History of the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre

1820’s Governor Macquarie commissioned an expedition south from Sydney as a possible alternate location for settlement other than Bathurst - the Blue Mountains being a challenge for transport to/from Bathurst.

Some of the early settlers in the Colony heard about a thing called a railway being developed in England. They considered that such a thing would make the transport of their produce and other goods more efficient - one day compared to one week.

In 1841 the population of Goulburn was 655 persons. One land owner, William Bradley, was the first Legislative Councilor representative for Goulburn. Along with another land owner, William Cowper, both men were instrumental in promoting Goulburn as being the site for further development.

As a consequence of lobbying from local graziers and pastoralists, Bradley and Cowper joined forces in 1846 and convened a meeting in historic Mandlesons Hotel. Interested parties discussed and planned towards having a railway line built to Goulburn. The line was to terminate at North Goulburn/Mulwaree River just north of the town – the flood prone River being an obstacle. The work commenced in 1864.

A group of 200 citizens and other interested parties successfully lobbied the Government to extend the line over the River into the center of the City. Then another group of 400 persons unsuccessfully lobbied the Government to overturn that decision.

Whilst most of the infrastructure for servicing and maintenance were sited adjacent to the railway station precinct it became apparent that larger loco servicing facilities were required.

In addition to these facilities a perway workshop facility was established immediately south of the station buildings, the role being manufacture/construction of various items required for the construction and maintenance including many trikes – one of which we have at the Roundhouse.

In 1913 plans had been prepared and building commenced for a new larger Roundhouse at South Goulburn. Due to the shortage of manpower resources otherwise being engaged in World War 1, the construction of the Roundhouse wasn’t completed until August 1918.

At the height of railway operations in Goulburn employment in the city was over 650 persons. A very significant contribution to the continuing development of Goulburn as a regional city.

In the early 1960’s modifications were made to the Roundhouse to facilitate servicing diesel locos.

In 1973 the Government decided to demolish part of the Roundhouse roofing to save ‘maintenance costs’! Was this a part of a longer term plan for the Roundhouse?

In 1986 with the decline of the need for servicing newer and better diesel locos the government decided to demolish the whole of the Roundhouse.

Early 1986 the State Rail Authority (SRA) determined to demolish the Roundhouse and associates facilities. On the first evening of the arrival of the person charged with initiating the demolition, he enquired at the Worker’s Club if anyone knew any demolition organisations, followed by another question as to the presence of any railwaymen in the Club. Fortuitously one such engine driver was present! The plan for the demolition was passed to the concerned railwaymen present.

Events moved quickly – the next day being a Tuesday – railwaymen and other community minded supporters lobbied the Council and others to seek a halt on the demolition listing the Roundhouse as being of heritage value. The Government granted them until the following Friday to have the necessary listing approved. Done!

The delighted people involved, primarily railwaymen, then set about establishing a committee to work on the preservation of the Roundhouse which morphed into the Goulburn Loco Roundhouse Preservation Society Inc.

The Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre is one of the historic tourist attractions in Goulburn contributing to the continuing growth and development of Australia’s First Inland City! The Goulburn Roundhouse Turntable is the largest operating turntable in New South Wales.

The Roundhouse continues to provide facilities for the repairs and restoration of historic railway locos and rolling stock.

In addition to all the ’static’ items on display, we also have a library of some ‘official’ railway publications (e.g. General Appendix), other books of railway interest. Some of the official publications are available for purchase.

Further details of the role of the railways in the life of Goulburn can be found in our publication; The Rail Heritage of Goulburn available from tour guides along with other souvenir items.