Dark History of Central Railway Station

[Headless2]

Sydney Town Hall stands where Sydney’s first cemetery once was. It’s what’s known as the Old Sydney Cemetery and was established in September 1792 by governor Arthur Phillip and the reverend Richard Johnson, back when it was the outskirts of town. In 1812, governor Lachlan Macquarie authorised the extension of the burial ground to the north and west and granted a site for a new church, St Andrew’s, next door, covering just under a hectare.

By 1819 the cemetery was full, so a new burial ground was set aside on Brickfield Hill – now the site of Sydney’s Central Railway Station. Vaults and graves were opened and most of the corpses and tombs deposited in the new burial ground, though some were left behind. Once closed, the cemetery was neglected, and by 1837 many of the headstones had been vandalised.

The cemetery became a resort for bad characters at night and by day stray pigs, goats and horses wandered among the graves, many of which lay open. Graves and remains were still being discovered years after the cemetery officially relocated. In the 1890s water main excavations uncovered skulls. In 1924, coffins and tombs were unearthed while electric lighting was being installed, and most recently in 2007, evidence of at least 50 graves was uncovered during station upgrades.

In 1820, Governor Macquarie ordered the consecration of the Devonshire Street Cemetery. The burial ground was set aside on Brickfield Hill. Brickfield Hill was a Sydney postal address until postcodes were introduced in 1967, and roughly covered the area between Sydney Town Hall and Central Railway Station. The cemetery was the principal burial ground from 1820. By 1860, the cemetery was full, and it was closed in 1867, but according to the burial list, the last burial took place on February 6 1888. The cemetery became dormant and went into neglect.

In 1901, the cemetery was resumed to allow for the development of Sydney Central Railway Station and representatives of deceased persons buried in the Devonshire Street cemetery were given two months to arrange for exhumation and removal of remains from the cemetery. All reasonable costs were borne by the Government of New South Wales. The remains that were unclaimed were relocated to a purpose-built cemetery named Bunnerong Cemetery. Remains that were claimed were transferred to a number of cemeteries. Bunnerong Cemetery, south of the city, had a tram line constructed to make the removal of re-casketed remains as simple as possible. Bunnerong Cemetery was next to the Botany Cemetery.

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[Headless2]

BURIED ALIVE

The most gruesome discovery made up to date in connection with the excavation of human remains at the old Devonshire street cemetery was made a few days ago. In one of the vaults a workman who entered it to remove the remains prior to its demolition was horrified to see a skeleton in a kneeling position. But little remained of the coffin, though quite sufficient to convince those who saw the ghastly spectacle that when placed there it contained a living being.

Of course, it is mere conjecture, but the theory is that the unfortunate, in struggling to free himself, had evidently lifted the lid, and then rolled out, for the coffin was on its side. Having escaped from his wooden prison, and
finding that all hope of rescue was gone, the poor fellow evidently decided to spend his last few moments in prayer, and to shut out all sight of the ghastly surroundings, had placed his right arm across his eyes.

The above article was published by Clarence River Advocate  Fri 9 Aug 1901

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[Headless2]

The total number of burials may never be known with certainty. Approximately 8,500 remains were claimed by descendants and removed to other cemeteries. Those left unclaimed, somewhere around 30,000, were removed to La Perouse, along with about 2800 memorials. A special tramway was laid down to transport the remains to their new home at the Bunnerong Cemetery. Many of the new burial sites have not survived but in 1973 the remaining monuments were consolidated and moved again to create the Pioneer Memorial Park.

The Devonshire Cemetery site had been completely cleared by 1902, and stage one of Central’s Railway
construction, which aimed to have the station operational, was completed in 1906. The present station was officially opened on the 4th of August 1906 and opening for passengers on the 5th of August 1906. Despite being twice the size of its predecessor, this was no improvement, and did nothing to alleviate Sydney’s transport woes.

Devonshire Street Tunnel, once Devonshire Street, runs directly underneath the path once carved between the cemetery and Central Station, depositing Surry Hills pedestrians into Railway Square amid bargain shops, youth hostels and fast food joints. Also in Railway Square is a series of plaques designed to inform passers-by on the history of Central Station and former cemetery.

Construction works for the new Sydney Metro have recently unearthed the ruins of the Devonshire Street Cemetery. Archaeological excavations at the site directed by Dr Iain Stuart, RAHS Councillor, have so far discovered 62 grave “cuts” and 5 burial vaults, with some human remains still inside. One set of remains has been identified as belonging to Joseph Thompson, a draper, congregational church elder, and father of 14 children. Others remain unidentified as excavations at the site continue. The cemetery itself was largely situated underneath today’s platforms.

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[Headless2]

Thousands of commuters walk through Sydney’s Central Railway Station every day oblivious to the fact that an eerie network of tunnels and disused platforms lie beneath their feet. Most think the farthest you can go at the station is to platforms 24 and 25, deep in the bowels of the historic building. But sitting between those underground platforms and the Central station concourse are the mysterious disused platforms 26 and 27.

During the 1960s-70s, four tunnels were dug and four platforms built. Platforms 24 & 25 for the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line were opened in 1979, however, above them, platforms 26 & 27, intended for an airport line, were never utilised.

The ghostly abandoned platforms included corridors leading to a disused station master’s office and toilets. Several rail employees have reported hearing voices there, despite the deserted platforms being deep underground beneath earth and concrete.

In 2019-20, workers adapting platforms 26 & 27 to house 17 new power and communications rooms for the Sydney Metro Rail reported hearing the sounds of children playing on the platforms.

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[Headless2]

Tony Eid, director of operations with Sydney Trains, tells us about the gloom and musty atmosphere of the abandoned platforms 26 and 27.

