Glen Innes railway station, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Glen Innes
Glen Innes railway station, 2017
Location	Lambeth Street, Glen Innes
Coordinates	29°44′23″S 151°43′35″E / 29.7397°S 151.7265°E / -29.7397; 151.7265
Owned by	Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by	State Rail Authority
Line(s)	Main Northern
Distance	681.32 kilometres from Central
Platforms	1
Tracks	3
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Other information
Station code	GLI
History
Opened	9 January 1882
Services
Preceding station Former Services Following station Dundee towards Wallangarra Main North Line Stonehenge towards Sydney

The Glen Innes railway station is a historic train station in New South Wales, Australia. It is no longer used for trains. This station served the town of Glen Innes for many years. It is an important part of the area's history. The station building is now listed as a heritage site. This means it is protected because of its special historical value.

Station History

This railway station first opened on 19 August 1884. At that time, the train line was extended from Armidale to Glen Innes. For a short while, Glen Innes was the very end of the train line. Then, on 1 September 1886, the line was extended further to Tenterfield.

The station had one platform where people would get on and off trains. It also had two extra tracks called "loops." These loops allowed trains to pass each other or turn around.

End of Train Services

The train line north of Glen Innes closed on 22 October 1989. This meant trains could no longer travel past Glen Innes in that direction.

The last regular passenger train to serve Glen Innes was called the Northern Mail. This train stopped running in November 1988. Another train, the Northern Tablelands Express, used to offer a daytime service. However, its route was shortened in October 1985 to only go as far as Armidale.

What Happened to the Building?

After the station stopped being used for trains, the building found new purposes. For several years, it was used as a restaurant and a bar. Later, it was rented out to the local Musicians' Guild.

Today, the building is empty. In 2016, people noted that it was in need of repairs. There were also problems with vandalism. A local community group, Business in Glen (BIG), was interested in renting the building. However, no further plans have been announced about this.

Station Design and Features

The Glen Innes railway station is made up of several parts. The main building is a "first-class" brick station building. It was built in 1884 and has a brick platform.

Other important parts of the station complex include:

• A timber (wooden) signal box. This was used to control the train signals and tracks.
• A metal water tank.
• A water column. This was used to fill steam trains with water.
• A timber overbridge with brick supports. This bridge is located at the Sydney end of the station yard.
• The plants and trees in the area in front of the station.

Why is it Heritage Listed?

The Glen Innes railway station is a great example of a country Victorian railway station. It has a beautiful design and good proportions. It is important because it shows how railways developed in the area. It also highlights how important Glen Innes was in the railway system.

The station building is a landmark in the town. It stands out at the end of Wentworth Street. As a whole, the station complex is significant. It still has many original parts from when it was first built. This includes two old residences nearby. It is a fine example of a "first-class" station building. This type of building was larger than standard stations. It had special sections at each end and a main entrance with a covered walkway.

The Glen Innes railway station was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it is protected by law due to its historical and architectural importance.