W J Cowan in his book "Rails to
Roxburgh" lists 32 railway bridges of varying
lengths from 13 feet (3.963m) to 190 feet (57.912m).
At 96 feet (29.26m)the Bowlers Creek bridge was about the
median.
Out of interest I calculated the average, it was 66.71875 feet
(20.335875 m)
The shortest, 13 feet, was an overbridge just south of the Minzion
and carried vehicular traffic on the Beaumont Station Rd. over the
railway line.
The longest , 190 feet, was the one which carried the rails over
the Tokomairiro River (West Branch). We recognise this one as being
the one along the Falla Burn Road at Mt Stewart.
See the:
"Crossing the Falla Burn
Rd" cache.
But wait !!!!!!!!!, there was more at Bowlers Creek. The
place was known, locally, as "Carsons Crossing" and as "Carsons
Siding" The infrastructure comprised of a passenger platform
(right), a shelter shed and a loading bank. There was, also, a 21
capacity siding loop.
Over time the methods of construction of bridges on this branch
line changed. Early abutments and bridges were constructed in
masonry or cut stone. During the early half of the 20th Century the
use of iron and steel spans on concrete piers with concrete
abutments became typical, and the norm from the 1920’s
onwards.
At the time of writing this I am not aware of any concrete
constructions between here and Clarksville or any cut stone masonry
ones further inland. However, I am still researching and may have,
at some future time, to amend this entry.
A signature container.
Congratulations ....fuzzynz..... FTF