Queanbeyan railway bridges over Queanbeyan and Molonglo Rivers

Last updated

Queanbeyan rail bridges
Queanbeyan river railway bridge.jpg
Queanbeyan River railway bridge
Coordinates 35°20′33″S149°13′54″E / 35.3424°S 149.2317°E / -35.3424; 149.2317 Coordinates: 35°20′33″S149°13′54″E / 35.3424°S 149.2317°E / -35.3424; 149.2317 (QR)
35°20′14″S149°19′09″E / 35.3371°S 149.3191°E / -35.3371; 149.3191 (Molongo River railway bridge) (MR)
Carries Bombala railway line
Crosses
Locale Queanbeyan, Queanbeyan-Palerang Region, New South Wales, Australia
Begins
  • Queanbeyan (Queanbeyan River)
  • Carwoola (Molonglo River)
Ends
Other name(s)Burbong bridge
(Molonglo River Bridge)
Owner RailCorp
Characteristics
Design Warren truss bridge
MaterialSteel
Longest span90 feet (27 m)
No. of spans
  • 4 (Queanbeyan River Bridge)
  • 3 (Molonglo River Bridge)
Rail characteristics
No. of tracks One
Track gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
History
Construction start1926
Construction end1927
Construction cost A£19,000
Official nameQueanbeyan rail bridges over Queanbeyan and Burbong Rivers
TypeState heritage (complex / group)
Designated2 April 1999
Reference no.1052
TypeRailway Bridge/ Viaduct
CategoryTransport - Rail
Location
Queanbeyan railway bridges over Queanbeyan and Molonglo Rivers

The Queanbeyan railway bridges over Queanbeyan and Molonglo Rivers are two heritage-listed railway bridges that carry the Bombala railway line in the Queanbeyan-Palerang Region local government area of New South Wales, Australia. Both bridges were built between 1926 and 1927. The westernmost bridge crosses the Queanbeyan River from Queanbeyan to Queanbeyan East at 35°20′33″S149°13′54″E / 35.3424°S 149.2317°E / -35.3424; 149.2317 (Queanbeyan River railway bridge) , while the easternmost bridge (approximately 8 kilometres (5 mi) to the east) crosses the Molonglo River at Burbong (now Carwoola) at 35°20′14″S149°19′09″E / 35.3371°S 149.3191°E / -35.3371; 149.3191 (Molongo River railway bridge) . The two railway bridges are owned by RailCorp, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. Together, the two bridges were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. [1]

Contents

History

The bridges were first built by contractors Johnston & Co. in 1885-87 along with the extension of the railway from Bungendore to Michelago through Queanbeyan. The Molonglo River bridge was completed in May 1886 and the Queanbeyan River bridge in July 1887, both opening with the line in September 1887. The original bridges consisted of arched hardwood timber girders on brick piers and stone abutments, featuring four spans (Molonglo River) and five spans (Queanbeyan River) of 24 metres (80 ft) each. The stone for the abutments came from the quarries at Pyrmont in Sydney. A temporary bridge over the Queanbeyan River during construction was reported at the time to be the largest temporary railway bridge ever constructed in New South Wales. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

The bridges were completely rebuilt in 1926–27 at a cost of A£19,000, re-using the foundations of the original bridge. Both bridges were of the Warren deck steel truss type, consisting of four 44-foot (13 m) steel spans on the approaches to each side with three (Queanbeyan River) and two (Molonglo River) spans of 90 feet (27 m) comprising the main bridge. The timbers of the original bridge were still in "a remarkable state of preservation" when replaced, such that it could not be cut in some cases. [8] The bridge upgrade allowed a heavier type of engine to be run on the line. [9] [1]

The Molonglo River bridge is sometimes known as the Burbong bridge, Burbong being a historical name for its location. [1]

Heritage listing

The Queanbeyan rail bridges over Queanbeyan and Burbong Rivers was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria. [1]

The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

This item has some historical rarity due its association with the 1887 Cooma Railway and the reuse of the original foundations for the 1926 replacement trusses. The Warren deck trusses are relatively rare because there are only four other railway sites in NSW with this type of superstructure. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queanbeyan</span> City in New South Wales, Australia

Queanbeyan is a city in the south-eastern region of New South Wales, Australia, located adjacent to the Australian Capital Territory in the Southern Tablelands region. Located on the Queanbeyan River, the city is the council seat of the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council. At the 2016 census, the Queanbeyan part of the Canberra–Queanbeyan built-up area had a population of 36,348.

