romastreetstation

In the foreground is the Roma St Police Station (demolished c1968 ) then the Roma Street markets (lying between the west side of Turbot Street and Crescent Boulevarde) and then Roma Street railway station (background left & centre).

The Roma Street Railway Station was completed in 1875 as the terminus of the newly constructed railway line from Brisbane to Ipswich. It was a fine two-storey brick building with a large carriage shade designed by Queensland Colonial Architect FDG Stanley. The ground floor was given over to servicing the platform and contained restrooms, a ticket office, goods rooms and waiting areas. The upper floor was occupied by administration staff and the Station Master. Originally the Station had direct vehicular and pedestrian access from Roma Street, but this changed in the late 1930s when new railway lines were installed between the building and Roma Street effectively turning the Station building into an island platform. In the late 1940s the original slate roof was replaced with Super Six asbestos sheeting, and the building was painted externally. Alterations in the 1950s saw the demolition of the original carriage shade and the addition of an intrusive added storey on the western end of the Station which necessitated the removal of the southwestern pediment. By the late 1990s the Station was in a poor state. It was largely unoccupied and suffered from a lack of maintenance. The roof leaked in many places due to damaged skylights, and there was considerable falling damp and termite infestation evident. Stage One Works commenced on site in 2012, and involved making the whole building structurally sound and watertight, as well as the restoration and reconstruction of external elements on the upper floor. Works included reconstruction of the slate roof in its original form; replacement of damaged roof members; restoration of the original brickwork, stonework, and render; repair of windows; and restoration of the original configuration of the western end of the building including the reconstruction of the original pediment and roof. Source: www.architectureanddesign.com.au/projects/transport-indus...