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The Southern and Western Railway Brisbane Extension - Toowong to Indooroopilly
Pre-existing conditions along the line of the railway in the early 1870s and railway infrastructure developments to the 1950s Andrew Darbyshire St Lucia History Group – Research Notes
St Lucia History Group
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CONTENTS Authors Note and Introduction 2 References and Illustrations 2 Land Acquisition 3 Books of Reference Summary 9 The Western Suburbs, FWS Cumbrae Stewart 15 (transcript of handwritten notes) Hotels adjacent to the Railway 17 Infrastructure and Improvements, Structures and Stations 24 Brisbane Extension & Odds Toowong Station High Street Bridge Burns Road Bridge Whitmore Street Bridge (Toowong Creek) Beatrice Street Bridge Taringa Station Swann Road Bridge Keating Street Bridge Allwood Street Bridge Westminster Road Bridge Indooroopilly Station Albert Siding/Oxley Point Albert Bridge 59 Railway Development in South East Queensland – Key Dates 75 Andrew Darbyshire January 2010 Private Study Paper – not for general publication Issue No 1 – May 2007 Draft for comment Issue No 2 – Jan 09 general update (thanks to Percy H for the prompt) Issue No 3 – June 2009 minor additions Indooroopilly Station Formatting only – January 2010 St Lucia History Group PO Box 4343 St Lucia South QLD 4067 [email protected] www.brisbanehistorywest.wordpress.com.au
St Lucia History Group
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Author’s Note and Introduction This research, primarily based on Railway files held at the State Archives, was undertaken to build on the information already gathered on government services provided in St Lucia and (as they are closely inter-twined) the adjoining suburbs of Toowong, Taringa and Indooroopilly. It was undertaken to gain a better understanding of the extent of development prior to the construction of the line, and the comparative status of the above centres. St Lucia’s relative isolation and limited population meant that it often had to rely on neighbouring activity centres to provide basic services such as policing and postal services. The building of the railway in the early 1870s compounded this issue as the subsequent residential sub-division ‘boom’ favoured developments along the line and particularly within easy walking distance of any of the stations. Whilst I was intrigued by the discovery that there was Railway land in St Lucia, this was short lived, turning out to be a Titles Office error corrected in 1900. The study of the material has been complementary to previous research on Local Government (Representing St Lucia), other government services (Posties, Cops and Ferrymen) and identifying James Henderson (original purchaser of major landholdings in St Lucia, Taringa and Indooroopilly). A number of long standing queries/anomalies have also been clarified including the probable location of the original St Thomas’ Church, and the configuration and timing of road construction in the vicinity of Indooroopilly Station. New queries have arisen though and these will be the subject of further research. References/Sources Queensland Rail Files held at Queensland State Archives, various Series incl: Books of Reference Land Resumption Files Plans of Railway Station Buildings, Residences, Bridges & Station Equipment Chief Engineers Letterbooks Various files under ‘Records of the Qld Railways Historical Centre’ General Correspondence Files – Accommodation Plans and Sections of Various Queensland Railway Lines – Drawings And as noted in text Illustrations Cover – Author’s interpretation of the extent of roads originally surveyed at the time of initial land sales in the local area. Each land parcel was provided with road access (even if no road building was undertaken). The early settlers would no doubt have supplemented these with practical tracks, these becoming regularised as the land was further sub-divided. As noted in text
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Land A Books o
1873 Q
section,Plan Refe
been locdistances
The infoand inditabled asthe versi The acqubeyond)stage of have beestage. Laadvertisi Locationdescriptiline rangpropertiestages of
History Group
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Acquisition
of Reference
QS&WR Books , scheduling thrence number f
cated, hence, ths were measure
ormation in thividual corress part of the ions examine
uisition files), are a valuabf developmenen the Railwand owners aing noting th
n, ownershipion of the langed from ‘Wes as appropf land cleara
arch notes
and Land Ac
of Reference, ohe land requiredfor each parcel is reference num
ed from Ipswich
his section isspondence fiParliamentared at Archive
s, which contble snapshot
nt along the lway’s best gue
appear to havhe land to be
p, occupationnd (refer exa
Waste Land’ toriate. Waste
ance and deve
cquisition Fi
original and supd to be acquiredof land to be pumber has not be
h, which is logicof Refer
s gathered froiles for each ry approval pes may be se
tain correspot of local landine. Determiess at the timve been notifresumed [GG
n and usage wample followo ‘Fenced Paland is takenelopment mo
iles – Queens
pplement amendd for the initial urchased, howeeen included incal as this was trence, Working
om both the property. Bo
process – theecond pass ve
ondence datind ownership ining the own
me, as land titfied in writinG or Press n
were noted inwing page). Caddock’, withn to mean preoving up the
sland State A
ding details for construction of
ever, the plans n the summary tthe Brisbane Ex
g – QSA)
‘Books of Rooks of Refee subtlety of ersions, perh
ng from 1873at the time a
nership of thtle registrationg and there ot checked a
n the Books oCategories of h notes of otetty much viscale.
Page 3 of
Archives
r part of the Tooof the railway. T(and it is assumable. It can be sxtension of the e
Reference’ forrence appear ‘Working’ i
haps followin
3/74 to well iand a fair guihe various paon was still imay also hav
at this stage].
of Referenceland used foher improvemrgin bush, w
of 79
owong – IndoorThe schedule inmed long sectionseen from the cexisting networ
or land resumr to be the doin the title sung initial app
into the 1880ide to the rel
arcels of landin a transitionve been publ.
e together wior this sectionments to the
with progressi
roopilly ncludes a n) have not cover that rk (Books
mption ocuments uggests proval.
0s (and lative d would nal lic
ith a n of the
ive
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Extr
conside
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ract from the Boeration. The red
propertie
arch notes
ooks of Referend ink line showses between Swa
ce showing thes the start of theann and Burns R
(Books of R
e last few entriese Amended BooRoad [no attem
Reference, Work
s to Oxley Poinok of Referencempt to cross cheking – QSA)
Page 4 of
nt and the first fwhich covered ck changes at t
of 79
for the section uPortions 43 to
this stage]
under 256, the
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Interestineeded d Residentday Tari‘Researcblocks sroads areand the s ‘Public’ 1850s/eaHigh Strclosed wReserve major ch
The aborailway
the road awaterh
descriptiomay havthe rema
howeve
There isBrisbaneland purreleased
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ingly only twdemolition/re
tial sub-divisinga and Jamch Notes on Jince the (mide referred to streets runnin
roads (assumarly 60s) recreet, Burns a
where it woulappear to ha
hange for To
ve drawing for line (diversion arrangement whole she describon has been fouve been a subseqains of a small per, does not see
Rodg
no evidencee River (Indorchasers Hend at a more le
arch notes
wo buildings emoval) are
sion of the lames Henderso
James Hended ?) 1860s, has ‘Private’ ng off Mogg
med the dedieived a little
and Swann Rld have connave been puroowong Stati
the Toowong Sand a bridge). e have today. Ebes as having re
und of the blue mquent addition tpaddock/holdinem to have sub-dgers and 4 or 5
(D
e of residentiooroopilly) t
nderson and Seisurely pace
along the lenidentified.
and had common’s Village erson’ by thehowever, theyroads and w
gill Road dow
icated roads e more attentiRoads where bnected with Mrchased, althoon/High Stre
Station locationSherwood Road
Eliza Rodgers hoecently plantedmarked buildingto the plan as a
ng area from eadivided and com
5 residential bloDrawing, Q Ra
ial sub-divisio Swann RoaSmith. The S, some areas
ngth of this s
mmenced withof Nona, cure Author]. Ay don’t seem
were generallywn to Taring
already idenion being bribridged, Alp
Moggill Roadough no signeet bridge.
n shows the alted, by now extenouse Middenbu
d and improved gs/fenced area
are the line of inarlier times. Jammmenced sellinocks from Portiail Corresponde
ion activity iad which Lo
Stamm ‘estates not being m
section of the
h reference torrent day Too
A number of om to have buiy diverted, oa Station are
ntified for theidged under
pha appears td. Minor sectnificant re-ali
rations requirended to Moggillury can be identin her correspowest of the line
ndividual allotmmes Henderson png allotments unon 26 (river sid
ence Files – QSA
n the early 1ouis Stamm he’ appears to
marketed unti
Page 5 of
e line (and pe
o the West Mowong [referowners had hlt on or occur simply clos
e examples).
e original lanor over the lio have been tions of the Mignment is ev
d to Moggill Rol, is diverted viatified on the plaondence regarde nearer the morments of Portionpurchased Porntil c1865 whende of Moggill RoA)
870s for the had acquired o have been pl the early 19
of 79
erhaps only o
Milton Estater also to the held these resupied the lansed (Curlew
nd sales in theine. Current the exceptio
Moggill Roavident other
oad to accomma a new reservean together withding compensatore sizable waten 26), perhaps rtions 25 and 26n he sold 6 acreoad).
land betweefrom the ori
progressively900s.
one that
e, current separate sidential d. Estate Street
e late day
on, being ad than the
odate the e creating h the small ion. No
erhole (this they were 6 in 1853, es to the
en the iginal y
St Lucia History Group
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None of the landowners were particularly happy with the Railway’s original valuations and offers made in compensation and a large number choose to go to arbitration. The more experienced hands (Henderson/Cribb etc) put together strong reasoned cases, however, in the end they generally had to accept less than their own estimates of worth. The opening of the railway, however, would have been of benefit to the larger land owners, making the remainder of their holdings more valuable as transport services improved (access to a Railway Station was a feature of subsequent real estate marketing). James Cowlishaw undertook the initial valuations for the Government and Peter Macpherson the Arbitrator appointed under ‘The Railway Amendment Act 1872’ to hear and rule on disputes in respect to land acquisition. Mrs Landsborough’s house appears to have been the only dwelling that needed moving or demolition to accommodate the Railway.
Authors interpretation of the location of Mrs Landsborough’s house at the corner of Moggill Road and Burns Road. The local Railways Engineer requested use of the house as a base during construction. J O’Neill Brenan’s reminiscences 1
suggest Mrs Landsborough relocated to a house somewhere between The Regatta and Middenbury – Landsborough Terrace would seem a safe bet (Base Map 1890s McKellar – Fryer Library UQ)
Mrs Landsborough in correspondence describes her house as having been built as a Hotel 2 when the land was first cleared. It would have been a handy location for the Short/Long Pocket farmers being on the corner of the Moggill and Indooroopilly Roads (as she describes them - Burns Road was used for access before Toowong Creek was bridged at Gailey Road in the 1880s). The exact location of the house on the land is not known, however, it is assumed it had to be either demolished or moved to make way for the railway cutting. Brenan advised Cumbrae-Stewart it burned down, the fire being caused by a spark from a railway engine. Subsequently what remained of Lot 1 was sold to James Burns who owned Lot 2 adjacent when the railway resumptions commenced.
1 J O’Neill Brenan (Immigration Dept) correspondence with Cumbrae-Stewart (Historical Society of Queensland) and Cumbrae-Stewart notes 1916/17 (Postal History Files, National Archives). Brenan was living in Toowong in the early 1870s. Refer notes in a later section. 2 Refer notes on Toowong Hotels in a later section
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When inextendedslice reqpurchasestandard As with was Richand Too He had bRailwayelbow o‘Craigmhouse.
The currejust the st
The filescorrespoadvises hreferenc It is evidnear Too
3 Richard Agent for in the late
History Group
y/railways/resea
nitially sub-dd to Moggill
quired by theed by adjacend process for
James Burnhard’s wife o
owong Creek
been enquirinys to dedicatef Curlew Str
mount’ stradd
ent house on thetone gate step d
s contain a fuondence withhe sold the la
ce suggests th
dent from theowong Creek
appears to be tnew residential
e 1890s was as a
arch notes
divided and p Road. Some
e Railways annt/local ownsale (adverti
s, Richard Joor mother), p
k) in 1905 for
ng about thee part of Curlreet). RJC’s adling both blo
e inside of the Cdate from this ti
St Tho
urther referenh the Railwayand on whichhe Hotel was
e following tk there was l
the son of RJ Cl sub-divisions a Conveyancer
purchased, Loe owners appnd in due couners. Prior to ising etc).
ohn Cottell Jnpurchased ther ₤20.
land since thlew Street noaccompanyinocks so if he
Curlew Street elme ? Brenan inmas’ church ‘..(Railway Acqu
nce to a Hoteys over whath the ‘Hotels at Taringa r
table that othittle develop
ottell ‘The Landin the mid to la
ots 1–11 andpear to have urse the part selling the R
Jnr 3, in the ne surplus par
he late 1890oting he had ng sketch (rehad recently
lbow. Is this then his reminiscen.now the site of
uisition Files an
el in the areat he perceiveat West Milt
rather than w
her than at Wpment activity
d Auctioneer’ (ate 1880s. Richa
d 18–20 on thsold all of thlots not requ
Railways wer
name of Lily rts of Lots 18
s, his May 1recently pur
efer below) shy purchased t
e original Craignces notes this lf Mrs Cottell’s hnd Author 2007)
a, George Boed as their unton’ stands f
where Mrs La
West Milton (cy on the east
(and successor tard Jnr’s letterh
Page 7 of
he map abovheir block rathuired for railwre obliged to
Theresa (not8 - 20 (betwe
897 letter reqrchased Lots hows a largisthis may hav
gmount referredlocation as the shouse..’ )
ooth a West Endervaluing ofor ₤14 in 186andsborough
current day Ttern side of M
to John Camerohead indicates h
of 79
ve would havther than justway purpose
o go through
t quite clear een Curlew S
questing the 12 and 13 (i
sh house ve been an ex
d to by RJ Cottesite of the origi
End resident of his propert66. The Wes
h lived.
