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Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge
Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge, viewed from upstream, 2015 02.JPG
Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge, viewed from upstream, 2015
Location Quart Pot Creek, Stanthorpe, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia
Design period 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century)
Built 1886
Official name: Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge
Type state heritage (built)
Designated 21 October 1992
Reference no. 600829
Significant period 1880s (fabric)
Significant components abutments - railway bridge, pier/s (bridge)
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The Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge is a special railway bridge located at Quart Pot Creek in Stanthorpe, Australia. It was built a long time ago, in 1886. People sometimes call it the Red Bridge. This bridge is so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992, meaning it's protected for future generations.

Building the Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge

Railway Bridge, Stanthorpe, Qld - very early 1900s
Quart Pot Creek rail bridge, very early 1900s

The Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge was built in 1886. It was a key part of the railway line that connected Brisbane in Queensland to Sydney in New South Wales. This was a very important link for travel and trade between the states.

Why the Railway Was Needed

Steam train crossing the railway bridge at Quart Pot Creek Stanthorpe 1917f
Steam train crossing the railway bridge at Quart Pot Creek Stanthorpe 1917

Stanthorpe became a busy place in 1872 because of tin mining. People found a lot of valuable tin in the area. The towns of "Quart Pot Creek" and "Stannum" grew quickly due to this mining boom. Stanthorpe was unique on the Darling Downs because its growth came from mining, not just farming.

Connecting the States by Rail

The Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge is part of the Southern railway line. This line connects Toowoomba to Warwick and then to Wallangarra. The railway reached Warwick in 1871. It was extended to Stanthorpe in 1881 to help the tin industry.

The railway then continued to the border with New South Wales. The Quart Pot Creek Bridge was built as part of this important extension. Plans for the bridge were first drawn in 1880. The final building plans were ready in 1884. The railway line between Stanthorpe and Wallangarra opened on 4 February 1887. Wallangarra was a special "change of gauge" station at the border.

Interstate train services began on 16 January 1888. This connected Brisbane with Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Over time, the bridge was made stronger. In 1904, plans were made to allow heavier trains to use the line. Work to strengthen the Warwick-Wallangarra section started in 1910. In 1913, one part of the bridge (span No.7) was braced. This allowed it to handle even heavier train loads.

What the Bridge Looks Like

Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge, viewed from downstream, 2015 01
Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge, viewed from downstream, 2015 01

The Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge is made up of seven sections. Each section is about 15.2 meters (50 feet) long. These sections use strong metal girders, which are like large beams. The bridge rests on six concrete pillars and two end supports called abutments.

The total length of the bridge is about 106.7 meters (350 feet). Some parts of the bridge, like the middle girders and the tops of the pillars, have been changed over time. One section (No.7) has been specially braced to make it stronger. The bridge carries a single railway track that is 1.07 meters (3.5 feet) wide.

Plaque, Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge, 2015
Plaque, Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge, 2015

There is a special plaque on the bridge. This plaque explains why the bridge is historically important.

Why the Bridge is Important

The Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it meets certain important standards.

A Piece of Queensland's History

This bridge is a significant part of Queensland's history. It was once a vital link between Brisbane and Sydney. It is also the fourth oldest bridge of its kind in Queensland.

A Great Example of Engineering

The bridge shows excellent engineering design. It was built so strongly that it could be updated over the years. Even with these updates, it has kept its original look and feel.

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