The Kyeamba creek flows from the hills near the Hume Hwy
south-west of Tarcutta, (near the Tumbarumba road intersection) for a distance
of 66km before ending up in the Murrumbidgee River. The Tumbarumba railway branchline crosses the
creek just west of Ladysmith.
Kyeamba creek is but a muddy puddle in March 2017. Whilst I was not able to actually measure the rail height above the water, I have estimated it at 21 feet. |
Another shot of Kyeamba creek, photographed from the bridge, showing a typical creek bank, and vegetation |
The Kyeamba Creek bridge is a 6 x 24’ span NSW timber trestle, with concrete abutments. A small tributary of Kyeamba creek is crossed by a 3 x 24’ span trestle close by the main bridge.
The last trains passed over the bridge in the late 1980s. The bridge fell into disuse, although there
was a later failed proposal from Tumba Rail to reopen this section for Trike
rides. It was last year, before I
actually got to inspect these bridges.
My visit to the main bridge was unfortunately cut short, as I had
disturbed a wasp nest, and they were not too pleased with the intruder, forcing
me to make a tactical retreat.
The concrete abutment |
The small tributary trestle was in far worse condition then
the main bridge. One of the embankments
had been washed out in the big storms of 2016, and the rails had been left
dangling in mid air. But there was
enough left to see what once was present.
The small 3 span trestle around 200 metres to the west of the main trestle. This unnamed stream had caused a significant wash-a-way in the storms of 2016 |
The pair of intermediate piers are resting on concrete plinths, and these look in good condition |
The timber abutment at the other end of the trestle is also collapsing, but 30 years since the last train, and probably over 40 years of no maintenance, this is understandable |
Many years ago, I bought the Ironbark models NSW trestle kit
and extension, and started construction of an eight span trestle bridge for a
former layout. I never finished this
model, before a relocation forced me to tear the layout down. However, I kept the part built kit.
My intention when designing the layout, was to reuse, and complete the kit without
modifications, as I like big spectacular bridges, but the further I am heading up the
prototypical accuracy modelling route, I realise that the bridge kit needs to
be rebuilt.
The Ironbark models kit has great diagrams to help with the
construction of the trestle, but the Data Sheets (Sheet P4) is the reference
for the 24’ span NSWGR trestle bridge. These plans contain all the bridge details I
need, except the concrete abutments, and the height of the piers on the Kyeamba
Creek bridge. However, the end abutment
drawing seems to be close to style found on the washed out tributary
bridge.
The first step was to draw up a diagram showing the concrete
abutments, and pier heights.
Sketch of the Kyeamba Creek trestle - showing details of the concrete abutments. These sizes have been guestimated from photographs. |
My next challenge will be to try and remove the trestle
piers from the already constructed bridge deck, without doing too much damage
to the deck, and construct the concrete abutments.
Until next time, happy modelling
Rob
ReplyDeleteWhen you build your bridge you might find these useful, 1.5 inch square nuts on 3 inch square washers.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/55GMVEWWZ/ho-272x1-5-quot-sq-nut-bolts-with-3-quot-sq-washers?optionId=65254668
Ray P
As always Rob, you keep raising the bar higher! I love exploring old railway lines such as this, and I'm sorry, but it was hard not to laugh picturing you scurrying back up the embankment with tape measure in hand. I'm sure one day this will only add to the story behind your finished bridge! Looking forward to your next update.
ReplyDeleteHi Rob,
ReplyDeleteBridge is looking good. Looking forward to the finished product.
I wonder if that tributary of Kyeamba Creek that you refer to was Tooles Creek.
ReplyDeleteI have checked a lot of maps, and have yet to find a name for the unnamed creek. Tooles Creek is refered to by Murrumbidgee Land care as being around Ladysmith, although I cannot pin it down to a specific watercourse. You could be right. Thank you for your interest.
Delete