| Physical description: | BUILDINGS
Everton Rd Booking Office (1927) & Canopy to Everton Rd Elevation (1994)
Everton Rd WC Building (1944)
Everton Rd End Staff Room & Ticket Office - Subway Level (1927)
Everton Rd End Toilet Facilities - Subway Level (1927)
Platform Building - Platform 1-2: (1927)
Platform Building A - Platform 3-4: (1927)
Platform Building B - Platform 3-4: (1927)
Platform Building C - Platform 3-4: (1927)
Platform Building D - Platform 3-4: (1927)
Platform Building A - Platform 5-6: (1927)
Platform Building B - Platform 5-6: (1927)
Platform Building A - Platform 7-8: (1927)
Platform Building B - Platform 7-8: (1927)
Albert Rd Booking Office (1927 - highly altered 1980) Canopies to entrance (c.1980s)
Former Parcel Shed & Luggage Platform (1927)
Former Parcel Office/Albert Rd Travel Centre (1927 - highly altered 1990)
Signal Box: (1927)
STRUCTURES
Everton Rd Entrance Stair (1927) & Lift Enclosure (1994)
Pedestrian Subway - Central: Subway Building (1927 - much altered)
Ramps to platforms (1927 - much altered)
Platforms: Platform 1-2 (1927), Platform 3-4 (1927), Platform 5-6 (1927, later extension), Platform 7-8 (1927)
Canopies: Platform 1-2 (1927), Platform 3-4 (1927), Platform 5-6 (1927), Platform 7-8 (1927)
Pedestrian Subway at east end and light-wells over Platforms 5-6 & 7-8 (1927)
CONTEXT
Strathfield Railway Station is entered from Albert Road to the south-west via ramps from the south-east and north-west elevations connecting to the central pedestrian subway. Access from the north-east is via stairs or a lift from Everton Road down to the central pedestrian subway. The platforms are then accessed via ramps and lifts from the subway. To the north-east of the station is a shopping centre, car park and square and to the south-west is a civic square, bus station and shopping precinct.
EVERTON RD BOOKING OFFICE
External: Rectangular face brick building constructed in an English bond. There is no evidence remaining of the original gabled roof form. The external walls rise from a projecting brick plinth, now at pavement level, and is divided into three bays defined by engaged brick piers. Original window openings remain intact, with the original timber framed windows on the south elevation and to the eastern end of the north elevation, with brick arched heads. The remaining two windows have modern ticket windows installed. To the east elevation there is a new door and a new roller shutter in the original openings. The door on the western elevation is a new door in the original opening, with the later addition of a hood over.
The building and awning is surrounded by a wide fascia, the profile of which is different to that shown on the original drawings. The awning extends to the north and the east and appears to have been extended to continue all the way along to the new lift enclosure. The soffit of the canopy has a new lining, new skylight openings and modern light fittings. An intrusive modern steel awning has been installed along the Everton Road elevation, continuing over the top of the fascia awning of the original building, supported on the roadside by steel posts and on the building side, by bracket supports fixed through the timber fascia. A new brick wall enclosure containing high voltage equipment has been constructed immediately to the west of the booking office.
Internal: Original painted plaster walls with dado mould remain. There is a new plasterboard ceiling and cornice, and new architraves to the southern windows. The original slate threshold remains. There was no access to the interior of the room to the eastern end.
EVERTON RD WC BUILDING
External: Rectangular face brick building in a stretcher bond with a gable roof with timber bargeboards and associated timber mouldings. The building has typical 1940s detailing to the timber doors and windows and has a corrugated asbestos cement roof. Services and pipework have been fixed to the south elevation.
Internal: There was no access to the interior of this building.
EVERTON RD END STAFF ROOM & TICKET OFFICE - SUBWAY LEVEL
External: Face brick enclosure at subway level, constructed in English bond, with a flat roof.
The external walls rise from a projecting brick plinth three courses high with a decorative soldier course, with a profiled brick string course above, running immediately above the door and window openings. The building is capped with a timber moulded cornice which has been painted in a terracotta colour. The original window opening features a soldier course for the sill. The doors and windows all have security grilles installed. The original lantern roof light to the staff room still remains. A modern brick ‘flue’ rises at the rear of the building and terminates on the roof as a vent.
