Stonequarry Creek railway viaduct, Picton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stonequarry Creek railway viaduct |
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The viaduct, pictured in 2010
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| Coordinates | 34°10′40″S 150°36′42″E / 34.1777°S 150.6118°E |
| Carries | Main Southern line |
| Crosses | Stonequarry Creek |
| Locale | Picton, Wollondilly Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Other name(s) |
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| Owner | RailCorp |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch viaduct |
| Material | Sandstone |
| Pier construction | Other stone and quarry fill |
| Total length | 84 metres (276 ft) |
| Longest span | 12 metres (39 ft) |
| Number of spans | 5 |
| Clearance below | 24 metres (79 ft) |
| History | |
| Engineering design by | John Whitton |
| Constructed by | Murnin and Brown |
| Construction begin | 1863 |
| Construction end | 1867 |
| Construction cost | A£10,437 |
| Official name |
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| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1051 |
| Type | Railway Bridge/ Viaduct |
| Category | Transport - Rail |
| Builders | Murnin and Brown |
The Stonequarry Creek railway viaduct is a very old and important railway bridge in Picton, Australia. It crosses over Stonequarry Creek and is part of the Main Southern railway. A viaduct is like a long bridge that carries a road or railway over a valley or low ground. This one was built between 1863 and 1867.
It was designed by John Whitton, who was the chief engineer for railways at the time. The viaduct is also known as the Stonequarry Creek Railway Viaduct or the Picton railway viaduct. It's made from strong sandstone and is owned by RailCorp. This amazing structure was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999 because of its historical importance.
Contents
Discovering the History of the Picton Viaduct
How Picton Got Its Name
The town of Picton was named in 1841 by Major Antill. It was named after Sir Thomas Picton. Before that, the area was known as "Stonequarry." Sir Thomas Picton was a brave general who fought alongside the Duke of Wellington. He was known for his courage and was a very important officer.
Building the Historic Railway Viaduct
The Stonequarry Creek railway viaduct was built as part of a big project. This project was to extend the railway line from Picton all the way to Goulburn. The plans for the viaduct were signed by John Whitton in July 1862.
The first company hired to build it didn't finish the job. So, a new company called Murnin and Brown took over in December 1863. The work was watched over by George Cowdery. The viaduct was finally ready for trains on 28 February 1867. It cost about A£10,437, which was a lot of money back then!
This viaduct is very special because it's the oldest railway arch bridge in New South Wales. It was also the first one built to carry two train tracks. Most other bridges built around that time only had one track. The Stonequarry Creek viaduct is still used today for its original purpose, which is pretty amazing! You can easily find it from Menangle Street by going down Webster Street.
What Does the Stonequarry Creek Viaduct Look Like?
The viaduct is a large bridge made of sandstone. It carries the double-track Main South Railway line. It's located just south of the Picton railway station.
Key Features of the Viaduct's Design
The viaduct has five large arches. Each arch has a clear span of about 12 metres (40 feet). When you add the width of the piers (the supports between the arches) and the ends of the bridge, the whole viaduct is about 84 metres (276 feet) long. The middle arch is the tallest, rising about 24 metres (78 feet) above the creek bed.
The piers are made of solid stone and are very strong. They get narrower as they go up towards the arches. The arches themselves are solid and shaped like a half-circle. They are about 6 metres (20 feet) in radius and 0.76 metres (2 feet 6 inches) thick.
Inside the bridge, where the arches meet the piers, there's a special design. The space is filled with stone rubble to help drain water away. This keeps the railway tracks from getting waterlogged. There's also a low stone wall on each side of the viaduct. A timber fence is added on top for the safety of railway workers.
Current Condition of the Viaduct
The Stonequarry Creek viaduct is in excellent condition. It still carries train traffic that is much heavier and faster than when it was first built. No major strengthening or changes have been needed. The bridge still looks and works just as it did when it was new.
Minor Changes Over Time
Over the years, only small railway parts have been added to the viaduct. These were to help with changing train operations. However, these small additions don't take away from how important the bridge is.
Why the Stonequarry Viaduct is So Important
The Stonequarry Creek viaduct is a very significant historical site. It was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999 for several reasons:
- It's the oldest stone arch railway bridge in New South Wales. It was built in 1867 and is still in use today without any problems.
- It's connected to John Whitton. He is known as the "father of New South Wales railways" because he designed so many important railway structures.
- It's a beautiful and impressive structure. The viaduct is made of sandstone and is a well-known landmark in Picton. Many tourists stop to take photos of it.
- It helped develop New South Wales. Building this viaduct was a big step in extending the railway line. This railway helped connect different parts of the state, including linking to the Victorian railway line. This was important for trade and travel.
- It shows smart engineering. John Whitton chose to build stone arch viaducts because they were more affordable than other types of bridges at the time. This viaduct was much cheaper to build than some other bridges, proving to be a very cost-effective design.
- It's unique. It's the only double-track stone arch viaduct of its kind. It still has its original look and function.
- It represents a major achievement. The viaduct shows how skilled engineers were in building the Great Southern Railway line. It was also a preview of the many other stone arch viaducts John Whitton would build across the Blue Mountains.
