Railways and Tramways of Australia
The first Central station, 1871. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, NSW State Archives and Records.
Horse-drawn vehicles in operation outside the second Central station, 4 October 1890. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, NSW State Archives and Records.
Central Station, Sydney
David Matheson
22 September 2022
Updated 21 September 2024
Central station in Sydney is one of the world’s great railway stations. It is used by around 100,000 train passengers on a typical weekday. The station features a grand concourse, ticket and information counters, food and retail outlets, and office spaces in the floors above the station. There were 25 platforms used by trains, the highest number of any railway station in Australia. Almost all trains in the Sydney suburban area pass through Central. New South Wales regional trains and most interurban trains also begin their journeys here. The station is conveniently located in the southern part of the CBD, and is within walking distance of some of Sydney’s popular attractions, such as Darling Harbour and the Powerhouse Museum.
First and second stations
The first Sydney station was opened on 26 September 1855 as the terminus of the Sydney–Parramatta line, the first passenger railway in New South Wales. Consisting of a single wooden platform in a corrugated iron shed, it was located on the southern side of Devonshire Street, extending south from the vicinity of the outer end of the current Platforms 2 and 3. The platform was extended in 1856, and a goods yard and goods shed were also added.
Although the first station was intended to be temporary, it remained in use until a larger station opened in 1874. The new station was located on the same site as the original station, and had two platforms and a large brick administration building. It was designed by Engineer-in-Chief, John Whitton, who planned it as a through station for possible future extension of the railway further into the city.
Ongoing expansion of the railway network in New South Wales and increasing passenger numbers led to demands for expansion of the station. From 1884 more platforms were added. Eventually 13 platforms were provided, numbered from east to west: Platforms A and B, then Nos. 1 to 11. Many people referred to the first and second Sydney stations as ‘Redfern’, but the official name was ‘Sydney’. The current Redfern station was at the time named Eveleigh.
Current station
The second Sydney station had been intended as a permanent terminus, but the need for a much larger station became clear. A site was selected on the northern side of Devonshire Street for the third Sydney station, which is the current station. Devonshire Street Cemetery occupied a large portion of the site, so the graves were removed and then transferred to a new cemetery at La Perouse. On 30 April 1902 the foundation stone for the new station building was laid by Edward O’Sullivan, Secretary for Public Works. Henry Deane, Engineer-in-Chief for Railway Construction, had overall responsibility for the design of the new station, but he retired before it opened. The station was officially opened on 4 August 1906 by Joseph Carruthers, Premier and Colonial Treasurer. Tracks from the old station had been extended to the new station, and the official first train ran from the new station to Parramatta at 11.15 am, the same departure time as the first train to Parramatta in 1855. The first train to arrive at the new station was the Western Mail, which arrived at Platform 1 at 5.55 am the following morning.
Passengers began referring to the new station as ‘Central’, although its official name remained ‘Sydney’. When opened, the station had 15 platforms, although Platforms 14 and 15 were at first used as horse and carriage docks. Platforms 16 to 19 were opened on 26 April 1914 and these were at the same level as Platforms 1 to 15, not the higher level of the current Platforms 16 to 23. The clock tower was not present when the station was opened in 1906, but was constructed as part of further work on the station and completed when the clock commenced operating on 12 March 1921. The top of the dome on the tower is 211 feet (64.3 metres) above the concourse and there are 272 steps from the concourse to the clock face. An additional two floors of offices were constructed at the same time as the clock tower.
More changes to Central station came with electrification of the suburban railways and the opening of the city railway. Electric trains commenced running between Central and Oatley on 1 March 1926. The elevated through platforms 21 to 23 were opened in October and November that year, enabling work to begin on the demolition of Platforms 16 to 19. On 20 December 1926 the line opened from Central to St James, the first section of the future City Circle railway. Elevated through platforms 16 to 20 were opened from 1927 to 1929. The second section of the city railway was opened on 28 February 1932 when services began between Central and Wynyard. This line was extended to the North Shore on 20 March 1932 after the Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened. The City Circle railway was completed when the section between Wynyard and St James was opened on 22 January 1956.
For half a century from 1929 to 1979 Sydney’s Central station operated with 23 platforms. Platforms 1 to 15 were mostly used by long-distance trains, servicing Sydney interurban and New South Wales country areas. There were numerous country train services in the era before travel by motor vehicle became cheaper and more convenient. Platforms 1 to 12 are today mainly used by interurban trains operating on the South Coast, Blue Mountains, and Central Coast & Newcastle Lines. Since 1929, Platforms 16 to 23 have been almost exclusively been used by suburban trains, with services operating through Central to the city underground railway.
The Eastern Suburbs Railway had been planned for many decades before it was finally opened on 23 June 1979. Two underground platforms were opened at Central, Platforms 24 and 25, the first addition of new platforms since 1929. The Eastern Suburbs Railway is mostly underground, and extends to Bondi Junction. Services on the line operate through Central and continue on the Illawarra and South Coast lines.
