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A story of stations: the architecture of Victoria’s railways in the Nineteenth Century / by Andrew Ward.

$79.99

A detailed history of the architects of railway stations and lines in Melbourne and regional Victoria between the 1850s to 1900); beginning with the private railway companies, then focusing on the work by architects within the Department of Railways Engineer-in-Chief’s branch. Includes photographs (black and white, and colour), portraits, maps, illustrations, and architecture designs, and an index.

Review by Boyce Pizzey OAM:

In this publication Andrew Ward builds on the mighty foundations of his landmark research – Victoria’s Railway Stations – undertaken in 1982 with Annette Donnelly in association the Australian Railway Historical Society. Once again, Ward demonstrates his mastery of the field.

A quick survey of the Victorian Heritage Register reveals well over a hundred railway buildings, or railway associated, places – confirming the central role railways have played in building the fabric of Victoria’s culture and economy. A Story of Stations takes us further. It documents these and often, laments the many more places that have been lost. He invites us to take greater care in the future.

This is the inside story of how the growth of lines and their buildings met nineteenth century Victorians’ yearning for access to markets, personal mobility, and community pride at a time when isolation was moderated only by the horse or the ship. Through painstaking research Ward identifies the stylistic  changes to buildings sometimes occasioned by economic change or the will of formidable characters … but also by journeyman staff. By digging into the individuals behind the buildings – the engineers, architects, draftsmen, politicians, bureaucrats, and contractors – Ward offers a rich context for the
engineering achievements in rolling stock and infrastructure which unfolded in parallel throughout the nineteenth century.

Andrew Ward clearly has a deep delight in his subject. Writing of the 1859 contract for the ‘temporary’ station at Williamstown he shows his hand: “… Oh to have been a traveller in those days and to have awaited the whistle of an arriving train from the depths of the satin papered coffee room or refreshment bar… “. It is a pleasure to share his journey.

Title: A story of stations : the architecture of Victoria’s railways in the Nineteenth Century / by Andrew Ward.
Author: Ward, Andrew, (author.)
Published: Williamstown, Victoria : Australian Railway Historical Society Victorian Division Inc., [2019]
Copyright: © 2019.
Content Types: still image, text
Carrier Types: volume
Physical Description: ix, 337 pages : illustrations (some colour), maps, portraits ; 23 x 23 cm. (Hardback)
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 317-327) and index.
Language: English

Weight 1.26 kg
Dimensions 23 × 23 cm

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