Stoney Creek Trestle Bridge

I'd like to know too its worth a visit I reckon.

think you will find its the bridge over the tarwin river about half a km west of meeniyan on sth gippy highway rail disused now a bike trail

goodday damien
if you substiute 37 for 38 it would just about be the trestle bridge just out of Orbost on the melbourne side not sure if it also crossed the snowy river but think it might have

steve

148° 5'31.22"E
37°43'45.38"S

Stony Creek Railway Trestle Bridge, Colquhoun Rd, Nowa Nowa, VIC
Photographs: None
List: Register of the National Estate
Class: Historic
Legal Status: Registered (21/03/1978)
Place ID: 4784
Place File No: 2/09/274/0003
Statement of Significance:
The Railway Trestle Bridge at Nowa Nowa is an important element of the Bairnsdale-Orbost Railway Line. The construction of the line played a crucial role in ending the isolation of forest communities along it`s length by introducing a reliable means of communication in and out of the region. The structures and sites are also associated with the development of East Gippsland trade and urban markets, providing an alternative to river and sea transportation for sending goods. As an element of the railway line the bridge is important in the history of the development of communities and in the growth of tourism in the region (Criterion A.4).

The Bridge represents an outstanding example of timber trestle construction, exhibiting a high degree of integrity and innovation. All the more remarkable for its survival following the closure of the line to traffic in 1987 (Criterion B.2, D.2).

The timber trestle bridge is an outstanding representative example of its type. It demonstrates the ingenuity and skill involved in constructing a railway line over a long distance through difficult terrain. The timber used in its construction is associated with the regions forests, being cut from local trees which proved well-suited for the durability and strength required. The trestle bridge over Stony Creek is reputedly one of the highest bridges of its type in Australia (Criterion F.1).
Official Values: Not Available
Description:
HISTORY: The Timber Trestle Bridge on the Bairnsdale-Orbost railway line at Nowa Nowa was erected in 1916 to facilitate crossing of Stony Creek and the valley. The railway reached Bairnsdale in 1888, encouraging Railway Leagues in East Gippsland to lobby Governments for the extension of the rail further east, believing it would be the catalyst for the development of the region. The route from Bairnsdale to Orbost was surveyed in 1906, the Bairnsdale-Orbost Railway Construction Bill enacted in 1909, and a Railway Trust formed in 1911 from the three municipalities through which the line passed. Construction began in 1912 and the first train reached Bruthen in 1913. Nowa Nowa station opened in 1913 and Orbost by 1916. Contractors including J Shanahan and J Carrol established encampments along the route and hired labourers for earth moving and timber supply. Sleepers and timber piles for the line and bridges were cut from local forests. A Joiner and A McDougall of Newmerella won a contract for these materials.
The line was one of the most difficult to build in the State, with deviations and gorges along its ninety-seven kilometre route. The line opened up the East Gippsland regional economy, encouraging trade with urban markets, tourism, and community growth by introducing a reliable means of communication in and out of the region and by providing an alternative to river and sea transportation for sending goods. Passenger trains eventually ceased in 1935, with goods trains operating until the last train passed through Orbost in 1987.
DESCRIPTION: The design of traditional vernacular construction was prepared by Victorian Railways Engineers. Built of timber posts of red iron bark and grey box, this trestle bridge rises to a height of approximately 20m above Stony Creek and is 247m long. It is reputedly one of the highest bridges of its type in Australia. It has twenty-seven 9.1m steel joist spans and a ballasted timber deck. The trestles are tied together at mid-height, with timber A-frame bracing between the trestles in alternate bays. Metal crossheads are also visible.
Viva Google.

I was there last weekend. Its worth a look even if it is weeing down.

http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&ll=-37.743423,148.045143&spn=0.001858,0.005021&t=h&z=18

exploroz team - Damian
Sorry for the confusion, the GPS coordinate were taken under heavy tree cover and were possibly the last coordinates with GPS coverage. The bridge is in fact what, "On Patrol" has said.

Murray.

It's just up the road five minutes from home.

There's a geocache there too. The coords for the western end of the bridge are S 37° 44.581 E 148° 02.627

Definately worth the couple of km detour off the highway to take a look next time you are between Lakes Entrance & Nowa Nowa.

How they built these things back then amazes me.

Dave

Thanks very much everyone for the contributions.