Long Cove Creek railway viaducts, Lewisham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Long Cove Creek railway viaducts |
|
|---|---|
Long Cove Creek Railway Viaducts, 2019
|
|
| Coordinates | 33°53′32″S 151°08′41″E / 33.8923°S 151.1446°E |
| Carries | Main Suburban railway line |
| Crosses | Long Cove Creek |
| Locale | Inner West, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | RailCorp |
| Characteristics | |
| Design |
|
| Material |
|
| Pier construction | Brick |
| History | |
| Contracted lead designer | NSW Government Railways |
| Official name: Lewisham Railway viaducts over Long Cove Creek | |
| Type: | State heritage (built) |
| Designated: | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference #: | 1043 |
| Type: | Railway Bridge/ Viaduct |
| Category: | Transport - Rail |
| Builders: | NSW Government Railways |
The Long Cove Creek railway viaducts are a group of special railway bridges. They carry the main train lines over Long Cove Creek. This creek is located between the suburbs of Lewisham and Summer Hill in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. These viaducts were designed and built by the New South Wales Government Railways. Today, RailCorp, a government agency, owns them. They were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means they are important historical structures.
Contents
History of the Long Cove Creek Viaducts
The very first railway line in New South Wales opened in 1855. It was a single track from Cleveland Paddocks to west of Granville. By 1856, a second track was added.
Early Stone Arch Bridge
The biggest bridge on this early line was an eight-arch stone bridge. It crossed Long Cove Creek near Petersham. By the 1880s, this stone bridge started to wear out. It needed to be replaced to keep trains running safely.
Whipple Trusses: An American Design
To replace the old stone bridge, new sections were built. These new parts used a special design called Whipple trusses. A truss is a framework, usually made of metal or wood, that supports a bridge. These Whipple trusses were made of wrought iron and came from America. The Long Cove Creek bridge was one of only two bridges in New South Wales to use this type of truss. In 1993, these Whipple trusses were replaced with modern steel girders. However, a pair of the original Whipple trusses are still on display near the viaduct.
Adding More Tracks Over Time
As Sydney grew, more train tracks were needed.
- In 1892, two more tracks were added. These used a British lattice truss design. These were also later replaced with modern steel girders in 1998.
- Between 1925 and 1927, two more tracks were added. This made it a total of six tracks! For these new tracks, special Warren trusses were used. These Warren trusses are still in use today.
What the Viaducts Look Like
The Lewisham viaducts are about 0.25 kilometers west of Lewisham Station. The structure carries many train lines over Long Cove Creek. It includes both newer steel girders and the older Warren trusses.
Different Parts of the Viaducts
The viaducts are made up of several different sections:
- Plate Web Girders (Local Lines): These are three pairs of strong steel girders. They carry two local train lines. Each section is about 27 meters long. They are supported by brick pillars and end supports.
- Plate Web Girders (Suburban Lines): These are also three pairs of steel girders. They carry two suburban train lines. They are also supported by brick pillars and end supports.
- Warren Trusses (Main Lines): These are three pairs of special Warren trusses. They carry the main train lines. Each section is about 27 meters long. They are supported by brick pillars and end supports.
- Displayed Whipple Trusses: A pair of the original Whipple trusses are kept on display. You can see them under the viaduct. These show how bridges were built a long time ago.
Condition and How Well They've Lasted
As of 2010, all the girders and trusses were in good shape. The viaduct as a whole is still in good condition. The Warren trusses from 1926 are still original and working well. However, the older Whipple and Lattice trusses were replaced. This means some of the original parts are gone.
Changes Over the Years
The viaducts have been updated several times:
- 1928: Local and suburban train lines were set up with electricity.
- 1955: The main train lines were also set up with electricity.
- 1993: The original Whipple truss sections were replaced.
Why These Viaducts Are Important
The Lewisham viaducts are very important to the history of New South Wales. They show how railways have grown and changed over time.
A Look at History
These viaducts show different stages of railway building. The first stone bridge in the 1850s was the biggest on the line. Then, the Whipple trusses were used in the 1880s. This was special because only a few bridges in NSW used them. The addition of British lattice trusses in the 1890s showed the line getting four tracks. Finally, the Warren trusses in the 1920s meant the line had six tracks. The displayed Whipple truss and the working Warren trusses together show how railways grew from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
Important People Behind the Bridges
The viaducts are also important because of the people who designed them. John Whitton was the Chief Engineer for NSW Railways. He helped bring the Whipple trusses to the bridge in the 1880s. His successor, George Cowdery, helped use the Warren trusses for the six-track expansion in the 1920s.
A Local Landmark
The viaducts, especially with the Warren Trusses, are a well-known sight in the local area. They show great engineering skill. At first, it was the biggest bridge on the line. Even today, it's the largest bridge on this part of the railway. The Whipple and Warren trusses show the amazing technology used for railway bridges in the past.
Rare Bridge Designs
The Lewisham viaducts are special because of their rare designs. The Whipple trusses were used on only two bridges in NSW. The other was a road bridge. Also, the Warren trusses still in use are quite rare on the NSW railway system. This makes the viaducts a unique example of bridge building history.
Images for kids
-
Long Cove Creek Railway Viaducts, 2019
