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Midway Siding
The Midway Woodchip Mill had a siding provided in 2003 to allow logs to be brought by rail for Victoria's east. The logs are turned into woodchips, then transported by conveyor to the adjacent Corio Quay North for loading onto ships for overseas export. The mill itself is located on the side of the former International Harvester factory. Wagons are brought to the siding as a shunt from North Geelong Yard, usually by Y class locos. The logs are unloaded in the siding by front end loaders equipped with grab claws.
The siding itself is dual gauge, but only a broad gauge connection was initially provided to the phosphate sidings and the main line. It was not until the Corio Independent Goods Line was provided in 2008 that standard gauge trains could access the siding. The line crosses both Bayside Road and The Esplanade on the level, before entering the site via a gate, and running about 200m inside the site before reaching a dead end.
Events
Line Opened
| Saturday, 1 November 1856 | Line opened Lara to Geelong |
| Thursday, 25 June 1857 | Line officially opened between Geelong and at temporary terminus at Greenwich. A ferry was used the complete the journey to Melbourne |
| Saturday, 3 October 1857 | Temporary Greenwich terminal and stub line closed. Geelong line now connected to the partially completed Williamstown line. A ferry complete the journey from Williamstown to Melbourne |
| Monday, 17 January 1859 | Williamstown line finally completed to Melbourne. Geelong trains can now operate direct to Spencer Street Station |
Track Amplified
| Sunday, 8 February 1959 | Line duplicated Corio to North Geelong A |
Photos
9 of 17 images found displayed. These will open in a new window
Level crossing on The Esplanade looking down |
Main line connection to the siding. Note the dual gauge |
Level crossing on The Esplanade looking down |
The siding itself and piles of timber |
The siding itself and piles of timber |
New chipping mill under construction |
Looking towards the old chipping mill |
Rows of logs |
Current wood chipper |
Sources
- Andrew Waugh - http://www.vrhistory.com/
- Additional information is from the Geelong Port - Strategic Land Use Plan, 21/07/2003 by Sinclair Knight Merz consulting.