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Emerald Museum & Nobelius Heritage Park
From the collection of Emerald Museum & Nobelius Heritage Park
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Postcard, Rose Stereograph Company, Train Crossing the Horseshoe Bridge, Early-mid 20th century

  • A photocopy of a black and white postcard of a steam train crossing a curving wooden trestle bridge.

    Train Crossing the Horseshoe Bridge Obverse

  • The mostly blank reverse of a printed photograph, with a handwritten accession number in the bottom right.

    Train Crossing the Horseshoe Bridge Reverse

  • A photocopy of a black and white postcard of a steam train crossing a curving wooden trestle bridge.
  • The mostly blank reverse of a printed photograph, with a handwritten accession number in the bottom right.

Historical information

The 'Horseshoe Bridge' is possibly the most famous bridge on Puffing Billy's route. Built crossing the Monbulk Creek in Selby in 1899, it was a difficult engineering project due to the required curve. It remained in use through the line's main operation, before undergoing extensive repairs in the 1980s in preparation for the tourist line's extension to Gembrook. It is unclear precisely when this photograph was taken, with speculation ranging from 1920 to 1950.

Significance

The Horseshoe Bridge is an iconic symbol of the region's historical railways; this photograph of it in original operation is a valuable record of its history.

Physical description

This item is a printed photocopy of a Rose Series postcard. It includes a black and white picture of a steam train crossing a curving wooden trestle bridge, pulling seemingly six or seven carriages. The bridge crosses a valley, with forested hills rising on either side. A power or telegraph line runs through the valley. There is a printed caption and series number below the photograph. The reverse is blank besides an accession number written in the bottom-right.

Inscriptions & markings

Lower left corner: "THE ROSE SERIES P. 343"
Lower edge, centre: "TRAIN CROSSING THE HORSESHOE BRIDGE."

Subjects

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