Merriwa railway line

The Merriwa railway line in the Hunter Valley of northern New South Wales, Australia, branches from the Main North line at Muswellbrook and travels south west to Denman then generally north west through Sandy Hollow to Merriwa, a distance of approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi).

[3] The section north west of Sandy Hollow closed with the last grain train hauled by four 48 class locomotives running on 8 May 1987.

[6][7][8] A small group tried to form a preservation society (which was to be called Merriwa Railway Museum) to restore the station and goods shed to their original condition, as well as the railway yard including the historic steam era turntable and steam locomotive water column.

The aim was to restore the line and have a steam locomotive run on it again using historic New South Wales Government Railways rolling stock.

[9] Consultation has been undertaken with Upper Hunter Shire Council, the Australian Rail Track Corporation and the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator.