When this section of the F3 or as it is now known M1 was being built in 1997 A tunnel had to be incorporated over the Richmond Vale Railway corridor. This rail line has not been used since 1987 when the owner at that time decided it was more economical to transport the coal from the nearby mine by road directly to the coal loader. But as the Richmond Vale Railway Act still exists it could not be blocked by the construction of the new road.
This part of the rail line is between what was known as Minmi Junction where the line branched off and went to all the mines in the Minmi area and Stockrington Colliery. The railway commenced construction in February 1901 at the Minmi Junction end and continued some 11 miles 14 chains or 17.8 km to Richmond Main Colliery travelling through 3 tunnels and crossing many gullies and creeks which required the construction of embankments and Trestle bridges.
When the railway closed there was talk of the rail line being repaired and re-laid as a tourist attraction with a steam engine pulling passenger trains from Hexham to Richmond Vale but for economic reasons this has not eventuated. In 2012 there was plans of making a cycle way along this disused railway similar to the Fernleigh track but nothing has happened as yet.
There is no access to the cache from the F3/M1 and stopping on the freeway is not recommended there is a side road accessible from Minmi and the Black Hill freeway exit so please use this road, parking at listed parking spot with access through the tunnel.
The cache is a micro with log only so please bring your own pen.