Gosford Railway Clock, Steam Locomotive Facilities & Signal Box

Item details


Name of item:	Gosford Railway Clock, Steam Locomotive Facilities & Signal Box
Other name/s:	Gosford Railway Depot, Gosford Station
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Water Tower/ Tank
Primary address:	Showground Road, Gosford, NSW 2250
Local govt. area:	Central Coast

Boundary:

North: line 30m north of the water tank; South: 5m south from end of platform; East: eastern wall of Signal Box ; West: property boundary along Showground Road.The clock located at Gosford Station is excluded from the curtilage above - but forms part of this listing.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Showground Road	Gosford	Central Coast			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government

Statement of significance:


	Gosford Railway Station contains items of local significance, although this excludes the station buildings themselves, as they were built in the 1990s. These items of significance include the signal box, battery box and water spout. The signal box and the installation of the 'under wires' type water column on Platform 2 have historic associations with the Sydney - Gosford electrification which was completed in 1960. Gosford Signal Box is rare as an example of a signal box containing both manually operated lever and electronic signalling frames as a result of the combining of three signal boxes in the 1960s. The dropcase clock is rare as it is of a much larger size than standard railway clocks found on the Northern line. It is also one of very few such clocks on public display. The Gosford steam locomotive servicing facilities are significant at a local level because they are the most complete group of steam locomotive servicing facilities in the Sydney Metropolitan area. The servicing facilities are significant for the role they played in the Sydney - Newcastle line during the age of steam (a rare remnant of servicing equipment from this age within the region). The facilities have aesthetic significance at a local level, with the turntable and watering facilities being good examples of steam age railway infrastructure, while the water tank has landmark qualities. They provide an important physical reminder of a technological and transportation era that is now past. The facilities are fine examples of their type, containing the principal characteristics of both individual type and group, and have a high level of integrity.
	Date significance updated: 06 May 09
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	New South Wales Department of Railways
Builder/Maker:	New South Wales Department of Railways
Construction years:	1890-
Physical description:	BUILDINGS Main Station Building and Concourse, (1990s) Signal box, Type O (1937, 1960) Battery Box STRUCTURES Elevated Water Tank (1925) and attached water treatment plant, including buried pipework Powered Turntable, (1949-52) Water Spout, Type 1 Water Spout, Platform 2- Type 2 (1960) Drainage pit Modern tank and shed CONTEXT Gosford Railway Station occupies a large precinct between the Pacific Highway (Mann Street) and Showground Road, Gosford. A large bus terminal and commuter carpark is located on the eastern side of the station off Burns Crescent. The station building itself is a large brick structure with a concourse, constructed in the 1990s. The Gosford Signal Box is located at the northern end of Platform 1, whilst a water column remains at the northern end of Platform 2. The Gosford locomotive servicing facilities are located immediately north of the station group, on the western side of the railway corridor and opposite the signal box, adjacent to Showground Road. The site occupies a highly visible setting and is a prominent feature of the Gosford railway precinct. The group is comprised of a number of large scale pieces of equipment associated with the age of steam and includes an elevated water tank, water spout, drainage pit and turntable, accessed by a number of newly constructed sidings with concreted pathways and modern lighting. The turntable is located at the southern end of the site nearest the platforms but is partly obscured from view by virtue of it being cut into a slight hill, making the elevated water tank the most important visual element of the site. MAIN STATION AND CONCOURSE (c.1990) The current Gosford Railway Station is a large scale building with concourse level built c.1990. It does not constitute part of this listing. SIGNAL BOX (1937, 1960) External: Gosford Signal Box is a good example of a Type O signal box. Opened 15 March 1937, the signal box was upgraded in 1960. The rear (bus terminal) side of the building has been connected to an adjacent building at ground level. The signal box is a two storey structure with brick base and fibro above. A modern external steel staircase giving access to the upper floor has been added to the southern end. The brick base features three recessed brick panels along the east and west elevations, each with an eight pane steel framed window with central four pane pivoting section. The brick base is slightly longer than the upper floor, and its northern end features a concrete landing for the main upper access door. The upper floor is of fibro cement sheeting with a central band of sliding three pane windows and fibre cement mouldings. The roof is typical of the O Type signal box, being a corrugated fibre cement gabled roof of very shallow pitch with curved corrugated fibre cement ridge. A recently installed skillion roof shelters the first floor landing at the southern end. Internal: Gosford is an unusual signal box in that it contains the original 42 lever mechanically operated interlocking system (used for the central Gosford points) flanked by electronically operated controls (which operate the northern and southern points). All of this equipment dates from the 1960 upgrade, when this box took over the role of three previous boxes at Gosford. The original signal indicator board is dated 1959 and is still in operation, along with two large television screens. Also on the wall is a framed "Pulling List" for Gosford, dated 1960. Internally, the building features fibro walls and batterned ceiling, with timber floors. The northern end has been extended with a skillion-roofed fibro addition containing a kitchenette and toilet supported on a simple steel frame. BATTERY BOX A small pre-cast concrete drop panel Battery Box is located at the northern end of Platform 2/3, in front of the Signal Box. The structure features a hipped corrugated iron roof. WATER TANK AND TREATMENT PLANT (1925) The elevated 20,000 gallon water tank is the most prominent feature of the Gosford station steam locomotive servicing facilities. Each side of the tank is constructed from a single row of five welded mild steel plates, a number of which display a plate which reads "Makers Per. Way. Shop Newcastle 1925". There are rounded corners where the base of the tank joins the sides. The tank sits atop a steel framework and is supported primarily by 16 large steel I-beams on concrete plinths. From photographic evidence, these concrete plinths appear to have been installed c.1960, at which time the whole tank and stand was dismantled, the concrete plinths built and then the tank rebuilt. The steel beams are marked "Dorman Long & Co. Ltd, Middlesbrough, England" and are