Historic Zig Zag Railway ready to reopen after a decade of inactivity

After 11 long years of inactivity, the iconic Zig Zag Railway has finally been granted approval to re-open and carry passengers along the historic line in Lithgow once again.

It's been a long way back, with safety concerns forcing the initial closure of the line before twice being struck by devastating bushfires and once by flood during rebuild efforts, which were led largely by volunteers with assistance from local and state government.

But now, after successfully passing a test of emergency systems, restrictions have been lifted and the line could welcome back passengers in the immediate future. The historic service offers views of grand sandstone viaducts and the remarkable scenery of the Blue Mountains.

The historic railway opened in the 1860s but was closed once a more efficient line between Sydney and Western NSW was built, before being resurrected for tourists. A reopening announcement is expected within weeks. For information and updates, head over to the official site.