ZIGZAG ON GEE AT WESTERN RAILWAY. 161 
Works, and others. By 9 o’clock we had reached 
Penrith, the line passing through orangeries, vine- 
yards, and homesteads. Shortly after it was decided 
to stop at a convenient siding for breakfast. Pro- 
ceeding onward after this, we began to ascend the 
Blue Mountains, which rise abruptly on the west 
side of the valley of the Nepean. The ascent is 
made by a zigzag on gradients, the steepest of which 
is 1 in 30. The line, on reaching the summit of Lap- 
stone Hill, follows a winding course on the main 
range ; and for 60 miles it pursues its tortuous way 
along the top of mountain ridges, until gaining an 
elevation of 3758 feet. Near the Clarence tunnel, 
on both sides of the line, is a vast expanse of moun- 
tain scenery, covered with forest timber, presenting 
a view indescribably wild and grand. The route 
which the railway takes is the only passable track 
over the mountains, the sides of which are covered 
with many varieties of the Eucalyptus (gum-tree), 
besides a profusion of flowering shrubs. Having 
now reached the zigzag, by which the line is taken 
along the face of a precipitous cliff, we descend into 
the Lithgow Yalley. This zigzag is the greatest 
achievement of railway engineering in Australia, and 
it challenges admiration for its handsome appearance, 
as well as for the stupendous character of the under- 
taking. This portion of the line, over which we 
had travelled, cost in construction from 20,000/. to 
25,000/. per mile. After an extensive survey, this 
13 
