Arncliffe railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arncliffe
View in March 2019
Location	Firth Street, Arncliffe
Coordinates	33°56′11″S 151°08′51″E / 33.93632778°S 151.1474028°E / -33.93632778; 151.1474028
Owned by	Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by	Sydney Trains
Line(s)	Illawarra
Distance	8.42 kilometres from Central
Platforms	4 (2 island)
Tracks	4
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Status	Staffed
Station code	ACL
Website	Transport for NSW
History
Opened	15 October 1884
Electrified	Yes
Traffic
Passengers (2018)	5,610 (daily) (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink)
Services
Preceding station Sydney Trains Following station Banksia toward Waterfall or Cronulla Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line Wolli Creek toward Bondi Junction

Arncliffe railway station is a train station in Sydney, Australia. It is located in the suburb of Arncliffe and is part of the Illawarra train line. This station is special because it is very old and has a lot of history. That is why it is listed as a heritage site in the New South Wales State Heritage Register. It helps people travel around Sydney using the Sydney Trains T4 line.

History of Arncliffe Station

Arncliffe station first opened its doors on 15 October 1884. This was the same day the Illawarra train line started running from Redfern to Hurstville. When it first opened, it had two platforms, one on each side of the tracks.

Arncliffe was designed to be an important station on the Illawarra Line. It was one of the biggest stations built in 1884, showing how important the area was becoming. The station was originally called the Illawarra Road Station. It was built by Alfred McNeill and William Clark.

In 1906, the platform for trains heading north was changed. It became an island platform, meaning it had tracks on both sides. The old northbound track became the southbound track. The old southbound platform was not used for a while.

In 1923, the train line was made wider, adding more tracks. This process is called "quadruplication," meaning the number of tracks was increased to four. As part of this work, the old southbound platform was also turned into an island platform. A new footbridge and a small office above the tracks were also built.

A steam tram line from Arncliffe to Bexley started in 1909. A special track for the tram was added at the station. This tram line closed in 1926.

In 1923, a large arched brick bridge was built over Forest Road. This bridge is still the biggest single-arch bridge on the entire railway system. The train line through Arncliffe station was made electric in 1926.

In April 2015, work began to install four new lifts at Arncliffe station. These lifts make it easier for everyone to access the platforms. The lift project was finished in September 2016. In May 2015, a pedestrian tunnel was built about 300 meters north of the station. It opened in October 2016.

Platforms and Train Services

Arncliffe station has four platforms, arranged as two island platforms. This means each platform has train tracks on both sides.

Transport Links

Besides trains, you can also catch a bus from Arncliffe station. Transit Systems operates one bus route that stops here:

• 473: From Rockdale station to Campsie.

What the Station Looks Like

Arncliffe Railway Station is a collection of old and new buildings. It includes the main platform buildings, a footbridge, stairs, and an office above the tracks. You can get to the station using a footbridge and stairs from Firth Street on the west side. There is also a path across a public park from Butterworth Lane on the east side.

The station has two main platform buildings.

• The building on Platforms 1 and 2 was built in 1884. It has painted brick walls and arched windows. The roof is made of corrugated steel. There are fancy cast iron columns and brackets supporting the awnings over the platforms.
• The building on Platforms 3 and 4 was also built in 1884 but was changed in 1923. It is also a single-story painted brick building with a corrugated steel roof.

The footbridge and stairs were built in 1919. They are made of steel and have original star-pattern posts and railings. The office above the tracks was built in 1925. It used to be made of weatherboard but has been covered with new panels. It still has its original shape and windows.

Both island platforms have asphalt surfaces. They are entered from the footbridge and stairs. You can also see some neatly trimmed shrubs planted on both platforms. There is also an old cast iron water bubbler near the Platform 1/2 building.

The station complex is in good condition. The platform buildings and footbridge are mostly original. The booking office, even though it has new outside panels, still looks much like it did when it was built.

Why Arncliffe Station is Heritage Listed

Arncliffe Railway Station is important because it shows how train stations developed in New South Wales from 1884 to 1925. It's special because its original side platforms were changed into island platforms over time.

It is one of only three stations on the Illawarra line that still have their original "second class" brick platform buildings from the 1880s. This makes it a great example of suburban station design from that time.

The station buildings are also beautiful. The Platform 1/2 building has a fancy Victorian style with decorative iron columns and brackets. The Platform 3/4 building was changed in 1923 but still shows its original design.

The steel footbridge and stairs from 1919, and the office above the tracks from 1923, are also good examples of their type of construction.

Being heritage-listed means the station is protected because of its historical and architectural value. It helps connect the local community to its past.

Images for kids

• 

  Southbound view from platform 3

• 

  Western Entrance