An extension to Lyonville is far more achievable than going on to Trentham. It would make it much less of a line to nowhere than just Bullarto . ¬ Of course this was a better destination than the remote platform of Musk.
An extension to Lyonville is far more achievable than going on to Trentham. It would make it much less of a line to nowhere than just Bullarto . ¬ Of course this was a better destination than the remote platform of Musk.Musk was a very boring terminus, wasn't it... it wasn't much of a trip either. Bullarto is much better, they've put a lot of effort into re-creating a functioning building in a more picturesque location.
Two questions from me.
1. Is the railway easement still available between Trentham and Bullarto?
2. How many trestle bridges exist in this section?
Do you think a 4-5km extension to Lyonville - a destination complete with a pub, small town, mineral springs and (presumably?) an intact, original station - be a better proposition for DSCR than Trentham?
Do you think a 4-5km extension to Lyonville - a destination complete with a pub, small town, mineral springs and (presumably?) an intact, original station - be a better proposition for DSCR than Trentham?I do not believe the people who ride the railway are really interested in the destination, it is the ride that is the attraction.
2. The main bridge is the Coliban River. I've never actually walked the trail any further than this bridge, so I'm not sure what is beyond there towards Trentham.
As per Blacksmith's earlier post, the section Lyonville-Trentham is now a rail-trail. According to the website there's a detour around a trestle bridge over the Coliban near Lyonville and a brick-arch culvert under the trail about halfway. Presumably that trestle is not safe - someone (perhaps a local) may know if there are plans to restore/improve structures along the trail in the future.Unless a timber trestle bridge Is heritage listed and a major drawcard for the rail trail, they are normally bypassed by a pedestrian standard bridge or the old timber bridge Is demolished and a new pedestrian standard bridge Is built In the same place.
Unless a timber trestle bridge Is heritage listed and a major drawcard for the rail trail, they are normally bypassed by a pedestrian standard bridge or the old timber bridge Is demolished and a new pedestrian standard bridge Is built In the same place.Yes, one of the reasons I am documenting existing timber bridges, as they may be destroyed as part of rail trail creation.
Rail trail management committees / local Governments are reluctant to reuse an old timber bridges due the future maintenance liabilities.
On the Great Southern Rail Trail, large timber trestle bridges have been demolished at Black Spur Creek, Franklin River and 2 at Angus River to make way for simpler pedestrian standard bridges (Timber bridges at Tarwin River and Stockyard Creek have been saved by trail bypass bridges)
What is the distance between Bullarto and the trestle Bridge you reference?Roughly 4.65 Kilometres.
I am guessing you are referring to the bridge over the Woady Yaloak River near the end of Galatea Road? That looks like one that warrants investigation.I believe that it's an authentic reconstruction of the original Skipton line bridge, if you Google Nimon's bridge you'll find it easily. I've been there numerous times because I have friends who live nearby; it's a real highlight of the bike ride and quite a high trestle - there's an alternative route through the valley for horse-riders.
I believe that it's an authentic reconstruction of the original Skipton line bridge, if you Google Nimon's bridge you'll find it easily. I've been there numerous times because I have friends who live nearby; it's a real highlight of the bike ride and quite a high trestle - there's an alternative route through the valley for horse-riders.Interesting, so it is not the original bridge then?
Interesting, so it is not the original bridge then?It was opened in 1890 but I read somewhere that the original burnt down in a bushfire in the fifties and had to be completely rebuilt at that time anyway.
Roughly 4.65 Kilometres.
Hi @TheBlacksmith I am still unable to find the location of the trestle on good maps. I can find the loddon river location. Do you have a moment please to post a google maps link?This should take you to it on Google Maps: [color=#999999][size=2]-37.390874, 144.270070[/size][/color]
It was opened in 1890 but I read somewhere that the original burnt down in a bushfire in the fifties and had to be completely rebuilt at that time anyway.Thank you, I will take a look at them when time permits.
There's a lot of original kauri timber forming the base but I believe it was extensively reconstructed with steel reinforcement and a completely new deck about 10 years ago when the rail trail was being upgraded - there's a picture somewhere on the internet of John Brumby opening the finished product. The original rail trail was quite rough with a lot of clay but they spent a lot of money on compacted granitic sand and the inclusion of some of the remaining trestles on the route to make it easier for all-weather use.
There are two more much smaller restored trestles in use on the trail on either side of Linton, they're mostly original and also worth a look.
Interesting discussion.... Anyway, Here is the bridge over the Coliban River just past Lyonville...Thanks for those pictures - the deck looks to be in extremely poor condition but they might be able to replace it as they have done elsewhere. The supports look to be reasonably sound.
Thank you, I will take a look at them when time permits. So many trestles, so little petrol/LPG....I regret not having seen many of the Cudgewa and Mansfield trestles before they were demolished but there's still lots to see around Victoria including one over the Wimmera river at Quantong and others at Balmoral and Cavendish (Glenelg river). I believe those bridges are still in situ but fenced and unsafe to walk - it would be good if they could be restored as part of a Rail Trail development in the future.
This should take you to it on Google Maps: [color=#999999][size=2]-37.390874, 144.270070[/size][/color]
Unfortunately this link does not work in chrome but does when cut and paste. Thanks for sharing.It was not a link, just a set of coordinates, cut and paste into Google Maps.
Given the location extending from Bullarto to Lyonville should not be an issue when it comes to bridges?
I regret not having seen many of the Cudgewa and Mansfield trestles before they were demolished but there's still lots to see around Victoria including one over the Wimmera river at Quantong and others at Balmoral and Cavendish (Glenelg river). I believe those bridges are still in situ but fenced and unsafe to walk - it would be good if they could be restored as part of a Rail Trail development in the future.The problem is that when a rail trail comes into being near a wooden trestle bridge, it may be demolished to prevent people venturing onto it, it may be fenced off and bypassed, which is good, or it may be restored to a safe condition, in which case the deck is replaced in a non-railway form and railings erected along the full length. Personally, I prefer they are left alone.
Unfortunately not much else remains of those once-extensive western district lines - Natimuk once had an impressive station building but it's now gone; Balmoral had a lot of heritage structures left but I believe they're also all gone now.
I regret not having seen many of the Cudgewa and Mansfield trestles before they were demolished but there's still lots to see around Victoria including one over the Wimmera river at Quantong and others at Balmoral and Cavendish (Glenelg river). I believe those bridges are still in situ but fenced and unsafe to walk - it would be good if they could be restored as part of a Rail Trail development in the future.
No, It is not a problem. But I am puzzled to find everyone still making an argument for extending the line past Bullarto, when the view of the DSCR is that they have no interest in doing so. What do we need to put this to rest, a letter from the DSCR itself?
Don to which trestles on the Mansfield line do you refer? I spent a lot of time around Bonnie Doon and Mansfield (Mount Buller) in the 1990's and looked regularly at the easement. Interested in your information.The decision was made to 'upgrade' all trestles on the Mansfield line in the 1950's with concrete and steel structures - maybe something to do with the re-construction and enlargement of Lake Eildon at that time. There are some footing remnants left but not much else: Occasionally you find photos of the really impressive trestles that existed on that line until then. The Cudgewa line had trestles right till the end but unfortunately many were short-sightedly demolished in the 90's because they were deemed to be a risk to the public.
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