Central Railway Station with its slender clock tower has long been an iconic building in Sydney.
Rooftop view from southern edge of city c1929. Carlton series.
The station dates back to the Edwardian era when railway investment by the State Government was substantial and around 20 % of the entire state workforce was employed by the NSW Railway and Tramway Commissioners.
Clock tower - incomplete c1920. PWF series.
Original wooden booking hall 1906.
The prominent position to the south of the city centre makes the structure highly visible from the Railway Square precinct and along the axis of Wentworth Avenue.
View from Railway Square c1921.
Opened on 4th August 1906 the building has been modified by the addition of extra levels (c1910) and the clock tower in c1921.
First Locomotive at new station 4th August 1906. Anchor series.
Eastern entrance to electric platforms c1926. Samuel Wood
Central Railway Station - the main concourse.
In October 1914 a passenger count at Central indicated an average of 85,000 arrivals per weekday, 93,000 on Saturdays and 40,000 on Sundays.
Passenger train departure c1908. Cave/Hurley series.
Unusual view of carriage storage area and watertank c1906. Perry.
During this era railway and tramway passenger traffic in Sydney was increasing at roughly 13 per cent per annum. On a typical weekday some 55 trains departed during the peak hour – 5 to 6 pm.
Central Electric Platforms Ticket Office c1926.
The assembly area - main concourse - in c1906.
Passenger volumes through the facility remain impressive and the Station was once connected to the down town area by a tram service operating along Pitt and Castlereagh Streets to Circular Quay.
Tramway colonnade outside the booking hall c1906. Kerry tint.
Prior to the development of the underground railway from 1926 – 1932 the tramway service carried over 30m passengers per annum.
Street level view from southern edge of city with policeman in foreground c1906. Anchor series card.
In 1997 trams returned to the site with the introduction of the light rail service to Pyrmont – Ultimo.
Night view Eddy Avenue Coronation lights 1911.