Lee Cass, Byron Bay.
Whilst waiting for the terrific tourist train to get its new electric motors, I had a look at the main station near Elements Resort.
With an enquiring look on my face I caught the 637 bus into town and wandered over to the Elements Byron station and then the old Byron Bay railway station.
I would have thought that Elements’ desire to have a heritage train on the old tracks would have meant heritage-flavoured stations. Yes the Elements new station supports solar panels, and yes it has to house the poor old, shivering train on cold, rainy nights and keep it cool in summer, but surely both stations could have reflected the years of their train? Why not build them with a bit of period-influenced architecture?
These are metallic, glassy modern functional buildings. I looked at Byron’s heritage station, which is perfect for the cause. Surely it’s not too hard to add a heritage facade to both new stations up to give them some old-fashioned flavour? Like, add a bit of fun? Otherwise we will have the incongruity of a 1940s art deco train pulling into 2017 glass and metal stations.
I agree with your comments re the fact the old Byron Bay Station was not used. I think this was because of the effect on traffic the train crossing Lawson St would have in the short-term. I am sure once the train is extended down to Bangalow the heritage building will be tidied up and used again. I’d presume Bangalow railway station would also fixed up and re-used as part of this. The question is how long until then though. I think the current service would be extended to Mullum first as it is not very far away and the track is in good nick having being upgraded in late 2003/early 2004. But yes you raise a good point that Byron Bay station should have been used due to historical value. Hopefully this will be incorporated into service expansion.
Or instead of extending the train you could just catch a bus to either Bangalow or Mullumbimby – there is quite a good road these days. Remember parents of kids traveling on the train to Mullum HIgh in the 60s requested and got a bus service, because they knew it is easier to timetable and route a bus and route so it goes when and where people want to travel. Have you costed building the branch line so your train can go via Byron hospital yet Gary?