Although 25 platforms at Central were in regular in use by trains, there were actually 27 platforms. At the same time that Platforms 24 and 25 were constructed, another two partially completed underground platforms were built above, these platforms being intended for a planned future railway that never eventuated. They have no tracks and the tunnels leading to these platforms were never completed. The additional two platforms are often referred to as the ‘ghost platforms’ and are not accessible to the public, although special tours operate on occasions.
Central Station, Sydney
David Matheson
22 September 2022
Central station in Sydney is one of the world’s great railway stations. It is used by around 100,000 train passengers on a typical weekday. The station features a grand concourse, ticket and information counters, food and retail outlets, and office spaces in the floors above the station. There were 25 platforms used by trains, the highest number of any railway station in Australia. Almost all trains in the Sydney suburban area pass through Central. New South Wales regional trains and most interurban trains also begin their journeys here. The station is conveniently located in the southern part of the CBD, and is within walking distance of some of Sydney’s popular attractions, such as Darling Harbour and the Powerhouse Museum.
First and second stations
The first Sydney station was opened on 26 September 1855 as the terminus of the Sydney–Parramatta line, the first passenger railway in New South Wales. Consisting of a single wooden platform in a corrugated iron shed, it was located on the southern side of Devonshire Street, extending south from the vicinity of the outer end of the current Platforms 2 and 3. The platform was extended in 1856, and a goods yard and goods shed were also added.
Although the first station was intended to be temporary, it remained in use until a larger station opened in 1874. The new station was located on the same site as the original station, and had two platforms and a large brick administration building. It was designed by Engineer-in-Chief, John Whitton, who planned it as a through station for possible future extension of the railway further into the city.
Ongoing expansion of the railway network in New South Wales and increasing passenger numbers led to demands for expansion of the station. From 1884 more platforms were added. Eventually 13 platforms were provided, numbered from east to west: Platforms A and B, then Nos. 1 to 11. Many people referred to the first and second Sydney stations as ‘Redfern’, but the official name was ‘Sydney’. The current Redfern station was at the time named Eveleigh.
Current station
The second Sydney station had been intended as a permanent terminus, but the need for a much larger station became clear. A site was selected on the northern side of Devonshire Street for the third Sydney station, which is the current station. Devonshire Street Cemetery occupied a large portion of the site, so the graves were removed and then transferred to a new cemetery at La Perouse. On 30 April 1902 the foundation stone for the new station building was laid by Edward O’Sullivan, Secretary for Public Works. Henry Deane, Engineer-in-Chief for Railway Construction, had overall responsibility for the design of the new station, but he retired before it opened. The station was officially opened on 4 August 1906 by Joseph Carruthers, Premier and Colonial Treasurer. Tracks from the old station had been extended to the new station, and the official first train ran from the new station to Parramatta at 11.15 am, the same departure time as the first train to Parramatta in 1855. The first train to arrive at the new station was the Western Mail, which arrived at Platform 1 at 5.55 am the following morning.
Passengers began referring to the new station as ‘Central’, although its official name remained ‘Sydney’. When opened, the station had 15 platforms, although Platforms 14 and 15 were at first used as horse and carriage docks. Platforms 16 to 19 were opened on 26 April 1914 and these were at the same level as Platforms 1 to 15, not the higher level of the current Platforms 16 to 23. The clock tower was not present when the station was opened in 1906, but was constructed as part of further work on the station and completed when the clock commenced operating on 12 March 1921. The top of the dome on the tower is 211 feet (64.3 metres) above the concourse and there are 272 steps from the concourse to the clock face. An additional two floors of offices were constructed at the same time as the clock tower.
More changes to Central station came with electrification of the suburban railways and the opening of the city railway. Electric trains commenced running between Central and Oatley on 1 March 1926. The elevated through platforms 21 to 23 were opened in October and November that year, enabling work to begin on the demolition of Platforms 16 to 19. On 20 December 1926 the line opened from Central to St James, the first section of the future City Circle railway. Elevated through platforms 16 to 20 were opened from 1927 to 1929. The second section of the city railway was opened on 28 February 1932 when services began between Central and Wynyard. This line was extended to the North Shore on 20 March 1932 after the Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened. The City Circle railway was completed when the section between Wynyard and St James was opened on 22 January 1956.
For half a century from 1929 to 1979 Sydney’s Central station operated with 23 platforms. Platforms 1 to 15 were mostly used by long-distance trains, servicing Sydney interurban and New South Wales country areas. There were numerous country train services in the era before travel by motor vehicle became cheaper and more convenient. Platforms 1 to 12 are today mainly used by interurban trains operating on the South Coast, Blue Mountains, and Central Coast & Newcastle Lines. Since 1929, Platforms 16 to 23 have been almost exclusively been used by suburban trains, with services operating through Central to the city underground railway.
The Eastern Suburbs Railway had been planned for many decades before it was finally opened on 23 June 1979. Two underground platforms were opened at Central, Platforms 24 and 25, the first addition of new platforms since 1929. The Eastern Suburbs Railway is mostly underground, and extends to Bondi Junction. Services on the line operate through Central and continue on the Illawarra and South Coast lines.
