Bowenfels rail viaducts, Railway viaducts in Bowenfels, Australia
The Bowenfels rail viaducts are two separate bridge structures crossing Farmers Creek along the Main Western Line. The older stone structure dates from 1870, while the younger brick structure was built in 1921 and runs parallel to the older bridge.
The original stone bridge was built in 1870 as part of the country's early railway development. About 50 years later, a new brick bridge was constructed to handle growing railway traffic.
The structures show how railway engineering changed in New South Wales over time, moving from stone construction to brick methods. Visitors can see both building styles side by side and understand how construction techniques evolved across different decades.
The viaducts can be viewed from a local road that was formerly part of the Great Western Highway and is located west of Sydney. It is wise to check accessibility beforehand and wear appropriate footwear, as the area is in its natural state.
The stone bridge from 1870 was one of the first railway arch viaducts in New South Wales and shows early Australian engineering skill. The piers were anchored directly into rock, a construction technique that was advanced for its time.
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