Railway Viaduct No 2 over Jacksons Creek

What is significant? The Rail Bridge was constructed by Cornish & Bruce c1861 on the Melbourne-Bendigo line, for the Victorian Railways. It is a 3 span, wrought iron box girder superstructure supported on tapering basalt piers, supporting a double rail track deck. In 1917, stepped brick intermediary piers were added as additional support to the deck to cater for the increasing weight of the new engines and freight loads.
How is it significant? The Rail Bridge is historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria
Why is it significant? The Rail Bridge is historically significant for its associations with the opening of the 'main trunk lines', Victoria's first railway lines (c1857-1869). These were the formative years of railway development in Victoria.
The Rail Bridge is also architecturally significant, as a representative and essentially intact example of a mid-19th century railway bridge. The bridge is a notable element in the landscape and is of particular interest for the vermiculated pier caps to the tapering basalt piers, and for the stepped brick intermediary piers. The bridge demonstrates a distinctive method of bridge construction.
Adopted from Heritage Victoria 18/07/2012
Classified: 11/03/1971
See also B5323 Melbourne to Echuca Railway Line.

Group

Transport - Rail

Category

Railway Bridge/ Viaduct