The building returns into the subway where there is a modern ticket window installation, with contemporary timber panelling under. The timber cornice returns across the opening into the subway
Internal: There was no access to the interior of this building.
EVERTON RD END TOILET FACILITIES - SUBWAY LEVEL
The toilet facilities are accessed from the subway and also from the base of the ramp to Platform 1-2 have a modern fitout. The cleaner’s store in this vicinity also has a 1970s fitout. These rooms feature modern panelled doors.
PLATFORM BUILDING (Platform 1-2)
External: Rectangular face brick building predominantly in an English bond, with a flat roof. The external walls rise from a projecting brick plinth five courses high with a decorative soldier course, with a profiled brick string course above, running immediately above the door and window openings. The building is capped with a concrete moulded cornice which has been painted. The original window openings feature a bull-nosed brick on edge sill. The original timber windows remain and are double hung sash windows, with nine panes to the upper sash and a horizontal glazing bar dividing the lower sash. The window to the west end facing Platform 2 has an air conditioning unit fixed though the upper part of the frame, which means the upper sash of the window is fixed in an ‘open’ position. The glazing is generally original. The door facing Platform 1 is a modern timber door in an original opening with a flyscreen fitted to the outside. The door facing Platform 2 appears to be a modern timber door in an opening created at a later stage; it also has a flyscreen fitted to the outside.
A modern extension (c.2008) to the western end of the building has been constructed in a stretcher bond face brick, with a simplified cornice capping the roof, the top of which sits just under the string course of the original building. This extension has an opening with a new panelled door facing Platform 2. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the face of the building and in one instance the string course and cornice have been cut away to accommodate pipework.
Internal: Painted plaster walls with original vents and modern vinyl floor covering. Original concrete ceilings with cornices remain. The original partition wall has been removed and a new partition wall built in a different location. There are original architraves to the windows. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the walls.
PLATFORM BUILDING A - LUGGAGE STORE (Platform 3-4)
External: Rectangular face brick building predominantly in an English bond, with flat roof. The external walls rise from a projecting brick plinth five courses high with a decorative soldier course, with a profiled brick string course above, running immediately above the door and window openings. The building is capped with a concrete moulded cornice which has been painted.
The original door openings have been modified and new steel framed doors installed. There are new panelled doors to the western end and a roller shutter to the eastern elevation. There is a bricked up opening facing Platform 3. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the face of the building.
Internal: Painted brick walls and original ceilings with cornices remain. The building has a concrete floor.
PLATFORM BUILDING B - SM’s OFFICE (Platform 3-4)
External: Rectangular face brick building predominantly in an English bond, with flat roof. The external walls rise from a projecting brick plinth 5 courses high with a decorative soldier course, with a profiled brick string course above, running immediately above the door and window openings. The building is capped with a concrete moulded cornice which has been painted. The original window openings feature a bull-nosed brick on edge sill. Modern flyscreens have been fitted over the original windows to the western end. To the eastern end (facing both platforms) the window openings have been bricked up and smaller timber framed fixed sashes installed at a high level.
All of the doors are modern, and most have flyscreens installed. Many of the openings facing Platform 3 have been modified or bricked up. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the face of the building. An original telephone case and bells remain fixed to the wall facing Platform 4.
Internal: Painted plaster walls (with dado and picture rail) with some original cast iron vents remain and there is a modern floor covering. Original ceilings with ovolo cornices remain. There are original architraves remaining on some of the windows. There are modern internal partition walls and fitout to the eastern end of the building. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the walls.
PLATFORM BUILDING C - KIOSK & STORE ROOM (Platform 3-4)
External: Rectangular face brick building predominantly in an English bond, with flat roof. The external walls rise from a projecting brick plinth five courses high with a decorative soldier course, with a profiled brick string course above, running immediately above the door and window openings. The building is capped with a concrete moulded cornice which has been painted. The original window openings feature a bull-nosed brick on edge sill. Most of the original timber windows remain and are double hung sash windows, with nine panes to the upper sash and a horizontal glazing bar dividing the lower sash. To the western end is a narrower window to the same detail, but with six panes to the upper sash. Timber beaded flyscreens have been installed on the outside of most of the windows. The window to the kiosk has a timber apron fixed to the exterior at sill level. The glazing is generally original, but in some instances has been replaced with wired glass. The door facing Platform 3 to the eastern end is a modern timber door in an original opening and the doors to the kiosk, facing both platforms, are modern.
Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the face of the building and in one instance the string course and cornice have been cut away to accommodate pipework.
Internal: Painted plaster walls with original cast iron vents remain with a modern vinyl floor covering. Original ceilings with ovolo cornices remain. There are original architraves to the windows, with corbelled shelf over. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the walls. The windows to the kiosk have security bars fitted to the inside.
PLATFORM BUILDING D - STAFF MEAL ROOM (Platform 3-4)
External: Rectangular face brick building predominantly in an English bond, with flat roof. The external walls rise from a projecting brick plinth five courses high with a decorative soldier course running immediately above the door and window openings. The building is capped with a brick on edge course. The window openings feature a bull-nosed brick on edge sill. The original timber windows to the western end remain and are double hung sash windows to the same detail as on Platform 1-2. In addition, the windows are fitted with security bars. The western elevation has glazing to the upper sash only, with the lower sash boarded up. The windows facing the platforms to the eastern end are high level sliding sash timber windows; each sash is divided into six panes.
The door facing Platform 3 is an original timber door in with a glazed fanlight over. There is an original hand painted sign visible on the door (although it has been painted over). Modern signage and conduits have been fixed to the face of the building.
Internal: Painted plaster walls with fibre cement sheets to the ceiling and a modern vinyl floor covering. There are original architraves to the windows to the eastern end. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the walls, although the original switch remains beside the entrance door. The building has a modern fitout.
PLATFORM BUILDING A - CONTROL ROOM & TOILETS (Platform 5-6)
External: Rectangular face brick building predominantly in an English bond, with flat roof. The external walls rise from a projecting brick plinth 5 courses high with a decorative soldier course, with a profiled brick string course above, running immediately above the door and window openings. The building is capped with a timber cornice which has been painted. The original window openings feature a bull-nosed brick on edge sill. All of the doors are modern, a new timber window, to modern detail, has been installed to the ladies toilets and there is a new metal window at high level facing Platform 6. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the face of the building.
Internal: Painted plaster walls (with dado and picture rail) and modern floor covering. Original fibrous plaster ceilings with cornices remain. There are original architraves remaining on most of the windows. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the walls. There are original internal partition walls to the toilets.
PLATFORM BUILDING B - KIOSK & STORE ROOM (Platform 5-6)
External: Rectangular face brick building predominantly in an English bond, with flat roof. The external walls rise from a projecting brick plinth five courses high with a decorative soldier course, with a profiled brick string course above, running immediately above the door and window openings. The building is capped with a timber cornice which has been painted. The original window openings feature a bull-nosed brick on edge sill. Most of the original timber windows remain and are double hung sash windows, with nine panes to the upper sash and a horizontal glazing bar dividing the lower sash. To the eastern end is a narrower window to the same detail, but with six panes to the upper sash. Timber beaded flyscreens have been installed on the outside of most of the windows. The window to the kiosk has a timber apron fixed to the exterior at sill level. The doors are modern timber doors in original openings and the doors to the kiosk, facing both platforms, are modern. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the face of the building.
Internal: (No access to interior) Painted plaster walls with original cast iron vents and modern vinyl floor covering. Original ceilings with ovolo cornices remain. There are original architraves to the windows. The windows to the kiosk have security bars fitted to the inside.
PLATFORM BUILDING A - CONTROL ROOM & STORE (Platform 7-8)
External: Rectangular face brick building predominantly in an English bond, with flat roof. The external walls rise from a projecting brick plinth five courses high with a decorative soldier course, with a profiled brick string course above, running immediately above the door and window openings. The building is capped with a timber cornice which has been painted. The original window openings feature a bull-nosed brick on edge sill. Openings have been significantly modified or bricked up. A new metal window has been installed at the eastern end facing Platform 7. All of the doors are modern with external security grilles installed. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the face of the building.
