St Marys railway station, Sydney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Marys
Westbound view from Platform 3 in November 2011
Location	Station Street, St Marys
Coordinates	33°45′43″S 150°46′30″E / 33.762075911173234°S 150.77513594668935°E / -33.762075911173234; 150.77513594668935
Owned by	Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by	Sydney Trains
Line(s)	Main Western Ropes Creek
Distance	47.42 kilometres (29.47 mi) from Central
Platforms	4 (2 island)
Tracks	4
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Status	Staffed
Station code	STM
Website	Transport for NSW
History
Opened	1 May 1862
Electrified	Yes
Previous names	South Creek
Traffic
Passengers (2013)	4,560 (daily) (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink)
Rank	55
Services
Preceding station Sydney Trains Following station Werrington toward Emu Plains North Shore & Western Line Mount Druitt toward Berowra Former services Preceding station Former Services Following station Dunheved towards Ropes Creek Ropes Creek Line Terminus
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	St. Marys Railway Station Group; St Marys Railway Station
Type	State heritage (complex / group)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	1249
Type	Railway Platform/ Station
Category	Transport - Rail

St Marys railway station is a historic train station in St Marys, a suburb in western Sydney, Australia. It is on the Main Western line. This station is served by Sydney Trains' T1 Western line services.

The station is special because it marks where the four-track section of the Main Western line ends. It was built in 1862 by the New South Wales Government Railways. The station is also known as the St. Marys Railway Station Group. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, because of its important history.

Station History

St Marys station first opened on May 1, 1862. It was the temporary end of the Main Western line after it was extended from Rooty Hill. The station was first called South Creek. It was renamed St Marys on August 5, 1885.

Before the renaming, a brick building for goods was built in the station yard. This building is still there today. A crane from that time also remains. On January 19, 1863, the train line was extended further to Penrith. The line was made into two tracks in 1886. The building for Platforms 3 and 4 was built in 1888.

World War II Changes

Big changes happened at the station in 1942-1943. A new signal box was built. The building for Platforms 1 and 2 was also constructed. Both platforms were made into "island" platforms, meaning trains could stop on both sides.

A new branch line to Ropes Creek also opened. These changes were part of a bigger plan. The goal was to make the tracks between Lidcombe and St Marys into four main lines. This was needed during World War II to move supplies for American ammunition factories at Ropes Creek.

It took over 32 years to finish all four tracks between Westmead and Blacktown. The four tracks reached St Marys in 1978. The Ropes Creek line closed in 1986. Its tracks were then used for storing trains.

Signal Box Details

The signal box built in 1942 is a special type. It controls signals and tracks for the main line and the branch line. This branch line served the wartime factories at Dunheved and Ropes Creek. This signal box was the only one built during World War II with a flat roof. The original control system inside has been updated.

Footbridge Upgrades

The footbridge, built in 1943, was greatly improved in 1994-1995. It got a roof over its deck and stairs. A new ticket office was also added above the tracks. In 1995, the roof over the Platform 1 and 2 building was replaced.

In March 1983, a train accident happened. Forty people were hurt when a train did not stop and went off the tracks. In 2001, more platform roofs were added.

Future Plans

The governments of New South Wales and Australia are planning new train lines. In 2015, they started studying how to connect Western Sydney and the new Western Sydney Airport by rail.

In 2018, they suggested building a "North-South Link." This line would go from Schofields to Macarthur, passing through the airport. They also announced a new line specifically for the airport. This line would run south from St Marys to the airport. It would then continue to the "Badgerys Creek Aerotropolis," an area south of the airport.

Both governments will share the cost of this new line. It will likely be a fast "metro" or "light metro" train system.

Station Features

The St Marys Station area includes several important parts:

• The station building on Platforms 3/4 (built in 1888)
• The signal box (built in 1942)
• A goods shed (around 1880)
• Two island platforms (from 1888 and 1942-43)
• A steel footbridge over the platforms (from 1942, updated in 1994-95)
• A five-ton crane (from 1943)

Platforms 3/4 Building

This station building is made of brick. It has a central waiting room with two smaller rooms on each side. The waiting room is open on the train side. It has a wide metal roof supported by wooden posts. The street side of the waiting room has windows and a door opening. Each side room has a brick chimney. The building has a new metal roof.

