Pics from the Past | Shepparton’s iconic railway footbridge

This 1888 newspaper article explains the situation, and a footbridge was proposed to improve the situation:

“Messrs Hall and Graham, MLAs, interviewed the Railway Commissioners on Wednesday, and requested that the passenger platform at Shepparton station, which is now on the side farthest away from the town, be transferred to the opposite side.

“The present position of the platform, it was urged, was found to be very inconvenient, and passengers to and from the trains were subjected to delays at the level crossing in the vicinity. The commissioners replied that to make the alteration required would involve the reconstruction of the station, and consequent waste of the money already expended thereon. It was much more convenient for tradespeople and others to have the goods sheds on the town side of the line, and as a consequence of this, they did not think they would be justified in making the desired change.

“They would see, however, that a minimum amount of inconvenience resulted in future delays at the level crossing, and if found necessary to ensure the comfort of the public, a footbridge would be erected there. It was intended to provide refreshment room accommodation at Shepparton subsequent to the opening of the Dookie line, and in providing for this, the matter of giving platform conveniences on the town side would be considered.”

(Source: Shepparton Advertiser)

The footbridge was tendered for in 1889 and subsequently built in approximately 1890. The original railway station was largely destroyed by fire in 1908, and it was replaced with the current Federation-style building in 1910.

In 1951, the footbridge was really put to the test when thousands of people flocked to the Shepparton Railway Station to see the state government’s Centenary and Jubilee Train when it toured Victoria. You can see the large crowd queuing up to check out the displays in the train carriages in the attached photo.

A few years ago, former News journalist John Lewis interviewed Bill Ludlow, who provided the photo of the old footbridge being dismantled in the 1970s.

‘Long-time Shepparton resident and railway enthusiast Bill Ludlow was given the image by photographer friend Alf Grigg. Mr Ludlow estimated the photo was taken in the 1970s. He remembered the footbridge as being a solid construction before it was demolished. ”It was dropped on to the railway tracks and then cut up,” he said. He remembered walking over the bridge in the 1950s. “When I was a kid, we lived on the east side of the station, and we walked over the bridge to get to the Terminus’ side. ”We used to drop paddy melons on the trains passing underneath.’

In 2018, Shepparton’s council proposed a new railway station pedestrian overpass and shared pathway link concept plans (see footbridge artists’ impression image). The new overpass had an estimated cost of $18.8 million, which was expected to be met by the Victorian Government. The plan highlighted the lack of connection between the station and the city and was described as the “missing link” for the station precinct. The community was shocked at the cost of the footbridge, and government funding did not eventuate.

Lost Shepparton Facebook comments:

Bob McKellar

Another good thing about that overpass for boys like me was to stand in the middle and get covered in smoke and soot. A lot more trains (during) those war years with all the troop trains heading north.

Ron Holland

I recall using the elevated position to try to drop rocks or bottles down the chimney stack of passing trains.

Bev Penney

It was well-used back in the 50s and 60s because everyone walked everywhere. When more people got cars, the footbridge wasn’t used nearly as much.

Heather Jasper

I remember it well. Used to go up there and wait for the trains to go underneath — smoke everywhere.

Jenny Bordett

Yes, I loved to go over the bridge when I was young. The Shepparton Railway Station doesn’t look the same without it.

Jeanette Doherty

The bridge was always sooty — loved to walk to the top.

Geoff Allemand is an amateur photographer and Lost Shepparton Facebook page admin. Please share your Pics from the Past at pastpics@mmg.com.au