Riverstone railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Riverstone
Eastbound view from Platform 2
Location	Riverstone Parade, Riverstone
Coordinates	33°40′45″S 150°51′37″E / 33.67913°S 150.86033°E / -33.67913; 150.86033
Owned by	Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by	Sydney Trains
Line(s)	Richmond
Distance	45.96 kilometres from Central
Platforms	2 side
Tracks	2
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Other information
Status	Staffed
Station code	RVS
Website	Transport for NSW
History
Opened	1 December 1864
Electrified	Yes
Traffic
Passengers (2013)	740 (daily) (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink)
Rank	174
Services
Preceding station Sydney Trains Following station Vineyard toward Richmond North Shore & Western Line Schofields toward Berowra Cumberland Line Late night services only Schofields toward Leppington

Riverstone railway station is a historic train station in Riverstone, Australia. It was designed by NSW Government Railways and William Weaver. The station was built between 1883 and 1939. It is on the Richmond line and is used by Sydney Trains T1 Western and T5 Cumberland line services. This important site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

History of Riverstone Railway Station

Early Plans for the Railway Line

In 1846, people started talking about building railways in New South Wales. Two routes were suggested to reach Windsor. The first line was planned to be a horse-drawn tramway. By 1856, people from Windsor and Richmond asked the government for a railway. In 1860, money was approved for a railway between Blacktown and Windsor. The next year, more money was given to extend it to Richmond.

Building the Richmond Line

The path for the railway line from Blacktown to Richmond was mapped out in 1862. Construction began later that year. The engineer for this project was William Weaver. He used to be the Colonial Architect. The first contracts for building the tracks and bridges were given out in December 1862. Another company took over the contract in September 1863.

Opening and Early Years

The Richmond line officially opened on 29 November 1864. Governor Sir John Young, 1st Baron Lisgar opened it. It was built to help farmers in the area and because it was on important animal routes. At first, a pilot engine ran before all passenger trains for safety. The original stations were Riverstone, Mulgrave, Windsor, and Richmond. The tracks were improved in the late 1800s. Many stations on the line were upgraded in the 1880s.

Station Upgrades and Changes

The early 1900s brought more improvements. For example, the Richmond air-force base opened in 1925. This meant more people used the train line. In 1938, a large air show at Clarendon railway station caused a lot of crowding. This led to big improvements. All stations were made longer, and Richmond station got new facilities.

Riverstone station was on the eastern side of the line. It had a short loop for trains and a side track for goods. It also served a local sawmill. The station had a brick platform. In 1864, a brick building was built. It had a waiting room, station office, and living quarters all in one. In 1879, a special track called Richards Siding was built to serve the local meat factory.

From 1876, Engineer-in-Chief John Whitton worked on major upgrades to the line. At Riverstone, a new station, goods siding, and station master's house were finished between 1886 and 1889. The current brick platform building was built in 1889. The original 1864 platform building was then used for parcels and as a post office.

The main waiting room was once split into two parts. One was for everyone, and the other was for ladies. In 1946, part of it became an office. It was changed again in 1952. Both waiting rooms had fireplaces. A World War I Honour Roll used to hang over the main fireplace. It was removed for repair in the 1970s and then disappeared.

In 1919, a room was added to the original station building for the post office. By 1944, the post office had moved out. The room was still used for parcels and storing bicycles. Some parts of this old building have been removed in recent years.

A timber platform was added to the loop line in 1939. The line to Riverstone became electric in 1975. The platform and a small building were also updated then. In 2001, new covers were put over both platforms.

The Station Master's house was built around 1883. It replaced the earlier office/residence from 1864. This new house was a typical design for the 1880s. It had a verandah that only went halfway across the front. It also had a master bedroom that stuck out. This design was common for large brick houses in the 1880s. It was one of the last brick houses built in the 19th century for railway staff. Later, parts were added to the back and side of the house. Many rooms inside have been changed, except for the bedrooms.

A signal box was built around 1939. It was a small building on the platform. In 1975, a building for train crew was added at the Richmond end of the platform. Today, only the buildings on the platform and the 1889 residence remain.

War Memorial at the Station

The War Memorial near the station was built in 1919. It was designed by George Cook. The memorial has been updated over time with names of people who served in later wars. War memorials were often placed at train stations. This was because stations were important and central parts of town life. Many railway workers also joined the military. Their names often appeared on these memorials, as is the case at Riverstone.

On 22 May 1975, Riverstone station became the end of the electric line. Passengers had to change trains to continue to Richmond. On 17 August 1991, the electric line was extended all the way to Richmond.

Station Upgrades Over Time

• 1878: A ticket office was built.
• 1879: Toilets, a signal box, and a goods siding were added.
• 1919: A room was added to the original station building for the Post Office.
• 1939: A timber platform was built on the loop line.
• 1946: The main waiting room was partly changed into an office. It was changed again in 1952.
• 1975: The platform and a small building were updated.
• 2001: Canopies (shelters) were put up on both platforms.

Train Services and Platforms

Riverstone station has two platforms.

• Platform 1 is for trains heading towards Lindfield or North Sydney via Central. It also serves T5 services to Leppington.
• Platform 2 is for trains heading towards Richmond.

