My mate, Bob Winch, has kindly lent me some photos he took in the 1960's along the Moorebank Branch as well as recent photos in 1998 on Churches Lane, Moorebank.

Well it has been sometime since my last post.

I have been concentrating on finishing my current layout before anything else.

However, I have been slowly purchasing new models that fit into the era that I intend to replicate on the new Liverpool layout. Thats the long term goal anyway.

In the meantime, I have been fortunate in having a model made of the signal box. This was done by Models 'N More, http://modelsnmore.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=137&category_id=10&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=66

In addition, I have also been fortunate in having a scale replica built of the timber road bridge that existed across the Georges River from 1894 to 1958. It is made of hardwood and balsa and measures 1.7 m long. I look foward to the day that I can place it on the layout.

Well I thought it would be a good time to present some new information.

When I intend to build this layout, I am going to re-create the 5-span McDonald Truss road bridge that existed over the Georges River. It was constructed in approx 1894 and demolished approx 1958, to make way for the New Bridge, which they renamed the road Newbridge Road, from Terminus Street Liverpool to Henry Lawson Drive Moorebank.

Here are a sample of some of the plans of the McDonald Truss Road Bridge, that I have been able to obtain from the RTA today,

It is similar in style to the bridges at Galston, Junction and McKanes, that still exist.

Here are some early photos of the bridge,

and the bridge overlooking Liverpool Railway Station,

The road bridge over the Georges River had to be replaced as it restricted traffic movement (it only allowed one way traffic) and posed a safety risk (during a flood in the 1950s it shifted).

In 1958, at Terminus Street, they demolished some houses for the New Bridge,

Here are some early photos of Terminus Street and Speed Street,

and started construction,

The New Bridge was opened on Saturday 15th March 1958 at 2.30 pm by the then Premier J Cahill,

The old bridge was then demolished and then the area reverted back to the railways. Recently, 2011/2012, it was resumed for the extension of the Southern Sydney Freight Line, http://www.ssfl.artc.com.au/

The only remnant of the old bridge was the brick abutment and that lasted until early January 2012,

If you are interested in Timber Road Bridges, the RTA, now RMS (Roads and Maritime Service), have undertaken a Timber Conservation Plan, http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects/projects/maintenance/documents/timber_truss_bridges/rta_timber_bridges_cu.pdf

Now is the time to take photos before your favourite bridge disappears.

I would like to now draw my attention to the personnel that used to work at Liverpool Railway Station.

I have been able to source from the Council publication, Liverpool 1810-1939, an extract that stated that a Mr G Mitchell worked as the SM from 1926 to 1939,

In my conversations with the then Head Shunter, Bill Leroy, who worked in Liverpool from approx 1961 to 1981, as shown below on the footplate of a 48 class,

he stated that the SM prior to taking up his position was Mr W. Grainger and that after approx 1961 was a Mr Burt Crampton (open for correction). However, from the Liverpool Leader, 27th October 1965, page 1, it states that a Mr A Krempin was the SM.

Bill had a reunion with former railwaymen some time ago and was able to provide these photos,



Gerry in uniform

  

Bill with 2 other Liverpool railwaymen



100th Birthday of former SM

In the Liverpool Leader, 26th May 1965, page 22, it states the following, 

It appears that Mr Bert Stanley's father, Mr J Stanley, worked in the Liverpool Per Way Gang with Mr J O'Grady and Mr B Smith, and that Mr J Stanley's daughters, Grace, Kate and Mary worked the Hospital  level crossing, that existed across the Up and Down Main Line.

In the Liverpool Leader, 21st Dec 1964, page 12, it states the following:

 It appears that the late Mr A Loftus was a previous SM of Liverpool as well.

I would be interested to hear from fellow railwaymen that worked in Liverpool.