Taringa) andMoggill Road
on) who was achis main line of
ve t the es were the
if this Street
in the
xisting
ell, or does inal timber
in ty, st Milton
d the area d and it
ctive as f business
St Lucia History Group
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is anticipated this was typical for both sides of this thoroughfare. ‘Indooroopilly’ and the rest of Stamm’s land up to Swann Road was pasture and land sales around the current Toowong Railway Station, James Henderson’s Village of Nona, would not take off until after his death in 1874 when his widow Sarah appears to have systematically disposed of his local assets. Taringa appears to have been a more attractive proposition than it’s neighbours before the coming of the railway and may well have had been the dominant commercial centre in the area.. Certainly it was the first to have a Postal Service, Mr Roberts being the mail contractor and ‘postmaster’ of West Milton in the early 1870s prior to these services being transferred to the Railway Stations once the line opened. The Books of Reference and associated Acquisition Files form a valuable source of information for anyone doing research at specific locations along the railway corridor, or on individuals who they suspect may have owned property in the early 1870s. No attempt has been made to document all the information available from the files in these Notes. The following table is a summary of the land owners as at 1873 together with notes from the correspondence files which in some cases extend beyond the turn of the century.
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S&W Railway Books of Reference Summary – Required Land Acquisitions Dated 1873 – QSA (Portion and sub relate to location, not necessarily all of the allotment was purchased) Portion/ Section Sub Owner
Occupation Status
Description Notes from File (some files open for several years)
48 Ellen Anderson Unoccupied Waste land
Ferry approach/wharf. Also had North Brisbane land purchased for railway. J Alexander Boyce, Toowoomba, acted for Ellen (notes Mrs A is under his care)
46 Louis Stamm Louis Stamm Pasture
Louis Stamm, 1874 address West Milton, not happy with Railway valuation. He feels ₤3,103-18-1 is fair, initial Valuer’s estimate ₤357-14-0. They settle at arbitration on ₤692-3-9, Stamm still unhappy
47 1-6 Louis Stamm Louis Stamm Pasture Refer above
Public Road [Swan’s Road] To be diverted and crossed over railway
43 Sect 6 1&2 James Barton Unoccupied Waste Land William Hezlet Esq JP, Sydney, appears to be owner by April 1874. 1891 AM Stephens Taringa Div Board Clerk chasing back rates from Barton
43 Sect 6 9-11 Augustus John Kosvitz Unoccupied Waste Land Mr Bourne acts for deceased. Sub 11 eventually ends up in the hands of Finney Isles [creditor ?]
Private Road [William St – now Cunningham ]
To be diverted
43 Sect 1 11, 13, 14, 17
Robert Henry Unoccupied Waste Land Advises he bought the land in 1861. Suggests ₤90, ₤18-14-0 agreed 1874
10 Joseph Hodson Adams Unoccupied Waste Land Mortgaged Qld Building Society. ₤4 agreed
12 Bridget Roberts Fortitude Valley address. ₤10 agreed
16 Donald McLeod Unoccupied Waste Land Highfield Rd Toowoomba address. 1874 he thinks ₤150 about right, ₤10 determined at arbitration 1892
15 Peter McInroy Unoccupied Waste Land ₤1-13-0 agreed
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Private Road [Kings Road] To be closed
43 Sect 2 8 Aaron Sargeant Unoccupied Waste Land Rodger Street Spring Hill. JG Cribb appears to be the owner at the time of settlement
7&13 Charles Merkley Unoccupied Waste Land
6 Samuel Cook Unoccupied Waste Land Notes land address is West Milton
12 Augustus John Kosvitz Unoccupied Fenced George Carnley West Milton Reg Proprietor. Was Kosvitz the original developer ?
10&11 George Booth Unoccupied Fenced
Gray Street South Brisbane. Not impressed with offer advises he sold the land on which the hotel at West Milton stands for ₤14 eight years ago (1866) and another block in the same estate for ₤10. 1891 subsequent owner William Briggs, Taringa, applies for permission to add palings to railways fence, goats are getting in and causing havoc. Tenant is WH Stahlschmidt (British India & Qld Agency Co Ltd)
Private Road [Queen Road]] To be closed
43 Sect 3 9, 10 & 19
Charles Cutts Unoccupied Waste Land Benjamin J Kemp of Mackay surrenders Title April 1874 (assumed new owner)
8 Augustus John Kosvitz Unoccupied Waste Land
7 Robert Marshall Unoccupied Waste Land JM Myers Queen Street Mortgagee Dec 1873
17 Charles Merkley Unoccupied Waste Land
16&15 Robert Marshall Unoccupied Waste Land JM Myers Queen Street Mortgagee Dec 1873
14 Augustus John Kosvitz Unoccupied Waste Land
Private Road [Princess Street] To be diverted
43 Sect 4 2, 9-12, 19-
William Cowley Unoccupied Waste Land Possibly in hands of Mortgagee
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21
24 Ernest Goertz Unoccupied Waste Land
23 Augustus John Kosvitz Unoccupied Waste Land
22 Aaron Sargeant Unoccupied Waste Land Rodger Street Spring Hill
Private Road [George St now Adsett] To be diverted
43 Sect 5 8&9 Edward Thomas Parr Smith
Unoccupied Waste Land Brereton Lodge, Rocky Water Holes address May 1874
6&7 Charles Merkley Unoccupied Waste Land
4&5 Ernest Goertz Unoccupied Waste Land
3 Thomas Poole (Deceased)
Unoccupied Waste Land Thomas Palmer and Charles Baldwin Trustees
1&2 Frederick Rodgers Unoccupied Waste Land FR Leichardt Street advises he purchased block from John Broady Spring Hill for ₤40 in 1866
37 James Henderson William Yaxley (Lessee Toowong)
Fenced Pasture
JB Dixon Bank of Australasia Agent for JH, his solicitor appears to be Graham Lloyd Hart (refer also P25/26 below). By May 1874 he has sold to Walter Horatio Wilson, WHW will accept ₤50 offered by Commissioner
Public Road [Alpha ext to Moggill ?] To be closed
256 (Part) John G Cribb Unoccupied Unenclosed Land
255/256 20 Executors of RL Drew Unoccupied Unenclosed Land
255 19 Charles Grey Unoccupied Unenclosed Land Correspondence notes yet to build on land. Army/Navy Lieutenant ?
18 Executors of RL Drew Unoccupied Unenclosed Land Thomas Hopkins Reg Prop Dec 1873
Private Road [Curlew] To be diverted [must have been closed]
255 8-10 Richard Henry Spoll Unoccupied Fenced Allotment Noted as of Moreton Island
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3-7, 14&15
Executors of RL Drew Unoccupied Unenclosed Land Ann Drew corresponds on black bordered note paper
2 James Burns (Toowong) Unoccupied Unenclosed Land
1891 purchases 39 perches adjacent (balance of 1 below) having for some time rented for ₤1 per year. Mr Wells also had his eye on it and was complaining about smell from old privy and that it was being used as a dumping ground/manure heap
1 Mrs Maria Theresa Landsborough
Mrs Landsborough Fenced allotment garden wood verandah cottage
House described as having 8 rooms with verandah side and front, separate kitchen and stable with two horse stalls, carriage space and a man’s room. Notes land cleared and house built as a Hotel on the corner of the Moggill and Indooroopilly Roads (current day Burns Road) which was the access to Brisbane for the St Lucia/Long Pocket area before Toowong Creek was bridged in the late 1880s. She considers the property would rent for ₤2-10 a week if let as a Hotel
Moggill Road
To be diverted
Public Road [Burns Road] To be crossed over railway
254 Ann Drew Ann Drew Fenced Pasture
252 EJ Bennett Unoccupied Fenced
28 Benjamin Cribb Fenced Grazing Paddock
27 Benjamin Cribb Fenced Grazing Paddock
26 Sth of Rd, 26 Nth of Rd
James Henderson Unoccupied Unenclosed Jan 1874, James writes from Sydney setting out his valuation of the land noting The Village of Nona has been surveyed and pegged out, he is expecting ₤150
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per acre. A few years ago he sold 6 acres to Mrs Rogers for ₤100 per acre and odd small lots at the equivalent of ₤150 per acre. Anticipates a ₤70 bill from Mr Warner to re-survey etc plus has already had the cost of registering Nona (portions 25 and 26) under Real Property Act. Portion 37 is still in form of Crown Grant (JH notes he will correspond separately on this land). JB Dixon B of A will act as Agent for JH
25 (Part) Eliza M Rodgers EM Rodgers Fenced Paddock, Waterhole
Resident there in Nov 1873, notes she had the water hole cleaned out last year and planted with bamboo and willows for shade
Moggill Rd To be diverted and crossed over railway
Public Road [Sherwood ?] To be diverted
25 (Part) James Henderson Unoccupied Unenclosed, part of waterhole
Refer Portion 26 above
24 R Towns and G Christie Unoccupied Unenclosed June 1877, ₤174-5-10 for the 1 acre 20 ¾ perches resumed agreed with R Towns executors (Alexander Stuart, George King, Edward Knox and Sofia Towns)
S
a
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p
search notes
Extra
acts from 1895 M
McKellar Series of
Page 14 of 79
f Maps of Brisbanee and the Inner Suuburbs (Fryer Libbrary)
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The Western Suburbs FWS Cumbrae-Stewart 4 (From handwritten notes) Pages stamped ‘The Historical Society of Queensland’ – this copy from the Australia Post Files held at National Archives Brisbane. Text in italics unable to be interpreted. 22nd December 1916 Robert Kerr, Post Office 5 told me that his brother was one of the first settlers in the Long Pocket in 1865 6. Land originally scrub taken up as Homestead Leases. He saw the scrub felled and the land cleared William Dart now living at Montville had the sugar mill at St Lucia Carmody, Lane, Samuel Watt (still living), Copeland Spode now living at Coorparoo were very old settlers. Whole district then called Indooroopilly Arthie, schoolmaster is still living. Church near school was Bible Christian. Rev B Woolcock used to preach there. First English Church near Burns Road overlooking Toowong Creek. West Milton became a township during the construction of the Railway. Mrs Humber had restaurant there, still living Moggill and other places further out taken up for timber, logs were floated down the river Lanes went on settled at Rosewood Kerr attended Sunday School at the old church (New church St Thomas built in 1877) He also mentioned the original public house at Toowong 5th January 1917 Called on Brenan who had my letter of 28.12.16. I told him I had heard from Copeland Spode Brenan went to live with Mrs Carr afterwards Mrs William Landsborough in a house near where the Burns Road Railway Bridge is now. It was formerly the original Toowong Hotel 7 and a house of call for the settlers from the Pocket. Copeland Spode returning from Town often forgot that it was no longer a public house and several times roused Mrs Carr and her boarders by demanding refreshment. The house was finally destroyed by a spark from a railway engine after the line was built.8 There was an hotel at Taringa at one time.
