Rockdale railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rockdale
South-east bound view in March 2006
Location	Railway Street, Rockdale
Coordinates	33°57′07″S 151°08′12″E / 33.952051°S 151.136658°E / -33.952051; 151.136658
Owned by	Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by	Sydney Trains
Line(s)	Illawarra
Distance	10.41 kilometres from Central
Platforms	5 (1 side, 2 island)
Tracks	5
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Status	Staffed
Station code	RKL
Website	Transport for NSW
History
Opened	15 October 1884
Electrified	Yes
Traffic
Passengers (2013)	9,830 (daily) (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink)
Rank	24
Services
Preceding station Sydney Trains Following station Kogarah toward Waterfall or Cronulla Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line Banksia toward Bondi Junction

Rockdale railway station is a historic train station in Rockdale, a suburb of Sydney. It is part of the Illawarra line and is used by Sydney Trains' T4 line services. The station is considered important because of its history and design. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

The History of Rockdale Station

A view looking north with Platform 1 in the front

Rockdale station first opened on 15 October 1884. This was the same day the Illawarra line started running from Redfern to Hurstville. When it first opened, the station had two platforms, one on each side of the tracks. It also had a shed and a special track for moving goods.

Rockdale station was special because it connected trains to Saywell's Private Tramway. This tramway started in 1885 and ran from Rockdale to Brighton on Botany Bay. It first used steam power. In 1887, another tram service began from Rockdale to Sans Souci.

In 1899, Thomas Saywell changed his steam trams to run on electricity. Later, in 1937, the tram service to Sans Souci was replaced by trolley buses. The tramway to Brighton closed in 1938. The train connection was also used to move tram vehicles.

Over the years, the station changed to handle more trains.

• In 1907, one platform was changed to an island platform, which means it had tracks on both sides.
• In 1908, another platform became an island platform, giving Rockdale four platform numbers.
• In 1923, a new platform (Platform 1) was built. This happened when the Illawarra line was expanded to four tracks from Wolli Creek. A bridge also replaced a level crossing.

During the 1920s, more special tracks were added for businesses like the State Meat Depot and the Municipal Council. In 1928, tracks were added for other companies too.

A steel footbridge was added in 1920, and a timber booking office was built above the tracks in 1922. In 1926, the train lines were made electric. The connection to the tramway was removed in 1938.

Not many big changes happened after that until 1979, when the goods yard was removed. In 1993, the Rockdale Signal Box, which controlled the train signals, was no longer used.

In 2005, the station was updated to include lifts and new stairs. This made it easier for everyone to access the platforms.

Train Platforms and Services

The station concourse

Rockdale station has five platforms. Each platform serves different train services.

Connecting Transport Services

Rockdale station is a hub for many bus services, making it easy to travel to other areas.

Transdev NSW operates two bus routes from Rockdale station:

• 452: To Beverly Hills station via Bexley and Hurstville.
• 453: To Percival Street, Bexley.

Transit Systems Sydney operates ten bus routes that pass through Rockdale station:

• 420: From Westfield Burwood to Westfield Eastgardens via Sydney Airport.
• 420N: A night service from Westfield Burwood to Westfield Eastgardens.
• 422: To Central station.
• 473: To Campsie.
• 476: To Dolls Point (a loop service).
• 477: To Miranda via Sans Souci.
• 478: To Miranda via Monterey.
• 479: From Rockdale Plaza to Brighton.
• 492: To Drummoyne.
• 493: To Roselands Shopping Centre.

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

• N10: From Sutherland station to City (Town Hall).
• N11: From Cronulla station to City (Town Hall).
• N20: From Riverwood station to City (Town Hall).

Station Buildings and Features

Rockdale Railway Station has several important buildings and features. These include the buildings on Platforms 1, 2/3, and 4/5, the overhead booking office, the footbridge, the platforms themselves, and the old Signal Box.

The station is located between Railway Street on the west and Geeves Avenue on the east. You can get to it from both streets using a footbridge, stairs, and modern lifts. There are also bus shelters near the station entrances.

Platform 1 Building (1925)

This is a small building made of brick. It has a sloped roof made of corrugated steel. There's an awning on one side, supported by steel brackets. The building has timber windows and double doors.

Platform 2/3 Building (1908)

This building is on an island platform. It's made of painted brick with a sloped, corrugated steel roof. It has awnings on both sides, supported by steel brackets. The windows are timber-framed with special multi-coloured glass in the top sections. Inside, some rooms have original timber ceilings.

Platform 4/5 Building (1884)

This building is also on an island platform and has painted brick walls. It has a complex roof shape with several sloped sections. It features arched openings and original timber doors. Both sides of the building have awnings supported by cast iron posts with decorative patterns.

At the northern end of Platform 4/5, there's a separate small brick building with its own sloped roof.

Overhead Booking Office (1922)

This building is made of weatherboard (timber planks) and has a hipped roof (sloping on all sides) made of corrugated steel. It has timber-framed windows with nine small glass panes in the top sections, some with multi-coloured glass.

Footbridge (1920)

The footbridge is made of steel and helps people cross from the street to the platforms. It also connects the platforms. The original steel structure, steps, and railings are still there, but modern railings have been added. The weatherboard booking office sits on top of this footbridge.

Platforms (1884-1925)

There are three island platforms, meaning they have tracks on both sides. All platforms have asphalt surfaces and brick edges. Platform 1 is next to the train tracks on its eastern side and has a fence to prevent access.

Platform Canopies (2005)

These are modern roof structures over parts of the platforms. They have steel posts and green corrugated roofs. They provide shelter from the weather.

Signal Box (1923)

This is a two-storey building that used to control the train signals. It has a brick ground floor and a top floor with fibro walls. It has a hipped corrugated steel roof and timber-framed windows.

Station Condition

Most of the station buildings and structures, including the platforms, booking office, and footbridge, are in good condition. The old signal box is in moderate condition. Many original features are still visible, especially inside the Platform 2/3 and 4/5 buildings. The overhead booking office is one of the best-preserved on the Illawarra line.

Why Rockdale Station is Special

Rockdale Railway Station is very important because of its history and unique features. It is considered to have "State heritage significance," meaning it's a significant part of New South Wales' history.

• Historical Importance: The station has been a major transport hub for the Rockdale area since 1884. Platform 1 and its building are especially important because they show how the station connected trains with steam and electric trams from 1885 to 1938. The 1884 Platform 4/5 building is also historically significant as one of only a few original "3rd class" station buildings left on the Illawarra Line.
• Design and Appearance: The station buildings, booking office, footbridge, and signal box are good examples of railway architecture from different time periods. The 1884 Platform 4/5 building, with its detailed roof and awnings, is a great example of late Victorian railway design. The 1908 Platform 2/3 and 1925 Platform 1 buildings show typical designs from the early 20th century.
• Rarity: The 1884 Platform 4/5 building is rare, as there are only five like it on the Illawarra line. The Platform 1 building, which was built specifically to connect with a tram service, is also very rare.

Rockdale railway station was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999, recognizing its importance.

Images for kids

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  Track layout