Loftus Junction railway signal box facts for kids

The Loftus Junction railway signal box is an old building that used to control trains on the Illawarra line in Loftus, Australia. A signal box is like a control tower for trains. It helps direct trains safely using signals and track switches. This particular signal box was built in 1886. It is now considered a special historical site, meaning it's "heritage-listed." The New South Wales government agency RailCorp owns this property. It was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, because of its historical importance.

History of the Loftus Signal Box

The Illawarra line is a train line that connects different parts of New South Wales. The section of this line from Sutherland to Waterfall opened in 1886. Around the same time, a shorter branch line was built. This branch line, about 1.6 kilometers long, led to a station called Loftus. It was mainly used for military trains because the Royal National Park area was an army training ground back then. The Loftus Junction Signal Box was also built in 1886 to manage these train movements.

Changes to the Railway Line

Over the years, the railway line saw many changes:

• In 1890, the Illawarra line was made into a double track, allowing trains to travel in both directions at the same time.
• In 1926, the line was electrified. This meant trains could run on electricity instead of steam.
• The Loftus Junction Signal Box was the first place on the Illawarra Line where signals and track switches were connected. This made train control much safer.
• In 1888, the National Park area became a public park. The station was then renamed "National Park." It later became known as The Royal National Park in 1955.
• In 1899, a short double track was added near Loftus Junction to handle more train traffic. However, this was changed back to a single track in 1944.

Moving the Loftus Station

The Loftus Junction station was renamed Loftus in 1896. Starting trains from this station was difficult because the track went uphill. So, in 1917, the train platforms were moved closer to Sydney. This left the original signal box in an isolated spot, away from the main station activity.

The signal box was used for many years. However, it was closed in 1991. After its closure, most of the equipment inside was taken out, and its windows were covered up.

What the Loftus Signal Box Looks Like

The Loftus Signal Box and two small concrete huts are located on railway land. They are found east of Loftus Avenue, across from where Loftus Avenue and Nattai Street meet in Loftus.

The Signal Box Building

The signal box itself is a small, rectangular building. It stands freely and has a pointed roof, known as a gabled roof.

• Its lower part has painted brick foundations, about 1 meter high.
• The rest of the building is made of painted timber boards.
• The roof is made of corrugated steel and does not have any overhangs.
• On the western side, there's a smaller section with a slanted roof, also made of corrugated steel.
• The windows and the door of the building have been covered up.
• On the north side, there's a concrete deck with timber steps and a pipe railing, which was once the entry point.

Inside the signal box, there is no original equipment left.

Current Condition

As of 2012, the signal box was in moderate condition. The gutters on the building were old and damaged. Since the tracks and junctions it used to control have been removed, the signal box no longer serves its original purpose. It has been repainted, and its windows are covered. Because the inside equipment is gone, the building has lost some of its original purpose and look.

Why the Signal Box is Important

The Loftus Junction railway signal box is considered very important historically. As of 2014, it was seen as one of the best examples of a small signal box from the Victorian era that still exists.

• It has good proportions and looks visually pleasing.
• It's an important part of the history of the south coast railway system, especially with the nearby tramway museum.
• The building has a raised floor. This design allowed the signal equipment to work underneath it.
• It was specifically designed to control the train junctions and signals in the area.
• Its small size reflects the importance of its location at the time.

The Loftus Junction railway signal box was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.