Page 25 - rigneymaster

One Man’s Goldfield: the story of the Horseshoe Bend Diggings, William Rigney and Somebody’s Darling

Figure 12 Horseshoe Bend Cableway abutment (true left bank)

Roxburgh Railway Line

In 1922 the Roxburgh railway line was completed. For Horseshoe Bend the railway
passed below the lonely graves and immediately adjacent to Meyer’s home. A
“survey camp” was established adjacent to Black Cat Creek opposite Meyers home.

Photos of the house at the time show just how close the railway line was to the
building.

Figure 13 Railway alongside Meyer home

When the route surveyed for the Roxburgh Branch Railway Line included a smooth
curve which passed through the front room. When the line was built the smooth curve
became a slight "w'' curve. The house was saved and the disruption of having a
steam train passing six feet from the front door was offset by having the daily train
pause as it passed so that the guard could pass the Meyer's fresh bread off the back
(Recalled by Mrs McElwain).

© Jeff Robertson 25