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The Naming of Hamley Bridge
This was to be the largest engineering projects in the colony at the time. The ironwork was designed and made in England.
Lieutenant Colonel Francis Gilbert Hamley Circa 1869 Photo - SLSA |
Lady Edith Hamley Circa 1868 Photo - SLSA |
The Railway Industry
Original Railway Bridge Circa 1872 Photo - SLSA |
In the 1870’s the narrow gauge railway system to the north had been spreading inland from Port Wakefield, tapping the agricultural districts at Bowmans, Balaklava, Halbury and Hoyleton. It was inevitable that the railways would join, and in September 1878 work commenced on the construction of a narrow gauge line from Balaklava to Hamley Bridge. In just over one year, the first narrow gauge steam train chuffed into Hamley Bridge, thus creating a break of gauge station on 17 November 1879.
Transhipping Team |
Passenger Overpass Bridge |
The railway line from Hamley Bridge to Balaklava was opened on January 15th 1880. When the narrow gauge western system commenced and Hamley Bridge became a junction as well as a break-of-gauge station, Hamley Bridge immediately took on a new importance. This was when the present stone railway station was built and the additional platforms were added. There were five in all. Two platforms were set aside for the exclusive use of the narrow-gauge trains on the Balaklava line. All traffic of the western system had to be handled at Hamley Bridge. There was a transfer shed at the junction, a boiler house and a locomotive depot. A reservoir was built next to the station to supply water to the elevated water tanks for the steam engines. A signal cabin was built at the end of the platforms. The town then rapidly became a railway town. The railways helped support the whole community with the numerous jobs that were required and the town was also supported by a fertile agricultural district. The district expanded, and in its heyday was a business centre much above average for its size. It was the home of several important industries.
By 1888, there were three daily passenger trains in each direction, passing through Hamley Bridge, here is sample of a timetable:
In 1921 the Railway’s Commissioner set out to totally rehabilitate the system, including upgrading tracks, introduction of bigger and heavier locomotives, new rolling stock and equally important the conversion of the western division from narrow to broad gauge. The original Railway Bridge was replaced in 1925 to enable these heavier locomotives. On November 8 1925 the new steel bridge was placed in service and was the highest bridge in the Southern Hemisphere for many decades. 1927 saw the removal of the break-of-gauge, and all lines were converted to the broad-gauge system. The last narrow-gauge train rolled out of the station on July 30, 1927 bound for Balaklava. The narrow-gauge rails were pulled up. With this plus with the depression, Hamley Bridge had a grievous blow.
Adelaide dep. 7.10am 2.30pm 4.45pm
Hamley Bridge arr. 9.30am 4.45pm 6.55pm
to to to
Pt
Augusta B/Hill Terowie
Hamley Bridge dep. 9.45am 10.55am 6.15pm
Adelaide arr. 11.58am 11.07pm 8.29pm
from from from
Terowie B/Hill Pt
Augusta
The Two Railway Bridges |
Enjoyed reading the articles - good selection of photos
ReplyDeleteRene (Kadina)
Enjoyed reading this - Well Done
ReplyDeleteThat was good will be looking into it further thank you for your efforts.
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