A single railway track was opened through Auburn in 1855, and the line was duplicated in 1856. The original Auburn railway station was opened at this location in 1876. Nothing is known of the original buildings but they were replaced with a standard, second class set featuring a substantial main brick station building, approved by George Cowdery, Engineer for Existing Lines, in 1886.[1]
In 1909 the NSWGR approved the demolition of the two original side platforms (slightly staggered) and they were replaced between 1909 and 1913 with an island platform and a standard Federation style building. There were 2 subways provided under the platform, with a ticket booking office on the platform between them, and an on-platform parcels office is shown in a 1938 plan. Plans also show a goods lift was installed on the platform c.1950.[1]
With the 1954 quadruplication of the line, the station was almost completely rebuilt, at which time the former c.1913 platform building was demolished and a new simple canopy structure built. A second island platform was also built which featured simple steel canopies with small control rooms. Access to the platforms was provided by subway.[1]
Improvements to the station were undertaken during the late 1980s and the 1954 station has been almost completely rebuilt.[1]
The present signal box was opened on 20 June 1954 to assist in the management of traffic between Auburn and Granville when the number of main line tracks was being increased from three to five. Specifically, the signal box controlled access to Clyde down and up yards. It was one part of a much larger scheme to increase the tracks to four main lines between Lidcombe and St Marys during World War II in order to provide maximum track capacity to the American ammunition and general store built at Ropes Creek. It took over 32 years until all aspects of the quadruplication were completed between Westmead and Blacktown. Quadruplication reached St Marys in 1978, while the Granville to Westmead section was finally completed in 1986.[1]
When opened in 1954, the Auburn Signal Box was the first of four Functionalist style boxes between Auburn and Blacktown, these being Auburn, Clyde, Granville and Blacktown. The style was only used from Auburn to Granville as the railway system was largely in place by this time. These boxes represented the last time when conventional, elevated signal boxes were built utilising the traditional model of a ground floor relay room and an upper level where the interlocking frame was operated. A subsequent design of elevated boxes was used in the 1960s but these did not accord to the classic, two-level design with a rectangular footprint.[1]
Air conditioning was installed in the signal box upper level in 1981. Some of the signal box window frames were removed and replaced with modern materials and the brick relay room annex was added to the signal box c.1985.[1]
Description
Auburn signal box is an "S" type post war version of the elevated power boxes. Others of this type are Clyde, Granville and Blacktown. The signal box operates by relay interlocking machines and features 90 Kellogg Keys levers.[1]
Constructed of polychromatic face brick, it is a two-storey electric power signal box with a single storey relay wing and designed in the Functionalist style. The massing reflects a dominant entrance/ amenities tower contrasting with curved walls of the signal box. Windows are shaded by a cantilevered concrete awning. Upper level ribbon windows are timber framed, as are doors, however the ground floor signal room windows have been replaced with aluminium fixed or double hung types. The flat roof is concealed behind the brick parapet.[1]
Internally, a two-flight staircase leads to the operating (or upper level) signal room that contains the original toggle switch control panel, desk and illuminated wall diagram (paper based, dated 3/6/52). Staff toilet facilities are on the first floor. The ground floor relay room still operates with some original equipment such as the main control panel. A brick single storey relay room annex with flat metal tray roof has been added to the east end. Original doors, and wall and ceiling linings are also evident.[1]
The only moveable items observed were the original desks and equipment.[1]
The signal box was reported to be in good condition both externally and internally as at 10 October 2010. The building is almost completely intact.[1]
Heritage listing
Auburn railway signal box is significant as the first of a series of four elevated power signal boxes needed for track amplification works from Auburn to Blacktown during the 1950s, designed as a cohesive group in a post-World War II period functionalist style. The signal box is a good example of this last group of signal boxes to be built to a standard railway design in NSW and it remains in operation in 2009. It has a high degree of intactness and retains its original operational equipment including the CTC panel, desk and illuminated panel.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.
The Auburn signal box is of historical significance as the oldest building remaining in the Auburn railway precinct. It is further significant as the first of four signal boxes constructed in 1954 to assist traffic management between Auburn and Granville when the number of main lines was increased from three to five as part of the rebuilding of the Main Western line after 1948.[1]
The place has a strong or special association with a person, or group of persons, of importance of cultural or natural history of New South Wales's history.
The signal relays are reported to be made by well known international signalling firm McKenzie & Holland who began supplying interlocking machines and signalling equipment to the NSW Railways in 1881 and continued until 1927.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.
The signal box is aesthetically a good example of post World War II period functionalist style railway architecture demonstrating key elements of the style including brick banding, ribbon windows and curved cantilevered awnings.[1]
The Signal Box has technical significance as it retains much of its original equipment including its original toggle switch control panel, desk and illuminated wall diagram and some original equipment in the downstairs relay room.[1]
The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.
The place has the potential to contribute to the local community's sense of place and can provide a connection to the local community's history.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales.
