Wahroonga railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wahroonga
Northbound view
Location	Railway Parade, Wahroonga
Coordinates	33°43′02″S 151°07′01″E / 33.7171°S 151.1169°E / -33.7171; 151.1169
Owned by	Transport Asset Holding Entity
Operated by	Sydney Trains
Line(s)	North Shore
Distance	22.77 kilometres (14.15 mi) from Central
Platforms	2 (1 island)
Tracks	2
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Other information
Status	Staffed
Station code	WHG
Website	Transport for NSW
History
Opened	1 January 1890
Electrified	Yes
Previous names	Pearce's Corner
Traffic
Passengers (2013)	2,200 (daily) (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink)
Rank	110
Services
Preceding station Sydney Trains Following station Warrawee toward City North Shore & Western Line Waitara toward Berowra
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	Wahroonga Railway Station group; Pearce's Corner; Noonan's Platform
Type	State heritage (complex / group)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	1280
Type	Railway Platform/ Station
Category	Transport - Rail
Builders	E. Pritchard & Co. contractor (first 1890 line)

Wahroonga railway station is a special train station with a long history. It's located in Wahroonga, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. Trains on the North Shore line stop here. The station was built between 1890 and 1910. It is also known as Wahroonga Railway Station group, Pearce's Corner, and Noonan's Platform. This station is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register because it's an important part of history.

Station History: Wahroonga's Beginnings

The name "Wahroonga" comes from an Aboriginal word. It means "our home."

Early Days of Wahroonga

In 1805, a botanist named George Caley explored this bushland area. He was one of the first Europeans to visit. Later, a large piece of land was given to Thomas Hyndes. Part of this land was called Pearce's Corner. It was named after Aaron Pierce, an early settler who arrived in 1811. He worked as a timber cutter and built a hut here.

A small village grew around Pearce's Corner. This area later became part of Wahroonga and Normanhurst.

Getting to Sydney was hard in the early 1880s. People used a coach service or traveled by road over several bridges. The local post office opened in 1896. In 1898, Abbotsleigh School for girls moved to Wahroonga. By 1903, the Seventh-Day Adventists built a large hospital here, which is now "The San" or Sydney Adventist Hospital.

How Wahroonga Station Was Built

Talks about building a railway line in this area started in the 1880s.

Wahroonga station first opened on 1 January 1890. It was called Pearce's Corner back then. This was when the North Shore railway line started running from Hornsby to St Leonards. The station's construction name was "Noonan's Platform." This was because Patrick Noonan's property was on the railway's path. The name was changed to Wahroonga on 30 August 1890.

At first, the station had a single track. There was a short brick platform and a small timber building. This was south of a road crossing called Noonan's Road, which is now Coonanbarra Road.

In 1901, trees were planted around the station. These were Californian desert fan palms. They made the station look much nicer.

The current station building was built around 1906. A road bridge over the line and pedestrian steps were also added. This was done because the railway line was going to be doubled. The second track was finished in 1909. The whole section between Hornsby and Milsons Point opened in 1910.

When the line was doubled, island platforms were added. The station master's office is in the platform building. A pedestrian footbridge was built at Coonanbarra Road when the old road crossing was closed.

Steam trains used to run on this line. But around 1927, the line was changed to allow electric trains. Electric trains started running in July 1928. When the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in 1932, the North Shore train services connected to the rest of Sydney's train system.

The Wahroonga Progress Association reported in 1926 that the station garden had won first prize for nine years in a row!

In the 1920s or 1930s, new trees were planted on the island platform. These were Hill's fig trees. They replaced the earlier fan palm trees. These trees and shrubs made the station look very stylish.

In 2009, the Hill's fig trees on the platform were replaced. Their roots were damaging the pavement. New blueberry ash trees were planted instead. These new trees are narrower and better for the space. The platform was also repaved.

Station Features

Station Layout and Surroundings

Wahroonga Station is the highest station on the North Shore railway line. It sits in a cutting, which is like a deep ditch. Roads and pedestrian bridges go over the cutting, connecting Wahroonga's east and west sides. The main shopping area is on the eastern side.

The station and its surroundings are a great example of early 1900s Sydney train station design. The gardens around the station are well cared for by the local council and residents.

The station area includes:

• Brick walls built in 1909.
• Gardens and plantings from the 1910s.

Trees and shrubs are planted on the island platform. They make the station look very pleasant. These plants are well looked after by railway and council staff.

The grounds on both sides of the tracks have many native and exotic trees and shrubs. These include horned holly, native cypress, strawberry trees, and a rare Davidson plum. On the western side, there's a tall swamp cypress and a hoop pine.

Station Buildings and Structures

The main station building is made of brick and was built in 1906. It's a great example of high-quality railway station design. The beautiful gardens and trees around it make it even more special.

Other structures include:

• Brick platform faces from 1906.
• A brick arch overbridge from 1909.
• Steel steps from around 1900.
• A pedestrian footbridge at the north end of the station.

The footbridge at the northern end of the platform is unusual for Sydney. It connects both sides of Coonanbarra Road. There are plans to add stairs from this bridge to the platform.

The overbridge that carries Redleaf Avenue over the line is at the southern end. It has concrete arches and brick supports. This was an early example of this type of construction in Sydney.

Two brick ticket booths stand at the bottom of the Redleaf Avenue stairs. They were built in the 1930s and are also unique to the North Shore line.

Station Condition and Changes

As of 2009, most of the station, including the platform, building, steps, and overhead bridge, had not changed much since they were built.

Over the years, some changes have happened:

• 1890: The first station opened with a single track and a small timber building.
• Around 1900: Steel steps were added.
• 1906: The current brick platform faces were built.
• Around 1906: The main station building, road bridge, and pedestrian steps were added. The pedestrian footbridge at Coonanbarra Road was also built.
• 1909: The brick arch overbridge was completed.
• 1930s: Brick entrance piers were built at the bottom of the pedestrian steps.
• 1982: The platform was sealed with bitumen.
• 2001 onwards: The height of the bridge deck was raised.

Trains and Services

Getting Around: Transport Links

Wahroonga station is a hub for local transport.

Transdev NSW operates one bus route from Wahroonga station:

• 576: to North Wahroonga

Wahroonga station is also served by one NightRide bus route:

• N90: from Hornsby station to City (Town Hall)

Why Wahroonga Station is Special

Wahroonga station is considered one of the best island platform buildings on the North Shore line. Many stations on this line share a similar style and are in great condition. This shows how they were all developed together.

The station is also important because it's a major transport point for local residents. Its garden setting is a special feature. Many stations used to have gardens, but most have been removed. This makes Wahroonga station even more unique.

Wahroonga railway station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical site.

It's considered rare in terms of its history, architecture, and social importance.

Images for kids

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  Northbound view