Marulan Railway Station and yard group

Item details


Name of item:	Marulan Railway Station and yard group
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Location:	Lat: -34.7096737844 Long: 150.0060079114
Primary address:	Main Southern railway, Marulan, NSW 2579
Local govt. area:	Goulburn Mulwaree
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Pejar

Boundary:

The listing boundary follows the rail property boundaries on both sides of the tracks, from the George Street road bridge to the east and to the Goulburn (western) end of the station platforms.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Main Southern railway	Marulan	Goulburn Mulwaree			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government	05 Nov 98

Statement of significance:


	Marulan is a rare surviving station dating from the opening of the line with relatively small changes to the fabric of the station building. Although much equipment at the site has been removed and there are only remnants of the goods yard surviving, the station building in particular is significant in understanding the development of railways and is a significant townscape and landscape element, particularly when viewed from the overbridge or the park in the main street. The residence and weighbridge add to the site, the weighbridge indicating the nature of the remainder of the yard now deserted with most facilities removed and the residence relating to the rear of the station building with its frontage to the main street.
	Date significance updated: 27 Nov 00
	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


Construction years:	1867-1868
Physical description:	BUILDINGS Station building - type 1, brick combination residence/station, 1867, opened 1868, verandah added 1874. Located on the Down platform, this is a brick building with 5 bay verandah to platform supported on fluted cast iron columns with decorative brackets, simple timber beams and end valances with profiled sheet metal in floral motif. The detail of the joinery is of fine quality. The roof form is hipped with an extension at the Down end for the residence. A feature of the building is the width and visual dominance of the platform awning (added later in c1874). Signal box - timber on platform (c1915) STRUCTURES Platform faces - brick (c1915) Overbridge road - former highway bridge at Sydney end Weighbridge - Goulburn works 20 ton 1923 - not extant in September 2004, removed unknown date. MAJOR STRUCTURES - Managed by ARTC Station Building - type 1, Down Platform, brick combination residence/station (1867) Signal Box - timber on platform (c1915) OTHER STRUCTURES - Managed by RailCorp Building Awning (c1874) Waiting Shed - Up Platform concrete (modern) Platform faces - brick (c1915) SIGNAL BOX (c1915) The 'Type F' signal box is located adjacent to the station building on the Down platform. The building features a low skillion roof clad in corrugated sheet metal and sloping towards the platform. The building is clad in timber weatherboard. WAITING SHED Modern concrete waiting shed located on Up Platform. Not assessed as significant. MOVEABLE ITEMS Station seats (on platform)
Modifications and dates:	Station building - verandah added 1874. Overbridge road - former highway bridge at Sydney end Weighbridge - not extant in September 2004, removed unknown date.


Current use:	railway station
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farm, town lot

History

Historical notes:

Marulan Railway Precinct is located on the Main South Line. Following the completion of the first railway from Sydney to Parramatta Junction in 1855, proposals for the first railways to the rest of NSW were driven by pastural communities seeking improved transport for their produce from the inland centres such as Goulburn, Bathurst, Singleton and Muswellbrook. When John Whitton arrived in Sydney in 1856 to take up his position as Engineer-in-Chief of the NSW Railways, "he understood his job was to plan the extensions which would take the infant railway into the interior of Australia", however, it wasn't until 1860 that definite plans were made to extend the Great Southern Line to Picton, with an extension to Goulburn (Lee, 2000, p98).

The original township of Marulan was surveyed in 1834 and built approximately 4 kilometres south of the present town of Marulan. In 1867 a private subdivision was offered for sale close to the location of the new railway station and yard, after which the old town (surveyed in 1834) declined and Marulan began to develop around the site of the new railway station (Forsyth, 1989).

