Deep Creek Railway Bridge Explained

Deep Creek Railway Bridge
Coordinates:-25.4666°N 151.9418°W
Location:Mungar-Monto railway line, Didcot, North Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia
Beginning Label:Design period
Beginning Date:1900 - 1914 (early 20th century)
Built:1905
Architect:William Pagan
Designation1:Queensland Heritage Register
Designation1 Offname:Deep Creek Railway Bridge, Chowey
Designation1 Type:state heritage (built)
Designation1 Date:21 October 1992
Designation1 Number:600031
Designation1 Free1name:Significant period
Designation1 Free1value:1900s (fabric)
Designation1 Free2name:Significant components
Designation1 Free2value:abutments - railway bridge
Designation1 Free3name:Builders
Designation1 Free3value:Day labour

Deep Creek Railway Bridge is also known as Chowey Bridge. It is a heritage-listed railway bridge on the Mungar-Monto railway line in Didcot, North Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1905 by day labour. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.[1]

History

The Mungar-Monto railway line was built only as far as Degilbo before the financial depression of the early 1890s halted the rail construction program. Construction resumed on the Degilbo to Wetheron extension in February 1905 under the Railway Department's day labour program. The Deep Creek Railway Bridge was designed in the office of William Pagan who was Chief Engineer at the time.[2] The Construction Department's Resident Engineer on site was Richard Ernest Sexton who later became Chief Engineer for Railways.[3] [4] William Pagan inspected the extent of the construction and preparatory work on the bridge in March 1905. The bridge was completed and the line opened by 21 December 1905. Pagan described the bridge in his annual report for that year as "a concrete bridge of somewhat novel design".[1]

The bridge represented a substantial development in concrete arch bridge design. It followed the 33feet spans used in Swansons Rail Bridge on the Main Line near Toowoomba and the 47feet span at Petrie Terrace road overbridge. It was followed by two substantial concrete arch bridges on the Main Line near Lockyer.[1]

Description

Deep Creek bridge is a concrete viaduct with an 80feet concrete arch flanked by two smaller 15feet arches, with the track run on sleepers and ballast in a trough. It has the date of construction, 1905, cast into the sides.[1]

It consists of:[1]

Heritage listing

Deep Creek Railway Bridge was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.

This concrete arch bridge has the third longest span of its type in Queensland and was the third bridge of its type to be constructed in Australia. The bridge frames the rocky valley of the creek and its innovative design was associated with the Chief Engineer, William Pagan.[1]

The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage.

This concrete arch bridge has the third longest span of its type in Queensland and was the third bridge of its type to be constructed in Australia.[1]

The place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period.

The bridge frames the rocky valley of the creek and its innovative design was associated with the Chief Engineer, William Pagan.[1]

The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

The bridge frames the rocky valley of the creek and its innovative design was associated with the Chief Engineer, William Pagan.[1]

The Official Register of Engineering Heritage Markers listed

References

Attribution

Notes and References

  1. 1 August 2014.
  2. Web site: Queensland State Archives . Drawing numbers S2011 S5753 . November 2016 . HRP.Degilbo to Mundubbera Railway Bridges.Drawings.Nov 2016.pdf . 23 October 2022 . . 2, 3.
  3. News: 26 December 1905 . THE GAYNDAH RAILWAY. . 2 . . 10,324 . Queensland, Australia . 12 October 2022 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: 16 October 1930 . Late Mr. R. E. Sexton. . 17 . . 22,688 . Queensland, Australia . 12 October 2022 . National Library of Australia.
  5. Web site: McLachlan . Mark . 2018-06-06 . Degilbo to Mundubbera Railway Bridges, 1905 to 1914 . 2022-09-25 . Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail Blog . en-AU.
  6. Web site: McGrath, PSM . B. L. . Churchward . Alan . October 2015 . Nomination of the Gayndah Rail Bridges, Queensland for ENGINEERING HERITAGE RECOGNITION under Engineering Heritage Australia's Engineering Heritage Recognition Program . 26 September 2022 . Engineers Australia.