pickering

I wonder if this image is as old as the c.1865 one? The stonework etc still looks relatively new and clean.

I didn't realize before that the Rookwood Station was literally a 'dead end'. Did the trains have to reverse all the way from Redfern?

Those angel sculptures symbolize Death and Resurrection, and the young sculptor, Thomas Duckett, died in 1868 as the building was nearing completion - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13166461

It seems the No.1 Mortuary Station was completed in 1869. See this wiki article - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cemetery_Station_No._1_railway_station which mentions a sign saying "commenced 14 April 1867, completed 10 August 1869".
And this article in the SMH 22/4/1868 with description of how the building will look -

" ... The receiving-house at Haslem Creek is placed in the centre of the 200 acres set apart for the cemetery, and also in tho centre of an inner ring comprising 20 acres. The chapels to be erected by the several denominations will be around it. This building is a specimen of the Italian Gothic style, beautiful in proportion and ornamentation. It is a paralelogram, 98 feet 6 inches by 42 feet. This figure is divided longitudinally into three parts, a nave with side aisles, by two rows of circular columns, with richly-carved capitals. From these columns spring pointed arches, carrying the wall upon which rests the main roof. The sides of the building are entirely open. The rails will run through the nave, the side aisles and a portion of the nave forming platforms. The plain walls are built of 6-inch courses of rock faced work, pointed with black mortar. The whole of the interior timber work of the open roof will be painted in neutral tint, .picked out in primitive colours. The roof will be covered with slate in ornamental design, the entire length being terminated with an iron ridge cresting of quaint design. In these buildings it is difficult to say which is the most remarkable, the taste of the architect, Mr. Barnett, or the faithful and persevering skill of the general contractors, Messrs. Stoddard and Medway for Redfern, and Mr. Aaron Loveridge for Haslem Creek. ... "

I reckon all these photos are 1869, not "c.1865"

Update 1871 by photographer Charles Pickering. See comments here -

Thomas Duckett the sculptor (see link above) - found on Flickr!

beachcomber australia [http://www.flickr.com/photos/hpeters]
Great links - thank you.
I think the c.1865 date given on one of those images may have been based around the date the Rookwood Cemetery rail line opened - 22nd October 1864. However a post August 1869 date would be more approriate. - AG

I bet that is James Barnet (1827-1904), aged about 40, if these photos are c.1865.
adb.anu.edu.au/biography/barnet-james-johnstone-2939
nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an23182639

See also -

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/hpeters] Indeed! Here is a GoogleMapsSatelliteView showing the position of No.1 Station. If you then pull out a bit you can see the course of the old railway along what is now William Drive, Barnet (now there's a clue!) Avenue, and Memorial Avenue. (willing to be proved wrong by any cemetery railway buff)

Here we go - the SLNSW has a Government Printing Office version of this photo attributed to Charles Pickering (photographer) and dated 17/3/1871 - acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=412132

And several more in the series - trove.nla.gov.au/work/15614293?q=rookwood&c=picture

There is subsequent instance in 1872 of Charles Percy Pickering doing work for the NSW Government "under the direction of James Barnet Esq., Colonial Architect" (on the title page) in this wonderful album "Photographs of Public and Other Buildings" - acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=442753

Included in that album is yet another photo of the "Mortuary Haslem Creek (south end)" with James Barnet dressed the same and others loitering awkwardly - acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/album/ItemViewer.aspx?itemid=823409&am...

Found on Flickr! Thomas Duckett, the sculptor of the angels -

By Charles Pickering, according to acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=442753 (no. 130). On the SLNSW version you can just make out the writing "C. Pickering N.S.W. Photographer Brickfield Hill" on the side of the wagon - acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/album/ItemViewer.aspx?itemid=823409&am...

Another version dated 1870 and rectangular from the Government Printing Office - acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=168272#

... and via The National Archives UK -