Seymour Railway Station Tour Feb 2024

Members had a guided tour of the older section of the historic Seymour Railway Station. Our
guide was Coral Irving, Regional Manager, North Eastern Railway.

We started in what was the Bar and Buffet area. The long bar is still there as well as the old Bain Maries. The flooring these days in very uneven. The building can no longer be used due to being too hot and stuffy.

The Station is heritage listed so any work required to be done will be costly and must meet strict requirements from the heritage people. In what was the dining area the parquetry flooring is in a bad way but cannot be removed. The walls have old travel posters on them and windows have leadlight panes at the top. The old kitchen still houses the woodfired cooking range, the steam pressure ovens and the steam heated ‘café fountain’ for making tea and coffee. One of the two cool rooms still exits but is now relegated to a storage area.

The upstairs rooms are no longer usable due to age and wear and tear. One area can be used as an office but, as it has no emergency escape, is not used for long periods during the week.

Coral would like to see something done to showcase this grand historic building to visitors and the community. This was echoed by members who could remember using the building not so long ago. This station was used to give immigrants heading to Bonegilla their first meal in Australia; as well as refreshing those travelling interstate or longer distances in Victoria.