Historical information

The iron bridge was completed in 1878 and was used by the Deniliquin and Moama Railway company for goods trains only - it was another year before passengers were included in the transport service. On 4 March 1879 citizens of Echuca and Moama stormed the bridge, opened the gates and declared it open for their use.

Significance

At the turn of the century the railway line carried produce from southern New South Wales & the Riverina to Melbourne, with goods trains being a very important mode to transport. When the bridge was being constructed, six workmen were killed and another maimed when a pile on the Moama bank collapsed. After the storming of the bridge by local people in March 1879 it was declared open for use of local residents traveling between the towns of Echuca and Moama. The bridge was shared by rail, road and pedestrian traffic.

Physical description

An image of the iron bridge at Echuca, taken looking East from Victoria bank.

Inscriptions & markings

Verso: "Iron bridge"