4 Cumbrae-Stewart was a long serving President of the Historical Society of Queensland 5 Robert it is assumed was employed by the Post Office, not sure if this was in Brisbane or locally 6 This is more than likely George Carr’s brother, buried in the family grave at Toowong Cemetery in 1919 (Cemetery Records). Leila Carr in her reminiscences recorded by Leigh Chamberlain notes how ‘Kerr’ became ‘Carr’ in her grandfather George’s case. Robert must have held onto his original surname, perhaps he was more literate, arrived at a different time or had a more sympathetic immigration officer on landing 7 Prior to the building of the railway the location ‘Toowong’ appears to have been restricted to the area immediately adjacent to Toowong Creek (and more than likely only near the Moggill Road crossing) 8 James Burns in correspondence with the Railways regarding the purchase of the balance of Mrs Landsborough’s land, also refers to the house having been burned down (1889 letter, Burns had the adjacent lot)
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The Regatta Hotel was opened by Sam Healy as a one storied place 9 Afterwards the Railway Hotel was opened in a one storied place, still standing on the River Road adjoining The Station but the license was subsequently abandoned. A new Railway Hotel 10 was then built and still stands. The native name of what is now Toowong was Beneramba The oldest house is Mrs Dixons. It originally belonged to an Inspector of Police named Patrick after whom Patrick Lane is called. He lived there with Dixon, Fewings and one or two others. When he died he left the property to Dixon, then the Manager of The Bank of Australasia who lived at the Bank in Queen Street. Mrs Dixon wished to sell out, Dixon kept it and after his death his widow and family went there to live adding to the old slab house which is now the kitchen WLG Drew when he left the Navy was in partnership with Haverden Hely at Brisbane Water in a timber enterprise. He was clerk to the Marine Board in Sydney. JF MacMullen then took him into the Union Bank, from there he entered The Qld Gov’t Service on the death of Dodwell. Undersecretary [There is no line break, so it is not clear if the following refers to Drew or back to Dixon] He bought the land at the corner of River and Sylvan Roads from a man named Payne who had a farm and garden there. This was about 1865 when the fig trees were planted. They were cut down by Bearduine ten years or so ago. Payne had crops of maize & lucerne and fruit trees running right back to past the Chinaman’s garden. He was afterwards with Pumrose at Chelmer
9 Lawrence Howard Healy lodged his application for a Publican’s License on 12th February 1874, advertising his intent in The Brisbane Courier. The property on New Cemetery Road Toowong he describes as having three sitting rooms and six bedrooms (in addition to accommodation required by his family) will be operated as the Regatta Hotel. Healy is married with no children and notes he has not held a License before 10 Assumed to be the Royal Exchange (possibly in the mid 1880s)
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Hotels adjacent the Railway The Brisbane Courier (and as noted) The Toowong Retreat
Correspondence from Mrs Landsborough in connection with the resumption of her land for the railway in the early 1870s notes that her 8 room house was originally built as a Hotel. This is supported by Cumbrae-Stewart’s record of conversations
with early local resident J O’Neill Brenan who lodged with Mrs Landsborough (then Mrs Carr). Brenan refers to it as the original Toowong Hotel noting it was strategically placed at the intersection of Moggill and Indooroopilly Pocket (now
Burns) Roads for the St Lucia/Long Pocket settlers who frequented it on their way to and from Brisbane (the current road crossing of Toowong Creek near the river did not go in until the 1880s). Whilst not confirmed there is a likelihood that Portion 255 made up the land developed by RL Drew as the Village of Toowong (described as adjoining Lang Farm on
Moggill Road – the ‘greater’ Lang Farm properties extended to Burns Road). Drew’s wife (and his executors) certainly still owned several of the blocks in this location at the time these were purchased for the construction of the railway. This
location was ‘Toowong’ in the mid 1860s (the opening of the railway station would shift the focus in the mid 1870s) so it is more than likely that the Toowong Retreat was what later became Mrs Landsborough’s house. Current research suggests
that Licenses for the original Regatta and Railway Hotels were not applied for until the mid 1870s and in all probability the Retreat was the first pub in (current day) Toowong.
Cumbrae-Stewart notes (National Archives Post Office Records), Base Map (Fryer)
20 September 1864, William Greenway Shaw (currently residing in Leichardt Street North Brisbane)
advertises his intention to apply for a Publicans License to sell fermented and spirituous liquors from the house he will (shortly) own on the Moggill Road at Toowong. He describes it as having six rooms exclusive of the accommodation required by his family (wife and one child). William will operate the Inn/Public House under the name of the Toowong Retreat. He notes he has not held a license before (Application lodged 16 September)
7 November 1864, agent Robert Davidson acting under instructions from Mr RL Drew advertises the 12 November auction of 20 full sized allotments at the Village of Toowong. The location is described as on the Moggill Road adjoining Lang Farm and it is noted that a conveyance is laid on which runs twice a day from the Retreat Hotel Toowong to the British Empire in George Street Brisbane. Free rides are offered to purchasers on the day of the sale
St Lucia History Group
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9 December 1864, Pigeon Match advertised to take place on Saturday at the Toowong Retreat Hotel [subsequent reports note this as a Separation Day event]
8 April 1865, William Greenway Shaw, Publican (currently residing at Toowong) advertises his intention to apply for a Publicans License to sell fermented and spirituous liquors from his house at Toowong under the sign of the Toowong Retreat. He describes the house as having two sitting-rooms and four bedrooms in addition to the accommodation required by his family (wife and one child). William owns the house and has held a license since November 1864 (Application lodged 7 April)
25 July 1865, agent George W McKeand advertises the few remaining lots for sale at the Village of Toowong
2 April 1866, ₤1 reward offered for the recovery of a light bay mare which has strayed from West Milton. Branded AC on one shoulder. Stray to be brought to the Toowong Hotel
5 February 1866, ₤3 reward offered for the return of a stolen or strayed dark bay mare from the West Milton residence of WH Ellerker Architect. Branded FR on near shoulder (went missing October 1865). Horse to be returned to his house near the Toowong Hotel or at his office in Queen Street Brisbane [In June 1865 Ellerker was calling tenders from carpenters to erect a wooden school and temporary place of worship at the Village of Toowong, drawings and specification could be seen at his office. Helen Gregory in A Church for its Times notes Ellerker was one of the founders of St Thomas’ Church and this would have been the tender documents for the original timber church built in Curlew Street on land donated by Mr RL Drew] [did we have a spate of horse rustling ? ] The West Milton Hotel [More research required]*
5 Dec 1874, agent James Cameron advertises the Monday 14 December auction of The West Milton Hotel site, Lot 6 Portion 43 Parish of Indooroopilly. The land is described as enclosed and partly laid out as a garden. The advertisement describes the hotel as having six rooms, detached kitchen, servant’s rooms, stable and fowl-house etc noting it is currently let at ₤1 per week. The closeness to the Toowong Railway Station is emphasised 11
*[The 1874 sales notice has a separate title reference and it is likely the West Milton Hotel was an earlier establishment. George Booth in 1872/3 correspondence concerning land resumptions for the railway advises he sold the land on which the West Milton Hotel was constructed in 1866 so it appears the Robin Hood (below) may not have been the first pub in Taringa. - check early reference of Morrow house originally being a hotel – this may be Lot 6 on Morrow Street]
11 The Brisbane to Witton section of the railway would not open until mid 1875, Taringa would not get it’s own station until two or three years later
St Lucia History Group
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The Robin Hood, West Milton (Taringa)
The 1879 sale notice for the Robin Hood identifies the Hotel location as on Lot 1 Section 2 Portion 43 highlighted above. Lots 2 and 3 were included in the sale. Charlotte, George Carney’s widow, would appear to have been the vendor (George owned other land in this section at the time of the railway land acquisitions in 1873). George’s original application for a license in 1875 more than likely relates to this location (the family accommodation could account for the three additional
rooms in the later sale (Base Map mid 1890s McKellar series - Fryer Library)
13 Feb 1875, City Police Court report notes George Carnley was summoned by H Pike for assaulting
him on the 4th instant at West Milton by endeavouring to pull him off his horse and using threatening language to him at the same time. George was fined 5 shillings and 4s-6d costs
1 Sep 1875, George Carnley (currently residing in West Milton) advertises his intention to apply for a Publicans License to operate an Inn/Public House at West Milton to be known as the Robin Hood. He notes the house to be used is owned and occupied by himself and consists of four bedrooms and three sitting rooms (exclusive of those required by his family). The house is not currently licensed and this will be his first application. (Application lodged 13 August 1875)
17 April 1879, Annual Licensing Court report covers a whole list of license renewals. Charlotte Carnley, Robin Hood Hotel Taringa, is noted as one of the ‘country publicans’ license renewals to be discussed at the next sitting (John Jorgenson for the Railway Bridge Hotel at Indooroopilly also on the adjourned sittings list)
19 May 1879, Charlotte Carnley applies for a license for the Commercial Hotel at the corner of Edward and Mary Streets in Brisbane. Charlotte notes she is a widow and has held a license previously. (Application lodged 3 May 1879)
24 Sep 1879, agent Duncan & Co advertise the 1 October auction of the valuable freehold property known as The Robin Hood Hotel at Taringa. The three lots fronting Moggill Road are noted as close paling fenced, cleared and under cultivation. The Hotel is described as having 10 rooms, kitchen, servant’s rooms and all necessary outbuildings – all in a capital state of preservation. The stated reason for sale is that the current proprietor requires the money for business purposes
St Lucia History Group
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[The above notes are based on a cursory examination of The Brisbane Courier, Taringa History Group have a much more comprehensively researched record of the Robin Hood including subsequent landlords and the somewhat suspicious burning down in the early 1880s] The Railway Hotel, Toowong
James Henderson sub-divided Portions 25 and 26 ( the land he had bought in the 1850s) in the mid 1860s and marketed it as
The Village of Nona. Sarah Henderson his widow transferred the title of Lots 60 and 61 Portion 25 to William Munro in June 1875. [Refer AD James Henderson Paper] As William appears to have been in residence in August of that year it may
be that the sale was effective before James’ death in April. There is a possibility that the property William purchased already included the improvements he would turn into his hotel although there is no mention of this in Henderson’s correspondence
with the Railways in January 1874. William Munro applied for his first Publicans License in January 1866 operating the Shipwright’s Arm’s on the corner of Albert and Mary Streets in Brisbane from rented premises. Coincidentally in the same month the Hotel he would later run, the Ship Inn at South Brisbane, had just been erected and opened for business as the
New Bowen Hotel. (Base Map Sales Lithograph - RHSQ)
5 August 1875, William Munro (residing in Toowong) advertises his intention to apply for a Country
Publicans License to operate an Inn/Public House at Toowong to be known as the Toowong Railway Hotel. He notes he owns the house which consists of four sitting rooms and six bedrooms exclusive of those required for his families use. The house is not currently licensed. He states he is married and has held a license for many years (Application lodged 2 August 1875)
27 September 1875, William advertises for a young girl to make herself generally useful and attend in the bar occasionally
6 June 1876, Wanted, a good general servant. Apply to Munro’s Railway Hotel, Toowong
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22 Nov 1877, William advertises four first class sows in young to a prize boar for sale [probably the
same corn and pumpkin fed boar he won second prize for at The Exhibition earlier in the year]
22 December 1877, William advertises for sale a good spring cart noting it will do for furniture or a grocers cart, also a few good pigs
16 August 1878, Funeral notice placed by W Walsh Undertaker inviting the friends of Mr William Munro to follow the remains of his deceased wife Ellen to the Brisbane General Cemetery from his residence The Railway Hotel Toowong
2 October 1878, agent John Cameron advertises the October 23rd auction of Lots 60 and 61 Portion 25 (being part of the Nona Estate), the land fronting Moggill Road and separated only by the line from the railway station. The improvements are noted as the twelve room Toowong Railway Hotel, stables and fruit and flower garden. The furnishings are offered with the freehold should the purchaser so desire. The freehold will carry the remaining term of the license. Unfortunate family reasons are stated as the only reason for the sale
1 February 1979, Daniel Donavon (residing in Toowong) advertises his intention to apply for a Publicans License to operate as an Inn/Public house known as the Toowong Railway Hotel.. He notes the house, owned by him but currently occupied by William Munro, contains four sitting rooms and five bedrooms exclusive of those required for use by his family. He states he is married with six children and has held a license for thirteen years in Toowoomba. (Application dated 13 January 1879)
12 February 1879, Monthly Licensing Court report notes transfer of License from William Munro to Daniel Donavon granted
17 April 1879, Annual Licensing Court report notes William Munro’s application for a new general license for The Ship Inn Hotel on Stanley Street was refused
19 May 1879, William Munro (residing in Stanley Street Brisbane) advertises his intention to apply for a Publicans License to operate an Inn/Public House in Stanley Street to be known as the Ship Inn. He notes the house to be used is rented from Mrs Gaffney and consists of four sitting rooms and seven bedrooms exclusive of those required for his families use. He states he is married with four children and has held license in Brisbane and suburbs for upwards of fourteen years (Application lodged 19 May 1879)
25 October 1879, agent John Cameron advertises The Railway Hotel Toowong for private sale in the Business for Sale section of the paper. The sale includes the Furniture, goodwill, License etc
July 1881, Daniel Casey applies for the Ship Inn License to be transferred to him from William Munro
St Lucia History Group
