Man, what a shot!
A steam loco probably doing the Hobart to Launceston milk-run – from the south of Tasmania to its north – blasts its way over the Longford Viaduct circa 1930. Points for the train and car make/model/year folks?
The challenge of course was then to come up with a monochrome photograph of a racing car from exactly the same angle.
This one of Stan Jones’ Maserati 250F is the best I can do. It’s during a good meeting for Stan, he won the Australian Grand Prix that March 1959 Labour Day long-weekend. See here; Stan Jones, AGP, Longford: Gold Star Series 1959… | primotipo…
Credits…
Ron Edgerton Collection. As to the first shot, the fella who posted it on Facebook disappeared with his shot as quickly as he arrived. Happy to attribute whoever you are/were.
Tailpiece…
Longford’s Viaduct and Railway Bridge close by to it are popular places for train-spotters.
The lattice-truss, wrought iron and steel bridge which spans the South Esk River was the equal longest bridge in Australia for a decade or so after the Welsh built structure was commissioned in 1870.
Those lovely pillars were removed during the 1960s – where were the Builders Labourers Federation when you needed them – there is a gofundme.com program to raise the $A80k required to replace the four pillars, two at each end of the bridge, an important bit of our industrial heritage.
More trains, planes and automobiles; Context and progress: Trains, planes and racing cars… | primotipo…
Finito…
primotipo... 
You knew that you’d provoke me to go and look it up, didn’t you !
Tasmanian Government Railways A class 4-4-0, I believe.
Built by Beyer Peacock of Manchester.
Cheers
Lynton Hemer
Come in spinner…
It was just a question of whether you or Big Bad Brucie Williams got in first!
You get the Coopers Red. Thanks Lynton.
Isn’t it a cracker of a shot tho?
The bloke posted it in response to something else I popped up, when I returned a couple of days later to get his name he was gone. Shame, coz he may have some more.
Quite why they thought it a good idea to remove the bridge pillars who knows.
What’s ‘cookin, when are you heading this way again?
m
It appears that a rail movement of Hydro electric power station equipment was too wide and the pillars were removed and not replaced.
Perhaps typical of the ‘get out of our way’ engineering and political philosophies of 1967.
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6748815/uniting-function-and-beauty-forged-a-new-industrial-aesthetic/
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/7129866/bid-to-reinstate-longford-rail-bridge-pillars/
It’s nice to see that their restoration has at least been planned, even though the proposed replacements would be ‘composite material’ and ‘cosmetic’ rather than ‘cast-iron’ structural elements.
From modern photos that I’ve seen there are several head ties across the trusses which will likely remain, so the bridge will be different in appearance, like the race circuit that surrounds it and inspires our pilgrimages.
We’re due for a trip over your way soon, but just when…..?
Lynton
A rail movement of Hydro electric turbines was too wide for the bridge so they took them down, and didn’t bother putting them back.
Obviously thought it might happen again.
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6748815/uniting-function-and-beauty-forged-a-new-industrial-aesthetic/
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/7129866/bid-to-reinstate-longford-rail-bridge-pillars/
Nice to see they may be replicated.
Our trips over your way…..not sure when…..
Cheers
Lynton
I see your geekiness and from here in London I raise you: Wouldn’t the train be headed for Deloraine/Devonport, having branched off the Hobart to Launceston line at Western Junction?
Hi Alec,
Yes, you’ve trumped me, and you are probably right!
By the way…I thoroughly enjoyed the branch line from Maidenhead to Bourne End, even tho The Marlow Donkey motors only 7 miles or so, it’s quite evocative through green countryside and over the Thames at the end. My kinda commute!
Mark
Not a bad part of England at all there Mark – just a pity the Bourne End to High Wycombe link is no more.
Fair enough,
Let’s blame it all on Electric Eric!
It is a shame the local train operator don’t run a steam train, say, once a month from south to north or vicci-verka, I imagine plenty of tourists, even those who aren’t train enthusiasts like me would enjoy that trip.
Mark