Macleay River railway bridge, Kempsey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Macleay River Railway Bridge |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Heritage boundaries
|
|
| Coordinates | 31°05′12″S 152°49′53″E / 31.0867°S 152.8314°E |
| Carries | North Coast railway |
| Crosses | Macleay River |
| Locale | Kempsey, Kempsey Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | RailCorp |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Truss bridge |
| Material | Steel |
| Pier construction | Steel and concrete |
| History | |
| Fabrication by | Walsh Island Dockyard and Engineering Works |
| Construction end | 1917 |
| Official name: Kempsey rail bridge over Macleay River | |
| Type: | State heritage (built) |
| Designated: | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference #: | 1041 |
| Type: | Railway Bridge/ Viaduct |
| Category: | Transport - Rail |
The Macleay River railway bridge is a special bridge in New South Wales, Australia. It carries the North Coast railway over the Macleay River, connecting Kempsey and South Kempsey. This important bridge is owned by RailCorp, a government agency. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999, meaning it's a protected historical site.
Contents
Building the Bridge
The Macleay River railway bridge was built in 1917. It was part of a big project to extend the North Coast railway line all the way to Kempsey.
How the Bridge Was Made
The strong steel parts for the bridge were made at the Walsh Island Dockyard and Engineering Works. Imagine how they got these huge steel pieces to the bridge site! They were transported by steamer ships.
Challenges and Changes
Even strong bridges can face challenges. The Macleay River bridge had to deal with big floods.
Flood Damage and Repairs
- In 1949 and 1950, the bridge was damaged by severe floods.
- At first, people thought the whole bridge might need to be replaced.
- But by 1953, they decided to repair it instead.
Raising the Bridge
- Because of the big floods in the 1950s, the bridge needed to be taller.
- In 1966, the main parts of the bridge were raised by about 1 meter (3 feet).
- New concrete sections were added to the bridge's approaches, which are the parts leading up to the main bridge.
What the Bridge Looks Like
The Macleay River railway bridge is a type of truss bridge. This means it uses a framework of connected triangles to make it strong.
Bridge Structure
- The bridge has two large steel spans, each about 61 meters (200 feet) long.
- It also has two smaller plate girder spans, each about 20 meters (66 feet) long.
- When it was first built, the approaches were made of steel.
- Later, when the bridge was raised, these approaches were replaced with pre-cast concrete sections.
Why This Bridge Is Special
The Macleay River bridge is one of the most important river crossings on the North Coast railway line.
Heritage Status
- When it first opened in 1917, it had three large steel truss spans.
- These were connected to the land by timber trestles, which are like wooden support structures.
- After the floods in 1949 and 1950, the steel truss spans were raised by about 1 meter.
- The timber approaches were then replaced with strong pre-stressed concrete spans.
Unique History
The Kempsey rail bridge over the Macleay River was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it's recognized as an important part of history.
- It's considered historically rare because of its age and role in the railway.
- It's also seen as architecturally rare due to its design and how it was built.
- And it's socially rare, meaning it has a special place in the community's history.
Images for kids
-
Southbound XPT crossing Macleay River Railway Bridge at Kempsey NSW with Mount Banda Banda to the upper right.
