All aboard: changes at Wodonga station

Ten years after the rail arrived in Wodonga a connection was made to Albury and the existing station in Wodonga was found inadequate.

Precis from Kilmore Free Press 1883.

The Railway Department has consequently decided upon some extensive additions and alterations, which will render the Station a first-class one in every respect, instead of the reproach that it is at present, more especially in comparison with the fine buildings existing at Albury.

Although the improvements to be effected at Wodonga are to be additions to the present building, they will in point of fact form a new Station, which will include the original edifice.

The additions to the building will be of brick, and the style of architecture unchanged. The main feature will be to double the size of the booking lobby.

There will be a new dining room 60ft by 17ft; a refreshment bar, 40ft by 17ft; a ladies waiting room, 30ft by 17ft; a large kitchen, 30ft by 20ft (fitted with first-class cooking ranges and every convenience). There will also be lavatories, and every convenience which should be expected at a first-class Station.

A very noticeable feature, however, will be the platform improvements, which will be considerable. The existing platform is 207ft in length, and the trains both from the Melbourne and Albury side have to draw up on the same side.

The platform will, however, be extended to an additional length of 456ft on the Albury side, and it will run between the respective lines, so that the Sydney traffic will come on one side and the Melbourne on the other. The whole of this extension will be protected by a neat iron shed supported on cast iron columns. On the Melbourne side the platform will receive an addition of 156ft.

It should be stated that the platform extension on this side will also be protected by a shed. A Customs shed is to be erected on the platform running between the lines on the Sydney side, and will be a building 49ft by 14ft.

    It will be in the centre of the platform so that the trains from both Sydney and Melbourne can be drawn opposite it at the same time, and the goods transferred from one train to the other without unnecessary convenience.