Abandoned Tracks: The Helensburgh Tunnels

A project for TV Production 2 at Western Sydney University. Originally the 3rd episode of a 3 part series on abandoned railway tracks.
Narrated by: Andrew Farr
Tucked on the fringes of the South Coast lie a series of 7 tunnels known as the 'Helensburgh Tunnels'. Some are accessible to the public while others are not. The episode looks the 7 tunnels than have been in active since the early part of the 20th Century.
Historical Photographs
Helensburgh Historical Society
Wollongong City Libraries
Illawarra Historical Society
Time-lapse of Glowworms:
• Video
Maps:
Google Earth Images
Social Media:
Twitter: / msfilmmark
Instagram: / msfilmmark1
Facebook: / msfilmmark

[@PossumFilms]

Central and St James documentary: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHbImnaKrc1nZsU

[@tobys_transport_videos]

I remember finding out about these tunnels and subsequently exploring them, around 30 years ago. Initially when I discovered these, #2 tunnel was still in use for mushroom farming, #3 tunnel had not long been abandoned for mushroom growing, #4 tunnel entrance at the northern end was still full of silt up to the tunnel mouth, and at this point in time I didn't know the old Helensburgh station was buried there. I didn't dare try and walk into this tunnel as it was too muddy and soft under foot. The other end - inside Metropolitan Colliery - was still closed off and water was visible leaking over the filled in tunnel mouth. Of further interest is that some of the brickwork from the original #1 tunnel can be seen in the opened out cutting just south of Waterfall. It initially took me some doing but I found tunnels 5 and 6 and had no issues walking through them, while Otford tunnel was still difficult to get to. I later walked in from the southern end but it was quite eerie, and I don't think I ever walked all the way. The only other tunnel I can recall walking into after the railway closed, was Glebe tunnel, in Sydney, before the tramline to Lilyfield was extended through it. I have walked trough the former "Southport Tunnel" on the former Queensland Railways South Coast line, last doing that around 2004, but even then that was nothing overly difficult or eerie in any way much.

[@fingerprint5511]

We were lucky, all are closed now, for a few years. The 'creepy' aspect is pathetic and American. 😢

[@charmainelee8815]

Thank you for a trip down memory lane

[@paulharwood7600]

My Cousin and I have been through all the tunnels on foot but the Lillyvale tunnels at the time. The most challenging part was finding and gaining access to the Cawley Tunnel Nth of the current Helensburgh tunnel. We had to climb down a 3m cliff face and found the ground at the entry was 3 feet of wet mud, but we had gum boots and short pant and was able to gain access. In the tunnel we found 3 1 foot holes filled with water with signs of life within the tunnel floor. I can comfirm at the time that the Metropolitan Tunnel next to the Helensburgh tunnel was flooded half way through and was very creepy, but not as creepy as the Otford Tunnel Sth of Otford. My Cousin went back 3 weeks later with a biking bubby and went through all of them from North to South (Cawley Tunnel to Otford Tunnel) on bikes.

[@rhettcorbett3346]

Yes. Have done those tunnels on my bike as well. I got to Cawley St ( Eastern end) tunnel by following road beside railway on Eastern side & crossing over bridge & a short ride through the bush & came out on a concrete patch. Then a short ride to tunnel.

[@Koedean]

Very interesting, didn't even know they existed.

[@johnsmart964]

Thank you very much for this very interesting and informative video presentation which is very much appreciated by the people. The research that you have done here is very important in keeping the history of this area alive.

[@slepper98]

Most interesting, thanks for your work.

[@peterkirgan6850]

I spend a Lot of time here! Hopefully I can in time meet my future misses here ! Good video thank you!!

[@neilforbes416]

5:00 The tunnel would've been at the *southern* end of the original Helensburgh station platform as trains travelled *SOUTH* to Wollongong!

[@paultherockhound7277]

We abseiled into the long one from the bushland and walked through to the mushroom farm to sum buildings with the scouts back in 84 was great

[@grahamnoel48]

I would love to see these tunnels opened up for tourists.

[@PossumFilms]

So would I.

[@rhettcorbett3346]

They would lose all their character if they did.

[@gregevans616]

A wonderful piece of history for all but especially for shire residents. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@golamkabir779]

call this station old hel station

[@rhettcorbett3346]

Not just for Shire residents.

[@joannesmith4444]

Helensburgh is not a part of the Shire!

[@gregoryevans332]

@@joannesmith4444 I am aware of this however it will be of interest to most shire residents.

