Rewind Wagga: catching the train to the past

So it is fair to say, the train line’s design was a game-changer for the city. 

It is something Wagga residents may take for granted, but before the 1870s, it was a mere pipe-dream for residents. 

Rewind Wagga is a fresh series investigating the then and now of the city’s most beloved pastimes, events, people, places and icons. 

Following the first part of the series, which investigated the history of Wagga’s drinking habits, The Daily Advertiser jumped on board the then and now of the city’s heritage-listed train station, ahead of its 140^th birthday, next year. 

Wagga history buff Andrew Wallace said the coming of the railway changed everything for the small 19^th century country town.

“That was when industry really kicked off,” Mr Wallace said. “It came in 1879.” 

Outside of the general benefits to transportation, he said it meant the town could produce and transport wheat. 

Prior to this year, the rail only went as far as North Wagga, meaning travellers would either transfer to a horse and cart or they would take the road on foot. 

“Back then there was a boat that went down the river but it was iffy and seasonal,” he said. “If you came to Wagga from Sydney, you could get on the coach, but that was expensive.” 

He said the building of the station was “bigger than a small town opening its first airport”.

Designed in the Victorian Free Classical style, the iconic building remains largely intact. 

In fact it still displays many of the decorative features from its conception, like the cast iron verandah, rusticated quoins and stucco mouldings.

According to NSW office of environment and heritage, the railway reached North Wagga in 1878, before crossing the Murrumbidgee River one year later, in single line from Bomen to Wagga.

This was reportedly the longest and most expensive bridge in Australia at the time.

Despite a decline in passenger services and freight across the state in the late 20^th century, Wagga’s train station has remained a vital link between Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra.

Not only does the rail still work for the city now, Mr Wallace said it had a bright future ahead. 

It comes ahead of council’s long-awaited Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) hub construction. Announced in 2012, it has been touted as an “inland port” that could bring “hundreds of millions of dollars” to Wagga’s economy.

Related: One step closer to rail hub