Travelling around this vast State has always been a challenge and a necessity. For instance the Murray-Darling electorate in the States west is larger in area than England, Scotland and Wales combined. To overcome these distances, convicts built roads and private rail lines connected communities, fostered economic development and facilitated transport supplies around the state. The first public rail line was planned by the Sydney Railway Company to run from Sydney to Parramatta Junction. Drawn up in 1849, the plan shows the proposed route and the first six stations, Sydney Central, Newtown, Ashfield, Burwood, Homebush and Parramatta. After many difficulties, including engineers and other manpower in short supply, Sydney Railway Company transferred its property to the New South Wales Government and the line opened in September 1855. Goods had to be unloaded at Sydney Central, repacked onto drays and lorries resulting in considerable delay and expense, then driven down the centre of the city to Circular Quay, and loaded onto ships bound for international markets. Eventually the booming wool export market led to agitation for an extension of the line. The Petition to the Parliament of New South Wales from 1888 was signed by 64,029 country and city residents and called for the extension of the line to the deep waters of Port Jackson and Circular Quay.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 01:58:16 +0000