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The partly submerged building fronting the bend in Moggill Road in this 1893 photograph is considered to be more than likely the building which housed the original Toowong Railway Hotel owned and operated by William Munro from the mid 1870s. Cumbrae-Stewart documenting his 1917 conversations with early 1870s local resident J O’Neill Brenan notes that the original Railway Hotel building was still standing (although the license was long lapsed) and a new Railway Hotel had
been built (presumably the current day Royal Exchange) (Photograph – Picture Queensland SLQ)
Indooroopilly Bridge Hotel [Further research required] 11 May 1876, report on the Licensing Court proceedings notes that the License (country hotels)
for the Indooroopilly Bridge Hotel has been renewed for one year only 4 June 1878, Supreme Court notice noting the Sherriff will sell at public auction on 5th June
…All the defendant’s stock in trade, household furniture etc… arising from the combined action of Smith & Lander against O’Brien (the licensed publican). Auction to take place at the Railway Bridge Hotel, Indooroopilly near the railway station
11 September 1878, report on the Licensing Court proceedings notes that the transfer of the
license for the Railway Bridge Hotel, from Louis Stamm to John Ferguson has been granted 17 April 1879, report on the Licensing Court annual session notes that the renewal application for
country publicans licenses including John Jorgenson for the Railway Bridge Hotel, Indooroopilly were adjourned until the next sitting
14 May 1879, report on the Licensing Court proceedings notes that the transfer of the license for
the Railway Hotel, Indooroopilly from John Jorgenson to Michael Walsh is granted (same report notes Jorgenson has taken over the Albert Hotel, Albert Street)
28 May 1879, report on previous days Police Court hearing where William Morrison received a
sentence of two months imprisonment with hard labour for stealing liquor (one bottle of gin, two of brandy, valued at 11 shillings) from the Railway Hotel, Indooroopilly. Walsh discovered
St Lucia History Group
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Morrison during the night, appears to have apprehended him and given him over to the custody of senior constable Dunne 12 the next morning
21 April 1880, report on the annual Licensing Meeting notes that Michael Walsh’s license for the
Railway Bridge Hotel was renewed
12 Pat Dunne was based at Toowong (Indooroopilly would not get its own full time police presence until 1892). In 1896 (by now Sergeant) Dunne was retired having served 17 years in Toowong. This must have been very early in his service to the local community
St Lucia H
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Page 24
complete Ipsw4 ₤308,146-7
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of 79
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St Lucia History Group
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Apr 1886, Petition to provide a platform/station between Taringa and Indooroopilly near the residence of Louis Stamm. Reasons given the general increase in population, plenty of land for development adjacent (Portion 48), potentially good place to locate goods shed
Early 1890s move to typewriters for correspondence Toowong Station 1874, first thoughts of coal branch noted in file Apr 1875, Coal Shoots – Chief Engineer provides plan and section for branch line and coal
shoots. Anticipates 2 x 100 ton and 1 x 60 ton shoots, for vessels 5-600 ton. Adequate bank/river configuration to negate the requirement of mechanical handling, 18’ of water at low tide. Suggests this probably a better location than Queens Wharf (thumbnail sketch for Queens Wharf in Letterbook). Notes Book of Reference prepared
Drawing from File showing line of Branch Line for the proposed coal shoots on the river. Engineer quite keen on this proposal and suggests early action prior to more extensive sale of sub-division. Toowong could have looked quite different if
this scheme had gone ahead. (Chief Engineers Correspondence File – QSA)
1877, in LA Report on coal branches notes land acquisition for Toowong branch would be
required from Benjamin Cribb (part Portion 27), James Henderson (subs 16-19 Portion 26), Alexander Archer (subs 20 and 21 P 26) and Janet Wright (subs 22 and 23 P 26). Estimate for this branch ₤8,083 incl ₤750 for land acquisition
1878, complaints regarding station toilet facilities, improvement plans approved
St Lucia History Group
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Sketch of 1878 improvements to station toilet facilities. Similar alterations were carried out at Indooroopilly (Chief Eng Correspondence Files – QSA). Toowong was constructed with a second line in the environs of the station, a passing place for train manoeuvring as required (refer notes in later section). The configuration is understood to have been, Station and main platform (Sherwood Road side), main line, passing line then a platform on the Moggill Road side. Plans appear to
have been underway to undertake remodelling for the 1880s general duplication of the line, somewhat accelerated no doubt by the fire on the morning of 30th April 1885.
Apr 1885, plans for central platform approved at a cost of ₤3,057 (Milton approved at the same
time ₤1,984) 1 May 1885, The Brisbane Courier 14 reports that the station, platforms and shelter shed were
destroyed by fire early the previous morning, probable source oily cotton waste in the lamp room. Notes station and shelter shed were rapidly consumed as white ants had made many ravages in their walls. 100’ of the platform on one side and 90’ on the other (assumed built of timber) were destroyed. Minimum delays to trains
Mar 1886, cramped conditions for Telegraph Operator working in Goods Shed until new station
ready. Chief Engineer suggests they grin and bear it Jul 1886, additional expenditure to provide wall battens for Advertising material approved. ₤70
tender to install gas lighting approved (incl regulators so lights can be turned down by Station Master between trains)
Aug 1886, location of gas lighting etc on new platforms agreed Aug 1886, new station works
ready for use (except gas lights). Stanley suggests post office is removed from station to prevent people not on railway business accessing the platforms 15
14 Courtesy Percy Hanlon 15 The Post Office was eventually moved off the Station in 1890 to rented accommodation in High Street. The Telegraph Office was also transferred to the Post Office in 1896/7. Neither move was probably popular with the Railway staff, they received additional payment for handling these services
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20 A Nov 1887
damby loruledrejecwea(mak
1906
Brisbanbrick bu
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The mainto the goo
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y/railways/resea
Aug 1886, no
v 1886, gas li
7, corresponmages for dela
ocal engineed by CE on pcting materia
ather and lateking good tr
6/1912, som
ne approach to uilding accommoor to the right d open (covered)
n lines (up and dods shed and ya
off to the right)
arch notes
oted dual line
ighting ready
dence with Cay (‘fined’ ₤
er Frew althoprevious Gymals/workmane instructionsenches etc)
etime during
Toowong Statiomodation comprof the railwaym
d) waiting area.
down) passed eard crane (wher) and one headi
e Milton to T
y for testing,
Charles Whit30, 3 weeks
ough Whitingmpie project
nship. Other rs on installati
g this period
on circa 1910 (rised (from the man was for ser
The gas supply
either side of there the wagon is ping behind the
Toowong wil
just waiting
ting the contrat ₤10 per w
g believes het. Believes loreasons for dion of gas re
expenditure
(State Library ofwater tank) a s
rvicing same), gy was extended f
e island platforparked above),old Toowong R
ll open tomo
g gas connect
ractor for theweek). Extense is being spitocal inspectordelay includequiring delay
approved fo
of Queensland).tore, ladies wageneral waitingfrom Milton fo
rm. The station the second lea
Railway Hotel o
Page 27
rrow
tion from Mi
e station impsion of time teful becauser (Knott ?) oe late brick suys to finishin
r new water
When completiting room and g room, telegrapr the platform a
had three dead ading to the sawon Moggill Roa
of 79
ilton
provements rclaims part ae Frew was o
over zealous iupply, inclemng his own w
closets and u
ted in the late 1d air closet (pres
ph office, bookand station ligh
d end sidings, onwmill (foregrounad (refer below)
e approved over in ment
works
urinals
880s the sume the ing office
hting.
ne leading nd heading .
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Ipswic
The Too(State Lib
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ch approach to
owong station ybrary Queenslan(Monumental M
arch notes
Toowong Statiopedestria
yard crane to send). St Lucia HMasons) the cra
on circa 1906 (an overbridge so
ervice the sidingHistory Group mane was used to
(Courtesy Alan o passengers co
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member Ian Veno unload Helido
McNaughton). ould cross the l
between the signables recalls thon stone for the
Page 28
The island platfine safely.
nal box and thehat in addition tconstruction of
of 79
tforms now req
e pedestrian oveto frequent use f the University
uired a
erbridge by Petries
y.
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Other than the construction of an additional pedestrian overbridge (city end of platforms) and a coat of paint little appears to have been changed at the station until the 1950s. Additional platforms were required for ‘quadruplication’ of the line and schemes were prepared for Toowong and the other stations along the line. The early concept for Toowong shown on the following
page envisaged three platforms, the eventually built scheme had two island platforms and new brick and concrete shelter sheds etc. (State Archives – notation in white lettering is Percy Hanlon’s recollection of some of the local businesses in the vicinity around this time)
St Lucia H
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High St 21 M
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treet Bridge
Mar 1874, adly Toowong
1878, noticeitions
1951, initial
1951, amend
nded plan sent t iterations beforgeoner’s Store
r 1952, probltrification an
e possible excepoopilly section wtime as traffic
was used
arch notes
dvertisement Bridge, Bris
e of temporar
l plans for th
ded plans to
to Brisbane Citore being agreee had been oppo
lems with prond had to be
ption of the Swwere built fromloads increased
in The Brisbsbane and Ips
ry bridge clo
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BCC
ty Council in Seed and finalisedosite the station
oposed levelraised) affec
ann Road bridg
m timber. This md and longer sp
bane Courierswich Railwa
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nt bridge for
eptember 1951
d. OC Jones, then on Benson Str
ls (bridge descting Benson
ge [to be confirmethod of constrpans were requi
r for three briay Extension
Brisbane Co
rwarded to B
(State Archivese Plumbers Shopreet to make way
signed for thn Street grade
rmed] all of the ruction served iired for quadrup
Page 30
idge carpenten 16
urier, pendin
BCC for comm
s). The design wp next to the puy for the new li
e introductioes, entrance t
elevated structits purpose wellplication in the
of 79
ers and one s
ng completio
ment
was to go througub, transferred ine (Percy Han
on of subsequto Hotel etc.
tures along the ll for around 70e 1950s when st
squarer,
on of
gh several to where lon)
uent BCC
Toowong 0 years teel and
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Dec Mar
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Feb
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Mar
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pare their owdworks
1952, Railw
r 1957, furthem bridge add
ry pedestrian fsing inconvenie
1959, Courierless Dry Ccerned over l
r 1959, Brisbey bridge etc
dges etc. Repcrete rather tlvan Road thbailey bridg
e 5 days but sdge (working
r/Apr 1959, Cgress made
ollowing prog
arch notes
wn drawing, s
ways agree to
er modificatied
footbridge instaence, however,
ier Mail noteCleaners) spo
lack of inform
bane City Coc to reduce tiort provided
than timber) he agreed divge would havsome difficu over active
Courier Mail
gress photog
suggest Railw
o pick up the
ions to road l
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without signif
es temporary kesman for rmation on th
uncil Aldermime. Issue esd to Minister and justifyinersion, temp
ve hindered pulty making cline) took 19
l follows pro
graphs originnewspaper c
ways pick up
tab for the r
layout in fro
e demolition ofals were happy. ficant impact on
footbridge inrecently formhe bridge clo
man Rudd vocalates to Feoutlining be
ng original stporary footbrprogress rathconcrete in ab9 men 6 days
ogress on brid
nally publishecuttings in th
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nt of Post Of
f the old timber All of the bridg
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nstallation umed Toowonsure, loss of
ocal on issuesederal Parliamnefits of newtart date althoridge provideer than assistbutments sets
dge with regu
ed in the Couhe QSA Files
Page 31
estimated co
ffice. Access
High Street brigework appears
nderway. Treg Developmpassing trad
s, use of overment, lack ofw bridge (fooough Burns ned). Considerted timeframt any quicker
ular reports a
urier Mail ars
of 79
ost for the ad
s stairs to pla
idge. This wents to have been u
revor W Darement Associatde etc
ertime workinf Army baileotpath, steel anot quite comred that the e
me, shift workr. Demolition
and notes go
re reproduce
ditional
atform
t some way undertaken
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The bridg
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There is
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ge building teamthe left is the R
ted in 1899, wa1980s for the T
tograph of the bal road level. Tplementation fo a 1951 concep
arch notes
m hard at work Royal Exchangeas demolished inToowong Villag
backfilling of thThe Railways shor another 20 yept plan on file il
on the construce (quite handy ton the early 197
ge development
he western abuthowed foresightears (the only ollustrating how
could have bee
ction of the newo wash the dust
70s, its replacemwhich complet
tment clearly det in preparing f
other alternativea major (48m xen installed in t
w concrete westt down after a hment being muchtely changing th
emonstrates howfor electrificatioe would appearx 24m footprint)the station yard
Page 32
ern abutment/rhard day). The Ph shorter lived he face of this p
w much higher on even if fundinr to have been to) sub-station in
d
of 79
/retaining wall. Post Office on tbeing demolish
part of Toowong
the new bridgeng would not b
to regrade the trnstallation for th
Just out of the right, hed in the g
e was than e available rackwork). he system
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19 M Jun Jul 1 Jun
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Per
May 1959, En
1959, issues
1959, discuss
1960, peak hered on to di
1962, agreemrs to discouraharge point i
arch notes
rmanent forms b
Final road
ngineer repo
s with access
sion re provi
hour problemirect traffic
ment to provage pedestriais >60’ from
being installed f
surfacing being
orts bridge w
to Hotel dis
iding a fence
ms at the Hig
ide a (road sans crossing
m the nearest c
for the new com
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will be ready f
scussed and r
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gh Street inter
side) handrailvia the roadwcrossing – ju
mposite steel/co
the new High S
for opening 2
resolved
ridge footpat
rsection with
l to the footpway (althougust around co
Page 33
oncrete bridge d
Street bridge
25th, ahead o
th (railway st
h Benson Str
path at the topgh they are worner in Bens
of 79
deck.
