Glebe and Wentworth Park railway viaducts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glebe and Wentworth Park railway viaducts |
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Wentworth Park railway viaduct
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| Coordinates | 33°52′32″S 151°10′40″E / 33.8755°S 151.1779°E |
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| Locale | Glebe, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | RailCorp |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch viaduct |
| Material | Brick |
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| History | |
| Contracted lead designer | New South Wales Government Railways |
| Construction begin | 1892 |
| Construction end | 1922 |
| Official name: Glebe and Wentworth Park railway, Viaducts; Wentworth Park Viaduct; Jubilee Park Viaduct; Glebe Viaducts | |
| Type: | State heritage (built) |
| Designated: | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference #: | 1034 |
| Type: | Railway Bridge/ Viaduct |
| Category: | Transport - Rail |
| Builders: | Day labour |
The Glebe and Wentworth Park railway viaducts are two old railway bridges in Sydney, Australia. They are special because they are "heritage-listed," meaning they are important historical structures. These large brick bridges carry the Inner West Light Rail across Wentworth Park, Jubilee Park, and Johnstons Creek.
They were designed by the New South Wales Government Railways. Workers built them between 1892 and 1922. These viaducts are also known as the Wentworth Park Viaduct, Jubilee Park Viaduct, and Glebe Viaducts. They were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Originally, these viaducts were built for the Metropolitan Goods Line, carrying freight trains. In 1996, they were changed to carry the Inner West Light Rail. This change also included adding electric power lines for the light rail.
History of the Viaducts
Why the Bridges Were Built
Around 1900, Sydney's train network was getting very busy. Passenger trains and freight trains (carrying goods) often got in each other's way. Special schedules helped a little, but a bigger solution was needed.
So, the government decided to build a separate train system just for freight. This way, goods trains could move freely without blocking passenger services. This new freight line would connect to the main passenger lines at certain points. A large train yard was also planned at Enfield to help sort all the goods.
Connecting Sydney's Port
The new freight line was very important for Sydney Harbour. The Sydney Harbour Trust had built modern wharves (docks) at Pyrmont. These wharves even had train tracks right on them. The new goods line connected these wharves to other important areas like Darling Harbour and Glebe Island.
This connection was vital for trade. Goods like wheat, wool, and coal from rural Australia could be brought directly to ships for export. In return, imported goods arriving at the docks could be loaded onto empty trains and sent around the state. Work on the goods line began around 1910. The section from Rozelle to Darling Harbour opened on 23 January 1922.
Building with Bricks
The brick arch bridges, like the Glebe and Wentworth Park viaducts, were built in two main periods. The first was around 1892. The second, and larger, period was from 1914 to 1922.
The Jubilee Park and Wentworth Park viaducts were special. They were one of the first big projects to use bricks from the State Brickworks at Homebush. About 3.4 million bricks were used to build these two viaducts!
The land where the viaducts stand was once swamps and sandflats. To make the bridges strong, timber piles (large wooden poles) were driven deep into the ground. This helped support the heavy brick structures.
From Freight to Light Rail
In 1996, the old Metropolitan Goods Line was changed. It became part of the metro light rail system. This meant new stations were built, and electric wires were installed above the tracks.
Today, almost all the bridges on the old Metropolitan Goods Line are still in use. They are a mix of brick arches, steel girders, and steel trusses.
About the Viaducts
The Glebe and Wentworth Park viaducts are impressive structures. They show how strong and well-built these old railway bridges are.
Jubilee Park Viaduct
The Jubilee Park viaduct is a very long brick bridge. It has 28 arches and curves from Victoria Road in Glebe to The Crescent in Annandale. Over two million bricks from the State Brickworks were used to build it.
The bricks are laid in a pattern called "English bond." This is a strong way to lay bricks. Each arch is about 10 meters (33 feet) wide. The entire viaduct is about 446.5 meters (1,465 feet) long. This makes it the longest brick viaduct in the New South Wales railway system!
Wentworth Park Viaduct
The Wentworth Park viaduct is also a long, curved brick bridge. It has 21 arches, with each arch being about 11 meters (36 feet) wide. About 1.4 million bricks were used in its construction.
This viaduct stretches about 274 meters (899 feet) across Wentworth Park. It is the second longest brick viaduct in New South Wales. It is part of the same railway line as the Jubilee Park viaduct.
Current Condition
As of 2009, both viaducts are in good shape. Most of their original parts and structure are still there. Some of the arches under the Jubilee Park viaduct have been closed off. These spaces are now rented out for different uses.
Changes Over Time
- 1996: Both bridges were changed to carry the light rail. This included adding overhead electric wires and poles to hold them up.
- Later: Some arches of the Jubilee Park viaduct were closed in to create rentable spaces.
Why These Viaducts Are Special
The Glebe Viaducts are listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means they are very important to the history and culture of New South Wales.
Historical Importance
These viaducts are historically significant because they were a key part of Sydney's separate freight railway network. This network, built between 1910 and 1922, was a major project. It helped freight trains move across the city without interfering with passenger trains. The viaducts were also among the first big projects to use bricks from the State Brickworks on a large scale. Over three million bricks were used!
Design and Engineering
The Glebe Viaducts are impressive structures. Their curved brickwork looks great in the parklands. They are major landmarks in inner-city Sydney. They are also important examples of engineering. The way they were built, including using timber piles in the soft ground, shows clever design. The Jubilee Park Viaduct is the longest brick arch viaduct in New South Wales. Together, both viaducts are excellent examples of large-scale brick arch construction.
Community Connection
These viaducts help connect the local community to its history. They are a visible reminder of the area's past and its development.
Rarity
The Glebe Viaducts are rare because they form the longest pair of brick arch viaducts in the New South Wales rail system. This makes them unique and valuable.
Good Examples
These viaducts are excellent examples of how brick arch bridges were built. They are similar to other important brick arch viaducts, like the one on the Lavender Bay railway line.
