Monday 6 September 2010

MYM - As the Romans did ...


The city of Sydney lies in a basin atop an underlying plateau of rock known as Hawkesbury sandstone, which is a rock much prized for its ability to be hewn and for its rich mellow colour.


Picton is a small hamlet about 8o kms south west of Sydney. It is rapidly evolving as a dormitory suburb.


With the coming of the first railway line in 1855 from Sydney to Parramatta, the head of the railways of the colony, John Witten, undertook an extensive expansion. Between 1863 and 1867 a viaduct was built over the Stonequarry River to enable expansion to the SW.


The Picton viaduct carries a double railway track. It has 5 arches, is 30m high and 84m in length. It was built using the same techniques the Romans used to build, say, the Pont du Gard in the south of France.

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A member of the Mellow Yellow Monday community.

24 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

Beautiful mellow rock, interesting history, and gorgeous blue sky in the last photo. Great work, Julie.
Kay
Alberta, Canada

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

This reminds me of some of the bridges in Tasmania. I like the second and forth photos best.

Anonymous said...

Great story of a beautiful bridge. Just as well not all arches are 30m high, so you could get some lovely detail shots into the mix.

Joan Elizabeth said...

You get about don't you. There are similar lovely viaducts at Lapstone and Clarence zig zags on the east and west escarpments of the Mountains.

Peter said...

A gem! our own pont du gard

Rinkly Rimes said...

A beautiful colour! I am transported back to the Cotswolds!

Jack said...

Marvelous photographs. Looks like the aquaducts of France (the Rhone), but with the stone of the Cotswolds. I continue to learn from your postings.

Ann said...

that's fabulous, wonderful, wonderful stone.

Anonymous said...

I never knew of this bridge. It is as impressive as the one at Lithgow.

Anonymous said...

Love the info on the rocks and the bridges are amazing!

Jim said...

This is fantastic. I've never been there.

Joanne Olivieri said...

What beautiful architecture and lush greenery. These are fabulous shots.

Bruce Caspersonn said...

Thanks, a great post.

lewi14@gmail.com said...

Really wonderful photos. I like your detailed shots very much.

Limarea said...

Such beautiful architecture! Very nice photos :)

ilovepink1078 said...

Nice architecture. Great post!

Liz said...

Fantastic shots!

Liz @ MLC

Rimkogeren said...

Thank you for your comment :-) How are some beautiful and exciting photos. The answer to your question is that a Fordson Major is a tractor.

Lesley said...

The arches are wonderful!

Melissa B. said...

Arresting photos. Bravo!

Randy said...

That is very beautiful stone and the bridge is amazing. I love the cut on stone that make up the curved edge.

Francisca said...

I've seen a number of these Roman aqueducts in southern Europe. There was one right in the town my parents lived in Provence. This is a nice one too, and your photos of it are super.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

your first photo is so clever, if you were to ask us to guess what it it. we would never have guess.

Though when I went to Brisbane, they have a wooden shape egg thing which looks like your photo. I must post it one day.

Unknown said...

Good Shots!