kept rigid by steel cross bracing. Immediately adjacent to the water tank on the southern side is located an elevated water treatment plant, whose floor level is above the level of the water tank. The plant features an elevated tank and has a gabled roof over. The water treatment plant is elevated on a grid of four columns which contains the main access ladder to the tank through its centre. POWERED TURNTABLE (1949-1952) The 75ft turntable was built between 1949 and 1952 and is located next to the water tank. The turntable consists of its original concrete pit surrounded by a timber and concrete wall. The turntable rail is supported on timber sleepers. The original table is of a riveted girder construction and still retains the original rails with flat steel decking between. New ball and socket handrails and steel mesh has been added to the sides for safety purposes. One end of the table features a small skillion roofed steel control box with windows on all sides, below which an electric motor is housed. WATER SPOUT (TYPE 1) A standard design Type 1 water spout is located next to the drainage pit. The spout consists of a metal column bolted to a concrete base. At the top of the column is a moveable metal arm from which hangs a canvas tube. WATER SPOUT (TYPE 2) (1960) A Type 2 water spout is located at the northern end of Platform 2/3. This type was erected in areas where there was overhead caternary for electric train operation, and is unique in that it features no canvas tube but is instead comprised of fixed elements. The design features a counterweight that helps lift the moveable arm to the required height before lowering it close to the tender. The spout is accessed by a flight of stairs at the end of the platform, and is located on a small timber platform with timber handrails. DRAINAGE PIT One of two original drainage pits survives at Gosford. It is located immediately adjacent to the Type 1 water spout and is approximately 20m long. The pit is 1.5m deep and of concrete construction. MODERN TANK AND SHED A small tank has been installed adjacent to the newly constructed sidings against Showground Road. The tank is protected by a steel skillion roof and has a small flat roofed concrete block shed next to it. MOVABLE NSW Railway heritage listed sites contain significant collections of stored movable railway heritage, including furniture, signs, operational objects, ex-booking office and ticketing objects, paper records, clocks, memorabilia, indicator boards and artwork. Individually, these objects are important components of the history of each site. Together, they form a large and diverse collection of movable objects across the NSW rail network. Sydney Trains maintains a database of movable heritage. For up-to-date information on all movable heritage items at this site, contact the Sydney Trains heritage team. Key items at this station include but are not limited to: In storage in station offices Two timber doors leading to a conference / meeting room with raised timber State Rail logos on each, located in upstairs office area Loose copy of historic photo from July 1939 of steam train at the Mt Victoria cutting 1985 SRA Rail Centenary historic photo of train crossing the new Hawkesbury River Bridge in white frame Framed photo of Loco 8101 Two spare timber frames Green Wearne and Breakspear cast iron safe, No 763 Boxes of collection of booking office objects including two timber framed ink stamp blotter, automating ticketing manuals, Countrylink folders and manuals, booking office keyboard, ink stamps, etc Collection of timber BOCs and file paper trays Steel and canvas stretcher No 954 On upper concourse Large timber drop dial clock on upper concourse. Features large Roman numeral dial and is marked “New South Wales Government Railways” Series of b/w historic prints of Gosford and Gosford Railway Station on display in public concourse Triple and single timber rollover indicator boards with clock faces and no foot pedals On platforms Large number of early and more recent station signage – red SRA line colour station name and platform number signs, “Exit” signs with pointing hand, large No Smoking signs “Gosford Railway Shop and Bar” large projecting sign on Platform 2 Large painted mural inside the take away shop on Platform 2 (more research is required on age, artist and subject) Revolving cast iron entrance gate on Platform 1 In signal box Signal indicator board, in signal box (operating) (1959) Wall mounted framed "Pulling List" for Gosford, in signal box (1960) POTENTIAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURES The archaeological potential of the site is considered to be low. Construction of new lines and pathways in the sidings is likely to have removed or substantially disturbed any archaeological evidence associated with the steam locomotive servicing facilities.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Signal box (1937, upgraded 1960) - Good Condition The Gosford Station Signal Box is in good condition and is fully operational. The box has been well maintained. Elevated Water Tank (1925) and attached water treatment plant – Good Condition The elevated water tank is in good condition. After repair and restoration works in 2019 that have assisted in the long term conservation of the structure whilst enhancing the historic and architectural significance of the site. Powered Turntable - Moderate Condition The powered turntable is believed to be operational and (if operational) is in moderate condition. Ball and socket safety rails have been installed on the table. Water Spout - Good Condition The Type 1 water spout located next to the drainage pit is in good condition. It is operational. Water Spout, Platform 2 - Moderate Condition The water column is in moderate condition and is said to be fully operational. The timber platform on which it stands is in moderate condition also, and lacks a security gate. Drainage pit - Good Condition The drainage pit has recently been upgraded and is in good condition. Large drop case clock - Good Condition Station Indicator Boards - Good Condition
	Date condition updated:17 Jun 09
Modifications and dates:	1960: Railway facilities at Gosford completely updated and rebuilt to allow for the changeover between electric locomotives and steam haulage. The former Down main line platform was rebuilt and widened to form a third ‘back platform’, most station buildings were rebuilt and enlarged, a new elevated signal box was provided at the Newcastle-end of the Up platform, all sidings and loops were remodelled, and an ‘under-wires’ type water column was provided at the Newcastle-end of No.2 platform (and remains in service today). The locomotive servicing facilities were enlarged with additional sidings, including a new 75-foot diameter electrically driven locomotive turntable, ash pits, provision for coaling steam locomotives and water. 1984: Electrification of the main line between Gosford and Newcastle was opened. Major upgrading was undertaken at Gosford, including the total replacement of the 1960-built station buildings and platforms. The layout of all sidings, crossovers and points were revised and upgraded. The steam locomotive, electric and diesel-electric servicing sidings were removed. The Gosford Racecourse branch line was disconnected and removed. 2019: Elevated Water Tank Repaired and Restored.


