Sydney Insights #5 - CENTRAL STATION

Sydney's Central Station is the largest railway station in Australia.

Designed by the Government Architect, Walter Liberty Vernon, Central Station opened in 1906, though the clock tower was only added in 1921.

It services almost all of the lines on the CityRail network, and is the major terminus for interurban and interstate rail services.

There are 3 components to Central Station: 

Central Steam (Sydney Terminal), Central Electric (Suburban lines), and Underground Lines.

Central Steam, as it was once known, is today referred to as Sydney Terminal or the Country Terminal, though only 3 platforms are used for country services. There are 15 platforms in total and most service regional and intercity services. Platform 1 services the Indian Pacific that travels from Sydney to Perth, the breadth of our country. There is a small bullet hole in the marble at the entrance to Platform 1, which was caused during a riot called the Battle of Central in 1916    when soldiers rebelled against camp conditions and were fired upon by military police. One of the rioters was killed.


Central Electric is the suburban lines adjoining Sydney terminal that continue through the city and link all the suburbs. It was opened in 1926 during an electrification upgrade of the entire rail network. 
12 Platforms were built in total but 4 of these were built underground. Only the 8 above ground platforms were opened in 1926 and all continue to be used today.

The Underground Line, also known as the Eastern Suburbs Line back then, is now called the Bondi Junction line. The original Eastern Suburbs line was designed to continue all the way to Kingsford but it never eventuated. The actual train line commenced construction in 1948 and took over 30 years to complete opening in 1979. Only 2 of the 4 platforms were eventually used and they were underneath the 2 unused platforms. These unused Platforms are now used for archive storage.

So overall that means there are 25 platforms in service and they are serviced by as many as 76 trains per hour.

Central Station also links up with other transport services including the Light Rail Network located at Sydney Terminal, Railway Square Bus Terminal across the road from Sydney Terminal, and Eddy Avenue Coach Terminal where intercity and Interstate bus services depart.






Whether you live in Sydney or just come for a visit, it would be very surprising if you don't pass through Central Railway Station at least once.

The only drawback to Central Station is the same with all other Sydney City Train stations, it's a bitch to manoeuvre around during peak hour. :-)

My Sydney Insights Blog has now featured MORTUARY STATION, FORT DENISON, HYDE PARK, SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM of MUSIC, and now CENTRAL STATION.

Enjoy Sydney

J G S