Sydney - Parramatta Railway
Large Gathering
This day, Wednesday, 3 July 1850, the most important work ever undertaken in this colony is to be commenced.
The first turf of the Sydney Railway is to
be turned and from the great interest which has been
excited, we have no doubt that if the weather is fine there
will be the largest assemblage of people that has met in
Australia.
Railway Festival
The company (Sydney Railway Company) will
be admitted at 12 o'clock, and the bands will play
appropriate airs until the arrival of his Excellency the
Governor, Sir Charles Fitzroy.
His Excellency the Governor and suite will arrive at 1
o'clock exactly, and be received at the gate by the
Directors of the Railway Company.
The President (John Lamb) will escort the Honorable Mrs.
Keith Stewart (Governor's daughter, Mary Caroline Fitzroy)
from the gate to the centre of the circle, which will be
formed round the spot where the turf is to be turned.
The stewards will be placed inside the circle to preserve
the boundaries, and will receive his Excellency and suite
with the Directors.
On His Excellency's entrance at the gate of the enclosure,
the Military band (H.M. XI Regiment) will play the National
Anthem, and continue it until the arrival of the party in
the circle.
Official Opening
Over 10,000 people attended the turning
of the turf at Cleveland Paddocks but it would take another
5 years to complete the 5 mile track between Sydney and
Parramatta.
On 3 September 1855, with construction costs continuing to
blow out, the financially troubled Sydney Railway Company
sold the line and property to the New South Wales
Government.
At 9am, 26 September 1855, the first "unofficial"
train left Sydney for Parramatta. The line was formally
opened by Governor Sir William Denison when the official
party departed Cleveland Paddocks at 11.20 am to the sound
of a twenty one gun salute.
The engine, tender and eleven carriages arrived at
Parramatta a few minutes before 12 noon.
Picture: National Library of Australia - nla.pic -
an-8021264-v
Turning the Turf
The President will initiate the
proceedings, and introduce the Engineer of the Company,
(Francis W. Shields) who will hand to Mrs. Stewart the
spade prepared for the occasion.
Mrs. Stewart will then turn the turf, and place it in the
barrow, which will be wheeled away by the Manager of the
Company, (Charles Cowper) who, on his return, will deliver
a congratulatory address to his Excellency the Governor on
the commencement of this great enterprise during his
administration, to which His Excellency will reply.
The band will then play "Rule Britannia" and the assembled
Company will give three cheers.
The President will then conduct Mrs. Stewart to her seat at
the table, in the tent for refreshments ; the band playing
"The Roast Beef of Old England."
Cleveland Paddocks Access
Carriages are to approach the Railway
ground by Botany Street, opposite Harris Street, and to
enter Cleveland Paddocks through an opening made in the
fence, about two hundred yards from Parramatta Street, and
to draw up at the gate on the south side of the
enclosure.
Provision is made for the sale of tickets at the entrance
of the tent enclosure.
Source: Trove
Digitized Newspapers - The Sydney Morning Herald - 3
July 1850 - National Library of Australia