Bombala, New South Wales Town in New South Wales, Australia

Bombala is a town in the Monaro region of south-eastern New South Wales, Australia, in Snowy Monaro Regional Council. It is approximately 485 kilometres (301 mi) south of the state capital, Sydney, and 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of the town of Cooma. The name derives from an Aboriginal word meaning "Meeting of the waters". The town lies on the banks of the Bombala River. At the 2016 census, Bombala had a population of 1,387.

Queanbeyan River River in Australian Capital Territory, Australia

The Queanbeyan River, a perennial stream that is part of the Molonglo catchment within the Murray–Darling basin, is located in the Monaro and Capital Country regions of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, in Australia. The river is 104 kilometres (65 mi) in length with a catchment area of 96,000 hectares. The Queanbeyan River and the Cotter River meet the potable water supply needs of the Canberra and Queanbeyan region and whose water quality is specifically protected under Federal legislation.

Oaks Estate is a township situated immediately on the northern side of the Australian Capital Territory border abutting the township of Queanbeyan in south-eastern New South Wales, Australia. The estate covers an area of approximately 40 hectares and is bound by the Molonglo River to the north, the Queanbeyan River to the east, 'The Oaks' to the west, and the Queanbeyan-Cooma railway to the south. Oaks Estate is located 12 kilometres from the centre of Canberra. The village is also noteworthy as the nucleus of Queanbeyan's industrial development during the second half of the 19th century. Oaks Estate takes its name from 'The Oaks', which was part of Duntroon, Robert Campbell's farming estate. This makes Oaks Estate one of only a few place names in the ACT with significant connections to early colonial times.

The Seat of Government Acceptance Act 1909 is an Australian Commonwealth Government act, that in conjunction with the Seat of Government Surrender Act 1909 transferred land from the state of New South Wales to the Commonwealth for the creation of the Federal Capital Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canberra railway station</span> Railway station in Canberra, Australia

Canberra railway station is located on the NSW TrainLink Regional Southern Line in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. It is located in the Canberra suburb of Kingston.

Bungendore Town in New South Wales, Australia

Bungendore is a town in the Queanbeyan Region of New South Wales, Australia, in Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council. It is on the Kings Highway near Lake George, the Molonglo River Valley and the Australian Capital Territory border. It has become a major tourist centre in recent years, popular with visitors from Canberra and some of it has heritage protection. It has expanded rapidly in recent years as a dormitory town of Canberra.

Queanbeyan railway station Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

Queanbeyan railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Bombala line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the town of Queanbeyan.

Main Southern railway line, New South Wales Railway line in New South Wales, Australia

The Main Southern Railway is a major railway in New South Wales, Australia. It runs from Sydney to Albury, near the Victorian border. The line passes through the Southern Highlands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes and Riverina regions.

The Crookwell railway line is a disused branch railway line in the south of New South Wales, Australia. It has never officially been closed. It branched from the Main South line at North Goulburn and passed north through the localities of Kenmore and Roslyn to the town of Crookwell. The line is set to be converted into a rail trail.

Bombala railway line

The Bombala railway line is a branch railway line in the south of New South Wales, Australia. The northern part of it forms part of the main line from Sydney to Canberra, but the southern part is closed. It branches off the Main South line at Joppa Junction, south of Goulburn. The line is used by NSW TrainLink Xplorer services running between Sydney Central and Canberra station.

Queanbeyan East Town in New South Wales, Australia

Queanbeyan East is a suburb of Queanbeyan in New South Wales, Australia. It is on the north eastern side of the Queanbeyan River, with the river forming its western boundary. At the 2016 census, it had a population of 3,936.

Parish of Amungula Cadastral in New South Wales, Australia

Amungula Parish is a parish of Murray County, New South Wales, a cadastral unit for use on land titles. It is located in two non-contiguous sections, divided by the Australian Capital Territory, as most of the parish was transferred to the ACT in 1909 and now makes up much of the Kowen district. The northern section, the larger of the two, is located just to the south of Wamboin around 35°15′50″S149°17′29″E; the southern, a section of land between the Goulburn-Queanbeyan railway and the Molonglo River around 35°20′48″S149°19′49″E. Before 1909, the Molonglo River was the southern boundary of the parish. The Kings Highway passes through a small part of the southern remaining portion. It was formerly located in Yarrowlumla Shire, but is now located in Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.

