Manilla railway underbridges facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manilla railway underbridges |
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|---|---|
| Coordinates | 30°38′51″S 150°39′25″E / 30.6475°S 150.6569°E |
| Carries | Tamworth-Barraba railway line |
| Crosses |
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| Locale | Manilla, Tamworth Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | RailCorp |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Howe truss underbridges |
| Material | Timber |
| Pier construction | Concrete and timber |
| Longest span | 10.4 metres (34 ft) |
| Number of spans | 7 |
| History | |
| Contracted lead designer | NSW Government Railways |
| Constructed by | NSW Department of Public Works |
| Construction end | 1908 |
| Official name: Manilla railway underbridges | |
| Type: | State heritage (built) |
| Designated: | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference #: | 1045 |
| Type: | Railway Bridges / Viaduct |
| Category: | Transport - Rail |
The Manilla railway underbridges are two old and important railway bridges in a town called Manilla, Australia. These bridges are special because they are part of the Tamworth-Barraba railway line. They are owned by RailCorp, a government agency in New South Wales. These two bridges are so important that they were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means they are protected because of their history and design.
Contents
What are the Manilla Railway Bridges?
These bridges are called "underbridges" because the railway tracks run on top of them. They are located in the Tamworth Regional Council area. Both bridges were built in 1908. They are made mostly of timber. They use a special design called a Howe timber truss. This design helps the bridge be strong and stable.
Borah Creek Bridge: A Closer Look
One of the bridges crosses Borah Creek. It is located in Upper Manilla. This bridge is about 575 kilometres (357 mi) from Sydney Central station. It was finished in 1908.
The Borah Creek Bridge has seven sections, called spans. Three of the main spans are 34-foot (10 m) long. These longer sections use the Howe-Deck timber truss design. The bridge carries a single railway track. It was a very advanced design for its time. This type of bridge was used between 1902 and 1908.
Oakey Creek Bridge: Another Important Bridge
The second bridge crosses Oakey Creek. It is also in Upper Manilla. This bridge is about 539 kilometres (335 mi) from Sydney Central station. It was also completed in 1908.
The Oakey Creek Bridge has five main timber truss spans. Each of these spans is 10.4-metre (34 ft) long. Like the Borah Creek bridge, it uses the Howe-Deck timber truss design. This design was very modern for its time. It also carries a single railway track. Both bridges show great engineering skill from when they were built.
Why are These Bridges Special?
The Manilla railway underbridges are very important for a few reasons. They were built using timber. This was common because Manilla was a remote area. Building with timber was also cheaper for branch railway lines.
These bridges are some of the few timber railway bridges still standing in New South Wales. This makes them historically important. Because of their unique design and age, they were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This listing means they are recognized as a valuable part of the state's history. They are considered rare and significant examples of railway engineering.
