Helensburgh railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Helensburgh
Southbound view from the footbridge in January 2008
Location	Tunnel Road, Helensburgh, New South Wales Australia
Coordinates	34°10′37″S 150°59′41″E / 34.176937°S 150.994756°E / -34.176937; 150.994756
Elevation	479 feet (146 m)
Owned by	Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by	NSW TrainLink
Line(s)	South Coast
Distance	46.38 kilometres from Central
Platforms	2 (1 island)
Tracks	2
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Station code	HSB
Website	Transport for NSW
History
Opened	1889
Rebuilt	1915
Electrified	Yes
Traffic
Passengers (2013)	880 (daily) (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink)
Rank	164
Services
Preceding station NSW TrainLink Following station Otford toward Bomaderry or Port Kembla South Coast Line Waterfall toward Bondi Junction Thirroul toward Kiama South Coast Line Express services Sutherland toward Bondi Junction
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	Helensburgh Railway Station Group
Type	State heritage (complex / group)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	01168
Type	Railway Platform/ Station
Category	Transport - Rail

Helensburgh railway station is a train station in Helensburgh, Australia. It's on the South Coast railway line. This station is special because it's "heritage-listed." This means it's an important historical site. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.

History of Helensburgh Station

Helensburgh was first called "Camp Creek." It started as a camp for workers building the Illawarra railway line. The town might have been named after Helensburgh in Scotland. That was the birthplace of the local coal mine manager, Charles Harper. Or, it might have been named after his daughter, Helen.

The First Station and New Location

The first Helensburgh station opened in 1889. It was part of the single train line from Sutherland. This line was slowly extended south. The original station was between two tunnels.

A new station opened on May 30, 1915. This happened when the train line was made into two tracks. New tunnels were also built between Waterfall and Otford.

Challenges with the Old Line

Early trains from Clifton (Scarborough) to Waterfall faced problems. They had to go through eight tunnels. Two of these, the Otford railway tunnel and the Metropolitan tunnel, were very hot. Steam train crews often suffered from the heat and lack of air. This single track section became a major bottleneck. Trains had to carry much less weight to get through.

The "Helensburgh Deviation" Project

To fix these problems, a new section of track was planned. This project started in 1914. It was called the "Helensburgh Deviation." The goal was to replace the old single line with its steep hills and bad tunnels. Workers built new tracks with gentler slopes. This huge project finished in 1920. The difficult Otford tunnel was finally bypassed.

This project led to the building of the current Helensburgh Railway Station. It's on a different spot from the first station. You can still see parts of the original Helensburgh and Metropolitan Tunnels. Also, remnants of the old Helensburgh Station platform are southwest of the current station.

Station Upgrades and Electrification

The current Helensburgh Railway Station has an island platform. It has a brick building, which is one of the longest of its kind. Part of the building, once a signal box, is now a waiting room.

In 1984, Helensburgh became the temporary end point for the electrified train line. This meant trains could run on electricity. The electric line was extended further in 1986.

In 2007, a new concrete footbridge was built. It has stairs and lifts. This makes it easier for people to get to the platform from the car park.

Trains and Services

Helensburgh station has one island platform with two sides. It serves NSW TrainLink South Coast line trains. These trains travel between Sydney Central, Bondi Junction and Kiama.

One weekday afternoon train from Waterfall also ends here. This train mostly helps school students get home.

Getting Around: Transport Links

Premier Charters runs one bus route from Helensburgh station:

• 15: to Stanwell Park station via Helensburgh CBD.

What the Station Looks Like

The station has a platform building, the platform itself, and the Park Street overbridge. These were all finished in 1915. The footbridge was added in 2007.

Helensburgh Railway Station is very similar to Scarborough station. However, at Helensburgh, both the platform and the building are slightly curved. You enter the station using a modern footbridge from the car park. The station is in a natural bushland area at the bottom of a valley.

Platform Building (1915)

The platform building is made of painted brick. It curves with the platform. It has a gabled roof and skillion roofs (sloping roofs) on both sides. The roof is made of corrugated steel. The building also has two brick chimneys with terracotta pots.

The windows are original timber-framed. They have nine small panes of glass at the top, some with colored glass. The bottom panes are larger, also with some colored glass. Awnings (shelters) on both sides are held up by steel brackets. These brackets are mounted on decorative sandstone.

The waiting area is at the western end. It used to be the signal box. The inside of the waiting area is original. It has a ripple iron ceiling and a metal ceiling rose (a decorative center piece). There's also a molded plaster chair rail (a decorative strip on the wall). The Station Master's office also has its original features.

Footbridge (2007)

This is a modern footbridge with stairs and lifts. It helps people get to the platform from the southern side of the tracks.

Park Street Overbridge (1915)

This is a "jack arch bridge" made of brick. It has a brick balustrade (a row of small columns). There's also a steel screen to prevent things from being thrown off.

Platform (1915)

The platform is curved with brick edges. It has an asphalt surface. You can see signs that the platform was extended in the past.

Natural Setting

Helensburgh Railway Station is in a beautiful bushland setting. It's located at the bottom of a valley, inside a railway cutting (a dug-out area for the tracks).

Condition of the Station

The platform building, platform, and Park Street overbridge were in good condition in 2009. Helensburgh Railway Station is still very much like it was originally built. The platform building is almost completely unchanged on the outside and inside.

Why Helensburgh Station is Heritage-Listed

Helensburgh Railway Station is important for its history and design. It includes the 1915 platform, platform building, and Park Street overbridge.

Historical Importance

The station has been a key transport hub for Helensburgh since 1915. Its rebuilding in 1915 was part of a huge project. This project, called the "Helensburgh Deviation," aimed to fix the old train line. The old line had steep hills and tunnels that were hard for steam trains.

Design and Beauty

The station is special because its platform and building have a unique curve. Its location in a bushland setting is also unusual. The platform building is a great example of "Federation period" architecture.

Community Connection

The station helps connect the local community to its past. It's a part of their local history and identity.

Unique Features

The curved platform and building at Helensburgh are rare. The station's bushland setting is also quite unique. However, the station's brick platform building style is not rare. There are 12 similar stations on the Illawarra line.

Good Example of a Railway Station

Helensburgh Railway Station is a great example of an early standard brick platform building. While many stations have this style, Helensburgh's curved design makes it stand out.

Images for kids

• 

  The original Helensburgh station.