The Captains Flat railway line was a country branch line in the Southern Tablelands region of New South Wales. The line branched off the Bombala line at Bungendore Junction, 5 km south of Bungendore and terminated 34 km further south at Captain's Flat.

Carwoola Town in New South Wales, Australia

Carwoola is a locality in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is immediately to the south of the Kowen district, which is located in the Australian Capital Territory. The Molonglo River passes through the Carwoola area before opening out into the Molonglo Plains. The Kings Highway and Captains Flat Road are the two major through routes. Carwoola is part of the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council and the Southern Tablelands geographic area. The area also roughly aligns with the original Carwoola Parish.

Burbong railway station Former railway station in New South Wales, Australia

Burbong is a former railway station which was located on the Bombala railway line, that leaves the main Sydney-Melbourne line at Joppa Junction. It served the Burbong and the surrounding area, which is part of the locality of Carwoola to the east of Queanbeyan in the Monaro Region of New South Wales, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ingalara Creek railway bridge, Colinton</span> Bridge in New South Wales, Australia

The Ingalara Creek railway bridge is a heritage-listed former railway bridge that carried the Bombala railway line across Ingalara Creek at Michelago in the Snowy Monaro Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by John Whitton in his capacity as Engineer-in-Chief for Railways and built in 1889. It is also known as the Michelago Rail Bridge over Ingalara Creek and the Ingalara Creek Railway Viaduct. The property is owned by RailCorp, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. On 1 December 2020, changes were made to exemptions relating to the bridge's heritage status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bredbo River railway bridge</span> Former bridge in New South Wales, Australia

The Bredbo River railway bridge is a heritage-listed former railway bridge carrying the Bombala railway line over the Bredbo River at Bredbo in the Snowy Monaro Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by John Whitton in his capacity as Engineer-in-Chief for Railways and built from 1881 to 1889. It is also known as the Bredbo Rail Bridge and the Bredbo River Railway Viaduct. The property is owned by RailCorp, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. On 1 December 2020, changes were made to exemptions relating to the bridge's heritage status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rossi Bridge over Wollondilly River</span> Bridge in New South Wales, Australia

The Rossi Bridge over Wollondilly River is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Range Road across the Wollondilly River, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. It is also known as Rossi's Crossing. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Queanbeyan rail bridges over Queanbeyan and Burbong Rivers". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Office of Environment & Heritage. H01052. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  2. ↑ "OPENING OF THE RAILWAY TO QUEANBEYAN". The Sydney Morning Herald . No. 15, 431. New South Wales, Australia. 9 September 1887. p. 4. Retrieved 24 July 2018– via National Library of Australia.
  3. ↑ "Local Intelligence". Queanbeyan Age . New South Wales, Australia. 3 August 1887. p. 2. Retrieved 24 July 2018– via National Library of Australia.
  4. ↑ "WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20TH". Queanbeyan Age . New South Wales, Australia. 21 January 1886. p. 2 (Mornings.). Retrieved 24 July 2018– via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "GOULBURN TO COOMA RAILWAY". The Burrowa News . No. 585. New South Wales, Australia. 22 January 1886. p. 2. Retrieved 24 July 2018– via National Library of Australia.
  6. ↑ "MOLONGLO". Queanbeyan Age . New South Wales, Australia. 1 May 1886. p. 2 (Mornings.). Retrieved 24 July 2018– via National Library of Australia.
  7. ↑ "PROGRESS OF THE GOULBURN TO COOMA RAILWAY". Goulburn Evening Penny Post . New South Wales, Australia. 28 September 1886. p. 4. Retrieved 24 July 2018– via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ "RAILWAY BRIDGE". The Canberra Times . Vol. 1, no. 29. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 17 March 1927. p. 15. Retrieved 24 July 2018– via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE". The Sydney Morning Herald . No. 27, 835. New South Wales, Australia. 23 March 1927. p. 16. Retrieved 24 July 2018– via National Library of Australia.

Attribution

CC BY icon-80x15.png This Wikipedia article was originally based on Queanbeyan rail bridges over Queanbeyan and Burbong Rivers , entry number 01052 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales and Office of Environment and Heritage 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 2 June 2018.

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.