Belmore railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Belmore
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Belmore Station in January 2019
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| Location | Burwood Road, Belmore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 33°55′02″S 151°05′19″E / 33.91725833°S 151.0887111°E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owned by | Transport Asset Holding Entity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operated by | Sydney Trains | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line(s) | Bankstown | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance | 13.25 km (8.23 mi) from Central | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Platforms | 2 (1 island) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tracks | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Connections | Bus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Structure type | Ground | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disabled access | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Staffed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Station code | BMR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | Transport for NSW | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | 1 February 1895 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrified | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traffic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers (2018) | 5,830 (daily) (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Official name | Belmore Railway Station Group; Burwood Road | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | State heritage (built) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Designated | 2 April 1999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reference no. | 1081 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Railway Platform/ Station | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Category | Transport - Rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Builders | NSW Government Railways | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Belmore railway station is a historic railway station in Belmore, Australia. It is located on the Bankstown line and is served by Sydney Trains' T3 Bankstown Line services. The station was designed and built by the NSW Government Railways. It opened on 1 February 1895. Belmore Station is considered a special heritage site.
Contents
History of Belmore Station
Belmore station first opened on 1 February 1895. At that time, it was the very end of the railway line that started from Sydenham. The station was the final stop until the line was made longer to reach Bankstown on 14 April 1909.
Why the Station Was Built
The idea for this railway line came from Railway Commissioner Goodchap in 1882. He suggested building a new line between Newtown and Liverpool. This new line would help reduce traffic on the existing Southern Line. It would also encourage farming and new housing areas to grow.
Local people and land owners pushed for the project. Parliament approved the plan in 1890, and construction began in 1892.
Early Station Design
When Belmore station was built, the area was still mostly countryside. The station had a typical brick building on an island platform. A house for the station master was also built in 1895. This house is still there today at 346 Burwood Road, across from the station. However, it is now a private home.
The most important stations on the new line, like Belmore, Canterbury, and Marrickville, were built with impressive brick buildings. Other smaller stations, such as Campsie and Dulwich Hill, had simpler wooden buildings. These wooden buildings were later replaced.
Growth and Changes
The railway line was extended to Bankstown in 1909. Later, in 1928, it was extended again to Regents Park. This made it part of a loop line that went through Lidcombe. This extension helped serve the growing number of homes in the suburbs.
Before 1909, Belmore station had special tracks called sidings. These were used to store locomotives because Belmore was the end of the line. After World War I, many new homes were built in the area for soldiers returning from the war. Because of this, the sidings at the station were made longer in the 1920s. This allowed Belmore and Canterbury Councils to unload timber and other materials needed for building houses and for local council work.
In 1925-1926, the station was prepared for electrification. This meant adding electric power to the railway line. A sub-station was built, and the platforms were made longer. The old sub-station is now used as a training center for railway signals.
Around 1937, a new ticket office was built above the steps at Belmore. This office took over the job of selling tickets and handling parcels. The station master's office stayed in the platform building for about 40 more years. But now, that job has also moved to the street-level building, and the platform building is mostly unused.
Train Services and Platforms
Belmore station has two platforms.
Platform 1: Services to Central
- Platform 1 is for T3 services heading towards Central and the City Circle.
Platform 2: Services to Lidcombe and Liverpool
- Platform 2 is for T3 services going towards Lidcombe and Liverpool. These trains travel via Bankstown.
Connecting Transport
Belmore station is a hub for local bus services, making it easy to connect to other areas.
Bus Routes from Belmore Station
- Punchbowl Bus Company operates Route 942, which goes from Lugarno to Campsie.
- Transit Systems operates Route 415, connecting Chiswick to Campsie station.
- Belmore station is also served by the N40 NightRide bus route. This service runs from East Hills station to City (Town Hall) during late hours.
Heritage Significance
Belmore Station is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it is an important historical site for the state.
Historical Importance
Belmore Railway Station is important because it was the first end station on the Sydenham to Bankstown Line. This line was built to help with traffic on the main Southern Line. It also helped encourage farming and the growth of suburbs in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The brick platform building shows how railway building designs changed from the busy 1880s to the more standardized designs of the 1890s.
Design and Beauty
The platform building at Belmore Station is known for its beautiful design and high quality. It shows the special style of brick buildings that the NSW Railways built before 1900. It has unique features like bricks of different colors, decorative brick patterns, and fancy brackets supporting the awning. These details make it stand out from other station buildings.
Community Connection
Belmore Station helps the local community feel connected to their past. It is a reminder of the area's history and how it has grown over time.
Example of Railway Architecture
The station is a great example of a standard railway station building from before 1900. Its style shows how important the station was at that time. Other important stations on the Bankstown line, like Canterbury and Marrickville, have similar designs. The overhead booking office is also a good example of this type of railway building and is still mostly in its original condition.
