The Abt Railway – Tasmania's West Coast Wilderness Railway | Lou Rae | 2008 [USED – HC – Good]

Lou Rae's history of the Abt Railway — the rack-and-pinion railway that ran between Queenstown and Strahan on Tasmania's west coast, one of the most spectacular and technically remarkable railways ever built in Australia.

The Abt system uses a toothed rack rail in the centre of the track, engaged by a pinion gear on the locomotive, allowing trains to climb and descend grades that would be impossible for conventional adhesion railways. The west coast terrain demanded it — the line descended from Queenstown through hairpin curves and extraordinary grades to reach Strahan on Macquarie Harbour, carrying copper ore from the Mount Lyell mine to the coast.

The scenery along the route — deep rainforest, gorges and the rugged western ranges — made it one of the most visually dramatic railway journeys in the country. The original line operated from 1899 to 1963 when it was closed. It was subsequently restored and reopened as a tourist railway, then closed again in 2003 due to flood damage.

Rae's history covers the full story of the original construction and operation, the mining era, the restoration, and the tourist railway years. At 111 large-format pages (23.5cm x 32cm) with colour and black and white photographs throughout, this is a handsome and well-produced history of a railway with a passionate following among Australian and international railway enthusiasts.

BOOK DETAILS

• Hardcover.
• 111 pages.
• Colour and black & white photographs.
• Approximately 23.5cm wide x 32cm tall.
• Published 2008. Out of print.
• CONDITION

Used, generally good condition. Contact the bookshop on 03 6381 1545 for additional photos if required before purchasing.

DELIVERY & IN-STORE PICKUP

• Combined Shipping: Sourcing multiple titles for your Tasmanian history library? The Book Cellar offers combined flat-rate parcel delivery across Australia. Secure your books using our online checkout, or phone the bookshop directly on 03 6381 1545 to coordinate multi-volume shipping.
• Free Instore Pickup: Located in Tasmania or travelling the Midland Highway? Select "Instore Pickup" at checkout to pay no postage and collect your items directly from the counter at The Book Cellar, underneath Foxhunters Return in Campbell Town.