Interested in the history of public transport in NSW? Take a dive into the archives with these online resources for historical transport information including photos, geospatial data and engineering drawings.
The Transport for NSW Historical Library provides access to visual collections depicting more than 100 years of Agency history, with hundreds of photos and videos from throughout the history of NSW: the official opening of the Kings Cross Tunnel in 1975, Prince Charles at the Royal Easter Show in 1981, the Grand Concourse at Central Station in 1983. Browse premade albums for specific subjects like bridges, architecture, and vehicles or search by keyword. The Historical Archive is free to use, with an account required to search and download digital assets.
The Railway Archives is home to a huge collection of original railway documents, including over a million photographs, 60,000 drawings and thousands of timetables, as well as film, sound recordings, and reports. The archive is free for members of the Australian Railway Historical Society, with paid access options available to non-members.
Visit the Culture and Heritage section of the Transport for NSW website to read about the history of NSW railways, watch documentaries, view historical advertising and more. You can also take the self-guided tour of Central Station, which gives great insight into the history of the station as well as the monuments that exist within and around it.
The Museums of History New South Wales has a State Archives Collection dedicated to railways and railway workers. This contains resources including a guide to historical railway employment positions and a rich collection of NSW railway photos including stations, carriages and locomotives. Browse by category, or utilise the records guide and records webinar to learn more about the resources on offer.
Finally, Trove is a collaboration between the National Library of Australia and various partner organisations from around Australia, bringing together thousands of records including newspapers, maps, magazines, newsletters, photographs, and more in a free database. Search by keyword, record type, or browse by category.