SURROUNDED by artefacts of Goulburn's railway history, a crowd gathered in the Wellington Shed at the Goulburn Locomotive Roundhouse on Monday afternoon for a book launch.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Written by Dr Stuart Sharp from the NSW Branch of the Australian Railways Historical Society (ARHS), 'The Railway Heritage of Goulburn' tells the detailed history of how the building of the railway sealed Goulburn's fate.
In 2011, Dr Sharp visited Goulburn with a group of people under the banner of the 'Luncheon Club'. The purpose of his visit was to discuss the early history of the railways in Goulburn and subsequent developments, and the book is based on the transcript of his lecture notes.
In 2012, he offered them to the Goulburn Loco Roundhouse Preservation Society (GLRPS), which was able to edit and publish his manuscript.
Due to illness, Dr Sharp was not able to attend the book launch, but Richard Barrack from Train Hobby Publications attended in his place.
"This book details 142 years of railway history in Goulburn, and there will be very few, if any, places in Australia for which that could be possible," Mr Barrack said. "Dr Sharp's pain-staking research has resulted in words that somehow impart a strong sense of the importance of the railway to Goulburn."
Mr Barrack said the early development of the NSW railway system had been influenced by its first Engineer-in-Chief, John Whitton, whose tenure lasted from 1857-1889.
"Many of Whitton's early visions for infrastructure that would accommodate the requirements of the future, such as double-track main lines, were defeated by lack of funding," Mr Barrack said.
"Mr Whitton also influenced the style of railway buildings, having personal input into a number of them, such as at Bungendore and Cooma.
"The station building at Goulburn also reflects his influence; as it was one of his principles that regional centres should get the buildings they deserved consistent with their status."
The Great Southern Railway arrived in Goulburn in 1869, reaching Albury 12 years later. "Hasn't it taken longer than that to complete the freeway?" Mr Barrack joked.
"The major undertakings in those days, with relatively primitive equipment, were remarkable; and, what's more, with only minor alterations, they are still basically the same."
He noted the railway presence in Goulburn was now "only a shadow of its former self". "At its peak in the late 1960s, early 1970s . . . railway employees numbered in excess of 700. At the time this book was written . . . there were less than 20."
He also praised the efforts of the Roundhouse staff in keeping the city's railway heritage alive. "Who knows what the future will bring, but I can say one thing, the work of the members of this society will do much to stimulate nostalgic feelings," he said.
"This heritage centre has a fine representation of machinery and equipment of all types and sizes, requiring a range of skills to maintain and restore, some of which are no longer necessary in the modern world. The dedicated members of the GLRPS deserve your support so they can keep on stimulating that nostalgia. I hope you all enjoy the book."
Copies of the book can be purchased from the Goulburn Roundhouse, located at 12 Braidwood Rd (behind Chicago Freight Car Leasing) between the hours of 10am and 2:30pm Tuesdays to Sundays.