Celebrating 60 years of

Circular uay

Station

CQ60

To find out more about the Transporthistory of the station visit: SydneyTrainssydneytrains. info/about/heritage

Commemorative 60 year booklet

A station for the 'quay' The 'quay' has always been the focal point between the city and the harbour, and was formally constructed in phases during the early 1800s to allow for commercial shipping. From the 1890s, ferry commuter wharves came to dominate the harbour front instead and the quay grew as a commuter hub, with both ferries and trams terminating here. The construction of a railway station as part of this transport network was the next logical step in the quay's transport development.

Work on the city underground to connect Central Station to the north of the city began in 1916, but soon lapsed because of the demands of World War I. Work resumed in 1922 until the first trains ran to StJames Station just before Christmas in 1926. Work then concentrated on the western railway tunnels through Town Hall and Wynyard, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge which all opened in 1932.

Circular Quay Station however would not open for another 24 years. During World War II the lengths of unused tunnels that lead to the yet-to-be-built station were used as public air raid shelters and secure control centres for the armed services.

Vlf!IN of Grcular Quay•n c.1948 showing the rtf/!1111 stdtton under constructton. but With alow·scale c•ty back drop betwld, soon to be changed by a sene of hlgfHtse deYelopments Source Sydney Tram

Th•sd•agrammatJc map of the NSW Rattw<ly system tn 1939ts based on the ra1lway maps produced for the london Underground tn the earty 1930s. The new c1ty underground stattons opened tn the 1920s·30s are tncluded, but Orrular Quay ts tndtcated as a doned line yet to be constructed Source State Records NSW

Vtf!W of C•rcular Quay from western end ., May 1946. showing the new station being constructed and old ferry wharfs demohshed Source: ARHS

VteW of the ongenal tunnel porul.n 19461e.ld""'9 from StJames statlOil towards the new Circular Quay staoon Site. With the new rclltway pters m place. The tunnefs alreo)(fy constructed were used as AJr Ra.cl Shelters dunng WWII, s-n.&ar to other diSUSE!d tunnels at lo'NI"' Hal and St James St.ltiOils Scuce: ARHS

Bradfield's city railway

Bradf•eld's 1915 map of the oty underground netw<x"k produced as part of h1s proposal. Source: Sydney Tra1ns.

The overall design for the city 'underground' railway network was produced by Dr John JC Bradfield in 1915, an engineer working in the NSW Public Works Department. In his report to the NSW government in 1915, 'Report on the Proposed Electric Railways for the City of Sydney', Bradfield advocated the idea of an elevated rai lway station at Circular Quay, which would be an important addition to the existing transport and commuter network in the city, linking to the tram and ferry services already in existence.

Bradfield 1n h•s VISIOn for the oty underground network, •nduded th•s •mage reproduced 1n h•s 1924 thes,.s proposed C•rcular Quay as a grand 'elevated' open·a•r stat1on, Illustrated here w1th the proposed 'Sydney Harbour Bndge' 1n the back-drop. Source: Sydney Tra1ns.

In 1924 Bradfield was the recipient of the first award of the Degree of Doctor of Science in Engineering by the University of Sydney for his thesis: 'The City of Sydney Electric Railways and the Sydney Harbour Bridge'.

Bradfield died in 1943 at the age of 76, and thus did not see his city loop completed at Circular Quay. Only parts of his overall1915 city railway design have been completed, others have been finished to a changed design, never proceeded w ith, or partially built and abandoned, and the overall architectural style of Circular Quay station changed dramatically.

Proposed southern elevat•on of C•rcular Quay stat1on as drawn by AC Fewtrell, Ch1ef Engmeer of NSW Ra1lways 1n 1948. Wh1lst Bradfield's ongmal VISion for an elevated stat•on rema1ns, the styte of the build•ng was changed to reflect the 'modem' t1me. Source: ARHS.

Elevattonal draw•ng of the proposed Circular Quay statiOn as proposed by the NSW Ra1lways 1n 1940. Source: Sydney Tra1ns.

