Lawson railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lawson
|
|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Westbound view in September 2007
|
|||||||||||
| Location | Loftus Street, Lawson Australia |
||||||||||
| Coordinates | 33°43′09″S 150°25′47″E / 33.719061°S 150.429847°E | ||||||||||
| Elevation | 732 metres (2,402 ft) | ||||||||||
| Owned by | Transport Asset Holding Entity | ||||||||||
| Operated by | NSW TrainLink | ||||||||||
| Line(s) | Main Western | ||||||||||
| Distance | 96.04 km (59.68 mi) from Central | ||||||||||
| Platforms | 2 (1 island) | ||||||||||
| Tracks | 3 | ||||||||||
| Connections | Bus | ||||||||||
| Construction | |||||||||||
| Structure type | Ground | ||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||
| Station code | LWN | ||||||||||
| Website | Transport for NSW | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Opened | 11 July 1867 | ||||||||||
| Electrified | Yes | ||||||||||
| Previous names | Blue Mountain | ||||||||||
| Traffic | |||||||||||
| Passengers (2013) | 260 (daily) (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink) | ||||||||||
| Rank | 214 | ||||||||||
| Services | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Official name | Lawson Railway Station Group; Christmas Swamp; Blue Mountain | ||||||||||
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) | ||||||||||
| Designated | 2 April 1999 | ||||||||||
| Reference no. | 1177 | ||||||||||
| Type | Railway Platform/ Station | ||||||||||
| Category | Transport - Rail | ||||||||||
Lawson railway station is a historic train stop in Lawson, Australia. It's located on the Main Western line in the beautiful Blue Mountains. This station is special because it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. It was first called Blue Mountain when it opened on 11 July 1867. Later, on 21 April 1879, its name changed to Lawson.
Contents
Lawson Railway Station: A Historic Stop
Lawson station is an important part of the railway history in New South Wales. It shows how train travel and services have changed over time. The station complex includes several old buildings and structures. These help us understand how railways worked in the past.
Journey Through Time: Station History
Early Days and Changes
A train stop first opened at Lawson in 1867. It was named "Blue Mountain" after a nearby inn. In 1879, the station got a new brick platform and building. This was when its name changed to Lawson.
In 1902, the railway line was doubled. This meant a new island platform was built. The station buildings were updated in the popular Federation style. The old 1879 platform was still used for trains heading down the line.
More changes happened in 1907 and 1915. A signal interlocking frame was added in 1915. This helped control train movements. In 1921, a signal box was built to house the levers.
In 1944, the island platform was made longer. A special underground walkway, called a subway, was added. This allowed people to reach the platform safely from the Sydney-bound side.
Water for Steam Trains
Lawson became a very important station for steam trains. This is because locomotives needed to take on water there. The station had a large water tank and many water columns. It was the main place for trains heading down the line to refill their water.
Recent road work uncovered what looks like an old underground tank. Its original use is still a mystery.
Homes for Station Masters
A home for the Station Master was built around 1880. This was replaced by the current house around 1896. Railway leaders wanted to provide homes for their staff. The Lawson residence was one of the largest types built between 1890 and 1914. It had three bedrooms.
Powering the Trains: Electrification
Next to the station is an electrical substation and depot. These were built in 1956. They were made ready for the railway line to be electrified in 1957. This meant trains could run on electricity instead of steam.
This was a big step for the railway after World War II. It was the first time the system was designed to handle electric freight trains. It also powered long-distance electric passenger trains.
The substation was the last and largest brick substation built for the railway. Modern technology has now replaced the need for such big buildings. The substation was damaged by fire in 2003.
What You'll See at Lawson Station Today
The Main Station Building
The station building was built in 1902. It's made of brick with a metal roof. It has a long shape along the platform. You'll see many windows and doors with coloured glass. There are also decorative brackets holding up the platform awnings. A modern roof has been added to cover the subway entrance.
Inside, the building has its original layout. It includes a former signal room, a waiting room, and toilets. Some original features like timber doors and ticket windows remain. The old signal box is now used for storage.
The Old Shed
There's a small brick shed next to the main station building. It was also built in 1902. It has a metal roof and windows with coloured glass. It looks similar to the main station building. Today, it's used as a storeroom.
The Island Platform
Lawson station has an island platform. It's curved and made of brick with an asphalt surface. You'll see garden beds with shrubs along the platform. There's also a mature tree at one end. The platform has old and new lights, wooden benches, and modern signs.
The original side platform from 1879 is now mostly a garden bed. It's no longer used for trains.
The Pedestrian Underpass
You can get to the island platform through an underground walkway. This subway was built in 1944. It has brick walls and leads to a central stairway. The entrance on the platform has a new metal roof. The tunnel section has lights and security cameras.
The Station Master's Residence
The Station Master's house was built in 1896. It's a single-story brick cottage with a tiled roof. It has a front and back verandah. The house has three bedrooms and a living room. Many original features inside have been changed or removed. The house is currently empty.
The Electrical Depot Site
This area is next to Lawson Station. It includes the old District Engineer's Office and workshops. These buildings were built in the 1950s. They were part of the railway's electrification project. The office building is L-shaped and made of brick. The workshops are made of brick and corrugated metal.
The Substation
The substation was built in 1956. It's a two-story brick building with a metal roof. It has a control house and a rectifier house. Large transformers are located outside. The substation was important for converting electricity for the trains.
Getting Around: Transport Links
Blue Mountains Transit operates one bus route through Lawson station:
- 690K: From Springwood to Katoomba
Why Lawson Station is Special
Lawson Railway Station Group is very important to the history of New South Wales. It shows how railways developed in the Blue Mountains. The station was key for servicing steam locomotives. Later, it became important for the change to electric trains.
The station building is a great example of the Federation style from 1902. The Station Master's residence shows how railway staff were provided with homes. The Electrical Depot and substation also tell the story of the railway's electrification. The substation is one of the largest and last of its kind built for the Sydney network.
The station group helps us understand the past. It also adds to the unique look of Lawson town.
