Pyrmont and Glebe Railway Tunnels facts for kids
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| The tunnel between Glebe and Jubilee Park, now used by the Dulwich Hill Line | |
| Overview | |
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| Location | Metropolitan goods railway, Pyrmont, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°52′37″S 151°11′11″E / 33.8770°S 151.1864°E |
| Operation | |
| Owner | RailCorp |
The Pyrmont and Glebe Railway Tunnels are old railway tunnels located in Pyrmont, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. They are also known as the Metro Light Rail tunnels. These tunnels are considered important historical sites. They are protected as part of the New South Wales State Heritage Register. The tunnels were opened in 1922 and are currently owned by RailCorp, a government company.
Contents
History of the Tunnels
Early Days of the Area
The land around Leichhardt was originally home to the Wangal clan of Aboriginal people. After Europeans arrived in 1788, many Aboriginal people moved away. The areas around Blackwattle Bay and Rozelle Bay became a mix of homes, factories, and places for ships. Today, these areas are changing again, with new homes and parks.
The first official land grant in Glebe was given to Rev. Richard Johnson in 1789. This land was for the church. The area had rolling hills and creeks, with swamps near the water. Blackwattle Bay was named after the black wattle trees that grew there. Early settlers hunted kangaroos and emus in the area.
How the Area Developed
For a long time, Johnson's land was mostly empty. In 1828, it was divided into smaller plots. Some plots were sold, but the church kept the middle section. Wealthy people built fancy houses near the water, enjoying the sea breezes. Closer to Broadway, industries like slaughterhouses were built.
As Glebe grew, smaller houses were built for working-class families near these industries. In the late 1800s, Wentworth Park was created from reclaimed swamp land. It opened in 1882 as a sports ground. Over time, the area changed from being mostly industrial to having more homes. In the 1960s and 1970s, many students and young professionals moved to Glebe.
What the Tunnels Look Like
The Pyrmont and Glebe Railway Tunnels are part of a heritage-listed structure. This includes the double-lined tunnel, built in 1922, along with its railway cuttings and track.
Pyrmont Railway Cuttings and Tunnel
The railway cutting in Pyrmont is a wide, straight trench dug through the land. It starts near Jones Bay Road and leads into a tunnel. This tunnel is bored through the rock and is lined with bricks. It comes out near Jones Street.
The railway line then continues in another cutting. This cutting eventually opens up and leads to a brick viaduct. A viaduct is like a long bridge that carries a road or railway over a valley or other obstacles. This viaduct crosses Wentworth Park and goes towards Glebe. The railway cutting is dug through Pyrmont sandstone.
Glebe Railway Tunnel
The Glebe railway tunnel is about 800 meters (half a mile) long. It runs from Lower Avon Street in Glebe to Jubilee Park. The entrances to the tunnel on both ends are made of brick. The arch shape of the tunnel entrance is also made of bricks, with a special sandstone "keystone" at the top.
This tunnel has enough space for two tracks. It is currently used by the metro light rail system. The tunnel is about 8.3 meters (27 feet) wide and 5.9 meters (19 feet) high.
Why the Tunnels are Important
The brick tunnels and cuttings are a very noticeable part of the Pyrmont area. They are important historical reminders of the old freight system that moved goods to the wharves, like Darling Harbour. This system also connected to the southern suburbs.
The tunnels and their entrances are important brick structures. They show the industrial history of the area. The Glebe tunnel is quite long and was built in 1922. Because the railway line was never electrified (meaning it didn't use electric trains), the tunnel has stayed almost exactly as it was built.
The Pyrmont and Glebe Railway Tunnels were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means they are protected because they are a rare and important part of New South Wales' history.
