A long-term project for Bogan Shire Council came to fruition recently with the opening of the newly restored Girilambone Railway Station.

Saved from demolition, the 141-year-old station now adds to Bogan Shire's tourism offering along with its 'sister station' in Nyngan.

The opening day in April also allowed the community to mark milestones for local Rural Fire Service volunteers.

With around 120 people present, the platform was filled with people eager to see the $1.7 million restoration made possible by a NSW Government Heritage and Tourism grant.

Stephen Lawrence MLC was present to cut the ribbon and former Bogan Shire Mayor Ray Donald addressed the crowd along with current Mayor Glen Neill, assisted by General Manager Derek Francis.

Stephen Lawrence MLC with Nyngan Mayor Glen Neill at the Girilambone Railway opening - Image courtesy Bogan Shire Council.

 The station, which was first opened in 1884, closed in 1986 and has sat in disrepair ever since until Bogan Shire applied for funding and was finally successful in 2022.

“I was very pleased to be officially marking the (re)opening of the Girilambone Train Station, noting that we have been able to save a part of our heritage that I believe was due for demolition,” said Bogan Shire Council General Manager Derek Francis.

Bogan Shire Council General Manager Derek Francis at the opening of the Girilambone Railway - Image courtesy Bogan Shire Council.

I can see it being a real tourism asset for the local community and wider Bogan Shire as well as a useful community hub for Girilambone,” he said.

Phil Wallace a long time resident of Girilambone entertained with stories of the towns past as memorabilia was displayed throughout the station for people to look at.

Local resident Phil Wallace sharing stories of Girilambone - Image courtesy Bogan Shire Council.

A highlight of the Opening was eight members of the Girilambone Rural Fire service were presented long service medals by Mr Lawrence, representing the NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, and Superintendent Paul Metcalf.

The recipients were:

• Fran Kelly – for 20 years
• Gunther Greilinger – 20 years
• Karl Bright – 20 years
• Trevor Donnelly – 30 years
• Greg Hicks – 30 years
• Anthony Gibson – 30 years
• Ron Bright – 30 years
• Bill Morley – 60 years

RFS Superintendent Paul Metcalf, Mayor Glen Neill, and Stephen Lawrence MLC with long service medal recipients at the Opening - Image courtesy Bogan Shire Council.

Phillip Buckley Rail Media, was on hand to record the day with his photography and was thrilled to see the project finally finished and an asset for the town of Girilambone.

“I have been involved in assorted NSW railway heritage station projects since 2009, having worked on or helped with/or strongly advocating for re-use on stations like Gundagai, Temora, Newbridge, Cumnock, Merriwa, Carcoar and many more.

“I have also been active in consulting on the South Eveleigh Railway Workshops heritage memorials, while proactively supporting the restoration of the Girilambone railway station from 2020, being thrilled to see it come back to a restored status.

Railway Station prior to restoration - Image Angie White.

“In my view having been deeply involved in railway heritage, I see the Girilambone railway station restoration, funded by the NSW Government grant over the last five years, as a rare outcome.

“In the last few years NSW has already lost two other heritage railway stations to demolition and sadly another 3 are likely to be demolished in 2025.

“This timely revival of Girilambone, which is the sole remaining Bourke railway branch line railway station, a Type 5 roadside design, will be I believe a tourism game changer for the town, bringing in heritage rail spending tourists and supports local jobs.

“The NSW heritage rail tourism market is huge and by restoring the station, hopefully into a multi-user facility, Bogan Shire Council will be able to tap into providing a destination to visit and add new tourism events on the yearly list.

The newly refurbished station is bound to be a tourist attraction for the small village of Girilambone - Image courtesy Bogan Shire Council.

“The Nyngan railway station acts as an information and museum site, so it shows this dual site concept works,” said Mr Buckley.

"Having been privileged to have access to record the Girilambone railway station restoration over the last five years, I’ve seen it go from decay to work in progress to looking almost brand new.

“Having spoken to former staff who worked there, they say the restored station is way better than they ever saw it.

"This new life on the station will, over time, I hope help to revitalise the town and showcase the history of the railway branch line to Bourke and explain how important rail passenger and freight services were and still are to regional NSW."