Current use:	Servicing heritage train steam locomotives & Signal Box
Former use:	Servicing steam locomotives & Signal Box

History

Historical notes:

The Main Northern line between Sydney and Newcastle was constructed in two distinct stages and in the earliest years, was worked as two separate railway systems.

The line between Sydney (actually the junction at Strathfield) and the Hawkesbury River was opened on 5 April 1887, with the terminus being on the southern bank of the Hawkesbury River. The line between Newcastle and the northern bank of the Hawkesbury River (near present day Wondabyne) was opened in January 1888.

The line was completed between Sydney and Newcastle with the opening of the massive bridge over the Hawkesbury River in 1889.

Gosford Railway Station is located on the Main Northern line, approximately mid-way between Sydney and Newcastle.

Gosford Railway Station was opened on 16 January 1888. The original line was constructed as a ‘single’ line, but Gosford was provided with three roads, a Down platform road, an Up platform road and a ‘middle road’ which could be used in either direction. Within a couple of years, a turntable, locomotive watering facilities, a refreshment room, footbridge, a number of goods sidings and signal box were added to Gosford.

Duplication of the main lines through Gosford was carried out in the 1910 period. The railway layout at Gosford was considerably enlarged. Locomotive servicing sidings were relocated to the north end of the platforms, station facilities and buildings were rebuilt, extra sidings and refuge loops were added.

