The construction contract for the Bungendore to Michelago section was awarded to Alex Johnston on 27 May 1884. The station location chosen was in the Oaks Paddock, two kilometers from the centre of town, which was chosen to avoid the need to demolish the hospital and cemetery. Construction of the station was completed in March 1887 and it opened in September that year (Sydney Trains, 2016, 6).[1]
Construction of the station building, station master's residence, and gatekeeper's cottage were let to a Joseph Jordan on 12 July 1886. The station building was officially opened September 1887 and it is likely that the station master's and gatekeeper's residences were completed the same year.[1]
In 1884 the NSW government had decreed that, in order to save costs, railway station buildings should be constructed from timber and iron. That Queanbeyan was exempt from this policy shows the status of the station within the NSW network, it was one of only 10 stations built between 1887 and 1892 to have brick station buildings. The remaining 121 stations built complied with the policy of using cheaper construction materials. Queanbeyan Station was designed.[1]
The platform was built on the Down (south) side of the railway line, with a carriage dock at the Sydney end of the platform and a crossing loop and stock loop siding on the Up (north) side. The loading bank and goods shed were on the Down side to the west of the station, with a public level crossing at Crest Road, which was abolished on 18 December 1955.[1]
It served as the terminus until the line was extended to Michelago on 8 December 1887.[2][3][4]
In March 1913, Queanbeyan became a junction station when construction commenced on the line to Canberra.[5]
Major additions and other changes to the railway precinct/yard at Queanbeyan included alterations to the parcels office and refreshment room (1890), an office erected for the Sub-Inspector of Per Way (1891), small loading bank provided (1891), engine shed built (1896), gantry crane installed (1903) unloading bank built, and laying in a siding for unloading materials for the Canberra Branch railway line (1913), crossing laid in to Canberra Branch and locomotive water supply increased by 810kL (1924), ash pit built (1927), 60' turntable transferred from Nimmitabel to Queanbeyan (1926), portable workshop provided for the rail motor fitters (1950), siding laid in for stabling of 2-car diesel trains (1952), refreshment rooms closed (1956), renewing goods shed stage in steel and concrete (1963), additional shelter over goods shed stage erected (1961), and rest house closed (1974).nswshr-1226-1747[1]
A Gatekeeper's residence at Crest Road remains where built west of the station, but is no longer in railway ownership.[1]
Until its cessation in September 1988, the Canberra Monaro Express divided at Queanbeyan with separate portions for Canberra and Cooma.[6]
Part of the goods yard was transferred to Council for community use c.1999[1]
Services
Queanbeyan is served by three daily NSW TrainLinkXplorer services in each direction operating between Sydney and Canberra. NSW TrainLink also operate a road coach service from Queanbeyan to Cootamundra.[7]
The heritage-listed complex includes the type 5, first class brick station building (1887), the brick platform, weatherboard signal box with skillion roof (1920s), the stationmaster's residence at 43 Henderson Road (1887), the F-frame signal cabin with flat roof and hardiplank boards, the turntable (1926), water column, water tank and small ganger's shed.[8][1]
Station building (1887)
Queanbeyan is the largest and most elaborate station building on the Bombala Line. The station buildings at Queanbeyan present as a symmetrical layout and elevation, with a central waiting room with two single storey structures to either side connected by small pavilions. The plan of the station features a central waiting room flanked by a kitchen, storeroom, refreshment room and dining room to one side; and a Station Master's office, parcels room, ladies waiting room and bathrooms to the other side.[1]
The station buildings are constructed of brick with a painted finish and quoining to building corners. The roofs are gabled and clad in corrugated iron with corbelled brick chimneys and gable vents. The main building features a transverse gable to each end. Gable ends feature decorative timber barge boards with central circular vents and a group of three arched windows below. The platform and rear verandahs have timber posts with curved iron brackets. Timber panelled French doors and timber double hung sash windows have moulded surrounds.[1]
Platform
A recent study by Australian Museum Consulting, commissioned by Sydney Trains, found that Queanbeyan Station is one of only eleven remaining stations in the New South Wales train network that has a precast concrete platform structure. All remaining precast platforms in the network are in poor condition or are likely to require reconstruction or demolition in the future. Discussions with Sydney Trains Heritage Division indicate that Queanbeyan Station has been identified as a good location to provide interpretation of this rare and endangered platform type. Interpretation is a conservation strategy that would mitigate the loss of significant fabric and technical value of the platform at this site.[9][1]
Signal box (1920s) and Signal frame
The two signalling structures are simple square structures with single pitch roofs clad in corrugated iron and timber framed walls clad in weatherboard (1920s) or hardiplank.[1]
Station Master's Residence (1887)
The brick Station Master's residence features a standard L-shaped plan with symmetrical front facade with full width verandah, a hipped roof clad in corrugated iron, and corbelled brick chimneys.[1]
The station group including the station building and Station Master's residence, platform, signal box, signal frame, turntable, water column and water tank have a high level of integrity. The gangers shed has a moderate level of integrity.[1]
Heritage listing
Queanbeyan Railway Precinct is of state significance as a late Victorian period railway precinct that remains relatively intact and includes several original items from the 1880s including the 1885 roadside station building and c.1887 Station Master's residence. The station building is particularly significant, being a fine example of a Victorian first class station building. The station building is the largest and most ornate of the station buildings on the Bombala Line, signifying Queanbeyan as an important location in Southern NSW, even prior to the declaration of Canberra as the nation's capital.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.
