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Newtown railway station, Sydney facts for kids

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Newtown
Newtown Railway Station Side Entrance.jpg
Station front in December 2012
Location King Street, Newtown
Coordinates 33°53′53″S 151°10′46″E / 33.89792°S 151.17952°E / -33.89792; 151.17952
Owned by Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by Sydney Trains
Line(s) Main Suburban
Distance 3.1 kilometres (2 mi) from Central
Platforms 2 (1 island)
Tracks 6
Connections Bus
Construction
Structure type Ground
Disabled access Yes
Other information
Status Staffed
Station code NTN
Website Transport for NSW
History
Opened 26 September 1855
Rebuilt
  • 10 January 1892
  • 29 May 1927
  • 29 October 2012
Electrified Yes
Traffic
Passengers (2018) 6,830 (daily) (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink)
Rank 37
Services
Preceding station TfNSW T.png Sydney Trains Following station
Stanmore
toward Parramatta or Leppington
TfNSW T2.svg Inner West & Leppington Line Macdonaldtown
Official name Newtown Railway Station group and Former Newtown Tramway Depot
Type State heritage (built)
Designated 2 April 1999
Reference no. 1213
Type Railway Platform/ Station
Category Transport - Rail
Builders Department of Railways

Newtown railway station is a historic train station in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It is on the Main Suburban line. The station is used by Sydney Trains for its T2 Inner West & Leppington line services. Newtown station and the nearby Newtown Tram Depot were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999. This means they are important historical places.

Station History: A Timeline

Newtown station has changed a lot over the years. It has been rebuilt and updated several times.

Early Days: 1855 Opening

The first Newtown station opened on 26 September 1855. This was when the Main Suburban line first started. It was located a bit west of where the station is now.

More Tracks, New Station: 1892

In 1892, the railway line through Newtown got bigger. It was made into four tracks instead of two. Because of this, a new station was built where it stands today. This station had two side platforms and an island platform in the middle.

Even More Tracks: 1927

The line expanded again in 1927 to six tracks. Four of these tracks were set up for electric trains. The 1892 station was taken down. A new station, which is mostly what you see today, opened on 29 May 1927. This new station served only the local train tracks. The old ticket office building from 1892 was kept and changed to fit the new platform.

Modern Upgrades: 2012

On 29 October 2012, Newtown station got a big upgrade. A new entrance was opened. The platform building was replaced, and new lifts and stairs were added. This made it much easier for people to get to the platform. The old entrance on King Street was closed but kept for emergencies.

How the Station is Set Up

Newtown station has one island platform. This means trains stop on both sides of the same platform. The platform is in a shallow dip in the ground. The main entrance is near King Street. Close by is the old Newtown Tram Depot, which is no longer used.

Train Services

Newtown station is served by the T2 Inner West & Leppington Line.

Platform Line Stopping pattern Notes
1
2
services to Central & the City Circle
2
2
services to Homebush, Leppington & Parramatta

Bus Connections

Many bus routes stop near Newtown station, connecting it to other parts of Sydney.

Daytime Bus Routes

  • State Transit operates three routes:
    • 352: From Bondi Junction to Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre.
    • 355: From Bondi Junction to Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre.
    • 370: From Leichhardt Marketplace to Coogee.
  • Transit Systems Sydney operates seven routes:

NightRide Bus Routes

Newtown station is also served by three NightRide bus routes, which run late at night:

  • N10: From Sutherland station to City (Town Hall).
  • N30: From Macarthur station to City (Town Hall).
  • N40: From East Hills station to City (Town Hall).

Station Buildings and Features

Newtown station has several interesting parts, including old and new structures.

The Old Booking Office (1892)

The building above King Street is the old ticket office. It was built in 1892. It has brick walls and a special roof with a small tower on top. There's a veranda on the King Street side with old cast iron columns. Inside, you can still see some original features like patterned ceilings. This building now has shops and offices.

The Platform Building (1927)

The building on the platform itself was built in 1927. It's made of brick and has a long roof that covers part of the platform. This building used to have waiting rooms and offices for the station master. Now, it's mostly used for storage.

The Platforms (1927)

The platforms are made of brick with a concrete surface. They are where you wait for your train.

Canopies and Stairs (1990s)

A steel staircase connects the platform to the concourse area. This stair and part of the platform are covered by a steel roof, added in the 1990s.

King Street Overbridge (1892/1927)

This large bridge carries King Street and the old booking office over the railway tracks. It was built in 1892 and updated in 1927. It's made of concrete and steel, supported by strong brick structures.

Why Newtown Station is Special (Heritage Listing)

Newtown Railway Station is considered very important to the history of New South Wales. It shows how the railway system grew over time.

A Look Back in Time

The station represents three key periods in NSW railway history. The first station (from 1855) was one of the very first stations in the state. The stations built in 1892 and 1927 show how the railway expanded to handle more trains. These buildings together help us understand how people traveled and traded in the past.

Designed by a Railway Builder

The station is also linked to James Angus, a railway contractor. His company, Angus & Co., helped build many railways in NSW and Victoria. He designed the unique overhead booking office at Newtown.

Unique Design and Features

The 1892 overhead booking office is a special part of the station. It's one of only three such old overhead booking offices left in the state. Its brick design and location above the tracks make it stand out. It's a recognizable part of the King Street area.

Community Connection

Newtown station helps connect the local community to its history. It's a place that has been part of Newtown for a very long time.

A Rare Find

The 1892 overhead booking office is quite rare. There are only two other similar old overhead booking offices in NSW (at Homebush and Redfern stations).

Good Example of Bridge Building

The King Street overbridge is a good example of how bridges were built using steel girders back then. Most of its original parts are still there.

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