of schedule
teps side)
reet, police m
p of platformwithin their rison Street
man
m access ights as
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Burns R Mar
adjo Aug
quad 195
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Jul 1 1957
petit Oct
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Road Bridge
r 1889, Jameoining his pro
g 1951, origindruplication/
1, BCC not hing to pay an
Original 19 gone for thhave had o
to who shousteel and concr
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1957, Notice
7, general outions etc. Lo
1957, Minisimise inconv
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arch notes
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happy with any extra to w
951 General Arhe cheapest opton the intersectiuld pay for anyrete structures wmotorist) preva
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epared for recon project). G
alignment or widen bridge)
rangement of ntion, the shortesion. There was ey ‘improvementswould replace. iled and the ori
(Queensland
r Road Closu
dge closure frs lodge a Peti
k agrees to p
e. Toowong t bridge closu
Railway Comrs Landsboro
construction General layou
width of brid)
new bridge propst span (right aextensive discus’ in width etc oRoads over theiginal Burn’s R
d Rail Correspo
ure, 12 mont
from locals (uition
provision of t
Developmenure etc
mmissioners ough’s block
of old timbeut shows new
dge and com
posed by the Rangles to tracks)ssion with BCCover and abovee line were the mRoad alignment ondence Files)
ths from 12 A
used for scho
temporary fo
nt Associatio
Page 34
to purchase tk – refer earli
er bridge (ariw bridge at ri
mpromise reac
ailways. Note th) and the impacC during the ear
the original timmost contentiouwas maintained
August 1957
ool, church, s
otbridge dur
on complain o
of 79
the vacant laier Section)
ising from right angles t
ched (BCC n
hat they have ct this would rly 1950s as mber bridges us. Good sense d.
7
shopping etc
ring works to
of lost trade
and
to line
not
(for the
c),
o
(down
St Lucia H
ad/history
Usable b
Apr
brid Dec
had Jul 1 Apr Whitmo
The 1950s
one it rmultiple
ratherhowev
Auggood
History Group
y/railways/resea
but not quite finb
1959, BCC dge construct
1960, letter opportunity
1966, Burns/
1967, bridge
ore Street B
0s Whitmore Strreplaced. The oe timber spans (r than as an emver, the reason
g 1875, Chiefd order [assu
arch notes
nished, the articbeen going on f
advise they wion
in response to fund extra
/Jephson/Mo
e blocked by
ridge (Toow
reet Bridge fromoriginal bridge (stretching nortmbankment is no
may have beenworkmen h
f Engineer inumed respons
cle with the newfor 18 months (H
will be sendi
to RACQ coa width etc
oggill Road in
y contractor l
wong Creek)
m Oakman Park(perhaps bette
th almost as far ot clear, Toowon economic rathhad already sta
nspection repse to public c
wspaper cutting (High Street Bri
ing bill for a
omments on w
ntersection s
laying new c
)
rk (Author 2007)er described as ar as the truncateong Creek and pher than enginearted drifting off
port to Minisconcerns – b
notes that workidge was obviou
additional ma
width of brid
signalised
cables
7). This is a muca viaduct) was ed Curlew Streepossible floodinering. Availablff to the Palmer
ster confirminbridge had be
Page 35
k on this bridgeusly the priority
aking good to
dge etc. Railw
ch more modestin the order of et). The reason ng will have infe resources may
r Goldfields
ng Toowongeen in use for
of 79
e and its approay)
o roads arisin
ways advise
t structure thanf 125m long com
to construct asfluenced the de
ay have been an
g Creek Bridgr approx 2 m
aches had
ng from
BCC
n the 1870s mprising s a bridge cision,
n issue,
ge in months]
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 36 of 79
Nov 1942, memo on file noting that the BCC have added another carriageway to Whitmore Street. No impact on Railway assets so no action required
c1945 Part of the original long span timber bridge/viaduct, Whitmore Street passing either side of one of the timber supports (JOL)
1951, preliminary schemes for the new steel bridge prepared and agreed with BCC [little trouble
agreeing under bridges generally]
Elevation of the original timber bridge over Toowong Creek and the adjacent flat. The new bridge over Whitmore and culvert for Toowong Creek are outlined in red
General Arrangement Plan showing new bridge structure and embankments to cater for the additional two lines installed during the 1950s. Toowong Creek was culverted under Moggill Road and the railway. For a short length on the downstream side the creek flows in open cut and then returns to culverts as far as Perrin Park before again going undercover out to the Brisbane River. This and the other original underbridges at Beatrice, Keating and Allwood would have been provided to
cater for watercourses (Toowong and Sandy Creek catchments), the roads had not been formed in the early 1870s when the line was planned (Both drawings from QR Correspondence Files – QSA)
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 37 of 79
May 1952, Toowong creek culvert underway, BCC asked to do crossing under Moggill Road
replacing old timber bridge Sep 1952, 24” water main to be diverted by BCC ₤3,982
Progress photographs during the reconstruction of the Whitmore Street Bridge. (Above) Footings under way for the steel structure. From the photograph it appears that fill for the new embankment was simply placed around
the old timber piers (QSA Id 1051251 No 24 courtesy Arthur Robinson). (Below) The new steel bridge was constructed in two stages to maintain rail traffic. Train driver looking on is
Percy Hanlon who sourced this photograph (Courtesy Arthur Robinson)
Jun 1958, PMG cable hit whilst excavating for new abutment wing wall [may have constructed
new abutments in 2 stages diverting traffic as required]
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 38 of 79
Mar 1959, suggestion land has never been dedicated for road purposes although in use for some
years Toowong Sports Ground [More Research Required] Limited reference to this short lived stopping place/platform/s was uncovered in the material examined at the State Archives. Other researchers, however, have identified that it existed and trains were timetabled to stop at it during the mid/late 1880s. Its exact location, one would think somewhere handy for Oakman Park (McKellar Maps of the early 1890s show the Union Athletic Sports Club Ground within the bounds of the current park) is yet to be confirmed. Beatrice Street Bridge
1901 Railway’s sketch showing Taringa Divisional Board’s proposal to extend the carriageway under the railway bridge. Note open watercourse (QR Correspondence Files – QSA)
Feb 1900, Taringa Divisional Board request attention to the roadway which in wet weather
becomes a quagmire, request Railways to clean out the watercourse Feb 1900, Chief Engineer notes no roadway at the time of construction therefore TDB use it on
sufferance. Stream does get blocked but in no way harms the railway Mar 1900, Railways agree to clean out the watercourse Apr 1901, sketch plan drawn of proposed additional metalled carriageway under bridge, cost
around ₤25. CE suggests a better option than deepening the creek which has the potential to damage Railway assets
Sep 1901, reminder from TDB not much happening Mar 1940, BCC prepare scheme and propose the land under the bridge be dedicated for road
purposes
St Lucia H
ad/history
Rairationalisaat differen
History Group
y/railways/resea
ilways sketch idation of Titles. nt times under d
surveyed ro
arch notes
dentifying the pThis is a fairly different develooads) by the rai
pre-existing dedconvoluted are
opers. The trunclway would acc
dicated road conea, two separatecation of Alphacount for the un
nfiguration ande Portions meet Street (believe
nusual shape of
Page 39
d below BCC drting and sub-divd to have been
f the Moggill Ro
of 79
rawing of propoivisions likely taone of the orig
oad Reserve.
osed aking place ginal 1850s
St Lucia H
ad/history
Taringa Jun
beenbeen
Jul 1 Aug Sep
appr Oct
just 13 A
overagrearran
When theobviousl
stopping Courieproba
however, the st
Indooroopout. The
190
Hou
History Group
y/railways/resea
a Station
1886, Price Fn wired closen knocked do
1886, approv
g 1886, Porte
1886, ₤686 roaches, new
1886, approa shelter she
Aug 1890, pur the tracks (eed an overbrngement of t
e line opened inly a later additi
g place had beener). The above sably reflecting t(for some reasotatement that Tapilly (which bote 1890 public m
few
1/1906, somuse
arch notes
Fletcher anded. Platformsown a couple
val received t
ers cottage an
approved forw shelters, off
val received ed
ublic meetinga Mr Plunkeridge probabthe platforms
n the mid 1870s ion. Real estaten introduced. Bysketch (attachethe pre-duplicaon not yet imme
Taringa was genth have goods s
meeting also refew residents (per
etime during
d 31 other locs appear to he of times
to erect a set
nd waiting sh
r improvemeffices, water c
to construct
g called to prett had recentbly the cheaps and a sugge
there was no ine advertising in By October 1879
d to correspondtion arrangeme
ediately obviousnerating ₤140 psheds) – the resifers to the ‘Sporrhaps via their
g period expe
cals submit Phave been ext
t of signals, a
hed alteration
ents arising fcloset and ur
t a lamp room
rotest about ltly been stop
pest and mostestion that th
ntermediate stopJune 1878 refe
9 Taringa appedence in the Filent) suggests ths) they where e
per month revenidents believe trtsground Platfoback yards). (Q
enditure appr
Petition comptended/move
an officer no
ns complete.
from duplicatrinals
m. Station ap
lack of overbpped crossingt appropriatehe station be
op between Toowers to the West Mars as part of thles dated Augus
hat Taringa hadccentrically arr
nue compared wthis warrants soform’ suggestingQR Correspond
roved to alter
Page 40
plaining old aed. Noted wir
w based at th
Mr L Sands
tion. 2 new p
ppears to a sto
bridge for pag the line at the answer. Alsmoved furth
wong and IndooMilton Station she advertised tist 1890 but indi
d a platform on ranged. The newwith ₤200 for Toome improvemeg it is little used
dence Files – QS
r/extend the
of 79
access gates red shut gate
he station
s the builder
platforms, ga
opping place
assengers to cthe station). Mso discussionher from Too
oroopilly so Taso by this time imetables. (Theicating a single
n each side of thwspaper reportoowong and ₤1ents to facilitiesd and only of beSA)
Station Mas
have es have
ates and
e with
cross Meeting n on the owong
aringa was at least a
e Brisbane e line so he line, t also notes 75 for be carried
enefit to a
ter’s
St Lucia H
ad/history
Brisbanerection
seate
1906 Dec
file. May
Sectidistinct
History Group
y/railways/resea
ne bound platfon of the passenged gentleman in
ma
6/1912, som
1910, pricedTender pric
y 1911, Steel
ion from the gentive steel canopy
arch notes
orm at Taringa Sger overbridge n more reflectivanoeuvring the
etime during
d schedule fre ₤88-10-3 (
lwork Specif
neral concept dy roofs appear
Station c1906. Pbetween platfo
ve mood (appeatrain is facing
g this period
rom FE Peas(30/- a ton) [
fication/Tend
drawing showinto have been a f
Dr
Pressure from orms. The smartars to be wearin
towards Ipswic
expenditure
sbut & Sons [possibly for
der Documen
ng the new steel
feature of railwrawing Files QS
the local residetly dressed coupng a black armbch. (Courtesy A
approved fo
Ipswich for nr Auchenflow
nt on file
l canopy to be eway station conSA)
Page 41
ents appears to ple appear to bband). It is not clan McNaughto
r a new 40’ x
new steel canwer rather tha
erected on the dstruction at the
of 79
have payed off be going on holiclear why the eon)
x 12’ waiting
nopies (sheltan Taringa]
down platform. e time (Queensl
f with the iday, the ngine
g shed
ters) on
These land Rail
St Lucia H
ad/history
Last minlocation
station
This 1
Railways fBrisbane
Feb Feb
step Mar
man‘Gar
1937
alloc
History Group
y/railways/resea
nute changes to of the improvem
n building back
1940s photografocus appears t
e rather than on
1928, total c
1928, Mr Tos (letter to th
r 1930, letter ny of the planrden Gang’ t
7, pressure bcated
arch notes
the signed Tenments. Later pl
k from the platfo
aph shows a canto have been onn return. [Appro
o
cost of platfo
odd promotinhe Editor of T
r from the Tants donated bto pay more a
builds to prov
nder Drawings flans show two sorm edge and c
(Queensla
nopy appears ton the ‘downsideoval would subs
overhead cables
orm improvem
ng installatioThe Courier)
aringa Progreby their memattention
vide awning
for the 1911 woshelter sheds soconstruction of aand Rail Drawin
o have been adde’ platforms, thesequently be sos] (State Library
ments ₤868-
on of a subwa)
ess Associatimbers. Station
on the ‘up’ p
orks at the Statio perhaps this pa new shelter ongs – QSA)
ded to the fronteir logic being tought to removery of Queenslan
-8-0
ay rather tha
ion complainn Master app
platform. Ra
Page 42
on. Obviously shase included rn the Ipswich si
t of the existing that most waitine the palms whicd)
an having to c
ning of the stapears to have
ilways resist
of 79
some confusionrelocation of thide of the overb
g station buildinng occurred onch were interfe
climb overbr
tate of garden been re-dep
t, no funding
n as to the e existing bridge..
