#OnThisDay 26 September 1855 the first railway line in NSW was opened. The 22km 'Great Trunk Line' operated from Sydney (Redfern) to Parramatta with stations at Newtown, Ashfield, Burwood, Homebush and Parramatta Junction at Granville. The Sydney terminal was on the south side of Devonshire Street, just south of the current location of Central Station. In its first full year of operation over 350,000 passengers used the new rail service.
Sources: Empire. (1855). Opening of the Sydney and Parramatta railway; Transport Sydney Trains. (2021). History of the NSW railways
First railway ticket issued on NSW railways, 26 Sep 1855. NRS-4481-3-[7/15974]-St7338
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The day was pretty generally observed as a holiday, all the public offices, the banks, and most of the shops being closed. The flag-staff and the ships in harbour were gaily dressed with bunting, and flags were displayed at various points on the chief lines of route, and at Fix this textthe railway station.
Trove: Empire Newspaper article Opening of the Sydney and Parramatta railway line
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