Countess Street Rail Bridge Abutments

As the population and significance of Brisbane grew so too did calls for a rail line between Ipswich and Brisbane. In 1871, a colonial Royal Commission investigated the feasibility of a rail connection and recommended that it proceed. The line was completed in July 1876 and the Brisbane terminus was located at Roma Street. The railway station was named ‘Brisbane’ until 1889 when Central Railway Station was opened. Thereafter it was known as Roma Street Station. 

The line crossed above Countess Street and was originally supported by a wooden bridge with two tracks that was designed, in 1880, by Frederick Giles Brown, assistant engineer to Chief Engineer’s Branch of Queensland Railways. The original bridge was unpopular, as it was so low-slung that it hindered road traffic such that “a load of hay cannot be taken” through it.1 Planning for a new Countess Street rail bridge had begun in 1880. But as rail patronage quickly increased, this, however, necessitated the duplication of the Ipswich rail line and the new bridge was incorporated into this duplication plan. Survey work for the duplication process began in 1884 and construction of new lines and bridges was completed in 1885. The first Countess Street rail bridge was replaced by a steel-girder bridge set upon brick abutments at this time.  The new bridge was larger and higher and contained four tracks instead of the original two. It was described as likely to be “the neatest bridge in Brisbane” and “a handsome and substantial structure”.1

The movement of freight via rail also increased. Another rail bridge was constructed over Countess Street circa 1895, enabling access for freight trains to an expanded goods yard at the Roma Street rail station.  This bridge is located to the south of the second Countess Street bridge and rests on brick abutments that are identical to the circa 1885 bridge.  

Both bridges have been rebuilt since their original construction to accommodate heavier train engines.  In 1959, as a result of the quadruplication of rail tracks between Corinda and Zillmere, another bridge was constructed to the north of the existing abutments. Though the rail lines and other components of the Countess Street rail bridges have changed over the years, the two southern abutments have remained largely unaltered.

1. The Brisbane Courier, 18 January 1880

2. The Brisbane Courier, 18 January 1880

3. Brisbane City Council, 1946 aerial photographs.

4. Brisbane City Council, Sewerage Map, 5 January 1915

5. Buchanan Architects, ‘Brisbane to Toowoomba’: A Report for QR, Buchanan Architects, 2002

6. Cole, John R. Shaping a City: Greater Brisbane 1925-1985. Brisbane: William Brooks Queensland. 1984

7. John Oxley Library, photographic collection.

8. Kerr, John, Brunswick Street, Bowen Hills and Beyond – the railways of the northern suburbs of Brisbane, (Brisbane: Australian Railway Historical Society, 1988)

9. Kerr, John & Armstrong, John, Brisbane Railway Centenary, Brisbane, Australian Railway Historical Society, 1976

10. www.Archivessearch.qld.gov.au/SeriesList.asp?agency_id=QA00633