Harcourt Viaduct

[NRandall]

There is plenty to like about this structure, shot yesterday during a family visit to the area.
Not only is it built on top of compressed wool bales, as they do not rot, it is also a bit crooked by accident. The builders decided not to correct it once they discovered their error - so please don't try to straighten it in PS
Further, as it was built before Federation, the design had to be approved in England.
A very beautiful structure to my eyes any way.

[Hawthy]

That is interesting. Never realised that we built viaducts in Australia. I suppose that we must have but I always think of viaducts as being distinctly from Roman times. Blame Monty Python's Life of Brian.

[Mark L]

Woo-who, post #1002.
Particularly like #4. Won't say why,'cause that would be CC.

[feathers]

Beautiful construction. Thanks for sharing pics and info. Those gauze bushes bring back some painful tassie experiences when out fly fishing by some rivers.

[Mary Anne]

Very Nice.

[NikonNellie]

Very interesting structures and they make a great subject to photograph. We have one situated a few suburbs away - we had an AP meet their about five years ago. I must revisit it one day.

[paulheath]

Very interesting structures and they make a great subject to photograph. We have one situated a few suburbs away - we had an AP meet their about five years ago. I must revisit it one day.

would that be greystanes Nellie?

[piczzilla]

Nice shots

would that be greystanes Nellie?

There's one in Stanwell Park, which I've been wanting to visit for some time now - I might try going next month Think it will make great sunset subjects

[NikonNellie]

would that be greystanes Nellie?

Yes Paul, that's the one.

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Nice shots



There's one in Stanwell Park, which I've been wanting to visit for some time now - I might try going next month Think it will make great sunset subjects

I didn't know about that one piczilla. They also make good monochrome subjects:

_DSC9435 copy by Nellie Wajzer, on Flickr

_DSC9396_7_8_tonemapped copy 2 by Nellie Wajzer, on Flickr

Please don't comment on my images - I have just posted them to show paulheath and piczilla a couple of examples. I don't want to overtake Nicholas's thread.

[tduell]

That is interesting. Never realised that we built viaducts in Australia. I suppose that we must have but I always think of viaducts as being distinctly from Roman times. Blame Monty Python's Life of Brian.

Perhaps your thinking about aqueducts?

Cheers,
Terry

[NRandall]

It is interesting to see how English engineers impacted the Australia Landscape.

We were told that every team of builders of these in Australia added their own distinct finishing touches to the style of these projects, especially with the style of the facade and capstones.
According to the owner of the farmer across the road, who is on the local heritage council, this was influenced by the locality of origin of the various builders.

This one was built to withstand great volumes of water coming through, though in a wet winter, a one foot flow like you see here is about all this ever sees. As I mentioned wool bales were used as the foundations, also due to its excellent compression qualities.

It helps to have a daughter who is an engineer who fully understands these things.

I actually think it would be good to see more Viaduct photos added to this thread such as Nellie brought, to test the story of styles we were told about.

[NikonNellie]

Interesting information in your last post Nicholas, especially about the engineers putting their own stamp on their builds. Here is the same viaduct I posted but taken from a different view:

_DSC9419 copy by Nellie Wajzer, on Flickr

[Mark L]

Perhaps your thinking about aqueducts?

Aqueducts , what have they ever done for us.
Now has anyone been to Lithgow?

[martycon]

Thank you for this thread, a fine set of images of which the the third in particular appeals muchly. The reference to compressed wool as a material for footings is fascinating. As a civil engineer, I can think of no reason to prefer wool to concrete, unless wool was very cheap, or there were some very unusual foundation conditions. If you can spare the time, your daughter's explanation would be appreciated.
regards marty

[NRandall]

Thank you for this thread, a fine set of images of which the the third in particular appeals muchly. The reference to compressed wool as a material for footings is fascinating. As a civil engineer, I can think of no reason to prefer wool to concrete, unless wool was very cheap, or there were some very unusual foundation conditions. If you can spare the time, your daughter's explanation would be appreciated.
regards marty

Thanks Marty - My daughter passed on the information to me she heard from the resident across the road who is part of the preservation society. She included the explanation of wool's properties. The explanation is an oft quoted piece of local trivia though the reasons were never stated, other than the durable qualities of wool mentioned above. i am surmising only that wool was in very plentiful supply in those days, and it may have been a cheaper solution than concrete. I cannot find any references anywhere else where wool was used like this. I will ask my daughter when I see her next if she knows any more.

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Aqueducts , what have they ever done for us.
Now has anyone been to Lithgow?

Could be a spelling thing - are you thinking of Aqua Duck perhaps? http://www.aquaduck.com.au/

[Mark L]

Could be a spelling thing - are you thinking of Aqua Duck perhaps? http://www.aquaduck.com.au/

Not a spelling thing. Oblique reference to Monty Python.

[NRandall]

Not a spelling thing. Oblique reference to Monty Python.

The obliqueness of being a duck . . .