Bungendore railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bungendore
Southbound view in October 2006
Location	Majara Street, Bungendore
Coordinates	35°15′21″S 149°26′47″E / 35.2558°S 149.4464°E / -35.2558; 149.4464
Owned by	Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by	NSW TrainLink
Line(s)	Bombala
Distance	293.50 kilometres from Central
Platforms	1
Tracks	2
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Station code	BUX
History
Opened	4 March 1885
Services
Preceding station NSW TrainLink Following station Queanbeyan toward Canberra NSW TrainLink Southern Line Canberra Xplorer Tarago toward Sydney

Bungendore railway station is a really old and important train station in New South Wales, Australia. It's located on the Bombala line and serves the town of Bungendore. The station was designed by John Whitton and built in 1884-85. Because of its history, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

What is the History of Bungendore Station?

Bungendore station first opened its doors on 4 March 1885. At that time, the Bombala line was extended from Tarago to Bungendore. For a couple of years, Bungendore was the last stop on the line.

When Did the Station Expand?

The line was later extended to Queanbeyan on 8 September 1887. This meant more trains could travel further. The station also has a special track called a "passing loop" where trains can wait for others to pass.

The main station building, the station master's house, and a goods shed were all built around 1885. These buildings were designed by John Whitton, who was the main engineer for NSW Railways.

Why Was Bungendore Station So Big?

The station building at Bungendore was a "third-class" station. This size was usually for towns with more than 3,000 people. Bungendore wasn't that big then. This suggests that important or powerful people might have pushed for a larger station.

Over the years, the station yard got more additions.

• In 1891, a large 12-ton scale was added to weigh carts.
• A shelter for carriages or engines was built in 1902.
• A loading area for goods was added in 1909.
• The station's tracks were set up with a special "interlocking" system in 1917. This system helps control train movements safely.
• Nearby yards for livestock were built in 1887 and used until 1989.

How Did the Station Become a Junction?

On 17 June 1940, Bungendore became a "junction station." This happened when the Captains Flat line opened. This new line branched off the Bombala line about five kilometres south of Bungendore station.

The part of the track that connected to the Captains Flat line was removed in 1972. The station also stopped being used for goods traffic in 1989. However, Bungendore is still an active passenger station today. It serves trains traveling between Sydney and Canberra.

The old station master's house and a gatekeeper's house are still there. They are just north of the station building, but they are no longer owned by the railway.

Did Movies Film at Bungendore Station?

Yes! Bungendore station has been used in movies. It appeared in The Year My Voice Broke and the Mick Jagger version of Ned Kelly.

What Services Does Bungendore Station Offer?

Bungendore station is served by NSW TrainLink Xplorer trains. There are three trains each day in both directions. These trains travel between Sydney and Canberra.

How Do Trains Stop at Bungendore?

If you are traveling towards Canberra, Bungendore is a "request stop." This means the train will only stop if passengers have booked to get on or off there.

What Does Bungendore Station Look Like?

The station has several old buildings that are part of its heritage listing. These include:

• The main station building (from 1885).
• A timber signal box (from 1917).
• The train platform.
• A goods shed (from 1884).
• A shed for railway trolleys.
• A 5-tonne metal crane.

The Station Building (1885)

The station building looks balanced and even. It has a central waiting room with two smaller buildings on each side. One side has toilets, and the other was a lamp room. The building is made of brick and painted. It has gabled roofs covered with corrugated iron. The roofs have decorative timber and finials (pointy decorations).

The platform has a veranda with fancy timber decorations. It's held up by wooden posts with curved iron brackets. The windows are made of timber and have decorative frames.

The Signal Box (1917)

The signal box is a simple square building. It has a sloped roof made of corrugated iron. The walls are timber-framed and covered with fibro (a type of building board). Some of the old signaling equipment is still inside.

The Goods Shed (1884)

The goods shed is a large rectangular building. It has a gabled roof covered with corrugated iron. This roof extends out to form awnings on both sides of the building. These awnings are supported by timber brackets.

The building's frame is timber, and its walls are covered with corrugated iron. There's a small office wing that's covered in weatherboard. The shed has a large timber platform and big sliding wooden doors. It also has a metal fence, old advertising signs, and a sign showing distances to Queanbeyan and Goulburn.

The Platform

The platform has a brick edge and an asphalt surface where people walk.

All these buildings and structures at Bungendore station are in very good condition. They show how railway stations were designed and used a long time ago.

Why is Bungendore Station Heritage-Listed?

The Bungendore Railway Precinct is important because it's a well-preserved late 19th-century railway station. It includes the 1885 station building, the goods shed, and the crane. These buildings are a key part of the town's look. They are also good examples of similar railway items found on the Main Southern Line and the Bombala Line.

Bungendore railway station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 for several reasons:

Demonstrates History

The station shows how railways were built and operated in New South Wales in the late 1800s. It has several original buildings from when the line opened in 1885. This helps us understand what a typical railway station and yard looked like back then.

Shows Design and Creativity

The site is beautiful because it still has many original items that show railway design from the 1880s. The 1885 station building is a great example of a Victorian-era "third-class" roadside station. It has many details typical of that time. The railway buildings are an important part of Bungendore's overall look.

Important to the Community

The station is important to the local community. For many years, it provided jobs, helped with trade, and was a place for people to connect. It helps the community feel connected to its past. It's a special part of daily life for many people in the area.

Represents Other Places

The station building is a good example of a "third-class" brick station. It's similar to stations in places like Tarago and Michelago. The goods shed is also a great example of a standard goods shed from the late 1800s. The collection of buildings at Bungendore shows common railway practices and designs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries in New South Wales. They are like many other railway stations across the state.