costly to maintain with more use, which is why having trains is good for drivers (also the best congestion-buster); Australia spends the 4th-most on roads in the OECD in total value. So yes, by all means, you have to build it and it would be justified; it's a necessary mode shift that the eastern suburbs would also benefit from.

[@anthony851]

I enjoyed the video greatly and will check out others on your channel. Every year a group of us go out on a Rusty Rails trip, looking and where railways have been closed, altered and sometimes only surveyed and this year we went to Tasmania but we didn't have a look at this railway. Normally I take photos for my Flickr of where we have been but this year I also shot video as we were tripping around, currently editing these with a couple videos uploaded of trains heading to Burnie. Hi from NZ, Anthony

[@billfaulkner548]

Hi Anthony Have you investigated the Remutaka line? I did the fascinating rail trail earlier this year. That incline part. Phew! Bill from Sydney

[@gavinbroomhall3160]

I've got some track under my house in Lutana. It goes with the sandstone acquired at one point in my garden, and some odd pieces of marble from when a worker at the cemetery lived here.

[@harryfredricks3627]

I know nothing about Tassie (MY BAD) but thoroughly enjoyed watching this and the commentary - WELL DONE

[@angusthornett]

You’ve come to the right place then, mate.

[@annieclaire2348]

Fascinating. Gippsland in Victoria had a lot of branch line railways that were also superceded by motor vehicles. Thanks Angus.

[@angusthornett]

Whole country is like it really. Thanks, Annie

[@annieclaire2348]

@@angusthornett - they make excellent walking and biking trails nowadays!!!!

[@265hemi7]

@@annieclaire2348 I recently walked past of the old south Gippsland railway, trail , Korumburra to loch ... About 15 K .

[@theatticdesign]

Love your work mate. I looked forward to this one especially. I had the pleasure of meandering down the private road to Shark Point a couple of years ago. I had answered a 'give away' ad on gumtree for some black poly-pipe that I hoped to use in the garden and subsequently did. It was a delight to find that the address was down the track which I learned then was the old railway cutting that led to and from the old bridge. Quite a magical feeling really and then you come out on the old rock landing that is now home to a dwelling that was designed by a prominent Tassie architect and home to a great artist. It was great to experience another perspective of the area that most rarely see. There is an old carriage from the Sorell line currently residing opposite the Dunalley pub. I'm not sure who owns it now but the previous owner was keen to turn it into a tiny house and consulted me about it....unfortunately just a bit too much chopping and bastardising to make that morally or technically feasible. Looking forward to the next one mate!

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate. Yeah, there a bits and pieces scattered across the land now.

[@richardandrews3244]

I love your work Angus. I’ve visited and been inside the Tunnel Hill tunnel many times in the 80’s and have monitored its owners use over the years. I dig your Tasmaid T as well, great nostalgia.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you, Richard, for the support. It’s an interesting part of the city. Impressively built too.

[@glennevans871]

Fantastic Angus (and Dog) for that. I think we learned that they could build that railway in about half the time it would take today and people who don't like progress have always been around

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate.

[@kayebradley-kt8xp]

my old house was the train platform ending on shark point road penna. we were burnt out in 1967. Very interesting. We can see the vacant block next door which was used as the local cricket pitch.

[@angusthornett]

Interesting place

[@fionnbanks-gorton861]

wonderful. Learned about this line this week as well as the Margate tramway. fascinating...!

[@angusthornett]

That past was quite different.

[@reddust8649]

It definitely wasn’t an Idiot Train. Isolated tracks were a common place in Oz into the twentieth century. The promoters had no inkling of the impact of liquid hydrocarbon fuel on individual and mass transit. It even turned a quid there for a bit.

[@angusthornett]

You got it

[@angusthornett]

Sunrise Tasmania Future Retro Tee www.etsy.com/au/listing/1532456147/tasmania-sunrise-future-retro-tee

[@nickhodgman]

Nice rework of the old Tasmaid Foods logo :-)

[@leandabee]

Another good one Angus and Dog. 👌👏👏

[@angusthornett]

Thanks for tuning in again.

[@julzdalton1746]

Another enjoyable video. I loved how the homes have used the tracks in the garages, what a great find!

[@angusthornett]

All of Hobart they can be found. Surprising how many homes have them.

[@pmacgowan]

Never even knew about this line, I remember the train station on the domain and catching it on a school excursion to Russell falls, Thanks Agnus

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, dude.