Getting Around: Transport Links

Busways operates several bus routes from Riverstone station:

• 671: to Windsor station
• 734: to Blacktown station
• 741: to Maraylya
• 742: to Rouse Hill
• 746: to Box Hill
• 747: Marsden Park to Rouse Hill
• 757: to Plumpton, with some trips going to Mount Druitt station

Riverstone station also has one NightRide bus route for late-night travel:

• N71: from Richmond station to City (Town Hall)

What the Station Looks Like

Riverstone station has several important buildings and structures.

Main Station Building (Platform 1)

The main station building on Platform 1 was built in 1889. It is a single-story brick building. It has a central waiting room, an office, and a ladies' waiting room. There are also toilets. A verandah is at the front, facing the road. On the train side, there is an awning with decorative brackets. Inside, some original features like timber doors and windows remain.

Signal Box

Next to the main building is the signal box, built in 1939. It is made of fibro-sheet and timber. It has a corrugated metal roof. This signal box is quite large and has an unusual design. The original levers have been removed, and a new signaling board is now there. The signal box was closed in 1999.

Platform 1 Store and Shelter

Further along Platform 1, there is a store building. There is also an open passenger shelter. It has a butterfly-style corrugated metal roof.

Parcels Office

The parcels office was built in 1919. It is a painted brick building with a corrugated steel roof. It has two tall windows and two doors facing the platform. One door is original timber, and the other is a newer metal door.

Platform 2 Shelter

On Platform 2, there is a shelter built around the 1980s. It has an aluminum frame with glass sides. It has a colorbond roof that extends out as an awning.

Station Master's Residence

The Station Master's residence was built around 1889. It is a large, single-story brick house. It has a corrugated metal roof and a verandah at the front. The verandah is supported by slender timber posts. The house has two brick chimneys. It is currently empty and has been changed inside. Many original internal parts like fireplaces have been removed or damaged. The house needs urgent repairs.

Platforms

• Platform 1 (eastern side) has a brick face. It was built on top of the original 1860s sandstone platform.
• Platform 2 (western side) is a concrete platform built around the 1980s.

Former Goods Yard

Most of the old goods yard has been taken down. Only some rails and a timber buffer remain. A small, new brick shed is also on the site. Older buildings like the goods shed and gangers hut were removed a long time ago.

War Memorial

The War Memorial is a stone obelisk (a tall, thin monument). It sits on a stone base with a small gate and shrubs. It has a marble plaque. Two rifles are carved into the stone. The monument is in a paved area with bollards (short posts). It has been updated with names from later wars.

Station Signs

The station still has timber platform signs supported by timber posts. These are good examples of early station signs.

Condition of the Station

As of 2015, the station buildings were in very good condition. However, the Station Master's residence was in very poor condition, especially inside. It looked like it had been damaged by fire and vandalism. It also had dampness problems and needed urgent repairs. The area where the old goods yard was might still have some hidden historical items underground.

The station buildings are mostly original and in good shape. The Station Master's residence has been changed a lot. The removal of the original 1864 station building has also changed the overall look of the station.

Why Riverstone Station is Important

Riverstone Station is important because it was part of the first railway built to the Hawkesbury River in the 1860s. This railway helped connect the area to the markets in Sydney. The station likely helped start the meatworks in Riverstone in 1878. It still has buildings from the major upgrades in the 1880s. The 1889 station building is still very original. Even though the first station building is gone, the station group is a key part of Riverstone town.

The old Station Master's residence is a good example of a brick house for a station master from the late 1800s. Its building shows how important the railway was to Riverstone because of the meatworks. The house is in the middle of town. However, later additions and changes have made it less grand.

Riverstone railway station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it is a very important historical site.

Historical Significance

Riverstone Station is important because it shows the history of the Richmond line from the 1860s. This line helped connect towns on the Hawkesbury River to Sydney. The station probably helped Benjamin Richards start his meatworks in Riverstone in 1878. The station also has buildings from the big upgrades done by Engineer-in-Chief John Whitton in the 1880s. The station group is a key part of the Riverstone town layout from 1877. The building of the Station Master's residence in the 1880s shows how important goods and freight traffic were to the New South Wales Government Railways.

Design and Appearance

The upgrades to the station from the 1880s to the 1940s are good examples of railway engineering for those times. The main 1889 station building is a good example of a "second-class" station. It has a typical design with a central waiting room and two wings. The Station Master's residence was once a good example of a government house from the late 1800s. It had original windows, doors, a verandah, and brick chimneys. However, later additions and changes inside have greatly reduced its beauty.

Community Connection

The station helps the local community feel connected to their past. It is a part of their local history.

Research Potential

Riverstone Station has a lot of potential for research. It can help us learn more about how station buildings were built from the 1860s to the late 1880s.

Rare Features

The station has rare parts of railway engineering from the mid-1860s, like parts of the original platform.

Typical Example

Riverstone Station is a good example of a late 19th-century station layout. This includes the station buildings, residence, parcels office, and signal box. It also shows common railway customs and designs from the 19th century in New South Wales.

Track Layout

Track arrangement at Riverstone