ng. The the way to
fering with
ridge
n beds, ployed.
g
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 43 of 79
Sketch showing location for the ‘up’ platform shelter. The overbridge according to Mr Todd had 49 steps to get from one side to the other. The Station Masters house was still standing on Princess Street and there appear to be footpaths/stairs on
Railway property leading away from both sides of the station towards Swann Road (QR Correspondence Files – QSA)
Dec 1940, complaints about footpath up to Swann Road (period of heavy rain) Jun 1944, pressure still on for shelter shed. Railways can’t get the steel due to War effort May 1946, request for extra gate on ‘up’ side to make access easier for passengers rejected May 1949, Taringa Progress Association (TPA) write thanking the Railways for providing the
footpath they had requested down to Beatrice Street (Moggill Road side) Jul 1950, TPA query why is it taking so long to provide lighting for the footpath Jul 1950, expenditure for lighting footpath approved May 1952, installation of power point (kettle to make cup of tea for up to 4 staff) and light
(season ticket window) approved 1953, design underway for new overhead station (part of line quadruplication project and
preparation for electrification) 1955, public campaign about the design of new overhead station (long flights of stairs etc),
proposed subway (extent and use of stairs rather than ramps to platform) and staging of works (removal of ticket office, Station Masters House etc). Local petitions and bad press
St Lucia H
ad/history
1950s Pre
Taringasubw
History Group
y/railways/resea
ess cutting showa. Access for moway improved th
arch notes
wing progress oothers with pramhe situation but
(Q
on line quadrupms, the infirm at still had stairsQueensland Ra
plication and coaged and the diss. Equitable accail Corresponde
onstruction of thsabled was the pcess remains a pence Files – QSA
Page 44
he controversiaprincipal conceproblem at manA)
of 79
al new overheadern. The inclusiny suburban sta
d station at ion of the ations
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 45 of 79
Nov 1955, Courier reports work well progressed, overhead station substantially complete and the
two extra tracks going in Dec 1955, Commissioners agree to extend Pike Avenue subway through to Beatrice Street
footpath Mar 1956, flooding problem in Mr Boyd’s property in Princess Street Jun 1956, new plans show subway extended beyond platform to pathway to Beatrice Street Jul 1956, Guards, Shunters and Conductors Association complain of roadside facilities at a
number of suburban stations incl Taringa. General Manager requests a count of traffic. July reveals only 7 cases of fruit delivered (from the Granite Belt) and handled with no difficulty. ₤193 additional Store not to proceed
Apr 1957, noted proposed subway will proceed but not the priority May 1957, confirmed subway would probably commence in June and be complete in 18 months 1957, complaint from public about gravel on station approach (whilst waiting for subway to be
completed). Local MLA is Alan Munro 33 Volga St Indooroopilly 1957, complaints from public that access from subway to platform is via stairs rather than ramps 1959, passenger suggests the installation of ticket machines on the platform (assumed to save
further walk/steps) 1959, level of platforms raised but not the permanently fixed seats, additional works approved to
rectify Jul 1959, lights installed in the subway at the request of AW Munro Mid 1960s, Col Graham (‘Cee-Gee’ Nets, 256 Moggill Road), complains of runoff onto his
property. Approval received to build drain through to Keating Street [this may or may not be the drain visible along the embankment at the carpark level of the Indooroopilly Central development – Mitre 10, Spotlight etc]
Taringa Progress Association Secretaries (correspondence Files QSA): 1930 Mr WE Whitely 1936 Mr HB Lodge Stanley Terrace (1936 Pres GA Williams ) 1936 meetings in Taringa School of Arts Jun 1944, RN Graves 1950 WJ Todd 1960 HN Wright 40 York Street Indooroopilly SW2
St Lucia H
ad/history
Swann R
There i
Railways red circle
at thisMcKel
The 1880shows h
support. Shave ap
History Group
y/railways/resea
Road Bridg
is little on File ato sort out the
es on this 1886 ps stage and onlyllar Maps (early
addre
0s duplication phow the rhs embSpecific details fpplied to most o
arch notes
e
about Swann Rtitle and dedicaplan refer to th
ly piecemeal infly 1890s) and thessed during the
project did requbankment needefor the Toowonof the bridges, t
oad Bridge (preate the diverted e original Bookformation is to hhis has proved ae duplication of
uire alterationsed cutting back ng Indooroopillythe Swann Road
arrangeme
reviously Swan’d road (then Wilk of Reference lhand. The sub-a useful guide. f the line – stam
s to some bridgeand a new foot
ly section bridged bridge, due toent. (QR Drawi
’s Road), other lliam Street, todlisting, howeverdivision Lot nuQuite a number
mp refers (QR C
es to cater for thting provided foes have not beeo the deep cuttinings – QSA)
Page 46
than the local rday Cunninghamr, the 1873 plambers seem conr of outstanding
Correspondence
he additional tror (it is assumeden located at thing, is likely to h
of 79
residents reminm Street). The n
ans have not beensistent with thg property issuee Files)
rack. The exampd) the relocatedis stage. Whilsthave been of a d
ding the numbers in en sourced e later es were
ple above d vertical t this would different
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 47 of 79
Standard understruted span bridge design provided by Alan Robinson. Whilst this shows rail over road it is likely a similar arrangement would have been used for the original timber bridge which spanned the road over the deep railway cutting at
Swann Road. The 1920s view from Taringa Station platform, with the bridge in the background (below), supports this opinion (JOL)
St Lucia H
ad/history
The works
that thaddition
end of
Plan excavat
History Group
y/railways/resea
s required for the current steel nal cutting althof the Taringa sho
and Section gention of the cuttin
then s
arch notes
the quadruplicastructure dates
ough this seemsopping strip ca
neral arrangemng was staged, fsubsequently fo
ation in the 1950s from this perio to have been an be seen bottoprimarily resid
ment for the worfirst to facilitat
or the widening
0s are anticipaod. The above g
accomplished wom left, the currdential (QR Dr
rks required forte the installatio
g down to track
ted to have beegeneral arrange
within the land arent mixed businrawings – QSA)
r the new bridgeon of new foundlevel (QSA cou
Page 48
n more compreement indicates
already owned bness area on the
e. Notes on the dations and erecrtesy Alan Robi
of 79
ehensive and it is the need to caby the Railwayse right still, it a
drawing suggeection of the newinson)
is assumed arry out s. The top appears,
est that w bridge,
St Lucia H
ad/history
Keating
Part of thline betwmarked v
blue) was time to pralso have
at th
Sep openWeetype
Earl
to fuCha
Mar Allwood
Early 192
the earseparateextendearising
History Group
y/railways/resea
g Street Brid
he early 1880s ween the river aversion of the 18 built over the Srovide bridges te to have been mhese locations. N
1919, Taringn a road connedon’s ratherewriter is in u
l 1920, Railwuture maintenains [presuma
r 1920, TSC
d Street Brid
20s (Australia Prly 1920s Keatine streets, Middled to Moggill R
g from the progrm
arch notes
dge
Drawing labelland (just before)870s original aSandy Creek cato avoid the pomade for the owNoticeable by i
ga Shire Counecting Mogr scratchy siguse so the co
ways draft annance, protecably from Ro
return execu
dge
Post Files - Natng Street is stillle and Short [no
Road, linked witressive sub-divimore direct con
led ‘Double Lin) the commence
and has subsequatchment and asossibility of floowners whose lant’s absence on t
uncil (TSC) wggill and Clargnature appeontent is a lot
n Agreement ction of asseoma Street St
uted Agreeme
tional Archives)l at the planninot clear at this sth Ferry Road aision and develonnection to the
ne Ipswich to Bement of the Swuent additions rs with Toowong
oding (by the emnd was cut in twthis drawing is
write to the Rrence Road u
ears on the let simpler to f
to allow TSCets etc. Locattation]
ent
) and 2000 (UBng stage (refer astage if a road and renamed Copment of the o1930s construc
Brisbane’ whichwann Road cuttirelative to the 1g Creek it is assmbankment becowo. Keating and
Westminster R
Railways witunder the britter as Shire follow]
C to build thion more ful
BD Refidex) roaabove) and the fwas formed un
Coonan Street. Told Stamm ‘Estacted Indooroopi
Page 49
shows a verticing. The drawin890s. The railw
sumed it was cooming a dam). Sd Allwood Streeoad Bridge (Q
th their propodge in PortioClerk, howe
he road with cly defined as
ad atlas comparfuture Allwood der the bridge]
This link may haate’ or been pailly Toll Bridge
of 79
cal section alonng appears to bway embankmenonsidered necesSome provisionets would later
QR Drawings –
osal to form on 47 [Williaever, by this
conditions ins at 4 Miles a
rison of the samd Street is shown]. Montague is ave ‘naturally’
art of the plannie.
ng the rail be an over nt (shaded ssary at the n may have be formed QSA)
and am time a
n respect and 30
me area. In n as two yet to be evolved
ing for a
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 50 of 79
May 1951, BCC put in a bid for a cellular (separate footpaths and roadway) arrangement for the
new bridge to be constructed as part of the quadruplication project Jul 1951, three options prepared for BCC consideration with advice they must pick up the tab for
anything but a standard arrangement. Noted major BCC services run under bridge Jan 1952, 1 x 40’ span agreed with Council
1952 BCC Plan showing the existing line and required diversion of the major BCC service (water or sewer ?) passing under the current bridge required due to reconstruction. By the 1950s the road under the bridge has been part bitumen sealed
although it can be seen the alignment it is still effectively ‘free form’. No photographs have yet been sourced of the original timber bridges along this section of the line, so it is assumed that until rebuilt in concrete and steel in the 1950s they were
the original 1870s timber constructions (perhaps modified as required for the 1880s duplication) (QR Correspondence Files – QSA)
Jul 1952, Railways agree to cost of diversion of main (clash with new abutment) [Check if this water or sewer – service ran possibly Taringa to Tarragindi] Mar 1958, bridge works substantially complete, minor BCC roadworks to finish off Westminster Road Bridge Apr 1950, original duplication scheme prepared [bridge at right angles to line – engineer
obviously thinking of cheapest option as with Burns Road] May 1952, bridge to get 2 footpaths Feb 1954, plans amended following discussions with BCC (alignment/levels etc) Jun1956, 17 Railways do exercise on their inputs to structure over the years, they appear to have
been maintaining the bridge since 1925 [coincidentally the original formation date of the Greater Brisbane Council, BCC, from the old Shire Councils], average annual cost ₤40
17 It became clear whilst reading the File why a bridge over the railway was not shown on the early Railway Plans, it was constructed by the Indooroopilly Divisional Board, some time in the late 1880s. The bridge would no doubt have been constructed to improve access to the land east of the line - and hence for development, this was the period of extensive land sub-division for residential purposes. The ownership issue was a delaying factor in the re-construction of this bridge
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 51 of 79
Oct 1956, commencement on reconstruction becoming critical as delay will affect the current work in the Station Yard in making it ready for the planned diversion of lines across the new bridge over the river. The new bridge had been advanced in the programme to facilitate electrification
Oct 1956, deal done with BCC, Railways to fund 2/3 of cost of reconstruction, Council 1/3.