[@PeterColenso-pd9ug]

Watching your videos and appreciating all of the History of Hobart and its surroundings just makes me love it more especially as I haven’t been there for over twenty years. Now I know it’s my time to return to a place I have always loved.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks for watching, Peter.

[@chaosstate4491]

A great story Angus. One of my ancestors was involved in this venture.....

[@angusthornett]

Impressive piece of infrastructure.

[@rodcornelius9474]

I was aware that the station at Sorell was recently up for sale but never really thought about the actual route. What a wonderful tunnel that is and what a diverse and fascinating history. The re-purposing of the rails as support structures doesn't surprise me. Looks like Mt Stuart and are plenty of houses in the area with a sole garage under the house given the slopes they were built on. Great doco as usual Dog and Angus. Loving what appears to be a Tasmaid t-shirt! Do they come in dog shirts?

[@angusthornett]

www.etsy.com/au/listing/1532456147/tasmania-sunrise-future-history-tee?fbclid=IwAR1N5z-XBNOW-ByJIQyYCE4c7ym_7CPyrb7jFLkikhTM3xtvzYGDgnsVwRY

[@originalbaddy4612]

9:32 Sorell still has the carriage shed standing, can be seen at 9:32, to the right of the shot, directly inline with the station.

[@angusthornett]

You got it.

[@TassieDIY]

Pretty cool to learn some good history about my local area. Well done 👍

[@angusthornett]

Glad you enjoyed it, dude

[@margotgiblin3923]

Enjoyed this. My father talked of catching train and walking from Cambridge station to his uncle’s shack at Seven Mile Beach. An effort which made his uncle’s cooking taste wonderful.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

About 50 years ago there was a ferryboat station at the same place. That 'cloverleaf' is near what was my mothers Warrane home. She was close to the old drivein. I had heard of this line but knew very little.

[@bmw_m140i_aus7]

Castle Grayskull and Voltron in one garage? There's a few childhood memories right there. Romantic and all 😉

[@angusthornett]

By the power of...

[@bmw_m140i_aus7]

@angusthornett Didn't see 'Snake Mountain' with the voice changing device there though. Toys of the 80s. The best?

[@albertarthurparsnips5141]

Long been fascinated by it. Growing up in Bellerive, people would make occasional references to the rail line,….and I recall it being mentioned in Tim Bowden’s wonderful biography of Sorell photo - journalist , ‘ Neil Davis, Combat Cameraman ‘.

[@cfsmtbation]

Imagining the what ifs, only if existing alignment, property ownership and what's left of the ballast being in better condition, eg conversion to a eastern rail trail similar to smaller version of Lilydale -Warburton connecting with soon to be constructed Warburton MTB Park. IMHO probably have higher probability of Doncaster finally getting their long cherished train station with SRL

[@gilbydog7350]

Informative and enjoyable video Angus. I had no idea this railway existed, and I grew up in Cambridge.

[@Kenjineering]

3:25 "the dog and I are getting gnarly, we're getting radical" haha

[@jadesmith6823]

Utterly brilliant yet again 🇦🇺❤️

[@srmparadigm]

Ha literally reading The Sorell line at the moment.

[@waratah5422]

A great incite to what was

[@oscar35575]

Very well done again Angus!

[@glenn_outof_ten]

I’d have thought it might’ve made sense to join it to the mainline via Richmond at Campania. The eastern shore is extremely hilly from Lindisfarne to old beach.

[@nickwatson2217]

Born and raised on the eastern shore and had no idea this existed. Great content. cheers.

[@angusthornett]

The truth is out there.

[@diggerduckaussie6834]

Sorell is my family, in Tasmania. Thank you

[@SirRamone]

Another great video and more so because I have a soft spot for trains and love the story behind the railway from no where to no where, interesting at the end as the poles to the fence dividing one side of my house are made up of some form of rail track or tram track.

[@angusthornett]

Yeah, they're all over town in unexpected places.

[@mrskegs]

Awesome video once again. I grew up along shark point rd. I remember finding all sorts of interesting things along the water down that way. It's been over 30 years. So many great memories. Thanks again.

[@angusthornett]

It's a unique road, mate. Quite cut off from things in a way. Good views across the water.

[@mrskegs]

@@angusthornett yeah awesome place as a kid. One part of my childhood I'll never forget is walking the shore line and finding relics. Alot were from bushfires but on 2 occasions I went far enough to find railway stuff. But was never sure if it was rail. Your video has confirmed it for me. Keep up the great work.