A changing design

Proposed northern etevat1on of C1rcular Quay station as drawn by AC Fewtrell, Ch~ef Engn-.eet" of NSW Ra1lways m 1948. Source: ARHS

Proposed model of Circular Quay station c.1948 as proposed by the NSW Ra1lways. Source: City of Sydney Archives.

Dra'Mng of proposed tdeas fOI" Circular Quay Stat100 result•ng from the 1948 Comm•ttee report. 'but not necessanly a final design of the statlot'l'. Source: ARHS.

F1nal e'evat10nal draw11"19 of the Pfoposed C.rcolar Quay stat1001n 1952 Source: SydneyTra1ns

The location and design of Circular Quay Station has always been controversial, with differing opinions to whether it would be an eyesore or the symbol of a modern developing international city.

The design of the station was subject to review by a Circular Quay Planning Committee in 1936, where three important parameters were adopted which would be carried through to the final design including the provision of a colonnade along the edge of the water, the use of natural materials for external surfaces and views at the ground level between the water and the streetscape.

With the outbreak of World War II all work ceased on the design and construction of Circular Quay station. Following public and cross­Government concerns of the new station, a new Supervisory Committee was established in 1948 to oversee the design with an aim to reduce the effects of the overall height of the structure, to accommodate a new overhead roadway, to reduce a solid-wall effect for the station building as originally proposed, and allow better views through to the harbour beneath the station.

The final design selected, a simplified version of the original schemes proposed in the 1930s, led itself to adopting elements of the more simple functionalist architectural styles prevalent in Europe and America of the 1950s.

FRAVEL

ON 'IHE

CITY CIRCLE

1hs r""-f- from~ 1956-tlw 'CrtyCordo' whch-_.... ""*' St-...t W)r'¥ord Staloons - .-....ly--theoporw>gofC.culorQuoy s ...... n 1956. Sour«< StAle Ro<ords NSW

Under construction It took some time for public works to resume after World War II, however one of the major pieces of work to commence in 1946 was the drilling of the piers required for the new railway viaduct. A report in the Sydney Morning Herald on 20 July, 1946 stated:

ConstructiOn of the stat•on underway 1n c. 1946. Source: ARHS.

Work is already well under way upon the reinforced concrete cylinders, 141 of which ... will provide foundations for the station building. So, far more than 3,000 lineal feet of cylinders have been completed, nearly 200 men working five shifts a day to accelerate this preliminary work. The deepest cylinder sunk is 74 feet below sea level; but it will be necessary to go down to 85 feet for such cylinders as pass through the Tank Stream.

Compresston chambef for p1er construction of the Vladuct c.1946. Source: ARHS

Construct•on of the stat•on underway 1n 1955. Source: ARHS.

An economic downturn in the early 1950s again lead to the decrease of many major projects. Nevertheless the benefits of completing the city underground, made the Circular Quay project a high priority with the overal l structure completed over a 10 year period between 1946 and 1956.

Construction of the station underway in 1954. Source: ARHS.

A world-class station

lnter•ors of statton bemg fmtshed m early January 1956 JUSt before the offictal opef'ung With new s.gnage mstalled Source: ARHS.

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Plan of proposed SJgnage for the new statton, stmtlar to roundel SJgnage used at other c•ty underground stattons 1n the 1920s and 30s. Source: Sydney Trams.

Grantte faang of the extenor of the stabon '" 1956 (completed after the offi<•al opentng of the statiOn). Source: ARHS.

ExteriOf v.ew of the stat•on tn 2016 showing the external gr.Jnlte fin~shes dattng from 1956 Source: Sydney Trans

Within the history of the NSW railways, Circular Quay Station is now recognised as an important cultural heritage place as part of Bradfield's original plan for a modern and world-class transport network. The design of the station is a rare example of a railway station of this style and scale, and also the last major project undertaken by the NSW Department of Railways in which the department undertook virtually every aspect of the work.

The 'functionalist' architectural style of Circular Quay station building is represented in the horizontal bands of windows and f enestrations giving a streamlined effect. The exterior fa~ade features polished granite on external surfaces quarried f rom Canowindra in western NSW. The original station signage when it opened in 1956 reflected the adopted 'City Underground' roundel style still visible in other historic railway stations in Sydney such as at StJames and Museum.

