Railway footbridge

This timber railway footbridge is thought to date from circa 1914 and provides pedestrian access over the railway line between Kitchener Road and Gordon Street, Ascot. This branch line from Eagle Junction was opened in 1882 after successful lobbying by the Brisbane Turf Club for railway access to Eagle Farm Racecourse, established in 1863. The station was initially named Racecourse, but in 1897, it was renamed Ascot Railway Station after the famous English racetrack and the line was extended to Pinkenba. The footbridge provides evidence of Queensland Railways provision of railway services in Brisbane’s suburbs in the early twentieth century with particular reference to passenger safety in an era before widespread motorcar usage.