[@rickymcgowan2243]

Thanks Angus, another excellent look back a forgotten past.

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Ricky.

[@jwtfpv8957]

You always cheer me up on a Sunday Mr Thornett. Nice work!

[@angusthornett]

Good to hear, mate.

[@cloudstreet8214]

Another great story Angus, I loved it. Well done.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate. Good that you liked it.

[@SteveMack]

Love your in-depth videos mate.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Steve. Glad you enjoy them all.

[@SteveMack]

@@angusthornett I most definitely DO mate - I'm WAY overdue for another visit to Tassie! *Sidenote: as it's been around a year, since dear little 'Dog' very sadly passed; I can only assume that you have an enormous back catalogue of footage, that you've been slowly trickle feeding?

[@angusthornett]

@@SteveMack This is a new dog. Dolly kicked the bucket. The new dog is called Harry. They look similar.

[@SteveMack]

@@angusthornett Oh AWESOME that you have a new mate; related to Dolly?

[@angusthornett]

@@SteveMack No. But they probably would have gotten along.

[@hemayann]

I find the last park awesome love how old stuff is re purposed

[@peterlovett5841]

Angus, may I suggest that if you are going to look at train lines that you have a look at the Brighton to Apsley line and pay some attention to the Memorial Cross at Apsley as it has a link to some of the people that worked on the line.

[@WogsRus1]

Love your videos, the research and the time to talk about what once was, is amazing. Thank you.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate. Good to hear you enjoy them.

[@johnkorhonen5452]

We love these videos from you and look forward to more.❤

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, John. Glad you get something from them.

[@iain1969]

What a terrific video and I feel fortunate to have stumbled across it and to learn about an obscure but fascinating piece of history. Thank you Angus!

[@kevingardner1658]

Hey Angus really liked this, I enjoy watching as you're presentations are becoming more sophisticated. Keep up the great work mate.

[@catrionahall8435]

More to look for and think about. Fabulous, thank you.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Catriona.

[@billfaulkner548]

Well made video. Angus, your skill as a narrator really makes it good.

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, mate

[@trevorsneath4665]

Another interesting outing in to the past. Cheers Angus.

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Trevor.

[@davidberriman5903]

Love your work Angus. Thank you.

[@anthonysmith434]

Always look forward for your Tasmanian history lessons Angus

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Anthony. Good to have you watching.

[@265hemi7]

Interesting ! , I found your video in my KZbin feed, new subscriber, Melbourne, VIC, Australia ! .👍🙂

[@angusthornett]

Welcome aboard, mate

[@denisesavage2382]

Interesting! I do enjoy these videos that you do Angus.

[@andrewbattersby4969]

Thanks Angus, I always look forward to your videos coming out. I travel to Hobart a bit for work and since finding your channel I look at it a bit differently now.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Andrew. It's always good to find ways to look closer.

[@phillipebrall9930]

What an engrossing story, thank you Angus. Your drone work is beautiful. I love your expression that what was the future for Tasmania does not carry forward to be the future now. Is there a story in the Bellerive wharf?

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Phillip. The history of the wharf may the subject of a video in the future.

[@ManiBatchelor]

Bloody brilliant stuff once again, always a good Sunday when Angus Thornett uploads! I have been very curious about the forgotten history of the eastern shore, so glad you have covered some of it.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks for watching, dude.

[@fredeverett4340]

Another excellent vlog Angus. It would have made a great recreational rail trail, as would Hobart to Bridgewater. But all ancient history now. Keep these vlogs coming! 🙂👍

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Fred. Thanks for watching.

[@user-bs8qb8vg3b]

thank you for this detailed history of this raikroad. I know sorell and yet not this part. of its history. all this effort and to no avail. thank you angus once again.

[@ChannelReuploads9451]

Another great video Angus, about the immediate area where I live (well just down the road).

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Brian.

[@corinnecoombs2956]

Fabulous Angus! Thank you 😊

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Corinne.

[@williamcole5653]

Thanks Angus, another great video.

[@angusthornett]

Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers

[@boyfromblackstuff7859]

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

[@johnbladesmusic7997]

Another interesting doco mate. Your clear overhead drone shots are excellent. Well done again Angus.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, John. The drone does a lot of the heavy lifting. I would have liked to include more footage in this video but you cannot fly the drone anywhere near the airport.

[@cleary92]

great story, loving the content mate

[@angusthornett]

Thank you.

