Tempe railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tempe
Southbound view from Platform 4 in April 2012
Location	Griffiths Street, Tempe
Coordinates	33°55′28″S 151°09′23″E / 33.92449722°S 151.15645°E / -33.92449722; 151.15645
Owned by	Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by	Sydney Trains
Line(s)	Illawarra
Distance	6.84 kilometres from Central
Platforms	4 (2 side, 1 island)
Tracks	4
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Other information
Status	Staffed
Station code	TME
Website	Transport for NSW
History
Opened	15 October 1884
Electrified	Yes
Traffic
Passengers (2013)	1,190 (daily) (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink)
Rank	149
Services
Preceding station Sydney Trains Following station Wolli Creek toward Waterfall or Cronulla Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line Sydenham toward Bondi Junction

Tempe railway station is a historic train station in Tempe, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It is located on the Illawarra line and is used by Sydney Trains' T4 line services. The station first opened in 1884. Its original buildings were designed by the New South Wales Government Railways, and the footbridge was added in 1918 by Dorman Long. This station is important because of its history and design, and it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999.

History of Tempe Station

Tempe 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, it had two platforms, one on each side of the tracks.

Originally, planners called it 'Cooks River railway station'. However, it opened as Tempe. It was built with two tracks, like Sydenham, because a large number of homes were expected to be built nearby. But the area grew much slower than people thought.

In 1890, Tempe had a small area for loading and unloading goods, which was not common for all stations. The first buildings included brick platform buildings for passengers and a brick house for the Station Master. These buildings are still there today. There was also a small house for a gatekeeper, but that has been taken down. The old Station Master's house is now a private home.

Station Upgrades Over Time

A steel footbridge was built in 1918 to help people cross over the tracks. Soon after, in 1919, the railway line through Tempe was made wider, from two tracks to four. This meant the western platform was changed into an island platform (with tracks on both sides), and a new side platform was built.

In 1926, the railway line was made electric up to Oatley. Around 1943, the building on Platform 4 was replaced with a more modern roof. About 1993, the office where you buy tickets, which is located above the tracks, was updated with new outer walls and a new roof.

Before Wolli Creek station opened in 2000, Tempe was a key meeting point for train lines. Trains from the East Hills railway line used to stop here. Now, most East Hills trains use the Airport line and do not stop at Tempe.

North of the station, there is a connection to the Metropolitan Goods line, which is used by freight trains. There is also the XPT Service Centre nearby, where long-distance trains are maintained.

Platforms and Train Services

Tempe station has four platforms. Platforms are the raised areas next to the tracks where people get on and off trains.

• Platform 1: No trains are scheduled to stop here regularly. It is sometimes used when other tracks are being worked on.
• Platform 2: No trains are scheduled to stop here regularly. It is sometimes used when other tracks are being worked on.
• Platform 3: This platform is for T4 line trains going towards Bondi Junction.
• Platform 4: This platform is for T4 line trains going towards Cronulla, Waterfall, and Helensburgh.

Station Description

Tempe Railway Station is located between Griffiths Street on the east side and Richardsons Crescent and Mackey Park on the west side. You can enter the station using stairs on either side, which lead to a steel footbridge. This footbridge has stairs that go down to Platforms 1, 2/3, and 4.

The station has several important parts:

• The station building on Platform 1 (from 1884).
• The station building on Platform 2 and 3 (from 1884).
• The modern roof over Platform 4.
• The ticket office located above the tracks and the footbridge (both from 1918).

Most of the station buildings look much like they did when they were first built. The ticket office above the tracks has been updated on the outside, but its main structure is still the original one.

Platform 1 Building (1884)

This is a single-story brick building painted a light color. It has a roof with sloped sides and pointed ends, covered with corrugated steel. The pointed ends facing the tracks have arched wooden vents. There are two large openings to a central waiting area, with a painted brick post in between. The roof over the platform is supported by cast iron posts with fancy metal decorations. The windows are currently covered. This building was in good condition when it was listed as a heritage site.

