Burdekin River Rail Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burdekin River Rail Bridge |
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Burdekin River Rail Bridge, 2009
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| Coordinates | 20°00′23″S 146°26′14″E / 20.0064°S 146.4373°E |
| Carries | Great Northern railway |
| Crosses | Burdekin River |
| Locale | Dotswood, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Owner | Queensland Rail |
| History | |
| Architect | Henry Charles Stanley |
| Construction begin | c. 1896 |
| Construction end | 1899 |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Official name | Burdekin River Rail Bridge (former), Macrossan Bridge |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600442 |
| Significant period | 1890s (fabric) 1899-1964 (historical use) |
| Significant components | abutments - railway bridge, pier/s (bridge) |
| Builders | Swanson Brothers |
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The Burdekin River Rail Bridge is an old railway bridge in Queensland, Australia. It crosses the Burdekin River near Dotswood. This bridge was super important for connecting the goldfields at Charters Towers to the port city of Townsville. It was designed by Henry Charles Stanley and built by Swanson Brothers between 1896 and 1899. The bridge is also known as Macrossan Bridge. It is now a heritage-listed site, recognized for its historical importance.
Contents
Building the Great Northern Railway
The Burdekin River Rail Bridge was built to carry the Great Northern Railway. This railway was very important for Queensland. It helped connect the gold mining town of Charters Towers to the port of Townsville. The railway also helped the cattle industry and general development in North Queensland.
Early Railway Plans
In August 1877, the Queensland Government decided to build the first part of the railway line. This section went to the top of the Haughton Range. The line reached Mingela in 1881. By December 1882, it had reached Charters Towers.
Crossing the Burdekin River
To cross the Burdekin River, trains first used a road bridge. This bridge opened in 1879 and was changed for railway use in 1881. However, this bridge was quite low. It often went underwater during the wet season. This meant trains couldn't cross, which caused big problems.
The Need for a New Bridge
On 22 March 1890, a huge flood covered the bridge by 55 feet (about 17 meters). It was clear that a much higher bridge was needed. The decision to build a new bridge was made, but it took several years to start.
Designing the New Bridge
The new bridge was designed by Henry Charles Stanley. He was the Chief Engineer for Railways at the time. Stanley was a very important engineer in Queensland's early history. He came from Scotland and started working for Queensland Railways in 1863. By 1892, he was in charge of all railway engineering for the whole colony.
Important Metal Bridges
In the 1890s, many large metal truss bridges (bridges made of connected triangles) were built. These bridges helped railways cross big rivers. They were vital for connecting important towns and resources. This helped the entire state grow and develop. Many of these old bridges have since been replaced.
Construction of the Macrossan Bridge
A company called Swanson Brothers won the contract to build the Macrossan bridge. This happened on 26 May 1896. The project was expected to cost about £52,143. The bridge was supposed to be finished by 1897. However, it wasn't completed until 17 January 1899. After safety tests, it was approved for use in March 1899.
A Big Achievement
When it was built, the Macrossan bridge was one of the largest bridges in Queensland. It was also the last of its kind to be built in a series of similar bridges. The completed bridge was about 3 meters (10 feet) above the highest known flood level.
Bridge Features and Challenges
The bridge had six 250-foot (76-meter) steel spans. These were supported by strong piers and basalt stone. It also had four 50-foot (15-meter) plate girders on each side. There was also 434 feet (132 meters) of timber supports. The train tracks were on the lower part of the bridge. It had a full deck and a strong handrail.
Weight Limits and Upgrades
Even though it was a big bridge, it could only carry an 8-ton axle load. This meant it couldn't handle very heavy trains. People thought the problem was with the timber parts of the bridge, not the main metal structure. By 1937, the timber parts were made stronger. After that, all types of steam locomotives could use the bridge.
A New Bridge is Built
Diesel locomotives started using the bridge in 1953. However, it was too expensive to make the old bridge strong enough for two diesel locomotives pulling together. So, in 1961, work began on a new bridge. This new bridge was built upstream (further up the river).
Decommissioning the Old Bridge
The new bridge opened on 16 May 1964. It was built very close to the old bridge. Because of this, it was not safe or practical to remove the old bridge. It might have damaged the new one. So, the old bridge was taken out of service. The timber approach sections on the eastern side were removed. The main metal part of the bridge remains today.
What the Bridge Looks Like
This bridge crosses the Burdekin River at Macrossan. It is no longer used by trains. It has six large metal truss spans (sections made of connected metal triangles). These are 250 feet (76 meters) long. On each side, there are four 50-foot (15-meter) plate girder spans. These parts are supported by strong concrete and cast iron piers.
Why the Bridge is Important
The former Burdekin River Rail Bridge was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it is recognized as a very important historical site.
- Shows Queensland's History: This bridge helped connect important inland areas with ports. It shows how Queensland grew and developed.
- Great Example of Design: It is a good example of a metal truss bridge from its time. It was one of the first of its kind built in Queensland.
- Amazing Engineering: It was one of the largest bridges in Queensland when it was built. It shows how skilled engineers were back then. They used the technology of the time to solve tough problems like floods and difficult land.
- Connected to a Key Person: The bridge is an important example of the work of Henry Stanley. He was the Chief Engineer for Railways and a major figure in early Queensland engineering.
Images for kids
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Burdekin River railway bridge, circa 1910
