 The 150 years of rail exhibition
On 24 and 25 September Central Station hosted a fascinating free exhibition of heritage rolling stock, models, artefacts and information displays. Visitors learned about the growth of the NSW railway network, its trains, the types of people and jobs that made it operate as well as its future direction. A display along platform one demonstrated the importance of rail in transporting people and goods throughout the state. In addition to steam and diesel locomotives and passenger carriages, rolling stock that transported goods such as coal, mail, grain and livestock could be seen.
Other points of interest at Central Station during the celebration weekend included a viewing of the Indian Pacific before it set off on its regular three-day journey for Perth.
The famous Southern Aurora dining and lounge cars were also berthed at Central Station on 24 September, open for bar service and dinner.
Heritage trains
Not to be missed was the fantastic free heritage rolling stock display along platform one on 24 and 25 September. Telling the NSW rail story, the display featured steam, diesel and electric – freight, passenger and mail trains. Many of the items came from the NSW Rail Transport Museum collection and were prepared especially for this occasion.
If you missed out on seeing the trains at Central Station you can always catch up with them at Olympic Park. Following the re-enactment of the first train journey on Monday 26 September, the heritage rolling stock which was on display at Central Station will form a cavalcade bound for Olympic Park Station. The trains will be on show through the school holidays from Tuesday 27 September to Saturday 1 October. Take a tour of Central
The magnificent Central Station celebrates a century of service next year. Why not take a self-guided tour of the station by picking up ‘Your Guide to Central Station’ from the Information Centre on the concourse. Learn all about how the current station is the third since the beginning of NSW railways in 1855 and about the people behind the station’s design.
Trains of Treasure - St James Station
Trains of Treasure is a visual history of Australian railways and was prepared by the Combined Railways Union’s Cultural Committee for Australia’s Bicentenary in 1988 with the support of the former State Rail Authority of NSW, the NSW Labor Council and the Australia Council of the Arts. The display was updated this year to coincide with the celebration of 150 years of rail in NSW.
Much of Australia’s social history and development has been closely linked with the history of its railways. From early steam rail openings, through two depressions, a general strike, two world wars and changing technologies, railway workers and those who used railway services have endured the good and the bad. The Trains of Treasure exhibition brought some of this colourful history to life and was on display on the platforms of St James Station between 24 and 25 September.
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