Old Casino railway station facts for kids

The Old Casino railway station is a special historic building in Casino, Australia. It used to be a busy train station. Today, it is a museum where you can learn about its past. This old station is found on the Murwillumbah railway line. It was built way back in 1903. This important place was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.

What is the History of Old Casino Station?

The Old Casino railway station first opened its doors on October 19, 1903. At that time, it was simply called Casino railway station. It became an important stop when the Murwillumbah railway line was extended to Casino.

How Did the Station Get Its New Name?

Later, a new main train line was built. This was the North Coast railway line. It connected Kyogle to Brisbane, Queensland. This new line did not pass through the original Casino station. So, a brand new Casino railway station was built on the new line.

When the new station opened in 1930, the original station was renamed Old Casino. Even after the new station opened, Old Casino continued to operate. It served as a branch line station. A branch line is a smaller railway line that connects to a main line. The Old Casino station kept running until about 1974.

What Happened After the Station Closed?

After it closed, the station was left empty for many years. But thankfully, it has now been restored. It is no longer an active train station. Instead, it is home to the Old Casino Station Museum. This museum helps people learn about the history of trains and the station itself.

Sadly, some parts of the old station are gone. The train platform was removed around 1990. A special type of crane, called a tripod crane, was also there for a long time. It was a rare example of early railway equipment. However, it was destroyed in a storm in 2012.

What Does the Old Casino Station Look Like?

The station building is made of timber, which is wood. It was built in 1903. Its design is known as a "type 16 pioneer design." This means it was built in a style common for early railway stations.

Why is Old Casino Station a Heritage Site?

The Old Casino station is very important because it was the first railway station in the area. It opened in 1903. It changed its name to Old Casino when the new main line to Brisbane opened in 1930. The building is a great example of an early "pioneer" station. It shows how large stations were built back then. The old crane, even though it's gone now, was also a rare example of early timber and steel structures used in railways.

What Makes it Historically Rare?

The Old Casino railway station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. It met certain rules to be listed. It is considered historically rare. This means it has unique features from the past. It is also architecturally rare, showing a special building style. Finally, it is socially rare, meaning it has a special place in the community's history.

See also

• List of disused regional railway stations in New South Wales