Wingen railway station

Wingen railway station was a railway station on the Main North railway line, serving the town of Wingen, New South Wales. It was open between 1871 and 1975, briefly serving as the terminus of the line until it was extended to Murrurundi railway station.

Wingen
General information
LocationNew England Highway, Wingen, New South Wales
Australia
Coordinates31°53′46″S 150°52′51″E / 31.8960°S 150.8809°E / -31.8960; 150.8809 (Wingen railway station (closed))
Operated byPublic Transport Commission
Line(s)Main North
Distance331.450 km from Central
Platforms1 (1 side)
Tracks3
Construction
Structure typeGround
Other information
StatusDemolished
History
Opened1 August 1871
Closed8 March 1975
ElectrifiedNo
Services
Preceding station Former services Following station
Blandford
towards Wallangarra
Main North Line Parkville
towards Sydney

History

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Wingen station was opened in 1871,[1] and was the terminus for passenger services until the Main North line was extended north through Blandford to Murrurundi the following year, in 1872.

Wingen station was used by tourists visiting the Burning Mountain (Mount Wingen), as the station was situated around three kilometres from the mountain itself.[2]

The station closed to passenger services in 1975 and was subsequently completely demolished. However, the adjoining signal box was retained, and in 2023, a mural was unveiled to celebrate the local community's connection to nature and the railway's historical significance to the region. The mural adorns all sides of the signal box, and pays homage to the railway station as well as the Wingen Maid, a rock formation significant to the local Wonnarua people.[3][4]

Description

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The station consisted of a brick passenger side platform, with two wooden station buildings and substantial gardens. Opposite the passenger platform was a goods shed and loading bank. There were three railway tracks through the station consisting of a loop and siding, however, this was removed after closure, with only a single track remaining.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Wingen railway station, NSWrail.net, accessed 30 May 2024
  2. ^ A TRIP TO MOUNT WINGEN The North Western Courier (Narrabri, NSW: 1913-1955). Trove, National Library of Australia. 26 September 1929. p.4, accessed 18 September 2024
  3. ^ Wingen Signal Station Mural, NSW Locations and Attractions. NSW Government, accessed 9 September 2024
  4. ^ Mural on railway line at Wingen by artist Dan Bianco, as Australian Rail Track Corporation backs culture Newcastle Herald, accessed 18 September 2024