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Curdies River Railway Bridge
LocationCurdies Siding, TIMBOON VIC 3268 - Property No B3711
File NumberB3711LevelState |
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Rail Bridge over Curdies River, Curdies Siding, Timboon, was constructed in 1892 on the Timboon-Camperdown Line by Buscombe, Chappell & Bell for the Victorian Railways. It is a single track, 31 span timber trestle bridge spanning the river and flood plain with a variety of two and four pile pier types, with and without stay piles. The trestles are constructed of large diameter timber bush poles bolted together, with sawn timber superstructure and footway, employing traditional and utilitarian bridge and wharf building techniques. The footway was removed c.1920. The line was closed in 1986 and the fully restored bridge is now part of the Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail.
How is it significant?
The Rail Bridge over Curdies River, Curdies Siding, Timboon is historically and architecturally significant to the state of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
The Rail Bridge is historically significant in that it was erected to facilitate development of the Heytesbury area, and providing a line of communication with the coastal town at Port Campbell. The railway gave access to markets for local industries, including the creamery and butter factory.
It is architecturally significant as a notable example of timber trestle bridge construction, which demonstrates a distinctive and presently rarely used construction method that utilised the best qualities of the native bush timbers. Constructed of local Heytesbury forest timber, the bridge illustrates vernacular bridge building traditions of the late nineteenth century, displaying a variety of two and four pile pier types. It is one of the few surviving railway structures of this type in Victoria.
Adopted from Heritage Victoria statement 25/10/2011
Classified: 18/09/1975
Group
Transport - Rail
Category
Railway Bridge/ Viaduct