Railways to fund platform access stairs and maintain the bridge, BCC to maintain the road Jun 1957, preliminary works commence, hold up with the gas main Jul 1957, gas main removed and old bridge ready to be demolished. Fair amount of
correspondence on rights of the various parties, original permission to install main in/on bridge (Divisional Board), questions as to whether a dedicated road etc. Railways ask BCC to get on with it
Final agreed plan for re-construction of the bridge in the 1950s included these stairs from the platforms up to the Westminster Road Bridge footpath (they don’t appear to have been in use for sometime). Plans have been announced for the
upgrading of facilities at the Station, perhaps they will come into play again (Author March 2007) [Wrong again – demolished by mid May 2007! ]
Mar 1959, review of original estimates, projected BCC share of costs have gone from ₤7,735 to
₤10,160, BCC advised (QR team instructed to add 10% to their nett costs to cover Admin and Superintendence)
Mar 1959, CE briefing memo reporting on bridge works programme and issues with Council,
advises the original bridge the property of BCC, they having inherited it from Taringa Shire Council via Taringa Divisional Board and Indooroopilly Divisional Board (who originally funded and constructed it in the late 1880s)
St Lucia H
ad/history
Nov Nov
cost 1960 Indooro
As with
couple Ladies reoffice un
Keeper’ (Ron a partappropri
Late Mid
History Group
y/railways/resea
v 1959, bridg
v 1960, final t) plus 1/3 of
0/62, discuss
oopilly Stati
Toowong it wouof years of the
econfigured. Thetil around 1911
(Receiving Offict time basis geniate remunerati
(QR
e 1870s, ₤23
d 1881, branc
arch notes
ge practically
BCC contribf own approa
sion continue
on
uld appear thatopening of the e station buildin1 when it was rces did not proverally by the owion (typically ₤1
side apparentR Corresponde
budget to im
ch line to coa
y complete ju
bution to bridach works co
es on above [
t the toilet facilline, the Gents ng included accrelocated. Mr Avide the full ranwners of local b12 pa) . What aptly in the middleence Files – QSA
mprove the st
al shoots prop
ust minor BC
dge construcsts
[and assume
lities were initias had to be reloccommodation fo
AH Rowlandsonnge of services abusinesses – raiappears to be the of what would
SA and Australi
tation toilet f
posed by L T
CC works to f
ction cost cal
d resolved at
ally planned incated away from
for the Telegrapn, the Stationmaavailable at an ilway staff often
he Station Masted later become ia Post Files – N
facilities app
Thomas
Page 52
finish off
culated, ₤9,1
t this time –
a less than desm the building aph Operators anaster, is the first‘official’ post o
n undertook theers house can bCoonan Street National Archiv
roved
of 79
141-19-4 (1/3
file closed 1
sirable way andand the entrancnd was also thet noted ‘Receivoffice, they werese roles and rebe seen on the r ves)
3 total
962]
d within a ce to the local post ing Office
re operated eceived the right hand
St Lucia H
ad/history
Jan
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Nov Dec 1890
cond
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1886, expenduplication o1886, stationate being ins
1886, approion and he ca
1886, CE ine queried graasting to do.
mmitted to da
ly 1887, corrthe South Bdoesn’t agret sure if they
g 1889, Coped at the front y operator tot 12 years, hicated
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down to the fer1870s. A pencil
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v 1889, Ferry
1889, Ferry
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arch notes
diture/plans of the line] n improvemestalled as par
oval sought toan’t collect ti
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ate
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eland Spode, of the statio
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ng showing roaom Witton who rry. There is sol sketch on file sRailways fence urving around
y Co write to
y Co seeking
dence betweoad dedicatio
for improvem
ents under wrt of upgrade
o relocate sigickets and ch
siding at statissue]. Notes 6 approval to
on provisionction [later rening being thagot the SBJ o
Clerk to Indn. IDB in coservices at Oooroopilly Fe
ad in question. Ichose to cross me question in shows the line oline), past a tima ‘humpy’ dow
Railways re
advice on ro
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ments to stat
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gnal levers, mhange signals
ion yard, hapone end near
o spend on sta
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one or any on
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of the current romber shed and wwn towards the r
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equesting the
oad so they c
s and AM Ste
tion approve
es old 3’ gate
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ppy with pror Goods Sheation/yard fa
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Divisional Boith YeerongpRoad has beny reluctant t
ays memo confiron foot (the brito whether it woad/track runniwhat appears toriver and on to
e road be form
can start their
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Page 53
d [assumed i
e sold to Mr
een operatinge time
posed levels d, final line p
acilities impro
platforms inrelocated to tuickly when t]
oard (IDB), wpilly Div Boaen in use as ato finalise de
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med as their
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Clerk to IDB
of 79
in connection
Wilson for 1
g as a one ma
s [local officipacking and
rovements, on
ncluding sugthe ‘up’ platthey get off
writes regardard negotiatia thoroughfa
eal until road
nd is used for pmarked a fare sn the land was rn Road across ce to the stationarf (QR Corresp
ferry plant i
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15/-, new
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St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 54 of 79
Jul 1890, deal done, Railways commit ½ chain of their land, IDB confirm Mr HC Love (Mr Todd acts on his behalf) will release the other ½ chain from his land. Approval given to dedicate the road
This 1890 sketch is the first on file indicating Westminster Road, suggesting that it had only recently been formed as the connection of Station Road to the new bridge over the railway. The Railway files suggest construction of the bridge may
have commenced in late 1886, completion date unknown (QR Correspondence Files)
Mar 1891, Mr Justin Fox Greenlaw Foxton, on behalf of the Indooroopilly Ferry Co, offers ₤10
for the house opposite the station (occupied by Ganger Lenihan). Railways agree to sell subject to Ferry Co making their own arrangements to remove it
1891, correspondence with Ferry Co on file (Co Sec Mr S Larand, Courier Buildings) re ground
rent on Ferryman’s cottage at Oxley Point, they think 1/- per week is too high. Railways get heavy [assume it was resolved satisfactorily – could this have been the relocated house ?]
1893/98, sometime during period expenditure approved on Station Masters cottage and Station
MU [?] 1898/1901, sometime during period expenditure approved to alter/extend SM House
General arrangement plan for the 1920s improvements at Indooroopilly Station. The station appears to have already had a
passenger overbridge added and a waiting shed on the ‘up’ platform. Fencing is now shown on the Lambert Road side of the station, no doubt reflecting increased patronage from residents on this side of the track. The Station Masters house is still shown on plan and appears to resist road improvements along the front of the station until Quadruplication in the 1950s
(QR Drawings – QSA)
St Lucia H
ad/history
(Poor phconcrete
(with
The 195Station a
Roma(comparPerhaps
bridge ovconstru
History Group
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hotograph of thsections. The ptoilets off). Stil
reflected
50s Quadruplicaand the station
a Street and Cored with the curs there was a sever the river, whuction of the und
arch notes
e) Street Elevatplan shows threell no place for ththe skills shorta
ation including yard. This planrinda. It appearrent two islanderious Value Mhich, whilst emiderpass has not
Road side in
tion of the new e main ‘rooms’he Gents underage following th
an additional rn extract is fromrs to be a prelim
d platforms) andManagement exe
inently functiont been ascertainclude the Hotel
(QR
station building’, Booking Officr the main roof.the end of the F
rail bridge overm an undated seminary design ad these stopping
ercise when the nal, lacks some ned at this stagel, Picture TheatR Drawings – Q
g which was dece, general Wai The use of off s
First World War
r the river meanet of 16 drawingas it shows a stag considerably estimates cameof the elegancee. 2007 Survivitre and the old
QSA)
Page 55
esigned to be coiting Area and tsite fabricationr (QR Drawing
nt wholesale chgs covering theation configurashort of the We
e in (this may hae of the 1890s veng businesses/bPolice House
of 79
onstructed fromthe Ladies Wait
n techniques mangs – QSA)
hanges for Indoe work requiredation with 3 plaestminster Streeave extended to
version). The timbuildings on the
pre-cast ting Room
ay have
oroopilly d between tforms
et Bridge. o the new ming of the e Station
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 56 of 79
Indooroopilly Station re-construction as part of the duplication works (From the Australian Railway History Society publication Brisbane Railway Centenary, Kerr and Armstrong)
Below a similar view of the new platform shelters constructed during 2008. The roof has taken on a much more complex form both to build and maintain (perhaps some judicious value engineering could have released funds to improve access at
Taringa)
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 57 of 79
Strong primary colours are a feature of the re-built Indooroopilly Station the colours being reflected in the artwork on the Coonan Street retaining wall
St Lucia H
ad/history
Albert S
AlbePasse
timetabChelmer
Not stri
crossing iclosure ofsafety poin
History Group
y/railways/resea
Siding/Oxley
ert Siding was tengers had to dbles allowed 22r and then Grac
ctly part of the in the area. Thif the level crossnt of view and n
arch notes
y Point
the temporary sdisembark, catch2 minutes for thceville were add
section of the lis proposal wassing at Oxley Pno doubt from a
dissimilar t
topping place ph the ferry and is transfer. Lat
ded as the area B
ine under consis to provide an oint. The Railwan economic onto this general
provided at Oxlcontinue their j
ter timetables shwas developed
Brisbane Courie
ideration this 1alternative acc
ways Chief Engine (assuming thl arrangement (
ley Point pendinjourney from Inhow only Indoo
d and demand iner)
880s sketch on cess to the ferry ineer had seriouey were manne
(QR Correspond
Page 58
ng completion ondooroopilly Staoroopilly and Oxncreased. (Pictu
file confirmed reserve, follow
us concerns abod). The currentdence Files)
of 79
of the Albert Brtation. The adve
Oxley West (Sherure Queensland
the location of wing complaintsout level crossit road configura
ridge. ertised rwood). d and The
f the level s about the ngs from a ation is not
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 59 of 79
The Albert Bridge Jun 1875, Chief Engineer confirms Oxley Bridge estimate ₤49,950, piers designed to carry 3
times likely load Aug 1875, Archibald Brothers propose coal shoots at Oxley Point. CE inspects and provides
estimate of ₤1,500, however, thinks may be short term and is not enthusiastic Sep 1875, bridge construction going ok, cylinders of downstream piers now at rock level having
passed through 20’ of sand and gravel. 2 girders nearing completion on the southern span. Comments on ‘caisson’ rather than diving as a method to construct piers
Sep 1875, CE in correspondence with Robinson Saunders (UK Engineers ?) advises them that
Arthur Macalister about to leave for England. He is keen on public works so it may be worth them contacting him
1890 photograph of the arched centre span of the original Albert Railway Bridge (BCC Brisbane Images BCC-B54-A522)
Chief Engineer’s Report on the Bridge Collapse 1 Mar 1893, Chief Engineer Henry C Stanley provides (a hurriedly prepared) comparative
estimate for alternative designs for a replacement bridge, one with new materials, one re-using recovered parts of the existing structure. Both feature less piers. Options to be reviewed on receipt of fuller advice following inspection of the wreckage and river bed. Similar costs, Stanley leaning towards new materials
6 Mar 1893, Stanley presents a new design with only one central pier. His estimate is
considerably cheaper than the previous designs. He notes he has allowed for a wider bridge to allow for the adoption of the amended standard gauge
18 Mar 1893, Stanley provides a formal report on the collapse of the bridge which occurred on the
5th and 18th February (final two northern spans)
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 60 of 79
The following diagrams (by the author) illustrate the events as reported by Stanley.
The Chief Engineer describes the original structure as comprising 8 spans, the mid channel being 160’ with iron lattice
girders of the hogs-back type, the remainder parallel lattice type. The seven number piers comprised two cast iron cylinders each connected by wrought iron struts, filled with concrete to the 1864 flood level (30’ below the underside of the girders).
By Saturday morning 4th February the flood waters had risen to within 15 feet of the girders and Stanley ordered that a train of loaded trucks be placed on the down line (up-stream side) and that the expansion joint rollers be wedged in an attempt to
reduce oscillation. This was the same procedure as implemented in the 1890 flood which had reached a similar level.
The water continued to rise (eventually to within 21’’ of the bottom girders) and during the day pier No 2 from the southside deflected down stream. During the night this was compounded by the collapse of Pier No 3, allegedly by the combined shock
it sustained from the ferry punt and a large house being swept downstream. The lattice girder above survived the night.
By early Sunday morning another pier and the truss above had been swept away and at midday the centre span and its
southern supporting pier (and the train of wagons) twisted down stream and collapsed (the debris eventually rested on the river bed 200 to 240 feet downstream). The remaining two northern piers were swept away by the second major flood during
the night of 18th February.
