Talk:Newcastle railway station, New South Wales

History

I have an issue with the history of the station. Currently it is stated that:

The current station opened with two platforms in 1872. It was variously named Honeysuckle and Honeysuckle Point until the current name was adopted in 1935.[1] In 1880, an additional two platforms were constructed to cater for traffic growth. A large goods yard fanned east from the station, constructed in 1858. No trace now remains of this yard.

[1] Walters, C (April 2007). The Great Northern Railway Newcastle to Maitland 150 years on. Australian Railway Historical Society.

What I have found is a book detailing the history of every station, its name, date of opening, closing and/or change of name. This book is produced by the Public Transport Commission of New South Wales and is first compiled from records held in the Commission's Archive Section in May 1965. The edition I am refering to was published in 1979. I am going to speculate that this is the higher publication than the one produced by Walters.

What my publication details is that Newcastle station was originally sited at the current Civic site 5 May 1857. It was then moved to the new site (current Newcastle station) 9 Apr 1858.

Saying that, the Civic entry reads:

Civic railway station was originally named Newcastle railway station and was opened 30 Mar 1857. It was then renamed Honeysuckle (9 Mar 1858) and renamed again to Honeysuckle point (1 Sep 1866). The station was closed in 1872 only to be reopened as its current name of Civic on 22 Dec 1935

We have a discrepancy of approximately 35 days as to the opening, but that could be a mix up of the opening and the official opening or one of a number other reasons.

I have also found that the Heritage NSW site states:

Two storey brick Victorian railway station.The present station developed progressively from 1872,the original being a standard design. Has been substantially modified with its original verandahs being infilled, and adjoining pavillions modified or attached.

Does this mean that it was built in 1872 or was just developed from this point onwards? All this requires more research. So at this point of time the Civic and Newcastle railway station pages conflict with each other. I will post a link to this on the Civic page as well.Macr237 (talk) 23:27, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Further to this, I have just come across this website NSWRail.net, which says Civic was started between 30 Mar 1857 and Newcastle 5 Apr 1857. This is closer to what I have stated (out by 1 year and 4 days). Macr237 (talk) 00:57, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

Adding to that on the link to Newcastle station, it says it moved site 9 Mar 1858. So by what I am reading, Civic station (Formerly known as Newcastle) came into being somewhere around 30 Mar and 5 Apr 1857, it then moved as Newcastle station 9 Mar 1858. This backs up my research. I am also in the process of finding a map or two around the 1860's to prove it was there before 1862. Macr237 (talk) 01:07, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

It appears I am winning my own argument. I just found this map (dated 1868), that clearly shows Newcastle station as being present at reference point 3 (corner of Watt and Scott St). Besides that little clincher, I went and did a bit of research at Newcastle library and came up with this:

The Committee recommended that a single line for goods and passenger traffic be laid from Honeysuckle Point to the wharf at Watt Street

and this:

William Wright was awarded the contract for the 67-chain extension for £6347 in November 1857.

And to drive the nail into the coffin:

The extension to Newcastle Station was opened for public use on Saturday 20 Mar 1858.

I can now rest my case and alter the incorrect information. Macr237 (talk) 04:42, 21 January 2009 (UTC)