The signal box is representative of the four signal boxes built between Auburn and Blacktown after World War II in the functionalist style, the others being Granville, Clyde and Blacktown.[1]
Cronulla railway station is the heritage-listed terminus railway station on the Cronulla line in the Sydney suburb of Cronulla, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the NSW Department of Railways during 1939. It is also known as Cronulla Railway Station group. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Homebush railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Suburban line in Homebush in the Municipality of Strathfield local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the New South Wales Government Railways and opened on 26 September 1855. In addition to being located on the Main Suburban line, the station is also located on the Main South and Main Western railway lines. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Strathfield railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Suburban line in the Sydney suburb of Strathfield in the Municipality of Strathfield local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The station is served by Sydney Trains' T1 North Shore & Western Line, T9 Northern Line, T2 Leppington & Inner West Line, T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line suburban services as well as NSW TrainLink Intercity and regional services. The station is located on the Main Northern and Main Western railway lines, forming a major junction for regional and suburban rail services. The station and associated infrastructure was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Riverstone railway station is a heritage-listed railway station serving the Sydney suburb of Riverstone in New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the NSW Government Railways and William Weaver and built from 1883 to 1939. The station is located on the Richmond line, and is served by Sydney Trains' T1 Western and T5 Cumberland line services. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Richmond railway station is the heritage-listed terminus railway station of the Richmond line, serving the Sydney suburb of Richmond, in New South Wales, Australia. It is served by Sydney Trains' T1 Western and T5 Cumberland line services. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Rockdale railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Illawarra line, serving the Sydney suburb of Rockdale in Bayside Council. It is served by Sydney Trains' T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line services. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Fairfield railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Old Main South line, serving the Sydney suburb of Fairfield. It is served by Sydney Trains' T2 Leppington & Inner West and T5 Cumberland line services. It was designed and built by NSW Government Railways from 1856 to 1891. It is also known as Fairfield Railway Station group. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Canterbury railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Bankstown line at Canterbury, New South Wales, Australia. The station was designed by New South Wales Government Railways and built from 1895 to 1915 by J. J. Scouller. It is also known as Canterbury Railway Station group. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Parramatta railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Western line, serving Parramatta in New South Wales, Australia. It is served by Sydney Trains' T1 Western Line, T2 Leppington & Inner West and T5 Cumberland Line services and NSW TrainLink Blue Mountains Line, Central West XPT and Outback Xplorer services.
Petersham railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Suburban line, serving the Sydney suburb of Petersham. It is served by Sydney Trains' T2 Leppington & Inner West Line and occasional T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line services. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Stanmore railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Suburban line, serving the Sydney suburb of Stanmore in New South Wales, Australia. It is served by Sydney Trains' T2 Leppington & Inner West Line and occasional T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line services. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Berry railway station is a heritage-listed single-platform intercity train station located in Berry, New South Wales, Australia, on the South Coast railway line. The station serves NSW TrainLink diesel multiple unit trains travelling south to Bomaderry and north to Kiama. Early morning and late night services to the station are provided by train replacement bus services. In the past, the station precinct also catered to freight trains carrying cattle and dairy products.
St Marys railway station is a heritage-listed former goods yard, railway signal box and now railway station located on the Main Western line in the western Sydney suburb of St Marys in the City of Penrith local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The station is served by Sydney Trains' T1 Western line services. The station marks the end of the four-track section of the Main Western line. It was designed by New South Wales Government Railways and was built in 1862. It is also known as St. Marys Railway Station Group and St Marys Railway Station. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Penrith railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Western line in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith in the City of Penrith local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by New South Wales Government Railways and the 1863 building was built by M. and A. Jamison and D. Forest. It is also known as Penrith Railway Station group. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Croydon railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Suburban line, serving the Sydney suburb of Croydon, New South Wales, Australia. It is served by Sydney Trains T2 Leppington & Inner West Line and occasional T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line services. The station was designed by NSW Government Railways and built from 1892 to 1927. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Hamilton railway station is a heritage-listed railway station on the Newcastle line in the inner Newcastle suburb of Hamilton in New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Lawson railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Western line in Lawson in the City of Blue Mountains local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It is also known as Lawson Railway Station Group and Christmas Swamp; Blue Mountain. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. A passing loop exists north of Platform 1. As part of widening work to the Great Western Highway, a siding south of Platform 2 was removed and a new submerged siding constructed west of the station.
Katoomba railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Western line in Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia. It serves the Blue Mountains town of Katoomba opening on 2 February 1874 as Crushers, being renamed Katoomba on 9 July 1877.
Medlow Bath railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Western line in Medlow Bath in the City of Blue Mountains local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by NSW Government Railways and built from 1902 to 1922. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Mount Victoria railway station is a heritage-listed former barracks and now staff accommodation, guest accommodation, railway signal box and railway station located on the Main Western line in Mount Victoria in the City of Blue Mountains local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by NSW Government Railways and built from 1868 to 1913 by Allan McClean and James Barrie (1868 building). It is also known as Mount Victoria Railway Station group. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The station opened on 1 May 1868.
View of the building from Rawson Street, Auburn, NSW
View of the building from Rawson Street, Auburn, NSW
View of the building from The Crescent, Auburn, NSW
View of the building from a moving train
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
