Lithgow Underbridge, Heritage railway bridge in Lithgow, Australia
Lithgow Underbridge is a sandstone railway bridge in Lithgow that carries the Main Western line across James Street using three curved arches. The structure displays typical stone construction methods from the early railway era and remains in use for regular train traffic.
Engineer John Whitton designed this sandstone bridge in 1869 as one of the earliest railway arch bridges in New South Wales. It was built to support the growing rail network that opened up the Hartley Valley region.
The bridge marks a period when the region shifted from farming to an industrial transport hub through railway development. Walking past it today, you can sense how this transformation shaped the valley's character.
The bridge is located in an accessible area and can be easily viewed from James Street below. Since it remains in active use for daily rail traffic, visitors should exercise caution when approaching the site.
The bridge stands as one of few surviving examples of early stone arch construction techniques used in New South Wales railway building, showing the craftsmanship of that era. Despite its age and ongoing use, it continues to carry trains daily, making it a working relic of 19th century engineering.
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