Two towering replica columns now stand at Longford’s 1871 rail bridge, returning the landmark to its Victorian-era glory for the first time in 60 years.
The six-metre iron-style pillars were installed over the weekend, capping a six-year community campaign to undo a decision that stripped the bridge of its character.
The original cast-iron columns were removed in the 1960s to make way for wider freight loads.
The new columns weigh approximately one tonne each and feature internal steel frames to meet modern safety standards.
Penguin Composites fabricated the pillars using custom moulds designed to replicate the Victorian design.
The company will retain the moulds in case future funding allows restoration of the bridge’s opposite end, where two more original pillars were also removed.
TasRail completed the steel reinforcement, inserting frames through precision-cut openings and securing them on large steel plates.
Crews used cranes from the park side of the bridge to lift the pillars into position over the weekend.
An official opening ceremony is expected later this month.