[@castorchua]

9:23 If Hobart is ever going to be a real city, it'll need passenger rail of some sort. That's why every other city in Australia has it and why every major city in the world does.

[@betula2137]

Yes we need it; comparing two choices, highways or railways as the default, one of them would be very useful for us who pay so much to be dependent on cars in particular 🙏

[@PirataSports]

I feel like the prefix Idiot deserves a lot more use in Tassie.

[@angusthornett]

Idiot KZbinr

[@Deceter]

I can't believe you didn't say while holding that sword "By the power of Greyskull"!!

[@angusthornett]

Ha

[@Forbes794]

Love your videos Angus, have to disagree that we wouldn't benefit from a train & tram line again on this route & others.

[@billfaulkner548]

Last year, we drove along Tasmania's north coast. Interesting to see the abandoned railway, tracks still in place. It hugged the shoreline in many places, such as through Burnie. Must have provided spectacular views. Any plans for a video on it?

[@angusthornett]

No plans

[@edmundcarew7235]

Excellent video. Good presentation.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you, Edmund

[@margfitzgerald6261]

Thanks Angus. More great stuff to ruminate on. I am trying to remember where I have seen some of those railway floor bearers. Memory sometimes takes days, I will get back to you. Regards xx

[@margfitzgerald6261]

My brother corroborates our owner-builder dad used some in the family home he built early 1950s. He was a resourceful scrounger.

[@margfitzgerald6261]

More follow up: sister has a receipt for the bearers from IXL Timber for the purchase. No charge but a family friend worked for IXL annd may have paid for the bearers as a leg up.

[@geoffbroderick403]

live in the road above the tunnel ,old coach road ,that linked rokeby the bottom entrance joins pass rd, i knew john ,mr pazstoor.visit him many times

[@vickiandrobthompson9148]

Great story, just been into my garage and I have railway line joists.

[@angusthornett]

They’re out there

[@chriswhite6529]

Surperb video again. Great work

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Chris

[@bearcatracing007]

Great video as always, cheers

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate.

[@Leanflare]

We need to bring back trains

[@reneknaap1745]

Nature may always win, but man always leaves a footprint or scar on the landscape

[@angusthornett]

Eventually everything ever made by man will be gone.

[@swampwart6955]

Thanks for the vid. Damn, I was hoping that would explain where the fill for the causeway came from. I can't see a hole or cutting anywhere nearby that's big enough!

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate. There's always another mystery left unfolded.

[@dannynolan8863]

Still delivery quality content. Great job.

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Danny. Glad you're still watching.

[@dannynolan8863]

@@angusthornett haha, it's got to the point, that after I watch a video, I break out Google maps and try and retrace your steps.

[@OllieVK]

Best be doing an ep on Castle Greyskull next 😉

[@angusthornett]

by the power

[@Dico6]

Nice film well done and I don't even live in Tassy!

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate. Glad you enjoyed.

[@stripeyhorse]

what a great video once again...

[@angusthornett]

Z in the house

[@tadpole124]

The only remaining carriage from this line is at the Tasmanian Transport Museum in Glenorchy. Holts Mitre 10 in Sorell has a scale model inside their store.

[@bozlakian3329]

Great video Angus !

[@angusthornett]

Watch out for the Shaq Attack.

[@bozlakian3329]

@@angusthornett Always 😂🙌🏻

[@coasterblocks3420]

Old tram lines are used as beams under the joists in my workers cottage here in Brisbane.

[@tomstruct]

Excellent work sir

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Tom.

[@jeremykays]

The rail in the garage at the end of your video appears to be grooved tram rail turned upside down. It would be interesting to know how many Hobart homes use the old tram rails as support trusses.

[@Dave_Sisson]

That is unusually judgmental for Angus, but I suppose he is only condemning politicians from 150 years ago. Back then, the area was probably a marginal electorate, that's the usual reason why politicians spend money on expensive but useless infrastructure.

[@thomasgiblin7310]

Great stuff

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Thomas

[@charleshunt5859]

Did you use Bellerive Historical Society publications as a reference? Goods shed is still there and has been restored by Sorell Council.

[@angusthornett]

It's not really the same building. Other people feel differently.

[@andrewjessop8816]

Thanks Angus.

[@angusthornett]

Cheers again, Andrew

[@deathtronmountain]

loved it :) can we get a close up on that voltron and castle greyskull ? Is that real?

[@angusthornett]

Ha. Very real.