Generally speaking, the layout at Gosford remained unaltered for the next 40 years, apart from some minor changes to sidings and points in the yard.

By the 1950s, and a few years prior to the opening of the electrification of the main lines between Hornsby and Gosford, Gosford Railway Station comprised Down main line and Up main line side platforms. In addition, a branch line to Gosford Racecourse (opened 1916), trailing on to the Down main line at the Sydney-end of the platform, was brought into use.

Refuge sidings, goods loop and fruit growers sidings on the up side of the main lines were part of the arrangement. All points and crossovers were controlled by a signal box on the up main line platform. Station buildings, including the Railway Refreshment Rooms were built on each of the platforms. A footbridge (with steps) spanned the tracks at the Newcastle-end of the platforms.

A locomotive servicing siding was laid in on the Down side of the main lines at the Newcastle-end of the platforms. A 60-feet diameter turntable, ash pit, water columns and elevated water tank were on, or near this siding.

In 1959, the first stage of electrification between Hornsby and the Hawkesbury River was completed, with the Hornsby to Gosford section opening in the following year. As part of this scheme, the platforms, overbridges, underbridge, footbridges and other structures were modified or rebuilt to accommodate the wide electric rollingstock, planned to operate between Hornsby and Cowan. Beyond Cowan, it was planned to use the new ‘narrower’ electric interurban rollingstock.

By 1960, the railway facilities at Gosford had been completely updated and rebuilt to allow for the changeover between electric locomotives (in the Sydney-Gosford section) and steam haulage between Gosford and Newcastle. The former Down main line platform was rebuilt and widened to form a third ‘back platform’, most station buildings were rebuilt and enlarged, a new elevated signal box was provided at the Newcastle-end of the Up platform, all sidings and loops were remodelled, and an ‘under-wires’ type water column was provided at the Newcastle-end of No.2 platform (and remains in service today).

The locomotive servicing facilities were enlarged with three sidings laid in beyond the northern end of the yard on the Down side of the line in approximately the same location as provided in 1910. On these sidings, a new 75-foot diameter electrically driven locomotive turntable, ash pits, provision for coaling steam locomotives and water columns were provided. North of the Etna Street bridge and the railway yard, two new locomotive servicing sidings with water columns and an elevated water tank were installed, specifically for the servicing of Beyer-Garratt steam locomotives. Two new sidings were provided south of the station on the up side of the line to service and stable the electric locomotives.

In the late 1980s-1990 most station buildings on the Northern line between Hornsby and Newcastle were further rebuilt with modern materials, a result of the extension of electrification from Gosford to Newcastle, which opened in May 1984. Major upgrading was undertaken at Gosford, and that included total replacement of the 1960-built station buildings and platforms. The layout of all sidings, crossovers and points were revised and upgraded. The steam locomotive, electric and, by the 1970s, the diesel-electric servicing sidings were removed. The Gosford Racecourse branch line was disconnected and removed.

