History of Maryborough Station

A SHORT HISTORY OF MARYBOROUGH STATION When the rail link with Castlemaine was opened on July 7, 1874, Maryborough at last had a direct route to Melbourne. Estimated to take five and a half hours, 52 passengers set off on the inaugural journey, without so much as an official send off. At about midday, a train from Melbourne arrived with 72 passengers, who were less than impressed when confronted with an unfinished station and a sea of mud to wade through before they reached the main part of town.
	The location of the city’s first station had been the topic of much discussion. A poll in 1872 suggested that the popular position was the head of Nolan Street, while the government favoured just north of Tuaggra Street.Eventually a site south of Tuaggra and close to Nolan Street was decided upon. In 1874, the first Maryborough Railway Station was built at a cost of £4000. The brick building included a station master’s residence, waiting room and offices, refreshment and lamp rooms. However, within two years the station turned out to be less than satisfactory and a replacement was called for. With a quote of £21,98310s 7d, A. Swanson of St. Kilda was the successful tenderer and the foundations for the new station were laid in May 1890. Boasting the longest platform in Victoria, it is rumoured that many locals believed the elaborate plans were meant for Spencer Street rather than Maryborough, with political pressure seeing it built here, however, no formal explanation has ever been given.
Fashioned in the Anglo-Dutch style, Maryborough Railway Station is believed to be the only known example of this style in comparison with other contemporary railway stations in Victoria. The red brick, rendered and painted cement mouldings, prominent Dutch gables and variety of features on the roof line such as the clock tower, square lantern, faceted tall chimneys and double hung sash windows, are all characteristic of the style and indicative of the lavish extravagance bestowed upon the railways of the era. Besides the convenience of safer and more efficient travel, the railways also provided alternative employment to mining for young men. The railway men also formed a supportive group of workers for ALP which represented Maryborough in state parliament over a long period of time. In the height of rail travel, 13 passenger trains left Maryborough daily, three of which were destined for Melbourne.
	In 1905 a first class fare was £1 10s 5d.While the fares were reduced by seven and a half percent in 1908, two derailments, along with a bridge collapse in 1909, did little to help the railways lift its profile. The council recognised the problem and in an effort to improve services to the public, pushed for the introduction of motor trains. Ironically, steam trains were re-introduced because they could handle more passengers.The motor trains were subsequently used between Maryborough and St.Arnaud. In 1914 Cr Isaac Soloman was instrumental in having clocks fitted to the towers and The Maryborough Advertiser reported in April 1973 that only two stations in Victoria have towers equipped with clocks, Flinders Street and Maryborough. With the advent of the automobile, the railways continued to decline in popularity and the Maryborough district traders suggested vehicular delays could be eased with the construction of a subway.
In 1954 The Maryboroug Advertiser reported on the frustration felt by Cr Bill Phelan, when one day he had to wait 17 minutes for a train to pass. He declared that one third was added to costs for local traders because of the hold ups, but it was not until 1967 that the underpass was constructed. By the end of the 50s the rail car had stopped operating between Maryborough and Ararat, which reflected the overall 20 percent decrease in country rail travel. The refreshment rooms were closed on November 6, 1961, yet the workshop and engine sheds still operated with 142 employees. Passenger trains finally ceased operating from Maryborough in 1994, causing a steady decline in the station’s use and subsequent condition. The station was listed on the Victoria Heritage Register in 1982, yet in the upcoming years funding to preserve the building has been less than forthcoming.
	In 1993, local businesswoman Glenda James sub-leased most of the southern half of the station from the shire and established an antique emporium, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. And who knows, if the country rail lines ever re-open to their full capacity, Maryborough Railway Station could once again become a hive of activity. MORE PICTURES NEXT PAGE >