Lithgow and its industry

Now that my head is on the mend I will return to where I left off, namely in Lithgow.

Whilst at Lake Lyell we drove into Lithgow to view some of the industrial history of the city. The Small Arms Factory (no pics) is still in operation producing firearms under a French company. In its heyday when it operated as SAF, and later ADI (Australian Defence Industries), in addition to side arms, rifles and machine guns, it manufactured a diverse range of items from pencil sharpeners to Sunbeam Mixmaster parts and tracks for military tanks.

Remnants of Lithgow's industrial past. The blast furnace site (commenced 1907)
Remnants of Lithgow’s industrial past. The blast furnace site (commenced 1907)
Coal wagons - old and new
Coal wagons – old and new
Blacksmith's shed at Esbank House
Blacksmith’s shed at Esbank House
Ben Bullen railway station. Hasn't had a train stop for many years
Ben Bullen railway station. Hasn’t had a train stop for many years

Leaving Lithgow we travelled just a few km to Glen Davis, the site of a significant shale oil industry of the early 20th century (1938-1952). We camped in town for 3 days, as we wanted to take the tour of the facility, which occurs only on Saturday. There are 3 memorable factors of Glen Davis that outweigh the shale oil industry, being flies, hay fever and 8 stitches in the head. The flies were so bad we could not sit outside the van until after 6pm, which seemed to be when all the flies went home to bed.

Our camp at Glen Davis
Our camp at Glen Davis
View from van at Glen Davis
View from van at Glen Davis
View from van at Glen Davis
View from van at Glen Davis
Glen Davis shale oil ruins
Glen Davis shale oil ruins
Glen Davis shale oil ruins
Glen Davis shale oil ruins
Glen Davis shale oil ruins
Glen Davis shale oil ruins
Glen Davis shale oil ruins
Glen Davis shale oil ruins

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Glen Davis shale oil ruins
Glen Davis shale oil ruins

There are also examples of modern industry and engineering in the Lithgow region. Lake Lyell is the site of the manufacture of an electricity free washing machine. Components: plastic funnel with carefully located holes; round timber dowel; plastic bucket.

Components of a freedom camp washing machine
Components of a freedom camp washing machine (including the motor in the green shirt)
Washing machine agitator completed
Washing machine agitator completed (on the left)
washing day
Successful results (without using the new agitator. Design development required – either a smaller funnel or a larger bucket)

At Glen Davis a carefully engineered caravan levelling tower was constructed to account for the slope in the long directionof the van.

Desired level
Desired level
Certified leveling tower
Certified leveling tower
Glen Davis landscape
Glen Davis landscape
Crossing a causeway at Wollemi NP
Crossing a causeway at Wollemi NP

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4 thoughts on “Lithgow and its industry”

  1. Hi Graham & Carol. I’m glad to hear that your head is better Graham.
    The photos are great.
    My knee is healing, still have pain but is getting better. Not able to walk very far yet.
    Life goes on here, Damien is still in Kalgoolie, he isn’t coming back until the 20th Dec.
    Jace is working alot of hours so he can get some money saved to move to Sydney.
    He is also applying for jobs in Qld.
    Thats all for now, keep safe & well. Vicki.

  3. Hi Carol and Graham…. photos are stunning. .shame about the flies… how did you enjoy yesterdays 43 degrees in the west?
    Drama here as snickers decided to overnight at the vet… he got out and we spent 3 hours searching.. he is happy and home now.. be safe ! Mary

    1. oh dear, naughty little Snickers. A rather anxious time I imagine.
      We were spared the extreme heat. Probably low to mid thirties here inHill End. Quite bearable.
      G

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