A station by the harbour

lntenor VteW of tht StatiOn •n 2016 showing the bronze 'NOfk dating from 1955. Source· Sydney Trc11ns

Plan of the bronzo-... """" from 1954 showong the proposed decoratNt panels to bt .mailed around the statJOn. Source- Sydnty Trc11ns

Reflecting the period of its original conception, Circular Quay station features some elements of the more decorative Art Deco style from the 1930s, namely the ornamental grilles and bronze aquatic animal motifs sculpted above stairways and doorways. Depicting sea horses and fish, these large bronze grilles were cast and welded by Austral Bronze, and provide a connection between the building fabric and the ambience of the building's surroundings at the front of Sydney Harbour.

These decorative elements were recently restored as part of works undertaken by Sydney Trains in 2013/ 14 .

Plan of 1ho bronzo"""" fish from 1954 showong 1ho ~ decooatNO panels to be •nstalled around the statton Source Sydney Tra.ns

Grand opening Friday 20th January 1956 marked the official opening of the new Circular Quay Station by the State Premier, JJ Cahill. The first regular train service began two days later on 22 January. Images of the station sti ll show it partly unfinished at the time with some external cladding works to be completed, and the roadway above did not open for another two years.

Openng of the statiOn on January 20, 1956 Souu~ ARHS

The train used for the opening ceremony was the new prototype single deck, power operated door train, F39, which entered service two days later with the introduction of the new Suburban Timetable. These cars were distinctive with power operated doors which were controlled by the guard, in lieu of traditional manual doors which could be opened by a passenger.

With the opening of the 'City Circle' train operations became much more efficient. Trains entering the city on one side ran quickly through Circular Quay, without the need for shunting and reversing.

Openeng of the sutoo by the State Premter, JJ Cahill on January 20, 1956 Source- ARHS

Openeng of the statiOn on Janu.xy 20, 1956 showing the onganal ttcket bamers Source-ARHS

Extenor vteW of the statton "' 1958 after the openng of the roadway ¥x:Ne the statJon Source· ARHS

The railway viaduct

Image of the C•rcular Quay railway VIaduct g•rdef's used in construct•on worlts fOf the Hawkesbury R1ver Ra1lway bndgc 1n the 1940s. Source: ARHS.

Plan of the bronze work fish from 1954 show1ng t~ pmpos~ decorat•ve panels to be mstallcd around the stat•on. Source: Sydney Trains.

G1rdet's being lifted •nto place at Circular Quay in 1955. Source: ARHS.

Most of the girders for the railway viaduct at Circular Quay had already been fabricated in the 1930s and stored at Chullora Railway Workshops until construction works commenced. They were however 'borrowed' for essential war work at Hawkesbury River during the 1940s, but returned to Circular Quay when construction works began again.

As the railway viaduct was designed and largely built in the 1930s it is of riveted construction, and is one of the last examples of th is style of construction reflecting its early design as part of the city circle and Sydney Harbour Bridge scheme. The girders were constructed at 85 feet in length, and were the third largest on the city ra ilway system at its time of construction.

A heritage icon With the opening of Circular Quay station in 1956, the size and architectural quality of the surrounding city also began to change dramatically. Located behind the station is the AMP building which was completed in 1962, w hich was the first building to exceed Sydney's long-imposed 46-metre height limit. At 1 07 metres it was more twice the height of most other city structures at the time.

From the 1960s and 1970s, with the construction of the Overseas Passenger Terminal and the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay became a major tourist destination now with thousands of people passing through the station each day.

Circular Quay Station and viaduct today are protected by a heritage listing on the NSW State Heritage Register, recognising its unique architectural design and its important role in the history of the development of Sydney and the NSW transport system.

C1rcular Quay Station 1n 2016 at the busthng gateway to Sydney Source: Sydney Tra1ns

Circular Quay Stat~ m c.1965 show.ng the AMP bulld•ng beh•nd whiCh began to change the crty \kyl~ Source ARHS

Circular Quay Stat•on 1n 1995- Source ARHS

Cm:ular Quay Stat1on 1n 1 986. Source: ARHS