I remember Ron. Indeed, I think he owned the marina where I kept my yacht.
I'm sure it was Vince that told me he cut up the railway and one steam engine, although it may have been Keith. The conversation would have occurred around 45 years ago.
I don't know full details of the railway but I believe it ran from Ela Beach to Bootless Bay, then to the old mine off the Sogeri Road at 16 mile? Someone told me the Ela Beach RSL was the original railway station?
I understand it was the only railway ever to operate in PNG and ceased operation due to the war. The old rusty shed at the mine site - probably collapsed now - was reputedly used by the Salvation Army as a Field Hospital during the war. Opposite the mine, beneath Hombrom Bluff was Blamey's Retreat, a complete overgrown Army camp complete with rusted stills.