Fingal

Fingal is one of three major, and numerous smaller, stations on the Fingal Valley line. This is a branch of some 80km, running east from Conara Junction, which is about 60km south of Launceston on the main line to Hobart. The line dates back to the late 19th century and in its heyday served timber, general mining and agriculture, as well as numerous coal mines. There was also significant passenger traffic between Conara Junction, Avoca, Fingal and St Marys (the terminus), as well as all stops in-between. Sadly, today, the only traffic is a four/five times per week coal train, which runs only as far as Fingal. The line from Fingal to the terminus at St Marys has been disused for some decades.

Fingal today is just a location on the line with no sidings and very little infrastructure left in the station precinct. The station building has, however, after years of neglect recently been refurbished. The section of the line that is still in use ends east of Fingal at the coal loader.

The Model

My love affair with the Fingal Valley started when I began training at the Mount Foster Sawmill in 1969. This mill is lovingly reproduced on the layout,