Cooma railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cooma railway station
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| Former railway station | |
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Cooma railway station, 2013
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| Location | Bradley Street, Cooma, Snowy Monaro Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 36°14′10″S 149°08′08″E / 36.2361°S 149.1356°E |
| Owned by | Transport Asset Holding Entity |
| Line(s) | Bombala railway line (closed) |
| Platforms | 2 |
| Tracks | 1 |
| Train operators | Cooma Monaro Railway (tourist) |
| Construction | |
| Structure type | Ground |
| Architect | John Whitton (attributed) |
| Other information | |
| Status |
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| History | |
| Opened | 31 May 1889 |
| Closed | c. 1989 |
| Rebuilt | c. 1950s |
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| Official name: Cooma Railway Station and yard group; Cooma Railway Engine Shed | |
| Type: | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated: | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference #: | 1116 |
| Type: | Railway Platform/ Station |
| Category: | Transport - Rail |
| Builders: | Walker & Swan |
The Cooma railway station is a very old and important former railway station in Cooma, New South Wales, Australia. It is considered a heritage site, meaning it's protected because of its historical value. The station was built between 1889 and 1950. It was designed by John Whitton, a famous railway architect. Today, the Cooma Monaro Railway group uses the station, though trains haven't run since 2014. The station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999.
Contents
Discovering Cooma Railway's Past
How the Station Started
The railway line to Cooma was finished in 1889. The company Walker & Swan built the section from Michelago to Cooma. Cooma station officially opened on May 31, 1889.
When it first opened, the station was a big place. It had a station building with five rooms and separate toilets. There was also a platform, a home for the station master, and a shed for locomotives (train engines). The station also had a turntable to turn engines around. There were places to load wool and livestock, and a goods yard for other items.
Changes Over the Years
The railway yard at Cooma was improved many times. In 1912, a signal box was built on the platform. This helped control the trains. The railway line was also extended to Nimmitabel that same year.
Cooma station became very busy during the World Wars. It was a key place for soldiers to leave for duty. In 1923, a fire destroyed the locomotive shed. It was rebuilt in 1925. A refreshment room for food and drinks opened in 1922. Later, it was made even bigger. A new rest house for 12 railway workers was built in 1940.
The Snowy Mountains Scheme Era
From the 1950s to the 1970s, the station was busy again. This was because of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. This huge project built dams and power stations in the mountains. It was the biggest engineering project ever in Australia. Many people from over 30 countries came to work on it.
The railway line from Goulburn to Cooma was vital for the Scheme. It brought workers and their families to Cooma. The station also got new facilities and switched from steam to diesel trains.
In 1958, the Railway Institute Building was built. This was a place for railway employees to train and learn. It also became a social spot for the community. Many dances and dinners were held there.
The Station's Closing
After the Snowy Mountains Scheme finished, activity at the station slowed down. There were fewer passengers and less freight. The railway company couldn't afford to fix the tracks. The last passenger train left Cooma in November 1988. The last freight train left in 1989.
Because of this, the station closed. However, it is now the most complete railway site in New South Wales. It shows how railways developed over 100 years. The station building has been restored. It is now the home of the Cooma Monaro Railway group.
Exploring Cooma Station's Features
The Cooma station complex has many interesting parts. These include the main station building, a platform, and a goods shed. There's also a yard with loading areas and a weighbridge.
Station Building (1889)
The main station building was built in 1889. It's made of brick and has a classic railway style. It has seven main rooms and a platform with a roof supported by iron posts. The roof is gabled and made of corrugated iron. The building has been changed over the years, but it still looks very much like it did when it was built.
Signal Box (1912)
The signal box was added to the platform in 1912. It's a small building made of weatherboard (wooden planks). It has a pitched roof. An extension was added in 1955. This part held equipment for the track circuits and electric staff system.
Goods Shed and Yard (1889)
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The goods shed is where items were stored and loaded. It's made of four different sections built over many years. The oldest part is from 1889. It has brick supports and corrugated iron walls and roof. There's a platform and loading area. The goods yard also has a metal weighbridge. This was used to weigh goods. There are also ramps for loading wool and cattle, built in 1889.
Locomotive Area (1889)
This area was for servicing and maintaining trains. It includes the engine shed, a store, and a turntable. The turntable is 60 feet long. It's a platform on a concrete pit used to turn train engines around. There's also a coal stage for loading coal and a water column for filling steam engines.
Other Important Buildings
- District Locomotive Engineer's (DLE's) Office (1950): This brick building was an office for the DLE. It also had rooms for workers, like a meal room and locker room.
- Barracks (1941): This building had bedrooms for 12 railway workers. It also had bathrooms, a kitchen, and a dining room. An extension with four more bedrooms was added later.
- Railway Institute and Tennis Courts (1958): This building had a hall and an annex. It was a social and training hub for railway workers. There were also two gravel tennis courts.
Why Cooma Station is Special
Cooma Railway Station is very important to the history of New South Wales. It shows how Cooma and the Monaro region grew. It also played a big part in the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The station shows how rail transport changed over more than a century.
A Landmark Designed by John Whitton
The station was built when John Whitton was the chief engineer for NSW Railways. He helped build almost 3,500 km of railway tracks across the state. The station building at Cooma is a great example of his architectural skills. It has beautiful Victorian-era details. The station's location on a hill makes it a landmark in Cooma.
A Hub for the Community
For many years, the railway was essential for farmers to send their produce to market. It also made travel easier for people. The railway helped Cooma become the headquarters for the Snowy Mountains Scheme. This completely changed the town. The station was a place for many important events. People would gather there to say goodbye to loved ones going off to war. The railway was also a major employer in Cooma. Many people worked there their whole lives. The Institute Building was a social center for railway workers in the 1950s.
A Unique Historical Site
Cooma railway station is considered the most complete railway site in NSW. It shows how rail developed from steam engines to diesel trains. It also has some very rare items. The signalling equipment is the most complete of its kind in Australia. The straight-type engine shed is one of only four left in NSW. It is considered the most intact example.
The station shows how railway customs, work practices, and designs changed over 100 years. It also shows how the railway cared for its employees.
