Well I thought it would be a good time to present some new information.

When I intend to build this layout, I am going to re-create the 5-span McDonald Truss road bridge that existed over the Georges River. It was constructed in approx 1894 and demolished approx 1958, to make way for the New Bridge, which they renamed the road Newbridge Road, from Terminus Street Liverpool to Henry Lawson Drive Moorebank.

Here are a sample of some of the plans of the McDonald Truss Road Bridge, that I have been able to obtain from the RTA today,

It is similar in style to the bridges at Galston, Junction and McKanes, that still exist.

Here are some early photos of the bridge,

and the bridge overlooking Liverpool Railway Station,

The road bridge over the Georges River had to be replaced as it restricted traffic movement (it only allowed one way traffic) and posed a safety risk (during a flood in the 1950s it shifted).

In 1958, at Terminus Street, they demolished some houses for the New Bridge,

Here are some early photos of Terminus Street and Speed Street,

and started construction,

The New Bridge was opened on Saturday 15th March 1958 at 2.30 pm by the then Premier J Cahill,

The old bridge was then demolished and then the area reverted back to the railways. Recently, 2011/2012, it was resumed for the extension of the Southern Sydney Freight Line, http://www.ssfl.artc.com.au/

The only remnant of the old bridge was the brick abutment and that lasted until early January 2012,

If you are interested in Timber Road Bridges, the RTA, now RMS (Roads and Maritime Service), have undertaken a Timber Conservation Plan, http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects/projects/maintenance/documents/timber_truss_bridges/rta_timber_bridges_cu.pdf

Now is the time to take photos before your favourite bridge disappears.

I would like to now draw my attention to the personnel that used to work at Liverpool Railway Station.

I have been able to source from the Council publication, Liverpool 1810-1939, an extract that stated that a Mr G Mitchell worked as the SM from 1926 to 1939,

In my conversations with the then Head Shunter, Bill Leroy, who worked in Liverpool from approx 1961 to 1981, as shown below on the footplate of a 48 class,

he stated that the SM prior to taking up his position was Mr W. Grainger and that after approx 1961 was a Mr Burt Crampton (open for correction). However, from the Liverpool Leader, 27th October 1965, page 1, it states that a Mr A Krempin was the SM.

Bill had a reunion with former railwaymen some time ago and was able to provide these photos,



Gerry in uniform

  

Bill with 2 other Liverpool railwaymen



100th Birthday of former SM

In the Liverpool Leader, 26th May 1965, page 22, it states the following, 

It appears that Mr Bert Stanley's father, Mr J Stanley, worked in the Liverpool Per Way Gang with Mr J O'Grady and Mr B Smith, and that Mr J Stanley's daughters, Grace, Kate and Mary worked the Hospital  level crossing, that existed across the Up and Down Main Line.

In the Liverpool Leader, 21st Dec 1964, page 12, it states the following:

 It appears that the late Mr A Loftus was a previous SM of Liverpool as well.

I would be interested to hear from fellow railwaymen that worked in Liverpool.

Well after an exhaustive search in the State Library I have discovered that the Station Master's House was demolished just prior to the extension of electrification from Liverpool to Campbelltown in May 1968. In the back of my mind, as I was reading the old Liverpool Leader's on microfilm, I was getting that impression.

In the early 1960's, Liverpool Council were agitating the NSW Railways to clean up the area behind and around the SM's House, as it contained a timberyard and a metal scrapyard. The Councillors complained that the area were an unsightly mess and it represented a poor display for a growing city. There were also plans to refurbish the station area, including building a shopping centre over the station, similar to Hurstville, and a hotel and retail development, but these didnt come to fruition.

It wasnt until the late 1960's, when the Railways proceeded to electrify the line to Glenlee, that they decided that it was an opportunistic time to refurbish the station, along with other railway stations along the line, including Campbelltown Station. Stocks and Holdings were the succesful tender for Liverpool Station, which included the construction of some retail shops, a new bus terminal and taxi rank (this meant that the area immediately in front of the station entrance with the nice gardens were dug up and replaced with asphalt). It also meant that the SM"s House at Liverpool would be demolished, to clean up the area. The Council also wanted more parking spaces for cars, in the vicinity of the former timberyard and scrapyard, but they were unsuccessful on this front in 1968. It wouldnt be until 1980/81 that they would be successful in cementing this area for a car park. In respect of train services, these were normally provided by a 30 class tank loco and end- platform cars. As it was progessing towards 1968, services were often supplemented by a 620/720 railmotor. Steam services ceased in 1968 from Liverpool to Campbelltown.

However, I have found that the local Council were then not satisfied with the new Timetable when introduced in 1968, as they discovered that the travel times from Liverpool to the City, didnt improve at all. They were forever complaining to the then Transport Minister, Milton Morris, for appropriate action.
I attach some photos for your perusal.



Liverpool in 1935



Liverpool Leader, 13th March 1968, pg 11



1972




Aerial Photo of Demolished SM's House



I didnt know Liverpool was such an interesting place!

Recently, I was able to obtain colour photos of the station by a former shunter, Bill Leroy, who used to work at Liverpool from the early 1960's to the late 1980's. I hope you enjoy these photos!