The place has historic significance demonstrating the late 19th century development of the NSW railways. The site includes several items dating from the opening of the line at Queanbeyan in 1887 and has significance demonstrating the layout of a late 19th Century railway station. The station building as the largest and most ornate station on the line is particularly significant in demonstrating the importance of Queanbeyan as an important location in Southern NSW, even prior to the declaration of Canberra as the national capital.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.
The site has aesthetic significance as a railway precinct that retains several original items that demonstrate railway design in the 1880s. The 1887 station building is a fine example of a Victorian first class station building with fabric and fine detailing typical of the period. The 1887 Station Master's residence is a good example of a standard Victorian railway residence.[1]
The place has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.
The site is of social significance to the local community on account of its lengthy association for providing an important source of employment, trade and social interaction for the local area. The site is significant for its ability to contribute to the local community's sense of place, is a distinctive feature of the daily life of many community members, and provides a connection to the local community's past.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales.
The station building has representative significance as a fine example of a first class station building, similar in design to other station designs from this period in NSW. Other items including the Station Master's residence, signal box, signal frame, gangers shed, turntable, water column and water tank, demonstrate widespread late 19th and early 20th Century railway customs, activities and design in NSW and are representative of similar items that are found in other railway sites across the state.[1]
Related Research Articles
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.
Bulli railway station is a heritage-listed railway station on the South Coast railway line in New South Wales, Australia, serving the northern Wollongong suburb of Bulli. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 30 August 2013.
Kiama is a heritage-listed intercity train station located in Kiama, New South Wales, Australia, on the South Coast railway line. The station serves NSW TrainLink diesel multiple unit trains traveling south to Bomaderry and electric multiple unit trains north to Wollongong and Sydney. Early morning and late night services to and from stations to the south are provided by train replacement bus services. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Dunmore railway station is a heritage-listed former railway station that was located on the South Coast railway line in Dunmore, City of Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia. The station served the southern Wollongong suburb of Dunmore and indirectly Shellharbour and opened on 9 November 1887. The weatherboard station on Platform 2 dates from 1887. It is also known as the Shellharbour Railway Station Group, Shellharbour railway station and Dunmore Railway Station. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Albion Park railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the South Coast railway line on the Princes Highway in Albion Park Rail, New South Wales, Australia. The station was designed by New South Wales Government Railways and built during 1887 by William Monie & Company, with the single line railway line built by David Proudfoot and Thomas Logan. The complex is also known as the Albion Park Railway Station Group. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The station is located close to Shellharbour Airport.
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.
Bomaderry railway station is a heritage-listed single-platform intercity train station located in Bomaderry, New South Wales, Australia, on the South Coast railway line. The station serves NSW TrainLink diesel multiple unit trains to Kiama. Early morning and late night services to the station are provided by train replacement bus services. A siding near the station is used by freight trains operated by the Manildra Group.
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.
Wollongong railway station is a heritage-listed railway station on the South Coast railway line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the central business district of Wollongong. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Goulburn railway station is a heritage-listed railway station on the Main South line in New South Wales, Australia. Opened on 19 May 1869, it serves the city of Goulburn. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Albury railway station is a heritage-listed railway station at Railway Place, Albury, New South Wales, Australia, adjacent to the border with Victoria, in Australia. It was designed under the direction of John Whitton and built from 1880 to 1881. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999.
Bathurst railway station is a heritage-listed railway station at Havannah Street, Bathurst, Bathurst Region, New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on the Main Western line and serves the city of Bathurst. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
The Bombala railway line is a branch railway line in the south of New South Wales, Australia. The northern part of it forms part of the main line from Sydney to Canberra, but the southern part is closed. It branches off the Main South line at Joppa Junction, south of Goulburn. The line is used by NSW TrainLink Xplorer services running between Sydney Central and Canberra station.
Orange railway station is a heritage-listed former railway bridge and now railway station located on the Main Western line on Peisley Street, Orange in the City of Orange local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1877 to 1950. It is also known as Orange Railway Station and yard group. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Parkes railway station is a heritage-listed former locomotive depot and railway station and now locomotive roundhouse and railway station located on the Broken Hill line in May Street, Parkes in the Parkes Shire local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The railway station serves the town of Parkes and was built from 1881 to 1893. It is also known as the Parkes Railway Station group. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Tarago railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Bombala line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the town of Tarago. It was built in 1884 by G. & C. Horn. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Bungendore railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Bombala line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the town of Bungendore. The design of the station has been attributed to John Whitton. It was built in 1884-85 by contractor J. Jordan. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Narrandera railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located at Whitton Street, Narrandera, Narrandera Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on the Hay railway line, and was formerly the junction station for the Tocumwal railway line. It was built in 1880 by Charles Hardy to a design attributed to John Whitton. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
The Cooma railway station is a heritage-listed former railway station on the Bombala railway line at Bradley Street, Cooma, Snowy Monaro Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia. The original design of the station was attributed to John Whitton. The station complex was built from 1889 to 1950. The Cooma Monaro Railway is based at the station and maintains an active presence although services have not operated since 2014. The station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
The Eskbank railway station is a heritage-listed former locomotive depot and railway station and now community group venue adjacent to the Main Western Line at Lithgow, City of Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the New South Wales Government Railways and the station building was built by Goodsell & Wright, as a contractor. It is also known as Eskbank Railway Station group and Lithgow Goods Station/ Lithgow Site S1. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Stations and services in italics are planned or under construction
Stations in (parentheses) are uncommon stops for the listed service
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.
