Sandstone Railway Culvert, Wulkuraka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sandstone Railway Culvert, Wulkuraka |
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Sandstone Railway Culvert, 2009
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| Location | Wulkuraka, City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1840s - 1860s (mid-19th century) |
| Built | c. 1865 |
| Official name: Sandstone Railway Culvert and Remains | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 24 June 2005 |
| Reference no. | 602524 |
| Significant period | 1860s (fabric) 1865–1875 (historical use of line) |
| Significant components | drain - storm water, culvert - railway, embankment - railway |
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The Sandstone Railway Culvert is a heritage-listed railway tunnel located in Wulkuraka, City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. It was built around 1865. This culvert is a special part of Queensland's history. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 June 2005, meaning it is protected for future generations.
Contents
History of Queensland's First Railway
Why Queensland Needed Railways
Queensland became its own colony in 1859. The people living there wanted to make the economy stronger. They also wanted more people to move to the area. Building railways was seen as a great way to achieve both of these goals. Because of this, the new Queensland government made railways a top priority.
In August 1863, a plan for a railway was introduced to the government. An Irish engineer named Abram Fitzgibbon was chosen to be the Chief Engineer for railways. He had a lot of experience building railways around the world. Fitzgibbon's first big job was to build a railway line between Ipswich and Toowoomba.
Challenges of Building the Railway
Building this new railway was not easy. There were big economic and geographical problems to solve. Other Australian colonies had built railways like those in Great Britain. These railways used wide tracks, had two lines, gentle slopes, and large station buildings.
However, building such a big railway system was too expensive for the new Queensland government. The land around the Darling Downs also made it hard to build a gentle slope. Any railway would need to climb a steep mountain range. It would also have to cross many creeks and streams.
Fitzgibbon's Smart Solution: Narrow Gauge
Fitzgibbon came up with a clever engineering idea to solve these problems. He suggested using a narrow railway track, only 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) wide. At that time, the usual track width was 4 feet 8.5 inches (1.435 m). This was already considered narrow compared to other wide tracks used globally.
By using narrow gauge, the government could save a lot of money on construction. The downside was that trains would have to go slower. They would also need lighter bridges and smaller trains. Using narrow gauge was quite new for the world. Only a few small railways in New Zealand and Wales had tried it.
Building Materials and Contractors
To save even more money, standard designs were used for bridges, buildings, and yards. At first, not much Queensland timber was used for the railway. Most bridges were made of iron, with brick and stone culverts. Later, Queensland became known for its excellent wooden bridge designs.
The company chosen to build the railway was Peto, Brassey & Betts. This company had a lot of experience building railways worldwide. They agreed to build the first section of line between Ipswich and Bigges Camp (now Grandchester).
First Steps and Opening Day
Lady Diamantina Bowen, the wife of Queensland's first Governor, started the construction. She turned the first bit of earth on 25 February 1864. The first building materials arrived in Ipswich by ship on 15 August 1864.
A short railway line was first built to the wharf in Ipswich. This helped move materials to the workshops. People wanted a bridge across the river. So, the end of the line was moved to South Ipswich. A bridge was built for both roads and trains. It was ready just in time for the railway's opening.
The first test run of a train was on 13 April 1865. The first section of the line, from Ipswich to Bigges Camp (about twenty-one miles), officially opened on 31 July 1865. It was a big celebration! Later, the line was extended to Toowoomba (1867), Dalby (1868), and Warwick (1871).
The Line's Later Use
In 1875, a new railway bridge and line were built at Sadliers Crossing Railway Bridge. This new line made the old one through Mihi Creek unnecessary. The old line was mostly closed on 26 April 1875. Only a small part remained open to serve the Ipswich workshops and a coal mine.
Queensland Railways showed that narrow gauge railways could work well. This influenced other countries like Japan, Africa, and New Zealand to use this technology too. The railway from Ipswich to Bigges Camp, which includes the Sandstone Railway Culvert, was a pioneer. It set an example for building many light and winding narrow gauge railways around the world.
What the Sandstone Culvert Looks Like
The original railway line went through North Ipswich. It followed the north side of the Bremer River. Then it crossed Mihi Creek and turned southwest towards Wulkuraka. The part of the line beyond Wulkuraka is still used today. However, it has been updated and changed over time.
Location and Features
The sandstone culvert, a small brick drain, and parts of the old railway embankments are all found in a bushland area. The remains of the embankments start in the northeast and end near the southern edge of the property.
The sandstone culvert is in the northeastern corner of the area. It is close to the property boundary. The area around the culvert has many trees and is covered in tall grass and bushes. The culvert is about 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) wide and 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) high. Its length, from the southeast entrance to the remains of the northwest end, is 16 metres (52 ft).
Construction and Condition
The bottom half of the culvert is made of grayish sandstone blocks. These blocks are about 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) high. They are very worn down because of water erosion. The curved roof is made of red bricks laid in two layers. Both the sandstone and brick parts use lime mortar, which is now crumbling and in poor condition.
The southeastern end of the culvert is still complete. Inside, the middle part is mostly intact. There is some graffiti on the upper brick walls. The northwestern end has fallen apart badly. About 10–12 metres (33–39 ft) from the southeastern end, the lower sandstone and upper brick sections have collapsed. Some scattered sandstone blocks show marks from tools. This suggests that this side of the culvert was shaped for a nicer look.
A small brick-lined drain is also located near the railway embankment, southwest of the culvert. This drain is made from the same red bricks as the culvert. It is hard to see its full condition because it is filled with dirt. However, the visible parts are in average condition.
Important parts of this site include:
- The culvert, the remaining railway embankments, and the small brick drain, all together.
- The sandstone used in the culvert. It is likely from the same place and time as the stone used in the Heiner Road Railway Overpass.
Why the Culvert is Heritage-Listed
The Sandstone Railway Culvert and Remains were added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 June 2005. This means it meets certain important standards.
Showing Queensland's History
This culvert is important because it shows how Queensland's history developed. It is part of the very first main railway line built in Queensland. It helps us understand how the railway network grew in a unique way. It also shows how the young Queensland colony developed in terms of its land, people, and economy in the 1860s.
A Rare Part of History
As a physical piece of Queensland's first railway, this place is rare. It is also an endangered part of Queensland's history. The sandstone culvert was built in 1864–65. It is one of the few remaining parts of the first railway ever built in Queensland. The Sandstone Railway Culvert and Remains at Wulkuraka are also special because they are uncommon. They are some of the oldest surviving 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) narrow gauge railway parts anywhere in the world.
Connected to Important People
This place has a special connection to Abram Fitzgibbon. He was Queensland's first Commissioner for Railways. He also started the use of narrow gauge rail in Queensland. Fitzgibbon's idea of using narrow gauge changed railway design in Queensland, Australia, and around the world. Fitzgibbon also brought many skilled railway engineers with him. They helped build and design the railways, shaping the modern Queensland rail network we see today.
