60-449: The Main Suburban railway line is the technical name for the trunk railway line between Redfern railway station and Parramatta railway station in Sydney , Australia , but now generally refers to the section between Redfern and where the Old Main South Line branches off at Granville Junction . The railway line then continues on as the Main Western line towards the Blue Mountains . This term distinguished this trunk line from
120-641: A connecting bus interchange. However, two stops along Gibbon Street close to the Gibbons Street entrance (near platforms 11 & 12) serve the following Transdev John Holland , Transit Systems and two NightRide routes: There are stops further afield in Redfern Street servicing bus routes to Railway Square and in Regent Street servicing bus routes to Marrickville, Mascot and Banksmeadow. As at 26 June 2009, Redfern Railway Station Group
180-470: A convict. He served on Norfolk Island as an assistant surgeon. In 1803 he was pardoned, but remained on the island until 1808, when he returned to Sydney and was appointed assistant surgeon after being examined in medicine and surgery by Surgeons Jamison , Harris and Bohan. In 1816, he took charge of the new Sydney Hospital , but maintained a private practice. In 1814 he reported on conditions on convict transport ships and his recommendation that all have
240-481: A fireplace. Adjacent to the waiting room is a simple rectangular brick Store Room, completed c. 1884 , with three double hung sash timber windows (two facing the tracks and one facing north) and a door at its southern end. The building has a hipped corrugated iron roof hidden behind a brick parapet . Possibly former toilet. The third Platform 1 building is a rectangular brick office building, completed c. 1884 , with six timber sash windows facing
300-428: A gabled corrugated sheet metal roof with a single corbelled and rendered chimney . The roof extends to form a platform awning which spans the length of the structures, and is supported on double curved cast iron brackets upon rendered brackets. The roof extends to form a covered area to the north of each building, which is supported by simple timber posts. The string course is of two small projecting rendered bands, with
360-723: A gauge of 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ( 1,435 mm ) – the current standard gauge . The Sydney Railway Company encountered many troubles: engineers came and went; real estate required became expensive and difficult to acquire; money, supplies and manpower ran short, partly because of a gold rush. Eventually the property of the Sydney Railway Company was transferred to the government of New South Wales on 3 September 1855. The line opened on 26 September 1855, from Sydney to Parramatta Junction (near Granville Station), with stations at Newtown , Ashfield , Burwood and Homebush . The Sydney terminal station
420-432: A high level of integrity. Since 2013, there have been a number of announcements concerning major upgrades for Redfern Station including the building of a lift to platforms 6 and 7. In December 2014 Transport for NSW invited customers to provide feedback on plans for the new lift at Redfern station. Work on the upgrade commenced on 13 April 2015. The lift opened on 30 November 2015. The station has four exits ― from
480-421: A number of structural issues that required attention. Redfern Station has undergone a number of modifications and changes, including an upgrade of the overhead walkway and stairs in c. 1999 , the addition of awnings to the platforms in c. 1999 but overall is largely intact and has a moderate to high level of integrity. The platform buildings and overhead booking office in particular retain
540-546: A surgeon on board whose duties were to superintend the health of convicts was put into practice. He resigned from Government service in 1819 when not appointed to succeed D'Arcy Wentworth as principal surgeon. Despite his valuable service, many were contemptuous of him as he was an emancipist, although he had the friendship of Governor Macquarie . In 1818 Redfern received a grant of 526 hectares (1,300 acres) in Airds (in today's Campbelltown area) and later received more land in
600-677: Is a complex double triangle junction around Flemington Maintenance Depot , which provides access from the main tracks to the Olympic Park line and the Sydney Freight Network . A bit further west is Lidcombe , where there is another triangle junction, connecting the suburban tracks to the Main Southern railway line . Continuing down the line, there are further junctions with various yards and workshops at Auburn, including Auburn Maintenance Centre and Maintrain, and