Stanley puts the failure down to the enormous scour of the river bed undermining the piers, the increase on pressure on the structure caused by the depth of water (well beyond anticipated in the original design), speed of current (estimated at 8 to 9
miles an hour) and concussions arising from debris brought down by the flood waters. He recommends a replacement bridge of two spans on a central masonry pier founded on a caisson. The bridge to be 3’-6” higher, the steel plate to be ordered
from England without delay and the girders manufactured locally.
St Lucia H
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bert Bridge M
893 floods swepoods caused wit on rail traffic. d the impact on
Mar 1893, Cogn including
1893, Mr Joert Bridges. Hgirders 30’)
ar of the 1890me 95’ above
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Page 61
d the Victoria Bhe Indooroopillyned by this stag
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St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 62 of 79
Aug 1893, National Mortgage Agency (483 Collins Street) deposit ₤3,310 Bond on behalf of
McCormick Aug 1893, months expenditure on bridge ₤1,326-7-6 Sep 1893, Premiers approval requested to undertake finishing work on certain steel plates in
England [local depression at the time, must have been Gov’t edict to use local labour] Sep 1893, 2 extra copies of the bridge specification forwarded to The Agent General, Qld Gov’t
Office, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, London SW – Charles S Dicken Sec Oct 1893, the punts Dora and Ogilvie being used on the reconstruction Nov 1893, Mr Thistlethwayte takes over as Assistant Engineer from Mr Keir [assumed on-site
supervisor] Feb 1894, Mr McVinish engaged as inspector of Ironwork at ₤4 per week, decided not to extend
Mr Shuttleworth Apr 1894, old girders from original bridge taken into Store (₤1,184 worth), Stanley notes
probably ok for single line but not double May 1894, Customs agree that the imported stiffening/web plates, cut to rough shape but not
machined, will be duty free May 1894, stonework on north bank abutment built too high, knocked down and rebuilt Jul 1894, Commissioner agrees to regrade the Indooroopilly approach track (₤2,000 extra) –
bridge is higher than old one Jul 1894, Stanley recommends CJ McVinish receive allowance for night working (contractors
commenced 21 May and continued at least until the end of June) Aug 1894, General Storekeeper (South Brisbane Wharf) has a look at the remaining timbers from
the old bridge, suggests will make good firewood. Agree that the timber be handed to local District Engineer for their use
Oct 1894, Department buys 4 muck wagons to assist/speed up the filling on the Chelmer side Nov 1894, payments to McCormick suspended [running behind programme ?] Nov 1894, Agent General’s Engineer comments on specification, never heard of steel or iron
requiring subsequent machining being painted before despatch from ‘home’. Suggests a dull red appearance is not necessarily rust
Feb 1895, Stanley reviews McCormick Extension of Time Claim, agrees with additional time
taken arising from additional rock encountered in sinking caissons but not the delay arising from the difficulty obtaining the caisson plates brought about by the coal strike (this may have been on the grounds of a technicality related to notice period)
Feb 1895, Resident Engineer authorised to continue issuing Certificates even though the contract
period expired (pier sinking difficulty acknowledged) Jul 1895, Sunday working (3 No) approved
St Lucia H
ad/history
Aug Dec
₤3,9
Albert Bwith theroad an
The fo
History Group
y/railways/resea
g 1895, plates
1895, final 900 (39 week
Bridge Mark 2 ne opening of thend relatively re
ollowing are pro
arch notes
s arrive from
cost anticipaks @ ₤100pw
not long after oe Indooroopilly ecently complete
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m England, un
ated to be ₤63w), 12 weeks
opening. Forty yToll Bridge in 1ed dedicated cy
floods (Sta
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noiled and sh
3,700. Projecs EOT allowe
years would ela1936. Four bridycle/pedestrianate Library of Q
onstruction of tre available on P
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ct was 51 weed for caisso
apse before the dges now run in
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Page 63
s of oxidation
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river had a roan parallel at thioad and rail brid
are sourced fromsland.
of 79
on
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ad crossing at tis location, twodges survived t
om the State Lib
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the 1974
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St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 64 of 79
Views of the remaining southern structure (above probably from the northern section before it collapsed during the second
flood). The slippage/shearing of the girders mentioned in Stanley’s report is evident in the photograph below.
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 65 of 79
The remaining structure on the Oxley Point side of the river was supplemented by temporary timber supports to act as a working platform for the bridge re-construction.
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 66 of 79
Progress on the caisson shell fabricated from plates attached to an internal framework. The caisson appears to have been constructed on the north bank adjacent to what appears to be main workshops for the project.
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 67 of 79
How the caisson was manoeuvred into the water and across to the southern bank is unclear.
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 68 of 79
This photograph shows that the caisson has been floated out into position ready for sinking. The shell is secured against the current with a timber yolk and piers driven into the river bed. Tighnabruaich, HC Stanley’s residence designed by his
brother Colonial Architect FDG Stanley, can be seen in the background overlooking the river. Handy place for the Railways Chief Engineer to live and keep an eye on progress.
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 69 of 79
Divers at work on the sinking of the caisson. Construction using a compressed air shield to reduce water ingress at the bottom of the caisson was a technique available by the 1890s, however, it is not clear if this methodology was employed by the contractor at Indooroopilly. Full diving suits suggest that this was an open caisson with the men working partly or fully
submerged, the combination of excavation and surcharge on the frame slowly dropping the shell into the river bed to foundation level. The shell would then have been filled with concrete ready for the stone masons to commence the central
pier.
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 70 of 79
Concurrently erection of the southern span of the new bridge was underway using the existing bridge structure as support. The presence of the hulk anchored in the slower moving water on the inside of the river bend will become clearer later. Below the central pier has been completed allowing the completion of this span. The Neilson House can be seen in the
background to the left of the bridge
St Lucia H
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What rem
Whilst the
History Group
y/railways/resea
mained of the ore caisson constr
arch notes
riginal northernruction was aid
n abutment andded by a steam o
the abutment ap
d below the procoperated derricappear to be stri
cess of re-constck the hoisting wictly manpower
Page 71
truction (believwork for the foor.
of 79
ved to be the nootings and the a
rth bank). additions to
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 72 of 79
Smoko on the northern span ? Timber piers in the river were used to support the span until it was ready to be moved into position onto the abutment and central pier.
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 73 of 79
The hulk complete with timber framed trestle is positioned under the northern span ready for the incoming tide (ballast may
also have played an important part). A good crowd turns out to see the event.
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 74 of 79
Northern span launched into place, just the finishing touches to the structure and the track to lay and ballast. The crowd in
the photograph below dated 17 August 1895 suggests this is the first crossing of the bridge by an engine.
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 76 of 79
Railway Development in South East Queensland – Key Dates References Brunswick Street, Bowen Hills and Beyond, The Railways of the Northern Suburbs of Brisbane – John Kerr ARHS 1988 Destination South Brisbane An Illustrated History of the Southside Railways of Brisbane – John Kerr and John Armstrong ARHS 1978 [Both above courtesy Neil McMahon] Triumph of Narrow Gauge – The History of Queensland Railways John Kerr [BCC Library] Morton Bay District Surveyor’s Office – Letterbooks 1844 to1860 QSA Chief Engineers Correspondence Files - QSA Chief Engineers Fitzgibbon to July 1867, replaced by Plews (moved south from Great Northern and made overall) until 20 September 1872. Henry Charles Stanley (Resident Engineer from 1 June 1866 having transferred from NZ) took over. Stanley built Tighnabruaich in early 1890s (brother FDG Stanley was the Architect). Demoted June 1874, re-instated Sep 1875, served until 1901 Southern and Western Railway 1856, Railway surveyors sent to Moreton Bay. Original survey suggested Norman Creek as
Brisbane destination (to minimise river dredging, route however prone to flooding) Ipswich to Grandchester Bigges Camp opened 31 July 1865, contractor Petro, Brassey and Betts Ipswich > Toowoomba complete May 1867 > Dalby April 1868 > Warwick January 1871 Ipswich to Warwick and Dalby substantially complete by end of 1860s Orig S&W railway intent to load goods at Ipswich dock onto steamers and then transfer to ocean
going ships at Brisbane Suggestion export oriented squatters trying to force dredging of rivers by terminating at Ipswich 1888, completion of Railway through Wallangarra linking Colonies 1897, Stanthorpe to Border under construction Ipswich Brisbane Line Royal Commission 1871 authorised Ipswich – Brisbane however ongoing debate on
route/terminus Ipswich to Oxley approved 1872, deviation at Ipswich (avoiding North Ipswich) saved 2 miles First sod ceremony at Goodna 30 Jan 1873
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 77 of 79
North Brisbane route approved 10 Jun 1873 Opened to Oxley West (now Sherwood) 5 Oct 1874 > Oxley Point 4 Jan 1875 Brisbane > Indooroopilly opened 14 June 1875 (single line) Indooroopilly (Albert) Bridge opened 5 July 1876 (double track) Passing places for trains at Toowong, Indooroopilly, Oxley, Goodna and Redbank Ipswich to Brisbane line (90 minutes) was city connection to Dalby and Warwick (a 10 hour
journey) Influential western suburbs residents had diverted line over river at Indooroopilly rather than
running to Sth Brisbane Transport was primarily by new S&W railway into Brisbane and then by dray to ships 1880, Railway carting company had monopoly (from Station Yards) Ipswich Brisbane duplication 1884 to March 1887 South Brisbane Branch Southside rail network an offshoot of Ipswich Brisbane (Roma Street) line Coal drove consideration of other schemes incl Coronation Drive to Queens Wharf, a line down
Ann Street to Petries Bight, Roma Street to Bulimba and a line to Lower River Terrace via Woolloongabba
HC Stanley (Railways) favoured Bulimba wharf branch, Nisbet (Harbours and Rivers) Brisbane
Central Terminus with branches to Queens Wharf and the Port Office Government decided on South Brisbane, plans tabled 20 October 1880, rejected by Legislative
Council, re-submitted 1881 Line extended beyond Woolloongabba Reserve down Stanley Street to Dry Dock Adjustment to alignment (moving out of Street and closer to river) voted by council ratepayers
and adopted Opened June 1884 Short extension Stanley to Victoria Bridge opened March 1897 (for amongst others Geddes Cold
Store) South Brisbane Extension 1891, South Brisbane (Melbourne St) branch opened (twin track) 1893, Became city terminus whilst Ind Bridge rebuilt 1978, Merrivale Bridge opened connecting North and South
St Lucia History Group
ad/history/railways/research notes Page 78 of 79
Cleveland Branch Opened Nov 1889, trains terminated at Woolloongabba rather than Stanley Street Following opening of Melbourne Street, South Brisbane in Dec 1891, Stanley Street closed 1913, Belmont Shire Council fund Belmont Tramway Norman Park to Belmont South Coast Branch Yeerongpilly to Logan (September)/Beenleigh (July) opened 1885 Logan Beaudesert opened May 1888 1903 Tabragalba fund 12 mile Beaudesert Tramway B to Tabooda Junction 1903 (subsequently
extended to Massies Creek and Rathdowney) Logan to Canungra branch built 1915 (connected Lahey’s tramway system which had operated
since turn of century) Line to Southport opened January 1889 and to Nerang July 1889 Nerang to Tweed Heads (3’-6’) completed Sept 1903 Standard Gauge Link to NSW Rocklea to Border completed (temp 3’-6” gauge) 1929 Complete route Sydney to Brisbane opened Sep 1930 Lytton Standard Gauge Branch opened 1965 Sandgate Line Opened 10 May 1882, first purely passenger line Northern Suburbs Roma Street to Fortitude Valley (Yorks Hollow) contract let Aug 1887 Roma to Central opened 18 Aug 1889 Roma to Mayne opened I Nov 1890 (first line built with double track from beginning) Ascot to Pinkenba (deep water at last ) opened 1 Sep 1897 Redcliffe Pushed for railway but no success Ferry service to Brisbane commenced 1885 Frank Pieper bus service commenced 1924 Hornibrook Highway opened 4 Oct 1835
St Lucia History Group
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Northern Railway Maryborough to Gympie opened 1881 (gold discoveries) Brisbane – Gympie surveys 1874 to 1885, route decided 1885 (Brisbane missing out on the
action) Discussion on should 3’-6” be continued, McIlwraith strongly questions in Parliament (he was
Railway Engineer for Bendigo Railway), promotes 4’-8” including converting existing. Griffith wins the day and 3’-6” maintained
Line via Sandgate to Northgate then branch off north. To North Pine by 1888 > Rockhampton by 1903 > Cairns by 1924 Brisbane Trams Railways proposal Central to CBD (steam – doesn’t appear to have been used) Metropolitan Tramway and Investment Company 1885, started with horse drawn 4 wheel cars Electrified 1897