Molong railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Molong railway station |
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![]() The station building in 2017
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Location | Main Western railway, Molong, Cabonne Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
Owner | Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Official name: Molong Railway Station and yard group | |
Type | state heritage (complex / group) |
Designated | 2 April 1999 |
Reference no. | 1196 |
Type | Railway Platform/ Station |
Category | Transport - Rail |
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The Molong railway station is a historic building in Molong, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a busy train station on the Main Western railway line. Today, it is no longer used for passenger trains. Instead, it serves as a library and a meeting place for local community groups. This special building is protected because of its history and unique design. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
History of Molong Station
The Molong railway station first opened in 1885. For a few years, from 1886 to 1893, it was the very end of the railway line. This meant all trains stopped here.
In the early 1990s, the station closed down for passenger services. At that time, a building used for storing goods was taken down. The station building itself was also planned to be demolished. However, people living in Molong worked hard to save it. Thanks to their efforts, the station building is still standing today.
The station is mostly made of timber and is still in great condition. It is now used by different local groups and a part of the Central Western Libraries. Just north of the station, there was once a connection to the Molong- Dubbo railway line, which is now closed.
The library plans to move out of the station building in late 2018. This has caused some worry about what will happen to the building in the future.
What Makes Molong Station Special?
The Molong railway complex is listed as a heritage site. It includes several important parts:
- A timber station building, built in 1885. It has a brick platform where passengers would wait for trains.
- A signal box, built in 1924. This small building has a pointed roof and is made of pre-cast concrete. Signal boxes were used to control train movements.
- Two old water columns from around 1900. These were used to fill steam trains with water.
- A timber road bridge that goes over the railway tracks.
- A large Bunya pine tree (Araucaria bidwillii) growing outside the station.
Why is Molong Station Important?
Molong railway station is a great example of a typical timber station found along old railway lines. It has beautiful details and is in a nice setting. The station is very noticeable on the main street of Molong. It plays a big part in the historic look of the town. The station building is the most important part, but its surroundings help people see how special it is.
The timber bridge at Molong is also very important. It is a good example of a type of wooden bridge that used to be common but is now quite rare.
The Molong railway station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. It met the following important rules:
The place has unusual, rare, or endangered parts of New South Wales' history or nature. This means the Molong station is considered rare in terms of its history, architecture, and its social importance to the community.