Dalveen Tunnel

Dalveen Tunnel
Dalveen Tunnel
	Dalveen Tunnel on the Southern railway line, 2015
Location	Warwick to Wallangarra railway line, Dalveen, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates	28°29′20″S151°58′49″E / 28.4889°S 151.9803°E Coordinates: 28°29′20″S151°58′49″E / 28.4889°S 151.9803°E
Design period	1870s - 1890s (late 19th century)
Built	1878 - 1880
Queensland Heritage Register
	Official name: Dalveen Tunnel
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	28 July 2000
Reference no.	601519
Significant period	1870s, 1880s (fabric)
Significant components	tunnel - railway, cutting - railway
Builders	J Garget
	Location of Dalveen Tunnel in Queensland Dalveen Tunnel (Australia)

Last updated July 17, 2020

Dalveen Tunnel is a heritage-listed tunnel on the Warwick to Wallangarra railway line, Dalveen, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1878 to 1880 by J Garget. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 July 2000.^[1]

History

The exploitation of the mineral resources of Queensland was recognised by political interests in Queensland as being closely linked with the development of a railway system from the period of the late 1860s and early 1870s. This connection between political decisions and economic development was further linked and with the decision taken in 1877 to construct mineral railways running from Townsville to Charters Towers (Great Northern Railway), Bundaberg to Mount Perry (Mount Perry railway line) and Maryborough to Gympie (North Coast railway line). The extension of the Southern & Western Railway from Warwick to Stanthorpe was approved along with extensions to Roma and Emerald on the same day in Parliament, 30 August 1877. The decision to construct separate railway systems with no connection to other parts of the Queensland Railway system was to result in a proliferation of separate railways throughout Queensland, (up to eleven by 1891). The system would not be unified until 1924 with the opening of the North Coast Line between Brisbane and Cairns.^[1]

The agitation for the construction of a railway from the town of Warwick to the mining centre of Stanthorpe was a major political and social rallying point for the population of the southern tablelands. The booming tin mining area around Stanthorpe provided the impetus for the extension of the railway south from Warwick. The railway had opened to Warwick on 9 January 1871. In 1873 a survey from Warwick to Stanthorpe was begun and the 41.5-mile (66.8 km) route to Stanthorpe was mapped. However this survey included two costly tunnels- one 29 chains (1,900 ft; 580 m) in length to save a 1.75-mile (2.82 km) detour and a 13-chain-long (260 m) tunnel to save 2.5 miles (4.0 km). The permanent survey was then pressed forward, but the line that was surveyed passed through the centre of Warwick, and as a result meant expensive earthworks in the centre of the town.^[1]

A permanent survey was completed in 1876 to the 85-mile (137 km) mark, which was 27 miles (43 km) from Warwick. On this survey there were several deviations made to shorten the overall distance of the line. In 1878 the working plans for the section from Warwick to Stanthorpe were finally prepared. Tenders were called for on the 1st and 2nd sections Warwick - Stanthorpe at the end of January 1878. Section one ran to a point 20 miles 28.19 chains (32.754 km) south of Warwick, whilst Section two ran 20 miles 41.60 chains (33.024 km) to Stanthorpe.^[1]

Section 1 was awarded to J&A Overend and Co. for £ 178784 and J. Garget on Section 2 for £ 105983 . Construction was described in the Commissioners report as follows:^[1]

Section 2- as 1st tenders were considered too high, fresh tenders were called and the contract given to Garget. Clearing of the right of way began in November 1878, as well as some cuttings were begun.

The Dalveen tunnel was constructed to pierce a spur of the Silverwood Range. It was one of the major works on the second contract of the line to Stanthorpe. By the end of 1879 it was noted that:^[1]

The heading of No. 2 tunnel at 84 miles 20 chains was excavated to about one-third of the total length, and a large number of bricks had been prepared in readiness for the lining.