660-630: Is a grade separated junction with the Main North line . There is also a single track link that takes freight trains from the Main North west, joining onto a goods line that runs parallel to the Main Suburban. At the next station, Homebush, the local tracks end. Generally, trains on the suburban track merge onto the main, while trains on the local either terminate or merge on the suburban track. The line then continues to Flemington, where there
SECTION 10
#1732779701285720-751: Is located on what was originally the Illawarra line . It is now served by all Sydney Trains lines except the Cumberland Line and the airport branch of the Airport & South Line . Some NSW TrainLink Intercity services also call at the station. Redfern's natural landscape was defined by sand hills and swamps. The Carrahdigang, more widely known as the Cadigal people, valued the area for its abundant supply of food. The name Redfern originates from an early land grant to William Redfern in 1817. It
780-404: Is now the railway corridor called Sydney Yard. This original 'Redfern' station comprised one wooden platform in a corrugated iron shed, with the station's name honouring William Redfern. The station was built of iron and the first stationmaster was a Mr Fielding. As traffic increased the original station was replaced in 1874 by a brick and stone building containing two platforms. This second station,
840-461: Is significant at a state level as a major suburban station which played an important role in the development of the surrounding residential and industrial suburbs. The overhead booking office is a rare remaining example of the Queen Anne style of railway architecture and along with the 1884 station building on Platform 1 remain as some of the last examples of these types of structures to survive in
900-812: The Illawarra Line which branched south from the Illawarra Junction to Wollongong , and later the North Shore line which carried trains north over the Harbour Bridge . The Main Suburban line between Redfern and Granville was the first railway line to be constructed in New South Wales. The first company to start rail transport in New South Wales was the Sydney Railway Company which was incorporated on 10 October 1849 with
960-721: The Main Suburban railway line in the Inner City Sydney suburb of Redfern in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales , Australia. It was designed by John Whitton and built by Department of Railways. It is also known as Redfern Railway Station group and Tenterfield railway . The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The station that opened on 26 September 1855
1020-567: The New South Wales legislature to pass an Act on 27 July 1852 requiring all railways in the colony to be of 5 ft 3 in ( 1,600 mm ) gauge. This was the gauge in use in Ireland and is now referred to as 1,600 mm gauge. After Sheilds resigned due to difficulties, a Scot named James Wallace was appointed. Wallace persuaded the legislature to repeal the previous act and replace it, on 4 August 1853, with one requiring
1080-680: The 16-hectare (40-acre) Darling Nursery in today's Chippendale ) and Captain Cleveland, an officer of the 73rd regiment, remembered by today's street of that name, and before its demolition, by Cleveland House , his home. The passing of the Sydney Slaughterhouses Act in 1849 brought other businesses to the district. This act banned abattoirs and noxious trades from the city. Tanners, wool scourers and wool-washers, fellmongers, boiling down works and abattoirs had ten years to move their businesses outside city boundaries. Many of
1140-530: The 1880s. In the early history of the New South Wales Government Railways , Redfern station was the frequently used but unofficial name of the principal Sydney terminus, a fact which has led to persistent confusion. That station, the first Sydney Terminal , was north of Cleveland Street, which is Redfern's northern boundary, and south of Devonshire Street. It opened on 26 September 1855 in an area known as Cleveland Fields which
1200-400: The 1940s, three-quarters of Sydney factory workers worked within a three-mile radius of Redfern station, and many commuted to work by train. The original station consisted of three island platforms serving four lines. The ticket office was located on the corner of Lawson Street and Rosehill Street, with stairs down to each individual platform. Rosehill Street was demolished to make way for
