Bowenfels railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bowenfels
Station front in October 2004
Location	Bowenfels, City of Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia Australia
Coordinates	33°28′37″S 150°08′08″E / 33.4769°S 150.1355°E / -33.4769; 150.1355
Owned by	Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by	Public Transport Commission
Line(s)	Main Western
Distance	158.2 km (98.3 mi) from Central
Platforms	2 side (1 demolished)
Tracks	2
Construction
Architect	John Clifton; NSW Government Railway
Architectural style	Victorian Rustic Gothic
Other information
Status	Closed
History
Opened	18 October 1869
Closed	21 September 1974
Electrified	Yes
Services
Preceding station Former Services Following station Marrangaroo towards Bourke Main Western Line Cooerwull towards Sydney
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	Bowenfels Railway Station and Stationmaster's House; Old Station Masters Residence and Station
Type	State heritage (complex / group)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	475
Type	Railway Platform/ Station
Category	Transport - Rail
Builders	G. Watsford, NSW Government Railway

The Bowenfels railway station is a special old train station in Bowenfels, Australia. It's not used for trains anymore, but it's a very important historical building! It's now a visitor's centre and even a restaurant.

This station was designed by John Clifton and the New South Wales Government Railways. It was built in 1869 by G. Watsford. People also know it as the Bowenfels Railway Station and Stationmaster's House. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999, which means it's officially protected for its history.

The station is made of sandstone and first opened on 18 October 1869. In 1957, the train lines here became electrified, meaning electric trains could use them. This was part of a big plan for the Blue Mountains Line.

However, on 14 August 1972, the station stopped having staff. By 21 September 1974, all passenger train services stopped, and the station closed.

In 1989, there was an idea to reopen Bowenfels station for electric trains from Sydney. This would have helped with traffic around Lithgow station. But this idea wasn't used, and a new interchange was built at Lithgow instead.

The station building was fixed up in 1994. It was used as the Lithgow tourist information office until 2004. Even though trains don't stop here, the electric wires are still there!

A Look Back in Time

Bowenfels railway station, around 1880.

The village of Bowenfels grew a lot because of the railway. The Zig Zag railway finished building its line across the Blue Mountains. Bowenfels was at the end of this line, which helped the area become an industrial centre.

The main railway line through Bowenfels opened in 1869. It was part of the line connecting Sydney to Bathurst. This railway was very important for Bowenfels. It helped people use the local coal, which made Lithgow a big mining and industrial town.

The station opened on 18 October 1869, the same day the line opened. John Clifton designed it, and G. Watsford built it. For five years, it was the only station for Lithgow Valley. At first, the railway line had only one track. Later, in 1880, a second track was added from Zig Zag to Bowenfels. By 1921, a second platform was also built.

The stone station building and the stone Station Master's house were both built in 1869. Using stone for railway buildings was quite rare in New South Wales. This shows how important Bowenfels station was when it was built.

The station building had a simple rectangular shape with a veranda at the front and back. Inside, there was a ladies' waiting room, a main waiting room, a ticket office, and the Station Master's office. There were also smaller rooms for luggage and ladies' washrooms. Each room had a fireplace to keep passengers warm.

A Gatekeeper's cottage was also built in 1869. This cottage is still standing today, but it's privately owned. The land it sits on belongs to Transport Asset Holding Entity.

In 1919, a signal box was added to the station. The Western line was electrified up to Bowenfels in 1958. However, the signal box and a small outbuilding have since been removed.

The station was used until 1974 when passenger trains stopped. There weren't many big changes to the building over the years. Some walls were changed to create internal doorways. Also, a fireplace was blocked up, and the toilets were updated. The platform was covered with bitumen, and most of the old fencing was replaced.

In 1994, the station was renovated to become the Lithgow Visitors' Information Centre. This included replacing the floor, adding a new slate roof, fixing the sandstone chimneys, and painting. The building was empty in 2009 but has since been used again.

What You Can See Today

The Bowenfels station area has several important buildings and structures:

• The main station building, built in 1869.
• The Station Master's house, built in 1869.
• The Gatekeeper's house, built in 1869 (privately owned).
• The stone platform, built in 1869.

The Station Building

The station building is made of stone and has a rectangular shape. It has large stone blocks at the corners. The central part of the building has a hipped roof covered with slate. There are four chimneys, and one still has its original terracotta pot. A veranda with a low iron roof is supported by decorative timber posts. All the windows and doors are made of timber.

Inside, the building is now used for offices. Many of the original features have been changed. However, some fireplaces, slate hearths, and cast iron grates are still there. The ceilings are plaster, and there are timber architraves around doors and windows.

The Station Master's House

The old Station Master's house shows the style of Victorian Rustic Gothic architecture. This means it has a steeply pitched roof, pointy gables, and fancy wooden decorations. Like the station, it's made of stone. The slate roof is very steep, and there are two round stone chimneys. A veranda covers the entrance. The windows are boarded up, but they have smooth stone frames.

Inside, the house still has its original layout. However, most of the inner finishes have been changed or removed. Some original timber features like window frames and skirtings are still there. Most of the fireplaces and doors have been removed or replaced.

The Gatekeeper's House

The Gatekeeper's house is on land owned by Transport Asset Holding Entity, but the house itself is privately owned. It's a simpler version of the Station Master's house, also in the Victorian Gothic Revival style. It's made of stone with a steeply pitched corrugated metal roof. The windows are tall and narrow.

The Platform

The platform is made of stone with a concrete edge. Its surface is covered with bitumen. It runs along the front of the old station building.

Other Features

You can still see the old station sign and some parts of the original timber fence in the garden. The area also has a gravel carpark and a grassy garden with small trees.

Why Bowenfels Station is Important

Bowenfels station and the Station Master's house are very important to the history of New South Wales. They are some of the earliest railway buildings beyond the Blue Mountains. The station was used for 105 years with only small changes.

The stonework and the Victorian Rustic Gothic design of the buildings are very beautiful. It's one of the best examples of old stone station groups from the first big railway building period (1860s and 1870s). The Station Master's house has a unique design.

Bowenfels railway station is historically important because it helped the Bowenfels area grow. It opened the way for using local coal, which led to Lithgow becoming a major mining and industrial centre.

The station and residence were listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means they are protected because they show:

• How New South Wales' history developed, especially with the railways and coal mining.
• Great design and technical skill, especially with the fine stonework.
• A connection to the local community's past.
• Information that helps us understand the history of New South Wales.
• A rare example of stone railway buildings from that early period.
• What typical Victorian-era railway stations and residences looked like in New South Wales.