Although 25 platforms at Central were in regular in use by trains, there were actually 27 platforms. At the same time that Platforms 24 and 25 were constructed, another two partially completed underground platforms were built above, these platforms being intended for a planned future railway that never eventuated. They have no tracks and the tunnels leading to these platforms were never completed. The additional two platforms are often referred to as the ‘ghost platforms’ and are not accessible to the public, although special tours operate on occasions.
Mortuary station
Located on the western side of the railway line between Central and Redfern is the Mortuary station, which was opened on 29 June 1869. It was designed by Colonial Architect James Barnett, and has an attractive sandstone station building in Gothic style. Funeral trains departed from here and travelled to Rookwood Cemetery, near Lidcombe in Sydney’s west. Trains conveyed coffins and also carried mourners to the cemetery. From 1900 funeral trains also travelled from Mortuary station to Woronora Cemetery, near Sutherland in Sydney’s south. The station’s name was changed to Regent Street in 1938, and from that year funeral trains commenced from the main Central station until they ceased running in 1948.
Regent Street station was used for the dispatch of parcels from 1950, which were sent by electric parcel vans throughout the Sydney suburban area. In 1985 the station was restored and a pancake restaurant operated from 1986 to 1989. It has also been used as a departure point for special trains and as a function centre. Mortuary station can be seen from trains arriving and departing from Central station, particularly long-distance trains, which are closer to it. The building can also be viewed from the Regent Street footpath, where its entrance is located. Although not regularly open to the public, special events are held on occasions.
Mortuary station, Regent Street, Sydney, 18 January 2015.
Trams and light rail
Sydney’s first tramway was a horse tram that opened on 27 December 1861. It ran from Central to station to Circular Quay via Pitt Street. Passengers were able to change from the train to the horse tram at Central and continue their journey into the city. Following strong objections, the horse tramway was closed on 31 December 1866 and horse buses provided services.
Trams returned to Sydney in 1879, this time using steam trams. They proved successful and lines were extended through many suburbs. Steam trams serviced Sydney station, which was by this time the second station, and operated via Pitt and Elizabeth Streets to Hunter Street. Electric trams began operating in the city in 1899, running between Circular Quay and Pyrmont via George Street and Sydney station. On 18 December 1901 a tramway loop opened from Circular Quay to Sydney station via Pitt Street, returning via Castlereagh Street.
The Sydney tramway network was a major means of transport in the city and suburbs. It eventually became the second-largest in the Commonwealth after London.
With the opening of the third Sydney station in 1906, a tram stop was provided in the colonnade outside the main booking office. Passengers alighted from trains and then walked to the colonnade, where they boarded trams which would take them through the city to Circular Quay. Other tramway routes could be joined at nearby Railway Square, George Street, Eddy Avenue and Elizabeth Street. Sydney’s extensive tramway system was eventually dismantled. The tramway line through the colonnade at Sydney’s Central station was closed on 29 September 1957.
After an absence of almost 40 years trams returned to Central station on 11 August 1997 when Sydney’s first light rail line opened between Central station and Wentworth Park. The line has since been extended to Lilyfield and Dulwich Hill. At Central it stops at the same location in the colonnade where trams stopped from 1906 to 1957, although today’s light rail travels in the opposite direction at Central. Light rail in the vicinity expanded when the CBD and South East Light Rail opened between Circular Quay and Randwick on 14 December 2019. It passes along Eddy Avenue and Chalmers Street, with a stop in Chalmers Street providing an interchange between train and light rail.
Further developments
Major new developments commenced at Central in 2018. Platforms 13 to 15 were closed to facilitate the redevelopment. New features included:
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Central Walk, an underground concourse and a pedestrian tunnel linking Chalmers Street (east of Central) to new Metro platforms underneath Central station
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escalators reaching suburban platforms 16 to 23
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upgrading of the existing Central station.
Two new platforms underneath Central Walk were opened, numbered 26 and 27, on 19 August 2024. The platforms service a Metro line running from Chatswood, then under Sydney Harbour and through the central business district, to Sydenham.
Sydney’s Central station has changed and been redeveloped numerous times during its history. The needs of the travelling public have brought expansion and changes to meet modern standards.
References
‘Central Station: through the lens’, NSW State Archives and Records, NSW Government
<www.records.nsw.gov.au/archives/magazine/galleries/central-railway-station>.
McKillop, R, D Ellsmore & J Oakes, A century of Central: Sydney’s Central railway station 1906 to 2006, Australian Railway Historical Society,
New South Wales Division, Sydney, 2008.
‘Mortuary railway station and site’, Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Government.
New South Wales parliamentary debates, Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly, Sydney, 1906.
Oakes, J, Sydney’s Central: the history of Sydney’s Central railway station, Australian Railway Historical Society, New South Wales Division,
Sydney, 2002.
‘Railway stations: Sydney terminal’, Railways of Australia Network, vol. 2, no. 14, July 1965, p. 3.
Sydney Metro <www.sydneymetro.info>.
Transdev Sydney Light Rail <https://www.transdev.com.au/solutions/transdev-sydney-light-rail>.
Transport for NSW <www.transport.nsw.gov.au>.
Western side of Central station showing the clock tower, 10 July 2018.
Grand concourse, Central station, 15 April 2019.