1260-771: The Act. Redfern Town Hall opened in 1870 and the Albert Cricket Ground in 1864. Redfern Post Office came in 1882. The majority of houses in Redfern in the 1850s were of timber. From the 1850s market gardeners congregated in Alexandria south of McEvoy Street, around Shea's Creek and Bourke Road. Sydney's original railway terminus was built in the Cleveland Paddocks, which extended from Devonshire and Cleveland Streets to Chippendale. All that remains of
SECTION 20
#17327797012851320-577: The Central side of Lawson Street. The area in which the platforms were to be situated is visible from the station concourse at the entrance to Platform 10. The Redfern railway station complex includes a type 19 Overhead Booking Office, erected in 1892; a type 3 waiting room located on Platform 1, erected in 1884; a store located on Platform 1, erected c. 1884 ; an office, located on Platform 1, erected c. 1884 ; five type 11 station buildings located on Platforms 1 to 10, erected in 1912; and
1380-415: The Cleveland Paddocks is Prince Alfred Park, where the exhibition building was erected in 1870 for an inter-colonial exhibition opened by Governor Belmore , after whom Belmore Park was named, on 30 August 1870. Redfern was the scene of the maiden trip of the first double-decker tram in 1879. It travelled between the old Redfern station to the corner of Hunter and Elizabeth Streets in the city. In 1885
1440-553: The Eastern Suburbs Railway (ESR) Platforms 11–12, erected in 1979. Other structures in the heritage-listed complex include platforms, completed in 1884 and 1912; the Lawson Street Overbridge, completed in 1891; Air vents to engine dive, located on Platform 1; ESR Steel Framework and Tunnels, erected c. 1960 ; and the footbridge, steps and canopies, erected in 1999. Erected in 1892,
1500-754: The Inner Western suburbs of Sydney to Strathfield. The tracks are named Up and Down Main, Up and Down Suburban, and Up and Down Local. The Main lines are express lines which have no intermediate platforms between Redfern and Burwood, and carry NSW TrainLink and some T9 Northern services. The inner Suburban pair of tracks have some intermediate platforms and generally carry T1 North Shore & Western and T9 Northern suburban services. The southernmost Local pair of tracks have platforms at all intermediate stations and carry all-stations and limited stops T2 Leppington & Inner West Line and T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line services. At Strathfield , there
1560-547: The NSW system. The station was extended in 1891/92 to accommodate the quadruplication of the main suburban lines, with new platforms being built during this period (Platforms 5, 6 and 7) and again in 1919 (Platforms 8 and 9) and again in 1924/25 (Platform 10). In 1913 a footbridge was erected at the southern end of the platforms to allow access to the Eveleigh workshops from the station for the workers. The footbridge extended across all
1620-577: The Overhead Booking Office, Station Buildings on Platforms 2–10, and ESR Platforms were all in good condition. The structures at Redfern Station are in good condition with the exception of the disused tunnels at the eastern end and the exposed steelwork frames which are rusted. At least one section of tunnel has been backfilled due to threat of collapse. A condition report completed for the Lawson Street overbridge in 2006 indicated
1680-592: The Sands Sydney Directory listed 54 market gardens. While many were worked by European-Australians, by the 1870s Chinese market gardeners had acquired leases in the district and a decade later were dominating the trade. The Eveleigh complex in 1886 became one of the largest employers in the state. Redfern was an industrial working class suburb by the end of the 19th century. Reschs brewery and other factories attracted migrants. The Syrian/Lebanese community began settling around Redfern and Surry Hills by
1740-529: The Station is defined by the Lawson Street Overbridge, completed in 1891, which carries Lawson Street across the tracks. The bridge is brick laid in English bond pattern and was constructed in 1891. The bridge has been altered and extended in various stages. Construction appears to be a combination of jack arch, steel girder and concrete slab. Platform 1 includes four brick ventilation air vents or chimneys for
1800-470: The aim of building a railway from Sydney to Parramatta . Capital was raised, shares were sold, and a route was surveyed. The first sod was turned by Mrs Keith Stewart (daughter of the Governor) at Cleveland Paddocks (an area between the southern end of the current Central station and Cleveland Street ) on 20 May 1850. The original engineer appointed was Francis Webb Sheilds , an Irishman. He persuaded
