Sydney Central Railway Station - Sculpture of John Whitton considered to be the Father of the New South Wales Railways. New South Wales

            Father of the NSW Railways
John Whitton 1819 –1898
Engineer – In – Chief 1857 – 1890
John Whitton, an Englishman who emigrated to Sydney in 1856, is acknowledged as the “Father of the New South Wales Railways”.
His foresight and uncompromising will overcame opponents who proposed narrow gauge horse-drawn trains on wooden rails.
Whitton, Engineer-in-Chief from 1857 to 1890, insisted on adopting the standard rail gauge of 4ft 8½in (1435mm) using steam trains on heavy steel rails. This set a high standard of construction  which formed the basis of our present railways.
When Whitton was first appointed to plan rail routes and to supervise construction, only 37km (23miles) of track was open to traffic, with 27km (17 miles) under construction. When he retired 33 years later, 3,538km (2,199 miles) of track was in use.
He took rail to the Victorian and Queensland borders and saw it open up the State’s hinterland. In crossing the extremely difficult terrain of the Blue Mountains he designed two zig-zags and an array of deep cuttings and tunnels.
Rail extensions to country centres crossed flood plains on long timber viaducts and spanned main rivers with iron lattice truss bridges designed by this brilliant engineer. 
Whitton had the unenviable task and responsibility of deciding the routes of lines and controlling huge expenditure. He was often subjected to great pressure in turbulent political times, but his honour, integrity and competence were fully confirmed by the Bridge Inquiry of 1884–86.
Whitton retired in 1890 and suffered broken health and a constant feeling of unappreciated service until his death in 1898. His grave is in St Thomas’ Cemetery, North Sydney.

The state of New South Wales owes much to John Whitton for the successful foundation of the Railways which ensured the progressive development of the Premier State.

*Map above the bust of John Whitton shows the extensive rail network built under his direction.

   

Taken on: May 9, 2013

Tags:

Sydney

Central

Station

John Whitton

Engineer in Chief

standard

rail

gauge

clock

tower

sculpture « less

Sets appears in: • Northern New South Wales April - May 2013 • Rail - train & tram QLD, WA, VIC, NSW more » • Public Sculpture/Art « less

Groups appears in: • Australian Images • visit the world - the travel guide more » • Travel Photography • Please don't break the only rule. No rules here! • Total Photography (No AI or SL) • ANYTHING ALLOWED!!!!!! • Trove: Australia in Pictures • Views: 400 • Art in Public Spaces - 3 per day • Flickr Australia • The Flikr Group • I bring my camera everywhere (no 30/60 limit) • "Unlimited Photos: No Rules" (NO AI, CGI or SL images) • The Best of Australia and New Zealand • Official National Geographic Group • FlickrCentral With No Posting Limit • Old Buildings, structures whatever... • Only Amateur Photographers • Show All Your Photos From Around The World. NO SL/AI • Group for all users of FLICKR - No 30/60 Groups Limit • THE PHOTO OF ALL DAYS. LA FOTO DE TODOS LOS DIAS. • Flickr Worldwide. • Railway (Train) Stations of Australia and New Zealand • Travels With My Camera - Australia • No limit - No 30/60 • Flickr Photo Album Unlimited & Instant Posting • NSW (New South Wales) Unlimited • Photography at its best ... all welcome • PLACE TO VISIT. AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. • 100 YEARS & OLDER • Flickr Australia Unlimited (No 30/60 restriction) • Post Anything You Like. No 30/60 • RAILWAY STATIONS WORLDWIDE • All Your Photos and Mine (No 30/60 limit - Photos from anywhere) • Flickr New South Wales (No 30/60 limit) • "Flickr Foto Share" • A group for all type of photos but no porn (No 30 • Anything Australia - Unlimited (No 30/60 restriction) • Photographers of Australia • Our Life IS Photos • Flat Out Flickr • Free from Flickr 30/60 • S. E. Australia (No 30/60 Limit) « less

Camera: Olympus SP560UZ, f/2.8, 1/30 sec, 4.7mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Olympus SP560UZ
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.033 sec (1/30)
Focal Length:	4.7mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Creative (Slow speed)
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop 22.5 (Windows)
Show full info

Stats: 763 views

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: