122 On Railway Gradients. 



cannot be overcome by either a long cutting or a tunnel ; and 

 in exemplification of this I would instance the country imme- 

 diately south of the Pentland Hills. To obtain a line from 

 Melbourne to Ballaarat this point must be passed ; and a sudden 

 rise of 800 feet has to be overcome in 6J miles : and even after 

 this summit is attained, the rise continues for some miles at an 

 inclination of 1 in 100. The most natural conclusion for the public 

 to arrive at is — -circumscribe the hills, and lengthen the gradients. 

 This would be perfectly true and in accordance with all precedent 

 could it be successfully carried into practice ; but in the instance, 

 quoted, at Bacchus Marsh, we were placed in this dilemma : — On 

 the north bank of the Werribee a most impracticable country 

 occurs from Bacchus Marsh to Ballan, between the "Werribee and 

 Glenmore (Griffith's station), a distance of 1J miles. A high flat 

 topped mountain ridge intervenes, intersected with a deep ravine 

 bearing a perfectly serrated appearance, and precluding the 

 possibility of " winding round the hills" as has been frequently 

 suggested. The valley of Glenmore then occurs, flanked on 

 either side by basaltic cliffs, descending precipitously several 

 hundred feet ; and, branching off to the south-west, a mountain 

 range springs up and stays all progress there. 



It has been found at this point, after surveys of the most 

 elaborate character have been undertaken, that it is impossible 

 to ascend from the Barwon Creek, to the Iron Bark range, near 

 Ingliston, except by the introduction of gradients of not less than 

 1 in 50, to 1 in 60. 



In England, a watershed like this, rises suddenly and abruptly. 

 Generally speaking, it can be pierced with a tunnel and there the 

 difficulty ends ; but in Victoria, the Railway, must rise with the 

 table land, and have its contour governed by it. From Melbourne 

 to Bacchus Marsh, no difficulties of gradients occur ; the rise is 

 most favourable and gentle, and from Ballan towards the coast 

 range, no difficulty arises, demanding special comment. 



At Sunbury, close to Clarke's special survey, a difficulty 

 of similar character to that at Bacchus Marsh occurs, which 

 must be overcome by the introduction of a steep incline. After 

 this the table land ascends uniformly easy till Gisborne is 

 approached. 



Between Gisborne and Woodend the Macedon range has to be 

 crossed, a ride through the Black Forest acquaints the traveller 

 of its peculiarities better than any written description will do. 

 It has the same peculiarity of ascent previously noticed ; and 

 although the most careful surveys have been made, and the 

 country thoroughly explored for miles on either side of the moun- 