1860-476: The area and by his death in 1823 he owned, by grant and purchase, over 9,308 hectares (23,000 acres) in NSW. In 1817, he had been granted 40 hectares (100 acres) in the area of the present suburb of Redfern. The boundaries were approximately the present-day Cleveland , Regent, Redfern and Elizabeth Streets. The commodious home Redfern built on his land was considered to be a country house, surrounded by flower and kitchen gardens. His neighbours were John Baptist (at
Main Suburban railway line - Misplaced Pages Continue
1920-411: The bottom of the stairway to Platform 1 are all that remain from the original lattice iron stairway that was removed in c. 1999 . The garden on Platform 1 runs along the western wall of the platform from the base of the stairs to the first building on the platform. Some garden plantings remain but it is not maintained to a high standard. As at 10 June 2009, the station building, including
1980-413: The concourse at Lawson Street), and two underground (linked by stairs and escalators to the concourse at Gibbons Street). The two concourses are linked. Station offices and facilities such as toilets and the main indicator boards are located next to the Lawson Street entry. As part of the construction of the Eastern Suburbs Railway (now platforms 11 and 12), it was proposed to build up to four platforms for
2040-477: The corners of the central portion of the entrance building, with sandstone keystones above the windows and doors and sandstone sills. A number of additions to the entrance building are visible along the Lawson Street frontage. The building interior includes the ticket office, Station Master's office and male and female toilets. The ceiling is of timber tongue-and-groove boards with decorative ceiling roses and exposed timber beams. Electronic ticket gates lead to
2100-427: The current platforms 11 and 12. Until 1994, Redfern had an overhead footbridge at the Eveleigh end of the platforms, connecting platforms 1–10 by stairs. This was demolished because the funds for its maintenance were not available. In c. 1994 the southern footbridge was removed as the Eveleigh railway workshops were gradually closed down and the footbridge was no longer required. In c. 1999 ,
2160-590: The engine dive line that runs underneath the station, allowing engines to traverse between the Sydney Yard and the Eveleigh Maintenance Centre. Above Platforms 11 and 12, exposed steelwork for an unfinished platform remains in place, completed c. 1960 . Unfinished tunnels also run north and south from this section of the station, indicating earlier plans for extensions that never proceeded. The footbridge and steps to platforms
2220-477: The exterior of Redfern Station consists of a main entrance building and ticket office, built of brick in a Federation Queen Anne style with terracotta tiled hipped roof with central cupola and ornamental flèche . The central building is accessed from Lawson Street via the original central arched doorway flanked with sandstone columns and pediment or via a larger entrance to the east, which replaced an earlier arched window. Sandstone quoin blocks feature at
2280-507: The first stage of which was completed in 1887, as well as the inner-city residential and industrial suburb of Redfern, one of Sydney's most high-density residential areas. The name Eveleigh was retained for the railway workshops, just beyond the station, on the site of the original Hutchinson Estate, now part of the present suburb of Eveleigh . In 1894 there was a steam train collision at the station that resulted in eleven people being killed and several were injured including John Ralston By
2340-620: The lack of disability access to the station platforms led to a petition of over 50,000 signatures and a debate in State Parliament in 2013. Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian has committed funding to provide a lift to one platform. A lift eventually opened on platform 6 & 7 in November 2015. The Gibbons Street exit closed in 2018 and was replaced by a new entrance on the corner of Gibbons & Lawson Streets in November 2018. In August 2019, further improved accessibility
2400-468: The later expansion of Redfern station to the east, while the ticket office survived and was later extended. The construction of the Redfern station was overseen by the office of John Whitton, engineer-in-chief of the NSW Railways. Whitton had been appointed in 1856 at the beginning of the NSW railway development and remained in the position until 1890, overseeing the establishment of the main body of
2460-511: The line had platform faces to all four tracks, and the tracks were labelled as fast and slow. After the completion of works in 1927, only Redfern and Strathfield had platform faces on all six tracks. The four tracks now known as the Up and Down Local lines and the Up and Down Suburban Lines were electrified in 1928. It was not until 1955 that the Up and Down Main Lines were also electrified to coincide with