Internal: In the control room original ceilings with cornices remain, though there are new architraves to windows and doors and there is a vinyl floor covering. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the walls. The store room has a new ceiling and cornice and has a tiled finish to the floor.
PLATFORM BUILDING B - SS OFFICER & STORE ROOM (Platform 7-8)
External: Rectangular face brick building predominantly in an English bond, with flat roof. The external walls rise from a projecting brick plinth five courses high with a decorative soldier course, with a profiled brick string course above, running immediately above the door and window openings. The building is capped with a timber cornice which has been painted. The original window openings feature a bull-nosed brick on edge sill. The doors are modern timber doors in original openings with external security grilles installed. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the face of the building.
Internal: The SS Officer’s room has original ceilings with cornices and original architraves to windows are intact. There are new doors in the original opening and an AC unit has been installed through the fanlight. Modern services and conduits have been fixed to the walls. The store room has the original ceiling and cornice but no architraves.
ALBERT RD BOOKING OFFICE & STATION ENTRANCE
External: The Albert Road elevation was originally a raised pedestrian footpath with windows below allowing light into the booking office which faces into the subway. The building underwent substantial modifications in the 1980s which added a first floor to the original building and drastically altered the street appearance by removing the original footpath and railings, removing the low level windows and applying render to the existing face brickwork. The 1st floor addition is of face brick (stretcher bond) with engaged pilasters, extending from those on the original building, and with a parapet containing a flat roof beyond. The timber framed windows are centrally located within the bays of pilasters and have semicircular brick on edge arched heads, and soldier course sills. An AC unit has been fixed through one of the central openings. There is also a window to the west elevation and a door to the east.
The existing ramps on the east and west sides of the building have been replaced with garden beds and steps with typical arched steel railings on the eastern side. The brick wall to the platform remains intact (although it has been rendered to the same height as the ground floor section) and the original light standards remain. The rear of the parapet and the flat roof is visible from the platform.
The exterior of the northern elevation (to the subway) remains relatively intact, with exposed brickwork and a cement band with a moulded cornice above the door and window openings. The ticket windows have been replaced within the original openings and some modifications to the openings to the eastern end is apparent from the original plans. The original drawings also show glazed panels between the ticket windows, no evidence of these remains. The entrance to the station has been completely reinvented in the 1980s with an arched steel canopy, with corrugated steel roofing over, to both the eastern and western entrances .The shops and cafes along the Albert Road elevation are also a modern addition.
Internal: The booking office has been much altered for operational needs, and the first floor addition with new internal staircase means little original fabric is evident. The ceiling to first floor is the underside of the Bondek supporting the concrete slab. Services and conduits have been fixed to the walls.
There is no significant original fabric still remaining in the adjacent rooms, which have been altered over time to suit a range of different accommodation.
The ramp from the street to the subway has been tiled with white ceramic tiles to mid height, and has a new tiled and paved floor finish. The roof over has been replaced with a translucent corrugated sheeting (where the original drawings show a glazed roof structure).
FORMER PARCEL SHED & LUGGAGE PLATFORM
External: A small rectangular brick building, built in the style of a Type 11 station building, with a gabled roof and integral shallower sloped awning. The roof of the building is the original Marseille tiles with terracotta ridging. The awning is clad in corrugated steel. The exterior walls rise from a projecting brick plinth, five courses above the surface of the platform. The building has two engaged brick pilasters to the north elevation with moulded cement corbels supporting standard double bowed steel brackets.
The soffit lining of the awning is the underside of the corrugated steel fixed to intermediate exposed purlins and follows the roof slope. Vertical timber boards form a valance at each end of the awning with a timber fascia to the northern edge. The awning extends beyond the building to both the east and the west, where it is supported by steel stanchions set into a concrete footing. New gutters are connected to new downpipes that run under the awning and are fixed to the front of the building. There are no window openings and the original timber ledged and braced sliding door still remains. The timber platform is currently accessed from the eastern end where an original timber post remains. There is a modern timber rail to the tracks and timber trellis below the platform level.
To the west of the building are brick enclosures on a concrete slab, with a concrete slab for the roof, which are indicated on original drawings to be dog kennels. The original doors to the kennels have been replaced with metal doors. No timber picket fence remains in front of the kennel enclosure. The area surrounding the building are neglected and overgrown.