Section Two of the contract did not involve the difficulties that were encountered on the works around the Cherry Gully tunnel. was a case where the going was much easier. In common with railway construction of the time a camp would have been situated nearby to act as labour base for its workings. On Section Two some 325 men were employed at this time. In 1880 Minister for Works, John Macrossan visited the railway works and made an inspection as far as Garget's Camp. The Stanthorpe Border Post and Stannum Miner reported on his visit:^[1]

The construction camps were temporary townships, and were supplied with drinking establishments, sometimes a school, contractor stores even places of worship. Some of the hotels were recorded by local correspondents and give an idea of some of the places. Edmund Power had a drinking establishment on the Second Section at Telegraph Road crossing, and also John Commerford opened the North Australian Hotel, Main Camp, at the New Tunnel on the 2nd section.

Life in the camps could be a perilous affair at times, especially where hot tempers were concerned. A dispute over the return of the loan of a few shillings lead to the shooting of John O'Neil a sub-contractor on Section Two. The individual who shot O'Neil, Felix was a Frenchman. The Stanthorpe Border Post noted that O'Neil died in agony nearly six hours after the shooting. Felix made no attempt to escape. Rather he was caught by O'Neil's mates, after Felix had a leisurely breakfast, and was preparing to ride to Stanthorpe.^[1]

The Commissioner's Report for 1880 noted that the excavation and lining of No.2 tunnel had been completed and that only track laying remained to be done. On Section Two progress was much faster, and the Commissioners Report noted that only platelaying and Ballasting required completion. The line from Cherry Gully through to Stanthorpe was opened throughout on 1 May 1881, and was taken over by the railways on 1 November 1881. It was noted that the tunnel (on Section Two) was a work to be proud of, perfectly straight, true curves of arch, bright red brick and pure whiteness of stone facing, the whole of the tunnel being on a 1 in 50 grade. The works were acknowledged as being of great credit to all concerned.^[1]

Description

The Dalveen tunnel is situated at 183 miles (295 km) from Roma Street railway station on the Southern Line between Warwick and Wallangarra. The tunnel is of semi-elliptical cross-section, and is brick lines with brick arches and brick portals featuring sandstone quoins. The southern portal (Dalveen portal) features a date of 1880.^[1]

Heritage listing

Dalveen Tunnel was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 July 2000 having satisfied the following criteria.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.

The Warwick-Stanthorpe railway was one of several major railway lines approved by the Queensland Parliament in 1877, to access mineral fields throughout Queensland, but particularly of the Stannum district. The tunnel allows for an interpretation of the construction techniques of the latter part of the nineteenth century, especially with the use of drilling equipment, and the experimental use of concrete, in a railway context. As part of the development of the Southern line, and the eventual inter-colonial connection with New South Wales at Wallangarra, the tunnel was one of the major engineering works undertaken on what was in the period of 1889-1930 Queensland's busiest mainline. Its survival and ongoing use allows for the interpretation of the importance of the Queensland Railway network in the economic development of Queensland.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.

The Dalveen Tunnel is important as a substantially intact example of innovative engineering technology used in association with railway construction.^[1]

Related Research Articles

Stanthorpe is a rural town and locality in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Stanthorpe had a population of 5,406 people. The area surrounding the town is known as the Granite Belt.

Wallangarra is a town and locality in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It is the third most southerly town in Queensland, 258 kilometres (160 mi) south west of Brisbane. Wallangarra is on the Queensland side of the border and Jennings is on the New South Wales side.

The Granite Belt is an area of the Great Dividing Range in the Darling Downs region of Queensland and the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. The Granite Belt is centered on the town of Stanthorpe. The cool, high country of the granite belt is located on Queensland's southern border. It is the northernmost part of the New England Tablelands.

Shire of Stanthorpe Local government area in Queensland, Australia

The Shire of Stanthorpe was a local government area of Queensland, Australia on the Queensland-New South Wales border. It was on the Great Dividing Range and was part of the Granite Belt. Its main industries included fruit and vegetable growing, wineries and tourism, and sheep and cattle grazing.