Main Suburban railway line - Misplaced Pages Continue
2520-486: The north of Platform 1 surfacing at the southern end of Platform 10. A number of chimneys still exist, especially on Platform 1. The present Redfern station was damaged by fire in the 2004 Redfern riots . The ticketing area and station master's office were significantly damaged - and the windows in the front of the station were bricked up for almost a year afterwards to prevent further attacks. They have since been replaced with glass windows. A rising public concern about
2580-498: The northern concourse, the main entrance and exit is on Lawson Street next to the ticketing area (Exit A on the diagram below) and the second exit is on Gibbons Street (especially for passengers using platforms 11 and 12) (Exit B on the diagram below). From the new southern concourse which opened in October 2023, there are exits onto Marian Street and a new exit was created onto Little Eveleigh Street. Legend: Redfern does not have
2640-653: The now closed Carlingford railway line at Clyde . At Granville, the line ends with a triangle junction, continuing onto either the Main Western Line or the Old Main South line . Speed limits on the route vary between locations and tracks (main, suburban or local). The main generally has the highest speed limits, around 80 km/h (50 mph), with some 90 or 100 km/h (56 or 62 mph) sections. The suburban and local tracks vary between 50 and 80 km/h (31 and 50 mph) limits. The limits on
2700-546: The opening of the Blue Mountains electrification programme. Double-deck trailer cars were introduced between 1964 and 1967 replacing old wooden trailer cars in the Iine's electric multiple unit passenger trains. The line commences at Illawarra Junction south of Redfern station, the junction point of the Illawarra railway line . The line consists of three pairs of electrified tracks, six in total, which head west through
2760-418: The original Redfern and named Eveleigh , after an old home located on the western side of the railway line. In 1885 Eveleigh's platforms were reconstructed at its present site, and was renamed Redfern on 21 October 1906, shortly after the current Central railway station was opened on the site of the former Devonshire Street cemetery. Redfern station had been opened to serve the Eveleigh railway workshops,
2820-526: The overhead walkway that provides access to each of the platforms. The brick, Type 3, waiting room, completed in 1884, features a U-shaped floor pattern with enclosed end wings. An open waiting area with a timber bench seat spans the space between each wing. The waiting room building also features a corrugated iron hipped roof and chimneys . The enclosed wings each have two double hung sash timber windows with double arched label moulds above and rendered sills with brackets beneath. Each wing also contains
2880-610: The platform and a door at either end. The building has a corrugated iron gabled roof. The construction date of the building is unknown, but appears to be contemporary with other Platform 1 structures. Each of the island platforms (2–9) and the wayside Platform 10 all include variations on the Standard (A8-A10) Island Platform design, all with platform offices and some with public toilets, completed in 1912. There are five in total. The buildings are constructed of face brick with rendered architraves , sills and brackets. The buildings feature
2940-612: The platforms with stairs down to each. On 1 August 1926, a further two platforms opened on the southern side (9 and 10) as part of the electrification of the Illawarra line . Work on underground platforms 11 and 12 began in the 1940s but did not finish until the 1970s when the Eastern Suburbs railway line was opened in 1979. The original plans of The City and Suburban Electric Railways (Amendment) Act of 1947 had included additional railway lines that were never completed, resulting in unfinished platforms and tunnels existing above
3000-408: The rows of brick between painted to give the impression of a deep rendered string. Most original double-hung timber windows remain. Decorative features include timber valance to awning ends and coloured glass to upper panes of windows. Completed in 1979, Platforms 11 and 12 are underground, being part of the Eastern Suburbs Railway and Illawarra Line. These are accessed via stairs or escalators from