Signal Box

The signal box has two floors. The top floor is the control room, and the ground floor has staff areas. The walls are made of timber frames covered with flat sheets. The control room has curved walls and windows at one end. The signal box is near the western end of the station platform.

Goods Shed

This is a rectangular brick building with a metal roof. It's one of the few brick goods sheds of its kind. It has simple wooden decorations at the ends of the roof. There are tall, arched window openings and large loading doors on both the train side and the street side. A brick platform is next to the goods shed on the train side.

Inside, the shed is one big space. You can see the wooden roof frame. The brick walls are painted.

Platforms

There are two island platforms. They have concrete surfaces with an asphalt finish. Metal roofs cover both platforms. The roof on Platform 3/4 extends around the old 1888 waiting room roof. The platforms have modern seating, lights, and vending machines. You can reach the platforms using stairs and lifts that lead to the footbridge.

Footbridge

The footbridge has a steel frame from 1942. Stairs and two modern lift towers provide access to the streets and platforms. The footbridge area, which includes the ticket office, is enclosed with glass panels. The main part of the footbridge has a metal roof with vents.

Crane

This is a five-ton crane made by Frederick Gregory & Co. It was placed at St Marys on August 24, 1943. It sits on a concrete base and is now kept as a historical item. It is surrounded by a low brick wall and metal fence. This crane is one of only about eight left in the Sydney area.

Station Condition

• Station Buildings: Both station buildings are in good shape.
• Signal Box: The signal box is generally in good condition. Some metal parts have rust, and a window is broken.
• Goods Shed: The goods shed is empty and not in great condition, but its structure seems strong. There is a lot of dampness and salt damage at the bottom of the walls. This needs fixing to stop further damage. Some wooden floorboards are broken or missing. The paint inside is peeling.
• Platforms: Both platforms are in good condition.
• Footbridge: The footbridge is in good condition.
• Crane: The crane is fenced off and is in good condition.

The St Marys Station Group is mostly still as it was. However, the removal of the 1940s Platform 1/2 building and changes to the signal box equipment have changed its original look a bit. The station building itself is still very much like it was originally. The goods shed is also very original. The crane is complete. The footbridge has been changed quite a lot.

Changes Over Time

• 1994-1995: The footbridge was greatly improved. Its deck and stairs were covered.
• 1995: A new ticket office was built above the tracks.
• 1995: The 1942 station building on Platforms 1/2 was taken down and replaced with a new roof.
• 2001: The original control system in the Signal Box was replaced. More platform roofs were also added.

Train Services

Bus Connections

St Marys Station Bus Interchange

Busways runs 12 bus routes from St Marys station:

• 745: To Norwest Hospital via Plumpton and Stanhope Gardens (weekdays and Saturdays only)
• 758: To Mount Druitt station
• 759: To Mount Druitt station via Willmot
• 770: From Mount Druitt station to Penrith
• 771: To Mount Druitt station
• 774: From Mount Druitt station to Penrith station
• 775: From Mount Druitt station to Penrith station
• 776: From Mount Druitt station to Penrith station
• 779: To Erskine Park (weekday peak hours only)
• 781: From Penrith station to Orchard Hills (weekdays only)
• 782: To Penrith station
• S11: Shopping service to St Clair (weekdays only)

Transit Systems Sydney operates one bus route during weekday peak hours:

• 835: From Prairiewood to Western Sydney University, Kingswood

St Marys station also has one NightRide bus route:

• N70: From Penrith station to City (Town Hall).

Heritage Importance

St Marys Station Group is important because it is an early station. It opened in the 1860s when the Great Western Railway was extended. It also played a big part in moving supplies during World War II. The station helped with the growth of local businesses and homes in St Marys after 1942.

The station has many different buildings and structures. These include the station building, goods shed, signal box, crane, and footbridge. They show how railways were built and operated from the 1880s to World War II.

Some parts of St Marys Station are quite rare:

• The goods shed is the only brick one of its kind in New South Wales.
• The crane is one of only a few left in the Sydney area.
• The signal box is also one of the few remaining ones built in a simple, non-standard style.

The station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it is protected for its historical and architectural value.

Images for kids

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  Track layout