Dumaresq railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dumaresq railway station
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| Regional rail | |
Dumaresq station in 2011
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| Location | 537 Dumaresq Road, Dumaresq, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 30°27′41″S 151°34′52″E / 30.4613°S 151.5810°E |
| Owned by | Transport Asset Holding Entity |
| Other information | |
| Status | Closed |
| History | |
| Opened | 1884 |
| Closed | 16 December 1974 |
| Official name | Dumaresq Railway station group |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1132 |
| Type | Railway Platform/ Station |
| Category | Transport - Rail |
| Location | |
 Dumaresq railway station
Location in New South Wales
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Dumaresq railway station is a heritage-listed former train station located in Dumaresq, Australia. It's found within the Armidale Regional Council area. This old station is special because it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's an important part of the state's history and needs to be protected. The station opened in 1884 and closed its doors on 16 December 1974.
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History of Dumaresq Railway Station
Building the Great Northern Line
Back in 1878, a major railway line called the Great Northern Line (GNL) had reached Tamworth. People wanted to extend this line even further north. They planned to build it all the way to Tenterfield, and later to the border of Queensland.
Engineers looked at two possible routes for this extension. One route would go through Armidale, and the other through Inverell. After a lot of discussion, they decided in May 1878 to build the line through Armidale. The chosen path included the area where the town of Dumaresq is today.
The Station's Opening and Name Changes
The Great Northern Line kept expanding. It reached Tamworth in 1882, Uralla in 1882, and Armidale in 1883. The station at Dumaresq opened in 1884. When it first opened, it was called "Inverella".
A year later, in 1885, its name changed to "Eversleigh". Finally, in 1889, it was given its current name, "Dumaresq". The railway line continued to grow, reaching Black Mountain and Glen Innes in 1884, and Tenterfield in 1886.
What Happened to the Station?
There isn't a lot of information about the daily life of the Dumaresq railway station. We know that besides the main station building, there was also a house for the Station Master. This house was probably built around the same time the station opened in 1884.
The Dumaresq station stopped operating on 16 December 1974. The Station Master's house was later sold, likely in the 1990s. As of 2009, the station building itself was empty. It is still owned by the Transport Asset Holding Entity, which manages railway properties.
What Remains at Dumaresq Station?
Today, you can still see some parts of the old Dumaresq railway station. These include:
- The main station building, which was built in 1884. It's made of brick and is a "type 4, third-class" station.
- The brick platform face, also built in 1884. This is the raised area where people waited for trains.
- Some of the original station signs.
The station building is still in very good condition. It looks much like it did when it was first built. The old house where the Station Master lived is now privately owned.
Why is Dumaresq Station Heritage-Listed?
Dumaresq Railway station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it's considered very important to the history and culture of New South Wales. Here's why:
A Link to New South Wales History
The station building at Dumaresq was built when railways were expanding quickly in New South Wales. This happened in the late 1800s. It shows how fast the railway system grew in the New England region and other parts of the state during the 1880s. It's a reminder of how important trains were for travel and trade back then.
Showing Off Old Design and Style
The station building at Dumaresq is a great example of how stations were designed in the late 1800s. It has a balanced look and some simple, pretty decorations. These include special wooden boards called bargeboards, hanging ornaments called pendants, and a small, elegant veranda. Its design fits well with a small country town.
Important to the Local Community
The station building is a very noticeable landmark in Dumaresq. It helps connect the local community to the past. It shows how the town and the surrounding area developed from the late 1800s onwards. It's a tangible link to their history.
A Good Example of Old Station Buildings
The Dumaresq station building is a strong example of a "late Victorian" style station. It has excellent details and good proportions. It's one of several similar passenger stations built along the old Northern Line in the late 1800s.
