Armidale railway station turntable facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Armidale railway station turntable |
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Heritage boundaries
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| Location | 216 Brown Street, Armidale, Armidale Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | Transport Asset Holding Entity |
| Official name: Railway Turntable; Armidale Railway Station Turntable | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1233 |
| Type | Railway Turntable |
| Category | Transport - Rail |
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The Armidale railway station turntable is a special part of railway history. It is located at 216 Brown Street in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. A railway turntable is a large, rotating platform that helps trains change direction. This particular turntable is owned by the Transport Asset Holding Entity, which is a government body. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it is an important historical site that needs to be protected.
What is a Railway Turntable?
A railway turntable is like a giant spinning plate for trains. It is used to turn a train or a locomotive (the engine part) around. This is very useful when a train needs to go back the way it came. It is also used to move engines into different tracks, like those leading to a maintenance shed.
How Turntables Work
Imagine a train arriving at a station. If it needs to travel in the opposite direction, it cannot just turn around like a car. That's where the turntable comes in!
- The train drives onto the turntable.
- The turntable then rotates, usually by a motor or sometimes by hand.
- Once the train is facing the correct way, it drives off the turntable onto another track.
This system was very important in the past, especially for steam locomotives. Steam engines could only really pull trains from one end. So, they needed to be turned around for the return journey.
Why is This Turntable Special?
The Armidale railway station turntable is important because it is part of New South Wales's railway history. It shows how trains were managed and maintained in the past. Being on the New South Wales State Heritage Register means it is recognized as a significant historical item. It helps us understand how railway transport developed over time.