Today, only remnants of the extensive steam and electric servicing facilities remain. The elevated water tank and stand, the electric turntable and the water column (in a new position) mark the location of the locomotive area near the station. The electric locomotive sidings at the southern end of the platform remain but are used for stabling inter-urban electric trains. The sidings at the far north of the yard have been removed.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Communication-Activities relating to the creation and conveyance of information	Signalling and safe working-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Provision of railway water supplies-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Railway Time-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The Gosford Steam Locomotive Servicing Facilities are historically significant at a local level. The servicing facilities are significant for the role they played in the Sydney - Newcastle line during the age of steam. The tank, water spout and turntable are able to evoke an earlier age of railway technology and travel that is now past. Gosford Railway Station Group contains items of local significance, although this excludes the station buildings themselves, as they were built in the 1990s. The upgrades to the signal box carried out in 1960 and the installation of the 'under wires' type water column on Platform 2 have historic associations with the Sydney - Gosford electrification which was completed in 1960. Although built in 1960, the equipment in the signal box is a mixture of old mechanical and modern electrical. It represents a significant phase of modernisation of the NSW rail network and recognition that eventually electric trains would extend beyond Gosford.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The Gosford Steam Locomotive Servicing Facilities have aesthetic significance at a local level. The facilities include infrastructure for watering, turning, and de-ashing steam locomotives in a highly visible location. The turntable and watering facilities are distinctive railway infrastructure, while the water tank has landmark qualities. The limited amount of space available at Gosford has resulted in quite a close grouping of the individual elements and has also placed them in quite close proximity to the railway station itself, allowing a much stronger connection between the station and the facilities than at other stations (eg: Waterfall). The aesthetic significance of the group overall has been diminished by the loss of the original station buildings and the construction of a modern bus interchange and commuter carpark on the eastern side of the line. The signal box at Gosford railway station has technical significance at a local level as an example of a signal box with both manual and electronic frameworks following the removal of the original north and south Gosford signal boxes.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The place has the potential to contribute to the local community's sense of place, and can provide a connection to the local community's past.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The archaeological research potential of the site is low. There may be evidence of the former ash pits and former location of the water columns, but these are not likely to yield significant information and thus are not considered to have significance under this criterion.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The Gosford Steam Locomotive Servicing Facilities are rare as the only remaining group of steam locomotive facilities on the Northern line. Gosford Signal Box is a rare example of a signal box containing both manually operated levers and electronic signalling frames as a result of the combining of three signal boxes in the 1960s. The dropcase clock is also rare as it is of a much larger size than standard railway clocks found on the Northern line. It is also one of very few such clocks on public display.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The Gosford Steam Locomotive Servicing Facilities are fine examples of their type, containing the principal characteristics of both individual type and group. Gosford Signal Box is a good example of the standard O Type Signal Box constructed throughout NSW in the years around 1930. The water column at the northern end of Platform 2/3 is a good and operational example of a Type 2 water spout found at various locations in the Metropolitan network (eg: Waterfall, Hawkesbury River).
Integrity/Intactness:	A number of original components of the group have been demolished (such as the ash pits) or upgraded beyond recognition, however other elements of the group are highly intact and there are enough elements remaining to enable the site to demonstrate its significance. The fact that there is a group of associated items for steam locomotive servicing is a key aspect of the significance of the site.Both the Gosford signal box and water column on Platform 2/3 display a high level of integrity and intactness.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

1. Conservation principles: Conserve cultural heritage significance and minimise impacts on heritage values and fabric in accordance with the ‘Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance’. 2. Specialist advice: Seek advice from a qualified heritage specialist during all phases of a proposed project from feasibility, concept and option planning stage; detailed design; heritage approval and assessment; through to construction and finalisation. 3. Documentation: Prepare a Statement of Heritage Impact (SOHI) to assess, minimise and prevent heritage impacts as part of the assessment and approval phase of a project. Prepare a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) prior to proposing major works (such as new additions, change of use or proposed demolition) at all places of State significance and all complex sites of Local significance. 4. Maintenance and repair: Undertake annual inspections and proactive routine maintenance works to conserve heritage fabric in accordance with the ‘Minimum Standards of Maintenance & Repair’. 5. Movable heritage: Retain in situ and care for historic contents, fixtures, fittings, equipment and objects which contribute to cultural heritage significance. Return or reinstate missing features or relocated items where opportunities arise. 6. Aboriginal, archaeology and natural heritage: Consider all aspects of potential heritage significance as part of assessing and minimising potential impacts, including Aboriginal, archaeology and natural heritage. 7. Unidentified heritage items: Heritage inventory sheets do not describe or capture all contributory heritage items within an identified curtilage (such as minor buildings, structures, archaeology, landscape elements, movable heritage and significant interiors and finishes). Ensure heritage advice is sought on all proposed changes within a curtilage to conserve heritage significance. 8. Recording and register update: Record changes at heritage places through adequate project records and archival photography. Notify all changes to the Section 170 Heritage & Conservation Register administrator upon project completion.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register	Railcorp S170 Register

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
S170 Heritage & Conservation Register Update	2009		NSW Department of Commerce		Yes
Heritage Platforms Conservation Management Strategy	2015		Australian Museum Consulting		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written			No objection to disposal of Sand Bin - 12/5/95
Written	John Forsyth		Line Histories
Written	NSWGR		Station Expenditure History Card
Written	Ray Love	2009	Historical Research for RailCorp s170 Update
Written	Singleton C.C.		The Short North. ARHS Bulletin. No.336, October 1965.
Written	State Rail Authority of New South Wales	1995	How and Why of Station Names. Fourth Edition

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	State Government
Database number:	4800002

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