On Friday
8th June, 2007, locomotive 3801 was again re-coaled in gale force winds in
front of the Heritage Listed Mortuary Station.
The
Minister John Watkins and RailCorp
had been informed of the irrepairable damage caused by smoke, steam and coal
dust on sensitive sandstone used in this beautiful building. A look above the
portal of any country railway tunnel will show you what happens. Dirty black
staining and discolouring.
Why won’t
they do anything? Don’t they care or are there ulterior motives for damaging
this building?
Yes, you
are right, it is the Eveleigh usage problem again. This coaling, watering and
overnight engine storage should all occur at Eveleigh. Mortuary Station in the
1980’s had a complete restoration. The roof needed extensive repairs, the
wrought iron fence was restored and the sandstone external surfaces were
completely cleaned and chemically treated to protect them from the elements.
The
Mortuary Station building at Regent Street Station experienced a long period of
neglect and abuse after its original function came to an end. It is recorded as
having been used “for the despatch of horses, dogs, poultry and
parcels”, as a tool-shed for the rail fettlers, and also to have stood
idle for years. Then it was renovated and the surrounds were landscaped to
house a proposed railway museum. Instead, it became a tea-room. Now it is hired
out by the Railway Department as a popular venue for weddings, receptions, and
promotions – particularly book launches. For dinners and for refreshments, two heritage
carriages are parked at the station as a backdrop.
We should
honour those who arranged for the restoration of this fine buildings, so that
it has not fallen into the hands of the demolishers. It remains as memorials to
multitudes of Sydney’s
departed, who travelled to their final resting place along the Mortuary Railway
Train Line to Rookwood. “May their memory be a blessing” and may this
building rest in peace not in pieces.
Photos: Friday,
8th June 2007 Locomotive 3801 being loaded with coal in front of the Heritage
Listed Mortuary Station
This media
release is part three media releases from FOE. For a 685 Kb PDF with the photos
referred to download the PDF on this link – Friends
of Eveleigh Media Release 11th June 2007
Media
Release Produced by the Friends of Eveleigh – Contact: The Secretary, FOE, PO Box 381, Belrose
West NSW 2085.