Platform 2/3 Building (1884)

This is also a single-story painted brick building, located on the island platform. It has a similar roof to the Platform 1 building. The roof over Platform 2 is supported by cast iron posts with decorative brackets. The main waiting area faces Platform 2. It has two large openings with security doors. There are also timber-framed windows and modern doors. This building was in moderate condition when it was listed as a heritage site.

Platform 4 Canopy

Platform 4 has a modern roof supported by steel posts on concrete bases. It has a pointed roof made of corrugated steel.

Overhead Booking Office (1918)

The ticket office is located on the footbridge. It used to be made of weatherboard (wooden planks), but now it is covered with a modern material called hardiplank. It has a pointed roof. There are three original wooden windows on the north side and an original doorway.

Footbridge, Stairs, and Newel Posts (1918)

The steel footbridge was built by a company called Dorman Long & Co. It has strong steel beams that allow it to stretch over the tracks and connect to the street. The stairs have steel railings and special star-patterned posts at the ends. When the line became electric in 1926, the middle part of the footbridge was cut and raised to make sure there was enough space for the electric wires. This footbridge was in good condition when it was listed as a heritage site.

Platforms

The station has one island platform (Platform 2/3) and two side platforms (Platform 1 and Platform 4). The surfaces are mostly asphalt with some modern brick paving. Platform 1 is not currently used for regular services.

Station Setting

Tempe Railway Station is located near the Cooks River to the south and Mackey Park to the west. To the east, there is a busy residential area in Tempe.

Changes Over Time

• 1926: The footbridge was changed to make space for electric wires.
• Around 1993: The overhead ticket office was updated with new outer walls and a new roof. Security screens were added to windows and doors.
• Unknown date: Windows on the Platform 1 building were covered. Security doors were added to the waiting areas on Platform 1 and Platform 2/3.

Why Tempe Station is Important (Heritage Listing)

Tempe Railway Station is very important to the history of New South Wales. This includes its platforms, the buildings on Platform 1 and Platform 2/3, the footbridge, stairs, and ticket office. It is a major station on the Illawarra line that has developed since 1884.

The station is important for its history because it has two rare platform buildings from 1884, which is when the Illawarra railway line was first built. The 1918 footbridge and the original 1918 ticket office are also very old and important. The 1884 buildings were designed by C. Mayes, a railway designer.

Tempe Railway Station is also important for its beauty and design. The two 1884 platform buildings are great examples of railway buildings from the late Victorian period. They show a style called Victorian Rustic Gothic. The 1918 steel footbridge by Dorman Long & Co. is also a good example of their work and is still very complete. The footbridge is also a noticeable feature in the station's setting. The station's location, with open space to the west, the Cooks River to the south, and homes to the east, also adds to its beauty.

The two brick platform buildings are rare because Tempe is one of only three stations on the Illawarra line that still has buildings of this age and type. It is the only station with two such buildings that are mostly still original. The 1918 overhead ticket office is also considered rare, even though it has been updated on the outside.

Tempe railway station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 because it met several important criteria:

• It shows the history of New South Wales: The station shows how the Illawarra line developed in two main stages, starting from 1884. It still has its 1884 buildings and 1918 footbridge and ticket office.
• It is linked to important people or groups: The steel footbridge and stairs are linked to Dorman Long & Co., the company that designed and built them.
• It shows great design or technical skill: The 1884 platform buildings are good examples of railway buildings from that time, with a Victorian Rustic Gothic style. The 1918 steel footbridge is also a great example of its type and stands out in the area.
• It is important to the community: The station helps the local community feel connected to their past.
• It has rare features: The two 1884 brick platform buildings are rare. The 1918 steel footbridge and stairs are also rare because they are still so complete. The overhead ticket office is also considered rare.
• It represents a type of place: The 1918 footbridge and stairs are good examples of steel footbridges built by Dorman Long & Co. during that time. The 1884 platform buildings are good examples of railway buildings from the 1880s on the first part of the Illawarra line.

Images for kids

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  Track layout of Tempe station