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 35.3424°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 35.3371°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]

Queanbeyan rail bridges
Queanbeyan River railway bridge
Coordinates35°20′33″S 149°13′54″E (QR)
35°20′14″S 149°19′09″E (MR)
CarriesBombala railway line
Crosses
LocaleQueanbeyan, Queanbeyan-Palerang Region, New South Wales, Australia
Begins
  • Queanbeyan (Queanbeyan River)
  • Carwoola (Molonglo River)
Ends
Other name(s)Burbong bridge
(Molonglo River Bridge)
OwnerRailCorp
Characteristics
DesignWarren truss bridge
MaterialSteel
Longest span90 feet (27 m)
No. of spans
  • 4 (Queanbeyan River Bridge)
  • 3 (Molonglo River Bridge)
Rail characteristics
No. of tracksOne
Track gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
History
Construction start1926
Construction end1927
Construction costA£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

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
  • List of railway bridges in New South Wales

References
  1. "Queanbeyan rail bridges over Queanbeyan and Burbong Rivers". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H01052. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  2. "OPENING OF THE RAILWAY TO QUEANBEYAN". The Sydney Morning Herald (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 (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. 1 (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 (27, 835). New South Wales, Australia. 23 March 1927. p. 16. Retrieved 24 July 2018 – via National Library of Australia.

Attribution

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.

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