WGR losing its heritage values?

[Bob Backway <b.backway@trl.telstra.com.au>]

The VR NG Walhalla line has been a fascination to me for years. I've
spent many hours walking, photographing and reading about the line. An
area of particular interest is the Stringers Creek gorge where several
bridges literally take the line along, rather than across, the creek.
These bridges were built by different contractors using different
materials and engineering styles and thus, given the engineering
challenge of that environment, provide in one place a unique piece of
Victorian railway heritage.
The WGR is in the process of receiving $1.5M of taxpayers money to
complete phase 1 of their project by taking the line over these six
bridges and into Walhalla. The money was received as a result of what
most people would see as "heritage grants" to recreate a piece of
Edwardian history.
Previously I've admired the work of the WGR. Their restoration of the
Thompson river bridge was commendable and set a standard that PBR
emulated recently. The technique was to use modern practice such as
steel & concrete for foundations and using waterproof membranes on
decking to ensure longer life and easier maintanance without degrading
the visual appearance of the bridge.
At a recent meeting however my opinion of this group changed
dramatically. It appears that they have swapped their heritage values
for those of material expediancy. They are proposing to rebuild at least
3 of the remaining bridges using steel and concrete where previously
timber was used visably. In at least one case they plan to completely
alter the design of the bridge by considerably increasing (I believe
doubling) the span length. A comment was made that "the passengers don't
even see them anyway". So much for our engineering heritage!
While one may argue that running a diesel and steel framed carraiges is
not in keeping with heritage values may I point out that these are non
permanent items. Once these bridges have been rebuilt to new designs
they will stay for ever and our heritage will be lost.
If you feel like I do write to the Walhalla Goldfields Railway, PO Box
1576, Traralgon Vic 3844, FAX (03) 9419 5230, and let them know. Perhaps
a note to the appropriate Federal and State ministers indicating the
loss of railway heritage may also be in order.

Bob Backway