Cowra railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cowra railway station |
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| Location | Blayney–Demondrille line, Cowra, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | Transport Asset Holding Entity |
| Official name: Cowra Railway Station and yard group | |
| Type | state heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1122 |
| Type | Railway Platform/ Station |
| Category | Transport - Rail |
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The Cowra railway station is an old train station located in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia. It was once an important stop on the Blayney–Demondrille railway line. Today, parts of this historic station are used by a special heritage railway group.
A Look Back in Time
The Cowra railway station first opened its doors on November 1, 1886. It served the community for many years. The station eventually closed on November 25, 1988.
Even though it is no longer a regular train station, parts of it are still active. The Lachlan Valley Railway uses some of the station buildings. They also use the old locomotive depot. This group helps keep railway history alive.
What You Can See at the Station
The Cowra railway station is more than just a platform. It is a group of buildings and structures. These show how important the railway was in the past.
The complex includes:
- The main station building, built in 1886.
- A small timber box on the platform from 1937.
- An old railway house at 32 Brougham Street, also from 1886.
- The railways institute building and an examiners hut, both built in 1886.
- The roundhouse and its surrounding area.
You can also see other interesting parts. There is a water column and brick-based water tanks. A timber footbridge crosses over the tracks. The turntable helped turn locomotives around. Inside the locomotive depot, there is a drop pit jack. Old platform signs are also still there.
The station grounds and buildings are well-preserved. They show what a complete country locomotive depot looked like. This includes the gardens and the layout of the yard from the 1930s.
Why This Station is Special
The Cowra railway station is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it is a very important historical site. It was added to the list on April 2, 1999.
Trains first reached Cowra from Young in 1886. Then, in 1888, the line connected to Blayney. This created the first cross-country railway line in the area.
The station buildings show different building styles. They were built over many years. This makes the station complex unique. It is an important landmark for Cowra. It has a strong connection to the town's history.
The main station building is considered a civic structure. This means it is an important public building. The Institute building is one of the few left in the state. It shows how important railways were to workers' lives. It was used for training, social events, and entertainment. The examiners hut is also a rare building.
The parking area and grounds are also important. They connect the street to the station. Nearby, the Cowra Railway Hotel adds to the historical feel. It is one of the few active railway hotels left in New South Wales. This connection makes both places even more special.
The station is listed because it has "uncommon, rare, or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales." This means it helps us understand the past in a unique way.