In 1867 there was agitation to have another post office opened at Marulan Camp where a larger number of railway workers were living. This spot was one or two miles from Marulan proper where the post office was situated. 'The Terminus Hotel' was near Marulan Camp and efforts were made to have the office conducted there. Philip Dignam MP in State Parliament was asked to suggest a name for the new post office and put forward 'Mooroowoolen' after the private township that had been laid out where the railway was to terminate. The Mooroowoolen (post) office was opened on 1/3/1868 and John O'Neil, described as store keeper, was appointed postmaster. His wife took charge of the Marulan office. In those days most storekeepers cheerfully undertook the postal duties as it brought them a lot of customers. From Mooroowoolen mails were despatched by Cobb and Co. coaches to towns further south until the railway line was extended to Goulburn in 1869. That year, the post office was moved to the railway station where it was conducted by the telegraph operator, Charles Winniett, in half of the ladies' waiting room (Revitt, 2008, 30-31).

A contract was let to F. Horn on 8 February 1868 for the combined station building and Station Master's house. A separate contract was awarded to G. Thead on 3 December 1867 for construction of a goods shed (Forsyth, 1989).

The single line from Marulan to Moss Vale was completed in 1868, and Marulan opened to railway traffic on 5 August 1868 (Forsyth, 1989).

A small (post) office was later built behind the station but by this time the name of the station had been changed to Marulan. It was a strange situation with Morroowoolen Post Office thirty yards behind Marulan Railway Station. The conflict was resolved in 1878 when the postmaster asked for a new date stamp. An inspector suggested it not be supplied but the one from the now defunct Marulan Post Office be used and the name changed accordingly. Mooroowoolen Post Office thus became Marulan Post Office. There's nothing left of the original Marulan except cemeteries (ibid, 2008, 31).

Changes to the station precinct in the late 19th century and early 20th century included the addition of a veranda to the station building in 1874, erection of a 10 tonne crane (1876), repairs to the water tank (1877), removal of the crane (to Bundanoon in 1880), alterations to the stockyards, construction of a Station Master's cottage, erection of a cart weighbridge, and fixing signal levers on the platform (all 1882). New sheep yards were constructed and a post office erected in 1885, a residence for the night officer erected in 1891, the station interlocked in 1895, and (the original) trucking yards removed in 1913 (the other stockyards remaining until 1985). A new Up platform and associated buildings were constructed in 1915 as part of duplication works on the Southern line, and in 1924 a loading bank was erected for limestone traffic (Forsyth, 1989).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	(none)-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building the railway network-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Railway Station-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Adapted heritage building or structure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	1820s-1850s land grants-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Townships-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Administering and alienating Crown lands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Resuming private lands for public purposes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Subdivision of rural estates-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th century suburban developments-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Vernacular hamlets and settlements-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Beautifying towns and villages-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Planning relationships between key structures and town plans-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Developing private towns-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	living in the country-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Shaping inland settlements-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creation of railway towns-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Evolution of railway towns-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Impacts of railways on natural environment-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Impacts of railways on rural development-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Role of transport in settlement-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	A quiet Rural District-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Railway work culture-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working complex machinery and technologies-
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.	State government-
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.	Developing roles for government - providing public transport-
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.	Developing roles for government - facilitating agriculture-
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.	Developing roles for government - facilitating pastoralism-
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.	Developing roles for government - building and administering rail networks-
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.	Developing roles for government - providing rail transport-
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.	Developing roles for government - building and operating public infrastructure-
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.	Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
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.	Developing roles for government - administration of land-
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.	Public works-
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.	Providing public offices and buildings-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	This item is assessed as historically rare. This item is assessed as arch. rare. This item is assessed as socially rare.
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:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		01188	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
State Rail Authority S170 Register	1997	SRA257	State Rail Authority		No

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	Cottee, J.M.	2004	Stations on the track: Selected NSW Country Railway Stations: An Historical Overview
Written	Forsyth, John	2009	NSW Railway Stations - An Alphabetical Arrangement of Railway Station and Place Names
Written	Forsyth, John	1989	Stations & tracks: volume 2: Main Southern Line: Granville Junction to Albury: station, siding, track & bridge data
Written	Lee, Robert	2000	Colonial Engineer
Written	McKillop, Bob	2009	NSW Railways (RailCorp) Thematic History
Written	RailCorp		RailCorp Historic Plans, various
Written	Revitt, Jim and Ronald	2008	Bungonia - Foundation of a Heritage

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:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5012098
File number:	12/14491

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