Katoomba railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Katoomba
Eastbound view in April 2012
Location	Goldsmith Place, Katoomba Australia
Coordinates	33°42′43″S 150°18′41″E / 33.711904°S 150.311347°E / -33.711904; 150.311347
Elevation	1,016.8 metres (3,336 ft)
Owned by	Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by	NSW TrainLink
Line(s)	Main Western
Distance	109.94 kilometres from Central
Platforms	2 (1 island)
Tracks	3
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Station code	KTO
Website	Transport for NSW
History
Opened	2 February 1874
Electrified	Yes
Previous names	Crushers
Traffic
Passengers (2013)	1,560 (daily) (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink)
Rank	130
Services
Preceding station NSW TrainLink Following station Medlow Bath toward Lithgow Blue Mountains Line (electric services) Leura toward Central Mount Victoria toward Bathurst Blue Mountains Line (twice daily) Bathurst Bullet Springwood toward Central Lithgow toward Broken Hill NSW TrainLink Western Line Dubbo XPT Penrith toward Sydney Lithgow toward Broken Hill or Dubbo NSW TrainLink Western Line Broken Hill Outback Xplorer

Katoomba railway station is a historic train station in Katoomba, Australia. It's located on the Main Western line, which connects Sydney to western New South Wales. The station first opened on 2 February 1874, and was originally called "Crushers". It was renamed Katoomba on 9 July 1877.

This station is important because it shows how Katoomba grew as a popular tourist spot. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999, meaning it's a special place protected for its history.

Train Services at Katoomba

Katoomba station has one platform with two sides, like an island. It serves trains from NSW TrainLink, which is a company that runs trains in New South Wales.

Local and Regional Trains

• Blue Mountains Line: These trains travel between Sydney Central and Lithgow. Some trains from Sydney end their journey at Katoomba.
• Bathurst Bullet: This train runs twice a day in the evening to Bathurst.

Long-Distance Trains

Katoomba also serves long-distance trains that go much further:

• Central West XPT: This train goes from Sydney to Dubbo.
• Outback Xplorer: This train travels from Sydney all the way to Broken Hill.

Getting Around Katoomba

Blue Mountains Transit runs many bus routes from Katoomba station. These buses can take you to different parts of Katoomba and nearby towns.

• 685: to Wentworth Falls & North Wentworth Falls
• 685H: to Hazelbrook & North Hazelbrook
• 686: to Katoomba Golf Club, Echo Point & Scenic World
• 690K: to Springwood
• 690H: to Katoomba Hospital
• 695: to South Leura
• 696: to South Katoomba
• 697: to North Katoomba
• 698: to Blackheath
• 698V: to Blackheath & Mount Victoria

Katoomba Station History

The railway line through Katoomba opened in 1868. The station itself first opened in 1874 as "The Crushers". This was because there was a sandstone quarry nearby. The quarry provided rocks to build and fix the railway line.

Early Buildings and Changes

In 1877, a platform was built near a cottage for the level-crossing keeper. In 1881, a new timber (wooden) platform and station building were constructed. This new station was west of the level crossing.

The goods yard, where trains loaded and unloaded items, grew in 1883–1884. This was needed because Katoomba was becoming a busy tourist and business town. The goods yard still has old railway structures, like a crane from 1884 and a goods shed from 1881.

In 1891, the 1881 station building was moved to the goods yard. It became the goods shed. The crane was also moved with it.

The Current Station Building

The main station building and island platform you see today were built in 1891. They cost £6,922, which was a lot of money back then! This building is special for two reasons:

• It's made of timber and is curved to follow the platform.
• Its design was usually only used in Sydney's city train system. Katoomba is the only place outside that area with this type of building.

The roof of the building has wide awnings (overhangs) with pretty wooden decorations. You reach the platform by using a pedestrian subway, which is an underground walkway. This subway was also built in 1891 and was rare outside Sydney.

Signal Box and Other Structures

The tall, wooden signal box on the platform was built in 1903. It has a special machine inside that helps control the train signals. This machine was installed in 1945 and is still used today.

In 1909, a small two-room building was added for an inspector and an electrician. This building was made bigger in 1945 to be a staff meal room.

Progress Buildings

Near the station entrance are the "Progress Buildings," built in 1938. These buildings have shops facing Bathurst Road and one facing the station exit. The easternmost shop still has its original brass shopfront. These buildings are still owned by the railway company and rented out to businesses.

What the Station Looks Like

Main Station Building (1891)

This building is unique because it's curved and made of wooden boards. It has a steel roof that's mostly hidden by the wide awning. The awning has fancy wooden patterns and is supported by decorative iron brackets. The windows have colored glass in the top parts. Inside, the building has its original layout with a waiting room, ticket office, and staff rooms.

Signal Box (1902)

The signal box is a small wooden building on a brick base. It has a gabled (pointed) corrugated iron roof. It's located at the western end of the platform. The operating floor is a bit higher than the platform, with stairs leading up. It has many windows so the signal operator can see everything. Inside, it has a 40-lever machine that controls the signals.

Other Platform Buildings

• "Out of" Shed (around 1902): This small wooden shed is west of the signal box. It's used for storing flammable liquids.
• Former Inspector/Electrician's Office (1909 & 1945): This building is the furthest west on the platform. It's a rectangular wooden building with a gabled roof. It was used as a CCTV and meals room.

Island Platform (1891)

The platform itself is curved and made of brick with a concrete top and asphalt surface. It has garden beds, hanging plants, and old railway tools. There are also modern lights, wooden benches, and signs.

Subway and Awning (1891 & 1920)

The subway is an underground walkway made of brick. It has curved stairs leading from Bathurst Road. It's quite grand, showing how important Katoomba was. The subway tunnel has interesting murals (paintings) on its walls.

Yard Buildings

• Signals Branch Office (1910) and Yard Office (1881/1891): These two small wooden buildings are next to each other at the entrance to the goods yard. They are still used for railway purposes.
• Progress Building (1938): This building has three shops facing Bathurst Road and one facing the station exit. It has a rendered (smooth) wall facing the street with curved designs.

Goods Shed (1881, altered 1884, moved 1891)

This large wooden building was originally the station building from 1881. It was moved and changed over time to handle more freight. It's elevated on brick piers.

Crane (1884, moved 1891)

There's a 5-tonne hand crane near the goods shed. It's fixed on a stone base, which is unusual. It's still used sometimes and is in good condition.

Yard and Gates (1883-4)

The goods yard is no longer used for regular loading. There are sandstone retaining walls around the railway area, which help with the hilly land in Katoomba.

Station History and Importance

Katoomba Railway Station and its yard are very important to the history of New South Wales. It's special because it grew around an old quarry that provided materials for the railway. It also shows how Katoomba became a popular tourist and business center in the 1880s and 1890s.

Unique Features

• The 1891 station building is rare. It's one of the few remaining "Standard Eddy" timber station buildings. It's also the only one of its kind outside the Sydney city area and is unique because of its curved shape.
• The signal box is also special. It's a rare example of a wooden signal box built on a platform.
• The goods yard is important because it was part of the original station from 1878. It still has the old 1881 station building (now a goods shed) and the 1891 crane, which are both rare items.

The station buildings are all made of timber and look great together. The station is a key part of Katoomba, connected to the town's main shopping area by the pedestrian subway. The nearby Progress Buildings also add to the historic feel of the area.

Katoomba railway station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it's recognized for its historical, architectural, and social importance.