Wagga Wagga railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wagga Wagga
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Station building and entrance, September 2019
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| Location | Station Place, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 35°07′13″S 147°22′06″E / 35.1202°S 147.3683°E | |||||||||||||||||
| Owned by | Transport Asset Holding Entity | |||||||||||||||||
| Operated by | NSW TrainLink | |||||||||||||||||
| Line(s) | Main Southern | |||||||||||||||||
| Distance | 521.40 kilometres (323.98 mi) from Central | |||||||||||||||||
| Platforms | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tracks | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Connections | Coach | |||||||||||||||||
| Construction | ||||||||||||||||||
| Structure type | Ground | |||||||||||||||||
| Other information | ||||||||||||||||||
| Status |
Staffed: 8am-4pm, 11pm-3.30am
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| Station code | WGA | |||||||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | 1 September 1879 | |||||||||||||||||
| Previous names | South Wagga Wagga | |||||||||||||||||
| Services | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Official name | Wagga Wagga Railway Station and yard group | |||||||||||||||||
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) | |||||||||||||||||
| Designated | 2 April 1999 | |||||||||||||||||
| Reference no. | 1279 | |||||||||||||||||
| Type | Railway Platform/Station | |||||||||||||||||
| Category | Transport – Rail | |||||||||||||||||
The Wagga Wagga railway station is an important train station in Wagga Wagga, Australia. It serves passengers on the Main Southern line, which connects the big cities of Sydney and Melbourne. This station is special because it's listed as a heritage site, meaning it's important for its history and amazing design. There's even a museum right at the station! As of 2021, two passenger trains went through Wagga Wagga every day in each direction.
Contents
History of Wagga Wagga Station
How the Station Started
In 1874, plans began to extend the Great Southern Railway line to Wagga Wagga. The station first opened its doors in 1879. Back then, it was called "South Wagga Wagga". It was the end of the line for trains coming from Bomen, which is about 7.5 kilometres (4.7 miles) north.
The station stayed the end of the line until 1880. That's when the railway was extended further to Gerogery. In 1882, the station got its current name, "Wagga Wagga".
Wagga Wagga as a Junction
In 1917, Wagga Wagga became an even busier place for trains. This happened when the Tumbarumba line opened. This new line went as far as Humula at first, and then reached Tumbarumba in 1921.
However, over time, fewer and fewer trains used the Tumbarumba line. The last train on this branch line ran in 1987.
What Makes the Station Special
Station Buildings and Design
The main station building is a very strong and well-built structure. It's made of first-class bricks and is known as a Type 5 building by the New South Wales Government Railways. Next to it, there's a two-storey house for the stationmaster, also made of brick. Both were finished in 1879.
In 1917, a special room was added where people could buy food and drinks. This was helpful for passengers on their long journey to Albury.
Footbridge and Yard
A footbridge was built in 1936. This bridge helps people walk safely from Station Place to Railway Street. The area around the station, called the station yard, used to have many features. These included a turntable for turning trains around and a large crane.
There were also many extra tracks, called sidings. These tracks led to places like a fuel depot and grain silos. Over time, most of these were removed. Now, only a passing loop and a short stand-by loop are still used. The station no longer handles freight (goods) like it used to.
Train Services for Passengers
Current Train Services
As of 2021, the Wagga Wagga station is served by NSW TrainLink's XPT trains. There are two XPT services each day in both directions. These trains travel between Sydney Central and Melbourne.
Coach Services
NSW TrainLink also offers road coach services from Wagga Wagga. These coaches connect to other towns like Tumbarumba, Griffith, Echuca, and Tumut. These coach services help people reach places not directly on the train line.
| Platform | Line | Stopping pattern | Notes |
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Southern Region
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Services to Sydney Central and Melbourne |
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Why Wagga Wagga Station is a Heritage Site
The Wagga Wagga Railway Station and its surrounding area are very important. They were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999. This means they are protected because of their historical, architectural, and social value.
The station is seen as a rare and special part of New South Wales history. It's located at the top end of Wagga Wagga's main street, making it a key part of the city's look.
Unique Design and Importance
The main station building is truly unique. It was the first building designed by a famous engineer named John Whitton. The station master's house is also very important. It adds to the complete historical picture of the station area. Other buildings at the station are also great examples of their type. They show how important Wagga Wagga was as a place where different train lines met.
See also
