Travel Australia

Latrobe - Wilmot Railway, Tasmania

Railton railway station, 1908, where potatoes grown locally are being loaded for shipment to the Australian mainland through the port of Devonport

The Mersey-to-Deloraine Tramway Company was formed in 1864 to link Deloraine with the North West Coast using a line with a 4'6" gauge out of Latrobe, which was then the main port in the Mersey area.

The town of Railton, 25 kilometres from Devonport along the railway route, was first known as Redwater Creek, but received its present name as a result of the Mersey-to-Deloraine tramway line passing through the town in the 1860s.


Mural at Station Square, site of the Latrobe railway station. The last train passed through the station on 7th June 1982. Station Square is in Labrobe's main street.

The Mersey-to-Deloraine Tramway Company soon found itself in financial difficulties and when it opened early in 1872 had only 16 3/4 miles (27.9km) of track, having only reached Collier's Creek, some 16 miles from Latrobe. Traffic response was much poorer than anticipated and after only 4 months of operation the company was forced to retire its only engine. Thereafter the line was worked by horses between Latrobe and Railton for seasonal produce traffic. After the involvement of the Tasmanian Government in the company's operations and finances, the Deloraine to Latrobe line was eventually completed in 1885, resulting in a major increase in traffic on the line.


Deloraine, 1909

The single track Deloraine railway bridge was completed in February 1885, and is at the western extremity of the original line from Launceston to Deloraine (opened 1871) built by Tasmanian Main Line Railway Company. If you are in town early morning or late afternoon, you can still see a goods train on its way to Devonport or Burnie passing over the bridge.


Railway Bridge

In the park near the bridge is a static E Class No. 1 steam locomotive which commemorates the opening of the Launceston to Deloraine railway on 10 February, 1871. This handsome and well-proportioned locomotive was built by Beyer, Peacock & Co in 1907 as their builder's number 4967 and is the sole survivor of two locomotives comprising the Tasmanian Government Railway's E-class which were intended for heavy freight working. It would have crossed the Deloraine railway bridge many times.

Around this time the Tasmanian Government had taken over numerous failed railway companies across the state, and it soon became apparent that the Tasmanian Main Line Railway would also suffer financial issues. By 1890, all railways in Tasmania were government owned. As a result of this takeover, all railways were relaid or newly constructed in 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge.

With around 16 lines across the state, the TGR operated a combination of approximately 275 stations, halts and junctions (as of 1949). Large stations were located at Hobart, Derwent Park, New Norfolk, Parattah, Launceston, Zeehan, Burnie and Devonport.

Railton to Roland Branchline

The Railton to Roland branchline of the Mersey-to-Deloraine tramway, then operated by Tasmanian Government Railways, was completed in 1914 and operated until 1957, enabling agricultural and forestry products from the rich Kentish district to pass through Railton junction.

By the 1900s Railton had a flourishing timber trade with two sawmills and had become a major railway junction. Railton’s wide main street was built to make life easier for the bullock teams making their way to the railway station.


Railton lime works, 1923
The longest continually working limeworks in Australia operated at Railton from 1860 to 1996. Tasmanian Cement Pty Ltd was established in 1923, and was taken over by Goliath Portland Cement Company in 1928. Following huge expansion and several takeovers, in 2003 this large Railton industry became part of Cement Australia, the nation's leading supplier of cement and related products.


Construction of the line between Railton and Wilmot in 1914. Photo: E King

Wilmot Branch Line

Construction of the branch line between Railton and Wilmot was completed in 1914. The line from Railton to Roland (Wilmot) operated until 1957, enabling agricultural and forestry products from the rich Kentish district to pass through Railton junction.

Construction commenced at Railton in 1913. The line was completed in 1914 at a cost of £88,888 and was opened by The Hon. Joseph Lyons. Mixed goods, farm produce, timber, minerals and passengers were hauled by steam engines. In 1923 a rail-motor service began and it is this piece of rolling stock that is most remembered today. The rail-motor is depicted on one of the town of Sheffield's murals.

In December 1957 the line was closed, and the track subsequently removed and the land sold to adjoining property owners. Little remains of this once important line. Beyond Sheffield, the line is easily traceable to Staverton (as Roland was known until 1923) via both the aerial photos and topographical maps. Beyond Roland, there is no trace of a railway formation. The locality currently known as Staverton was about 5 kilometres further south of Roland.



The Redwater Creek Heritage Railway conducts its operations on a section of the disused Railton-Roland Branch Line near Sheffield. The train takes its name from Redwater Creek, the original name for what is today called Railton. Its present name originated when the Mersey-to-Deloraine tramway line went through the town in the 1860s.

This narrow gauge steam train runs on the first full weekend of each month, on both Saturday and Sunday. The train is hauled by a 1906 Krauss 610mm gauge steam locomotive pulling Tasmanian heritage coaches still going strong after over 100 years in service.

Railton to Sheffield Rail Trail

This 23.5-km out-and-back trail near Railton follows a ection of the Latrobe - Wilmot Railway. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 6 hours to complete. This trail is great for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The route takes you through some beautiful and varied scenery between the two towns and has some great views of Mount Rawlinson as you approach Sheffield.


Redwater Creek Falls