Here is the horseshoe bridge in all its glory before Perth Station was roofed over:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/7292244-3x2-940x627.jpg http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/7292244-3x2-940x627.jpg
https://bullsroar.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/horseshoe-bridge.jpg https://bullsroar.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/horseshoe-bridge.jpg
In those days the platform ran through under the bridge. Now there are more platforms and they are to the east of the bridge and the lines are "undergrounded" to the west. I understand that there is future provision to extend the Armadale line track west of the bridge(?).
Photos of trams on or near the bridge are hard to find:
http://tdu.to/i/11675?size=d http://tdu.to/i/11675?size=d
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/HorseshoeBridge.jpg/220px-HorseshoeBridge.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/HorseshoeBridge.jpg/220px-HorseshoeBridge.jpg
In those times, there was access to the train platforms from the bridge but this has been cut off, presumably to minimise the number of access points that have to be staffed for revenue protection. There is now a stop for the Blue CAT up there but you have to then walk down the ramp to Wellington St to get into the station. There is a handy door apparently for staff though in the western end of the station building that is visible in all photos, old and new (the arched doorway in the brick building):
http://john.curtin.edu.au/diary/editor/pics/Horseshoe%20Bridge%201919.jpg http://john.curtin.edu.au/diary/editor/pics/Horseshoe%20Bridge%201919.jpg
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/116884564.jpg http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/116884564.jpg
So near yet so far:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/CAT_bus_on_Horseshoe_Bridge%2C_Perth.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/CAT_bus_on_Horseshoe_Bridge%2C_Perth.jpg
http://www.showbus.com/australia/A/Acatcamou.JPG http://www.showbus.com/australia/A/Acatcamou.JPG
Here is Perth Station today, all clean and neat as a pin in typical WA style - the footbridge that appears to connect to the horseshoe bridge actually doesn't :
http://c8.alamy.com/comp/APTBJM/two-2-car-transperth-emu-railcar-class-238-in-perth-railway-station-APTBJM.jpg http://c8.alamy.com/comp/APTBJM/two-2-car-transperth-emu-railcar-class-238-in-perth-railway-station-APTBJM.jpg
http://www.spiritland.net/galleries/Wallpaper-2000x1500/PerthTrainStation-WA.jpg http://www.spiritland.net/galleries/Wallpaper-2000x1500/PerthTrainStation-WA.jpg
http://feature.thewest.com.au/nowandthen/images/wellington-then.jpg http://feature.thewest.com.au/nowandthen/images/wellington-then.jpg
http://feature.thewest.com.au/nowandthen/images/wellington-now.jpg http://feature.thewest.com.au/nowandthen/images/wellington-now.jpg
Tony P
---InTramsDownUnder@..., <frerrick@...> wrote :
Hi all,
Since the trams were taken from Perth, and the replacement trolleybuses also taken, the bridge has been declared "Heritage".
The PTA are using several of the original rooms under the bridge (on both sides of the lines) as offices for various functions.
When the modifications were being done, care had to be taken NOT to interfere with the brick work pillars (piers) and supports for the steel work of the bridge.
Hence any partitioning had to be made to fit the profile of the bridge supports, and fit the underside of the steel supports and girders and so on.
This is so that at some time in the future, if PTA ever vacate the area, the bridge can be put back to its original condition.
As an aside, the angle of the slope between pillars is three (3) brick courses until the level road at the top or William St on either side is reached.
The spacing between pillars/piers is approx. 3.5 metres where the offices are located.
The maths lot can work out the angle as a result.
The shape and angle of the climb on each end of the bridge was done to obtain the necessary clearances over the railway lines which passed through the station, and also to permit the horse drawn carts to climb the approaches and descend the other side.
I will be working there Sunday so will try and get accurate dimensions of the piers and distances between in the area at which I will be.
Incidentally, the Horseshoe bridge and the Barrack St Bridge (as well as the Mt Lawley subway, West Perth subway on Sutherland St AND the East Perth Power House, along with many other structures) were built by the WAGR --- very versatile people in those halcyon days of Perth.
The Horseshoe Bridge was also designed and built for passing over future standard gauge tracks from Kalgoorlie and was opened for traffic in 1904, although trams didn't get to use the bridge until 1921.
Bob in Perth