RIVERSDALE RAILWAY STATION AND SIGNAL BOX

The Down side station building (1915), the Signal Box (1916), and Switch House (1924) at Riversdale Railway Station, Riversdale Road, Camberwell, are significant.

How is it significant?

They are of local historical, architectural and technological significance to the City of Boroondara.

Why is it significant?

The Signal Box at Riversdale Railway Station is historically significant as an evidence of the impact of the extension of the electric tram network through the municipality in the 1910s. The Switch House is historically significant for its association with the electrification of the suburban rail network in the 1920s. The Down side station building at Riversdale Station is of historical significance as one of the earliest station buildings associated with the short-lived Outer Circle Railway Line and its subsequent incarnation as the Alamein branch line. (Criterion A)

The Signal Box, the adjacent Switch House and the Down-side station building provide rare evidence of the early character of the Outer Circle railway line. Along with the switch house, the Signal Box is the only surviving example of its kind in the City of Boroondara, and one of only two original signal boxes still serving its function at a level crossing in the Melbourne metropolitan area. (Criterion B)

Architecturally, the Signal Box is a substantially intact example of an early 20th century Victorian railway building. The Down side station building is also architecturally important as an increasingly rare surviving example of a standard nineteenth century railway portable building, once widespread throughout the suburban and rural rail systems established during the railway boom period. (Criterion D)

Technologically, the Signal Box is important for its ability to demonstrate the safe working practices at tramway squares. The Signal Box and Switch House are of technological significance with its association with the control of one of only three tramway squares - at level crossings of tram and train lines - remaining in metropolitan Melbourne, and one of only two to retain its original building. (Criterion F)

Group

Transport - Rail

Category

Railway Platform/ Station