Murrumbidgee River railway bridge, Gundagai facts for kids

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The Murrumbidgee River railway bridge is a special railway bridge in Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia. It crosses the Murrumbidgee River. This bridge was finished in 1903. It is also known as the Gundagai Rail Bridge over Murrumbidgee River. It is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register because it is an important historical site.

Contents

• Building the Bridge
• Bridge Timeline
• What the Bridge Looks Like
• Why This Bridge is Special
• Engineering Award

Building the Bridge

In the past, when railways were being built in New South Wales, engineers tried to use local materials. This saved money because they didn't have to import expensive iron bridges. They often used timber for bridges.

Later, a new plan called "Pioneer Lines" started. This plan aimed to build railways even cheaper. Many bridges over rivers were then made from timber, using a design called the American Howe truss. Steel bridges were only used in special cases.

The Gundagai bridge is unique because it uses both ideas. The main part of the bridge over the Murrumbidgee River is made of strong steel. But the very long part that crosses the flood plain is made of timber. This timber section has 77 separate timber sections, called deck trusses.

Building this bridge was a huge project. It was needed to connect Gundagai to areas further south, like Tumut.

Bridge Timeline

The railway line across this bridge opened on 12 October 1903. The very first train crossed the bridge on 3 December 1903.

Trains continued to use the bridge for many years. However, the last train crossed it on 26 November 1983. The railway line was officially closed in March 1985. This happened after floods damaged the line twice.

Today, the bridge is no longer used by trains. A local group is working to save the bridge. They hope to turn it into a "rail trail" for people to walk or cycle on. This would allow everyone to enjoy its history and views.

What the Bridge Looks Like

The Gundagai Rail Bridge is very long. It has 77 timber sections, each about 11–12-metre (35–40 ft) long. These sections rest on tall timber supports called trestles.

As of 2018, the bridge was not safe to cross. Many of its timber parts were old and damaged. There are safety barriers at both ends to stop people from going onto the bridge. It seems the bridge has not had much repair work since 1984.

Even though some parts are old, the bridge still looks much like it did when it was first built. The timber sections are in fair condition, and the steel parts are in good condition.

Why This Bridge is Special

Heritage boundaries

The Gundagai area is very important for crossings. The Hume Highway and the railway line both cross the Murrumbidgee River here. The railway reached Gundagai in 1886.

The timber sections of this bridge are very important. They are huge and show how engineers solved the problem of crossing a wide flood plain. This bridge is one of the most impressive structures in Australia. It stands out even more than the nearby road bridge. The mix of steel and timber designs makes it truly unique.

The Gundagai rail bridge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it is protected because of its historical and cultural value.

• Important History: This bridge shows how early railway lines were built cheaply to help develop new areas.
• Amazing Design: It is a very tall structure with timber supports. It is one of the most impressive bridges in Australia.
• Community Connection: The bridge was vital for the growth of the area south of the river. Now, it is a popular tourist spot.
• Learning Opportunity: The bridge is a great example of how timber bridges were built. It shows the skills of the bridge builders.
• Rare Design: There are only five places left with this type of timber bridge design.
• Great Example: It is a fantastic example of a timber Howe deck truss bridge.

Engineering Award

The bridge has received a special award from Engineers Australia. This award, called a Historic Engineering Marker, recognizes its importance in engineering history.