Internal: There was no access to the interior of this building.
FORMER PARCEL OFFICE/ALBERT RD TRAVEL CENTRE
External: Completely refurbished in the early 1990s the building bears little resemblance to the original parcel office. The original face brick walls have been rendered over, with horizontal channels laid into the render, and openings have been significantly altered, including original windows bricked up and new larger openings created to accommodate new aluminium framed windows. The building retains the original rectangular floor plan with gabled roof, although the refurbishments saw the eaves overhang cut back with new guttering and new custom orb roof sheeting. The original gable facing Albert Road has been removed. The drawings indicate that the inner skin of the exterior walls has been rebuilt with new wall linings and a new ceiling, but retaining some original roof structure. The existing external face brick wall to the north elevation still remains and is visible from the platform. There is one original window remaining in the north-east corner of the building.
Internal: The interior has a completely modern fit out, with new partition walls and no original fabric remains.
SIGNAL BOX
Strathfield power signal box is located at the west end of Strathfield station’s number 7 & 8 platforms on the left (Down) side of the line.
External: The building is a three level power signal box, comprising the operating floor, relay room and the garage annex. The first two levels are constructed in face brick and the garage annex to street level was added later and extends out from the main brick structure. The building at street level has three openings with roller shutter doors and access doors to the south elevation and also has windows on the east and west elevations. These windows have brick on edge sills and painted concrete lintels. Modern security grilles have been fitted to all the windows on the ground floor. The second level (relay room, transformer room, vestibule and a toilet) is divided externally into four bays to the north and south elevations and two bays to the east and west. The bays are defined by engaged brick piers with chamfered cappings which rise about seven courses above the window openings. There is a door on the east and west elevations (with access via a modern steel stair on the western side). This level has timber framed windows (predominantly casement windows) with a top hung window above. The windows have brick on edge sills and painted concrete lintels.
The top level of the signal box is a timber framed structure to first floor with fibre cement cladding sitting on precast concrete slab. Facing the station, to the north, the front two corners of the building are chamfered. There are timber framed multi paned sliding casement windows in the west, north, east and chamfered walls with no openings in the south (rear) wall. There is a balcony with steel tubular balustrade to north, east & west. The building has a Dutch gable roof with asbestos cement slates with terracotta ridge capping and wide overhanging eaves.
Internal: The ground floor, at street level, houses three garages and an adjacent room (currently used as an office) which have painted brick walls and a flat reinforced concrete roof. There is a vinyl floor covering to the office, the garages have concrete floors. The middle level comprises of four rooms, the relay room, transformer room, vestibule and a toilet. The walls are painted brick with concrete to the floor and ceilings. There is a timber section over which the signalling equipment would have been located. There is some heavy steel framing propping the ceiling at this level. The top floor has a typical ceiling detail with raked section to perimeter and cover mouldings. Metal bracing across the ceiling is also typical in signal boxes of this period. Interior walls have fibre cement sheet and batten cladding. A toilet is located under the western eave. All three levels are interconnected with two iron spiral staircases. There are services and conduits attached to the brick walls and to the ceilings. There are original switch fittings and the original power board remains. None of the former signalling equipment remains.
EVERTON RD ENTRANCE STAIR & LIFT ENCLOSURE
External: Face brick enclosure at street level, constructed in English bond, with a gable roof clad in corrugated steel and clerestory windows to the stairs below. Some of the glazing to these timber framed windows has been replaced with wire mesh glass. A modern brick lift enclosure and associated motor room has been constructed on the street elevation. This extension has a cantilevered awning which extends out over the footpath. The top of the brick lift shaft continues past the ridge of the gable roof to the covered stairway. Repairs to the brickwork on the eastern elevation have been undertaken.
Internal: The walls to the stair are clad to pavement level (higher at the entrance to the stairs) with white ceramic tiles. The stairs have the same tiled finish as the subway. New handrails have been installed to the sides and centre of the stair.
PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY - CENTRAL
The subway has been completely refurbished with modern finishes. The walls are lined with white ceramic tiling and the floor is also tiled. The ceiling has a modern lining. There are lift enclosures along the length of the subway, servicing the platforms, and a bank of monitors displaying timetable and train information. The rooms accessed off the subway such as the cleaner’s store between Platforms 2 and 3 have the original concrete floor and walls exposed. There is historic fabric at either end of the subway, at the lower ground level, which is addressed elsewhere.
RAMPS TO PLATFORMS
Walls to ramps are tiled with white ceramic tiles up to the platform level with the brick walls exposed above. The ramps have a rubber ground surface and modern handrails and signage.
PLATFORMS
The platforms are all island platforms and are concrete faced with an asphalt surface. Tactile indicators have been installed along the platform edges and to the top of the ramps. There is considerable yellow painted signage on the asphalt surface. Open voids allow light into the subway below. These voids are contained by brick walls, constructed in English bond, which have metal railings fixed along the top. These brick walls also enclose the ramps from the subway to the platforms. Some of these brick walls have been rebuilt and modified as necessary adjacent to lift enclosures, and to provide access to the lift motor rooms via steel stairs. New pedestrian bridges, over existing voids, were constructed on Platform 1-2 & 7-8 to create a landing for the lift at platform level.
The platforms still feature original 1920s light fittings and some original signage on Platform 3-4, albeit with an inappropriate railing under. Modern signage is prominent along all the platforms. Typical arched steel railings have been installed at the ends of the platforms to prevent access to the tracks. Platform 1-2 was extended by 25m in 1944 and Platform 5-6 was extended more recently.
CANOPIES
The canopies to all of the platforms are constructed with large steel truss framing supported by circular cast iron columns, with decorative bases and capitals (many replaced soon after construction with columns made up of steel sections to support overhead electric equipment). The roof is timber framed gable structure with an original boarded fascia made up of individual profile boards. The roof is clad with corrugated steel sheeting, supported on purlins, which is exposed to the underside. Rainwater goods have been incorporated into the detailing of the columns.
Modern signage, such as directional signs and the ‘Kiosk’ signs on Platforms 5-6 and 7-8 and train information screens have been fixed directly to frame. CCTV and modern lighting and other services also have been fixed to the original fabric.
PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY - EAST (& LIGHT-WELLS OVER)
The subway connects Everton Road to the north (via a ramp down from street level) to Albert Road/Strathfield Square to the south. The ramp down to the subway has the original brick walls (painted) with a modern concrete surface and handrail. There are modern light fittings with exposed conduit fitted along the north wall. The floor finish at the bottom of the ramp and to the subway is tiled. The walls of the subway have been lined with panels which are covered in murals/graffiti. The subway ceiling has been lined and is equipped with modern light fittings so that the light-wells over no longer serve any purpose.
The light-wells over the subway at the end of Platforms 5-6 and 7-8 are rectangular structures with gabled roofs clad in corrugated steel. They are constructed with a brick plinth (six courses) on a brick base with clerestory windows on a concrete sill (to the same detail as the covered entrance on Everton Road). The extension to Platform 5-6 has incorporated the structure so the brick base is no longer visible. The original timber window frames and the detailing to the gable ends remains. The windows have been reglazed, in some instances, with a variety of different materials including reinforced fibreglass, wire mesh glass or are left open with a security mesh protecting the opening.
MOVEABLE ITEMS
Memorial Plaque fixed to Platform Building B on Platform 3-4.
Plaque to Albert Rd Booking Office referring to previous buildings on the site including former 1870s residence 'Silwood' which was demolished in 1925 to accommodate extension of station.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL
Based on the surviving documentation and the evidence on site it is unlikely there would be any potential archaeological remains at Strathfield.
MOVABLE
Green cast iron safe – NSW RV Safe – in staff rooms on platform
Early green cast iron safe in concourse office
Framed and laminated prints in staff rooms on platform
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Certificate of Appreciation
8 x 1980s Strathfield platform signs in storage
Timber shelving in parcels office
Large collection of timber rollover indicator boards in storage and on display in SM office
Wall-mounted memorial clock and plaque on Platform 3
Suspended kiosk sign
Early bells fixed to platform awnings
Early telephones fixed to platforms
Early station signage |