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Geelong Railway Station Complex

Location

Railway Terrace, GEELONG VIC 3220 - Property No B6093

File Number

B6093

Level

State

Statement of Significance

This complex is important as the State's largest and most intact nineteenth century group of railway buildings. It stands on the site of the former Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company terminus and is noteworthy also as the largest complex of polychrome brick buildings constructed by the Railways Department. As such, it is most expressive of the 1870s when this form of architectural enrichment dominated railway building. The train hall of 1882 is unique at the National level, both for its scale and use of Gothic detail, recalling English precedent, (St Pancras: 1876, Sir George Manchester Central: 1880). The goods shed, although part destroyed by fire and rebuilt, is the largest non-metropolitan shed and was built in two stages from 1877, predating the passenger station by two years. The polychrome facade enrichment is refined and unique on the railway network and forms an esential complement to the passenger station which it faces across an approach courtyard. The size of the goods shed, in particular, recalls Geelong's status as an inportant railway junction and the first seaboard port encountered by all traffic originating in Victoria's west and north-west until the opening of the Ballarat-Melbourne line in 1889. Other elements contributing to the significance of the station building and goods shed include the footbridge, signal boxes, A and B, the pedestrian subway including cast iron palisade fence and unique lamp frame, the Geelong tunnel portal, rail bridges and retaining wall of bluestone with wrought iron and cast iron railings marking the alignment of the former pier railway.
Classified: 04/12/1989

Goods Shed demolished c.1990.

Group