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!

Well, hasnt the subject of Liverpool and its immediate area created some interest, in particular, the bus companies that serviced the railway station.

On the Bus Australia forum, we have at least 3 posts on the Hammondville Bus Service,
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=66336
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=66300
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=66360

and 2 posts on the Moorebank/Holsworthy line,
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=66377
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=66379

but the most important photographs amongst all these posts are those of the bus coming off the old timber bridge, crossing the Georges River. This bridge was superseded by the new bridge called Newbridge Rd on 19th March 1958.



Well has time has flown since my last post and what an interesting few months it has been.

I have been successful in acquiring more photos of the railway station and its environs but the SM's house remains elusive. The simple explanation is that either it wasnt as photogenic as the station area or that everyone thought it would be there forever more.

Anyway, I thought I would dedicate this post to railway accidents. I realise this is an unfortunate subject matter but Liverpool Railway Station has had three accidents - two of which involved fatalities.

The first one occurred on 16th July 1962.

According to the book, Broken Journey, by K Pearce, the following occurred,

I have been able to source from the web the following photos of the accident. I have also been able to obtain a copy of the Railway's Inquiry into the Accident, as this is now Public Access, from State Records. 

The second accident occurred on 31 October 1965. According to the book, Broken Journey, by K Pearce, the following occurred,

Unfortunately, the Railway Inquiry is not available from State Records, however, I have been able to obtain from my colleague, Ben Ryan, the following photographs, which have never been shown to the general public,

There is another photograph of the accident in Geoff Moss's book, Sydney's Electric Trains: A Personal History,

The third accident occurred on 4th February 1967. I dont have the exact details or any photographs. According to Railway Digest, June 1967,

If anyone has photographs, can they please send them to me, it would be greatly appreciated.