3060-440: The second Sydney Terminal which grew to 14 platforms, was designed for through traffic if the lines were extended in the city direction. This second station was found to be too far from the city centre, so a new station (the present Sydney Central station ) was built to the north of Devonshire Street and opened on 4 August 1906. The 1874 station was soon demolished. A station was opened in 1876 1.3 kilometres (1 mi) west of
SECTION 50
#17327797012853120-459: The station underwent a major upgrade including the demolition of the northern footbridge and stairs to the platforms. A new footbridge and stairs were built, with only a pair of iron newel posts on platform 1 remaining of the earlier stairways. A single track tunnel was built for steam locomotives from Central station to access Eveleigh Railway Workshops . Known as the Engine Dive, it dives to
3180-663: The street level. The escalator shaft ceilings are of moulded plywood. This plywood, with recessed fluorescent strip lights, is used throughout the station platform area. Station walls are tiled, with the station name in tri-level banked blue lettering. The platforms consist of an island platform divided with tiled masonry walls. The platform faces are concrete. The station includes 12 platforms (2 underground on ESR) formed in seven island platforms, all facing two lines except Platform 1 and Platform 10 which both face single lines. Platforms 1- 10 are constructed of brick with bitumen surface. Platforms 11 and 12 are concrete. The northern end of
3240-483: The suburban and local reduce to 50 km/h (31 mph) around bridges on curves at Newtown and Ashfield, as the bridges have their supports between the running lines, with a risk of bridge collapse if a train were to derail at high speed, similar to the Granville rail disaster . Redfern railway station Redfern railway station is a heritage-listed former railway bridge and now railway station located on
3300-468: The trades moved to Redfern and Waterloo - attracted by the water. The sand hills still existed but by the late 1850s Redfern was a flourishing suburb housing 6,500 people. The Municipalities Act of 1858 gave districts the option of municipal incorporation. Public meetings were held and after a flurry of petitions Redfern Municipality was proclaimed on 11 August 1859, the fourth in Sydney to be formed under
3360-574: The underground route. Two of these platforms were built and now are platforms 11 and 12, however, the two platforms above were half constructed above platforms 11 and 12. These are visible through a small gap in the wall opposite Platform 11, as well as by a boarded up entry portal under the Lawson Street Bridge (which was to be the down track), and a now filled-in dive tunnel under the Wells Street Sectioning Hut on
3420-507: Was largely upgraded in 1999, and features a covered area connected to the Overhead Booking Office and glazed viewing area with access to all platforms. Platforms 2-9 also feature modern metal canopies joining access stairs to the platform buildings which forms a covered area for commuters. This was installed in 1999 as part of a new overhead walkway and access stairs to each platform. The stairs are concrete treads with steel banisters and balustrades . A pair of decorative cast iron newel posts at
3480-523: Was on the south side of Devonshire Street, just south of the current Central station . Although the vicinity was sometimes referred to as Redfern , it was not near the current Redfern station . The line was quadrupled to Flemington on 31 December 1893. The line saw its most dramatic change when the section from Redfern to Homebush was expanded from four to six tracks by the addition of two tracks initially intended for non-electric express trains that opened on 30 October 1927. Prior to 1927, all stations on
3540-601: Was previously known as Roberts Farm and Boxley's Swamp. William Redfern (1774–1833) was a surgeon's mate in the Royal Navy and was aboard HMS Standard when its crew took part in the revolt in 1797 known as the Mutiny of the Nore. Because he had advised the men to be more united, he was included among leaders who were court-martialled. Although sentenced to death, he was reprieved because of his youth and in 1801 arrived in Sydney as
3600-527: Was proposed including a new concourse at the southern end of the station. The Southern Concourse began construction in 2021 and opened in October 2023. The upgrade provided lift access to Platforms 1–10, a new entrance off Little Eveleigh Street and a relocation of the existing Marian Street entrance. Lift access to platforms 11–12, which are on a diverging alignment and would involve a multi-story private development, are being considered separately. Redfern has 12 platforms, ten ground level (linked by stairs to
#284715