[@leokimvideo]

Henry was in the tunnel. Trapped by the Fat Controller because he was scared of the rain.

[@darylkanofski9327]

The tunnels could have art of trains and people who were involved with the railway for everyone to see

[@geoffreylongstaff8557]

Love it mate

[@lvaexploration]

Helensburgh tunnel has been closed by Helensburgh council, you can even photograph or film it, it surrounded by fence and large signage

[@roygreen1409]

Ok film but there is a few details missing, the reason the tunnels had to be closed in the early 1900 was because the train crew were coming out unconscious due to the length and smoke, were the workers lived was the deviation village as my old family worked on the new lines and my aunt was the organist at the church which I still have the organ from the church also I gave Mr House a lot of the early photos of the work crews.

[@cee2615]

So very interesting, thank you for making this video

[@PossumFilms]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video

[@mews56]

Did the government ever consider using it for light-rail trams ? After the government's reintroduction of light rail trams.

[@PossumFilms]

that could be an interesting way to use them but it would take a lot of fixing up of these old tunnels.

[@mews56]

Possum Films surely in the repurposing of the mine upon its closure. It would be cheaper easier to convert the mine into tram depot infrastructure? while repairing restoring its lines tunnels platforms for light-rail. Approving land reclamation for the mine & company.As the technology exists now to make it all possible. While killing two birds with one stone. fixing the tunnels relocating the dirt soil sand cleaning it up moving it from the tunnels to the mine backfilling it replicating the westconnex tunnel hornsby council quarry park project technique. Making a park for the community with pond & other etc consulting the local community.Reducing cost of Reforming the mine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2PNfZRtrq12b9U www.quarrymagazine.com/2020/03/19/transformation-project-salvaged-after-hiccup/

[@mews56]

Possum Films True; But it would be considered nothing in ratio to the cost of building the Parramatta or Circularquay lines. Open or closed cut the tunnels.

[@paulmontagner6360]

They should fix the train tracks through the tunnels and put a old rail diesel car on for tourist rides !Years ago we did some demolishing work on the Lilivale station just south of the tunnel we walked through it many times !

[@CockatooTransit]

Too far out of town I would think?

[@Adamcarmageddon]

I wish they would remove the plug at the other end of the tunnel

[@hereforthefreewater]

great research. that partial zoom in effect used on the monochrome photos is horrible though

[@PossumFilms]

James Wiley thanks for your feedback

[@GivesAMinute]

Did shoot with Emily Doherty and the Thrill Seekers in the tunnel last weekend: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX6un56VmdWrqbMm10s

[@SaddamOnlinee]

very nice video

[@charmainelee8815]

Lots of horse riding tracks around the that area,

[@g2macs]

Bloody Cheek! Pinched the name of our town. The real Helensburgh (pronounced burra not burg) is on the Clyde estuary Scotland. Named in 1785 after Helen Colquhoun the wife of the towns founder.

[@NickKerr-e7v]

g2macs that’s we’re Charles Harper the founder of our Helensburgh was born and we don’t know if he named our arfter yours or his daughter named Helen

[@rhettcorbett3346]

Can you get to the outside end of the blocked off Gloworm Tunnel ? I regularly ride my bike in both directions in the Otford to Stanwell Park tunnel. With a good light on bike of course. I reckon it would be ruined if it was pathed & had lighting put in there. It would lose all its character. Get rid of the Graffity vandalism would be a good start. Leave it as it is.

[@PossumFilms]

The northern end of the glowworm tunnel has fencing on it atm from what I heard so access from that end is limited. The southern end of it is unaccessible due to it coming out in the mining place in Helensburgh.

[@rhettcorbett3346]

@@PossumFilms Yeah. With all that rain it will be flooded & closed for ages. Is there an easy way to get to the Lillyvale tunnel ?

[@PossumFilms]

@@rhettcorbett3346 it’s been a while since I’ve been there and from memory, the only access is from someone’s property

[@itsyaboychipsahoy]

@@rhettcorbett3346 not sure if you’re still interested but both the lilyvale tunnels are along camp gully rd past the coal mine and can be seen on google maps by the road outline going darker

[@rhettcorbett3346]

@@itsyaboychipsahoy Ok cool. Thnx.

[@fingerprint5511]

The music is ridiculous. Theres nothing creepy about these tunnels- i know, been there!

[@sugarnads]

Disjointed, repetitive and really poorly edited.