Billy Goats Gruff # 5 Toolong, Victoria, Australia
By Smergol on 07-Jan-13. Waypoint GA5965

Billy Goats Gruff #5 - is part of the "Bull Fart" series.

Billy Goats Gruff #5

This bridge (built in 1889) is on part of the Moyne River floodplain.

The railway line from Warrnambool to Melbourne was opened in 1887. The construction of the line to Port Fairy, via Koroit, started in late 1888 and it was completed in 1890.

Between Warrnambool and Belfast (Port Fairy) there were 12 gate keepers’ cottages. Stations were situated at, Warrnambool, Illowa, Koroit, Crossley Kirkstall, Moyne, Rosebrook and Port Fairy where farmers shipped their produce directly to Geelong and Melbourne.

Koroit became an important hub with the line to the north (Hamilton Spur – “Spur of the Moment” GCA cache there) joining the Port Fairy to Warrnambool line some 300 yards to the west of the station. Remnants of the cattle loading yards can be seen near North Street. The goods shed, one of the largest in the area is opposite the station. Also, remnants of the sidings and goods sheds at Port Fairy, Koroit and Illowa can be seen along the trail.

Some thought the line so beneficial that they felt the farmers should not require compensation for it passing through their property. For a time, the soon to decline ports, handled large quantities of railway materials. J Wilson and Company supplied 5,100 tons of equipment to the project.

The line came to provide an important recreational aspect to the area. Special pleasure trains ran to the seaside towns for Sunday school picnics, school excursions and social gatherings.

The line closed in September 1977 by the Hamer government to save some money!! The Rail Trail was completed earlier this year - 2012.

“FTF” GCA Pathtag in cache and the 1^st to Find honour goes to Knightarrant - who walked past other caches and back again for the glory of FTF! Couldn't be bothered to log the others!!!!

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