Ben Lomond railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ben Lomond railway station |
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| Location | Main Northern railway, Ben Lomond, Armidale Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1884–1884 |
| Owner | Transport Asset Holding Entity |
| Official name: Ben Lomond Railway Station | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1083 |
| Type | Railway Platform/ Station |
| Category | Transport - Rail |
| Builders | Nathan Cohen & Co |
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The Ben Lomond railway station is a historic former train station. It is located on the Main Northern railway in Ben Lomond, New South Wales, Australia. This station was built in 1884 by Nathan Cohen & Co. It is now listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register because of its important history.
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History of Ben Lomond Station
People started settling in the Ben Lomond area in the 1840s. More people arrived in the 1860s and 1870s. But it wasn't until the 1880s that the area got a school (in 1881) and the railway (in 1884).
Building the Great Northern Railway
Railway construction in New South Wales began in the 1850s. By 1878, the Great Northern line had reached West Tamworth. The line continued north towards the Queensland border. It passed through towns like Uralla, Armidale, Glen Innes, and Tenterfield.
The railway reached Tamworth in 1880. It got to Uralla in 1881 and Armidale in 1883. By 1884, it reached Glen Innes. Tenterfield saw the railway in 1886. Finally, the line reached the border town of Wallangarra in 1888.
Ben Lomond Station's Busy Years
By 1881, the Great Northern line was being built near Ben Lomond. In 1883, construction was at its busiest. Hundreds of people worked on the project. The Ben Lomond station building officially opened on 19 August 1884. That same year, a large water tank was installed.
In 1885, a "receiving office" opened at the station. This office was upgraded to a full post office in 1886. In the late 1800s, Ben Lomond station also offered other services. These included a telegraph service and banking facilities. For a while in the mid-1880s, the station was even used for church services. The goods shed was used as a community hall until 1905. More additions to the railway yard, like a dam and another water tank, were made between 1903 and 1905.
The mid-1920s were likely the busiest time for the station. More passengers traveled, more goods were shipped, and the station earned more money. During both World War I and World War II, stations like Ben Lomond were important. They helped move soldiers along the Great Northern line.
Decline and Closure
Like many other places, Ben Lomond station became less busy in the second half of the 1900s. This happened mainly because road transport became more popular. Roads were used for both people and goods. Also, a coastal railway line between Sydney and Brisbane had opened in the 1930s. This new line offered another route.
In 1983, the goods shed at Ben Lomond was sold and removed. In December 1985, 101 years after it opened, the station closed. Train services stopped completely on the Great Northern line in 1989. In 1991, the Station Master's house at Ben Lomond was also sold.
What the Station Looks Like
A plan from 2002 describes the Ben Lomond Railway Station building.
The main passenger station has a central brick building. This building holds two waiting rooms and a ticket office for the Station Master. On either side, there are separate brick buildings. One is for the lamp room (at the north end) and the other for toilets (at the south end). The small spaces between these buildings had metal walls and roofs. Each room could be reached from the long platform on the eastern side. A roof-like structure, called an awning, covered the central part of the platform. This gave shelter to passengers and equipment.
Other parts of the railway area that are still there include the platform, a weighbridge (for weighing goods), fences, and old station signs. The station building itself is mostly still in its original form. However, many other items in the yard were removed in the late 1900s.
Why Ben Lomond Station is Important
The Ben Lomond railway station is important for several reasons.
Historical Significance
It is one of the smallest brick passenger stations built during a time when railways in New South Wales were growing very fast in the 1880s. It is also the highest railway station in New South Wales, sitting at 1,363 meters above sea level.
The station played a big part in the local community and economy of Ben Lomond. For many years, it served as the town's post office and a place for banking. The Great Northern railway line, which the station was part of, was the only train link between Queensland and the southern states in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It helped move farm products, animals, and even soldiers during wartime.
The railway greatly changed the New England region of New South Wales. It helped towns and villages grow and new industries start. The building of Ben Lomond station brought both challenges, like the loss of life during construction, and new opportunities for the local community.
Design and Appearance
Ben Lomond railway station is a good example of a simple, late-Victorian passenger station in a small country area. The station building shows some nice architectural details. While it looks similar to other stations of its time, it also has small differences in its design and how it was built.
Community Connection
The Ben Lomond railway station was once the main meeting place for the local community. It was also an important spot for business. Even though train services have stopped and the town has become smaller, the station building is still a significant landmark for the people who live there.
Learning from the Past
The station can help us learn about the early development of the local area. It also shows how a small regional railway station operated. And it helps us understand why railway services declined in the New England region.
Unique Features
The station might have some very rare features. Its old outdoor toilets and open urinals might be the only ones of their kind left at a railway station in New South Wales.
Representative Example
The Ben Lomond railway area is a good example of a late 1800s station building. It shows what many stations from that time were like.
