1869: The Opening of a Small-Town Railway Station in Australia

October 18, 1869

In Australia, a railway station in the town of Bowenfels in the colony (now state) of New South Wales (NSW) was opened. The Bowenfels railway station was built as part of the Main Western Railway (also known as the Main Western Line) in that region of Australia.

This station was designed by John Clifton, an engineer working for the New South Wales Government Railways. (The New South Wales Government Railways was the government agency responsible for rail transportation in NSW between 1855 and 1932.)

The Bowenfels railway station was constructed out of sandstone, and it remained in service as a depot for well over a century. This station became unstaffed as of 1972. A couple of years later, railway-related services at the Bowenfels were discontinued altogether.

In 1999, the Bowenfels railway station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This facility is now used as both a restaurant visitor center. (The above photo of the Bowenfels railway station was taken sometime around 1880.)

Photo Credit: Public Domain

For more information on the Bowenfels railway station, please check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowenfels_railway_station and https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMKNK0_Bowenfels_Railway_Station_Bowenfels_NSW

Additional information on stations of the Main Western Railway (Main Western Line) is available at https://www.nswrail.net/lines/show.php?name=NSW:main_west