The Southern Downs Region is a local government area in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, along the state's boundary with New South Wales. It was created in 2008 from a merger of the Shire of Warwick and the Shire of Stanthorpe.

The Amiens railway line was a branch railway in the Granite Belt region of Queensland, Australia, branching from the Southern Line at Cottonvale between Warwick and Stanthorpe. The Amiens line was the highest in southern Queensland, with the railway reaching an elevation of 946 metres above sea level at Pozieres.

The Maryvale railway line was a branch railway in the Southern Downs region of Queensland, Australia.

The Southern railway line serves the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia. The 197-kilometre (122 mi) long line branches from the Western line at Toowoomba, 161 kilometres (100 mi) west of Brisbane, and proceeds south through Warwick and Stanthorpe to the New South Wales/Queensland state border at Wallangarra.

Boolboonda Tunnel is an abandoned heritage-listed railway tunnel at Tunnel Road, Boolboonda, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia. The tunnel is 192 metres (630 ft) in length making it the longest unsupported man-made tunnel in Queensland. Its construction represented an important engineering feat for rail transport in Queensland. It was built from 1881 to 1884 by O'Rourke & McSharry. It is also known as Boolboonda Railway Tunnel and SEQ-6Q 1. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 September 1999.

Armidale railway station is a heritage-listed railway station at 240 Brown Street, Armidale, Armidale Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1882 to 1883 by Edmund Lonsdale and Henry Sheldon Hoddard, and was opened on 3 February 1883 when the line was extended from Uralla. It was the terminus of the line until it was extended to Glen Innes on 19 August 1884. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Dalveen is a town and a locality in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It borders New South Wales. In the 2016 census, Dalveen had a population of 335 people.

The Main Line is a railway line in South East Queensland, Australia. It was opened in a series of sections between 1865 and 1867. It commences at Roma St Station in Brisbane and extends west 161 km to Toowoomba. It is the first narrow gauge main line constructed in the world. The section of the line from the end of Murphys Creek railway station to the Ruthven Street overbridge, Harlaxton is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. The Murphys Creek Railway Complex, the Lockyer Creek Railway Bridge (Lockyer), the Lockyer Creek Railway Bridge and Swansons Rail Bridge are also heritage listed.

Muntapa Tunnel is a heritage-listed tunnel from Narko-Nutgrove Road, Highgrove through to Nutgrove, both in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Queensland Railways and built from 1910 to 1913 by Queensland Railways. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 3 May 2007.

Wallangarra railway station is a heritage-listed railway station at Woodlawn Street, Wallangarra, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1877 along the state border of Queensland and New South Wales It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 March 2003.

Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge at Quart Pot Creek, Stanthorpe, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1886. It is also known as the Red Bridge. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Cherry Gully Tunnel is a heritage-listed railway tunnel on the Warwick - Stanthorpe Line, Silverwood, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1878 to 1880 by J & A Overend & Co. It is also known as Gorge Tunnel and Big Tunnel. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 July 2000.

Central Hotel is a heritage-listed hotel at 140 High Street, Stanthorpe, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1908 to c. 1978. It is also known as Quinn's Hotel and Sheahan's Hotel. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Warwick railway station is a heritage-listed railway station on the Southern railway line in Warwick, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from c. 1881 to 1910s. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 September 1999.

Stanthorpe railway station is located on the Southern line in Queensland, Australia, serving the town of Stanthorpe.

Silverwood is a rural locality in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Silverwood had a population of 38 people.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Dalveen Tunnel (entry 601519)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.

Attribution

This Wikipedia article was originally based on "The Queensland heritage register" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 7 July 2014, archived on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were originally computed from the "Queensland heritage register boundaries" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 5 September 2014, archived on 15 October 2014).

External links

Media related to Dalveen Tunnel at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[qhr-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Dalveen Tunnel (entry 601519)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.