“We all heard the voices. It went on for no more than 10 seconds.”

Mr Eid says the concrete walls are thick, very thick. It would be unlikely for extraneous sound to travel from elsewhere in the station, he says. He's heard children's voices on a previous visit.

"This is the area that is supposed to be haunted," Mr Eid says. "You are literally in the area where the old graveyard used to be.”

"Workers down here said they would hear kids playing and, thinking they were vandals, would go and investigate. When they got to this point it would go completely silent and they would feel a chill in the air. On one occasion I was down here with a radio crew and we all heard children playing. It sounded like voices down the other end just chatting, just very jovial voices actually."

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[Headless2]

One secret entrance is a nondescript metal door in the carpark of an office building on Pitt Street, behind an electrical substation. 

'The entrance to this particular tunnel is near a loading dock in an underground carpark behind an electrical substation,' a former train worker previously explained to Daily Mail Australia. 

'It's used mainly these days for cleaners and freight, it's also a shortcut for the drivers and other train workers. There's also a locked vault with a steel door in this tunnel, no one is allowed through the door and no one knows what's in there. It's a bit unnerving if you're in there for long periods of time.'

Aside from the station's ghastly past, it is also where you’ll find the last remaining evidence of a fatal gun battle which took place at the station in 1916. There’s a small bullet hole in the marble by the entrance to platform No.1 which tells the story of the Battle of Central Station. This incident had a direct influence on the introduction of a 6 o'clock closing of hotels in 1916, which lasted in New South Wales until 1955.

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[KANACKI]

Hell Headless thank you for the post utterly fascinating. I know there is old pictures of cemetery some where?

Please do continue......

Kanacki

[Headless2]

THE BATTLE OF CENTRAL STATION

SYDNEY, Tuesday—About 600 soldiers arrived at Central Station shortly after 9 o'clock this morning and demanded that a train should be put on to take them back to Liverpool so that they would not occur the penalty of dismissal from the forces. A special train was granted. Most of the men were either drunk, or recovering from the effects of drinking. Some had cut faces, while others heads were in bandages.

Nearly all were noisy, and took possession of platform 14 from which their train was to set out. They sang and shouted threats as to what they would do if they were not provided with their pay or if their parade hours were not shortened. Some of the men tangoed grotesquely along the platform, while others sought amusement by throwing bandoliers their over the heads of civilians who happened to be about. The soldiers entered the carriages by the windows as well as the doors, and it was a relief when the authorities saw the train steam out amid the shouts of hundreds on board.

At 11.30 last night, information was received from the Central Railway Station that some men had been wounded and one killed by rifle fire. The officer in charge refused to give any information, other than that no order was given to fire on the rioters, but that the soldiers were forced to fire in self-defence. The rioters turned the fire hoses on the guards and used stones freely. No one was allowed to approach the station except with special passes. Train loads of soldiers were being sent back to Liverpool as quickly as they could be entrained.

The scene of the shooting was at the eastern end of the assembly platform, between the entrance portico and near the lost proporty depot. It appears that a number of soldiers, described by eye-witnesses as rioters, gathered in the lavatories at this end of the station, and the iron gates were drawn against them. Some of those imprisoned brought a large hose into use and directed it against a military picket. It was further stated that stones were hurled at the guard, but evidence of this was absent.

While the hose was being played, a soldier imprisoned between the iron gates is alleged to have fired several shots from an automatic revolver at the roof of the station. This apparently prompted action by the picket, which lined up and opened fire. It is stated some 20 rounds of cartridges were discharged, and a number of men fell. Seven of those were found to be more or less injured by rifle fire and one at least was dead.

A number of civilians, who had found their way on to the platform were arrested for loitering and put off the precincts of the station. Hundreds of unarmed soldiers were passed through the pickets to waiting trains and despatched to Liverpool as quickly as they were entrained. Outside the station buildings, knots of soldiers and civilians including many women, congregated discussing the episodes of the day.

The soldier killed was Private K. W. O’Keefe, bullet wound in cheek and bayonet wounds left side of neck and right shoulder.

Published by Bathurst Times NSW Wed 16 Feb 1916

Further research on deaths at Central Station revealed a very long list, there’s many suicides and fatal accidents, also you will notice the amount of people that suddenly collapsed and died.
Most disturbing is the number of abandoned babies found murdered.
 
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[Headless2]

A DETERMINED SUICIDE

At the new railway station, George North, a resident of St John's-road, Glebe, jumped from the parapet of the Central Railway Station yesterday morning into Eddy-avenue, a distance of nearly 40ft., and was killed. He struck the road with terrific force, and lay quite still. The Civil Ambulance and Transport Corps, whose head-quarters are only about 100 yards distant, were summoned, and the officer in charge pronounced life extinct. Senior-constable Charlton had the body taken to Sydney Hospital, where the opinion was confirmed.

The police have ascertained that about half an hour before North made his fatal leap, a man answering to his description fell in front of a tram in Elizabeth-street, but whether accidentally or otherwise is not known. The driver of the car managed to pull up just in time. The man who fell was trembling, but would not go to a hospital.
Wed 12 Dec 1906



SUDDEN DEATH

James Patrick Broderick, 60, a resident of Mosman, and his family went to the Central Railway Station, about 8 o'clock' this morning, with the intention of catching a train to Katoomba. When near No. 3 platform Broderick was suddenly seized with illness, and collapsed. The Civil Ambulance were communicated with, and conveyed him to the Sydney Hospital, where Dr Stokes pronounced life extinct. The body was taken to the morgue.
Wed 30 Oct 1907



SUDDEN DEATH

SYDNEY— A painfully sudden death took place in the train this morning at No. 1 platform, Central Railway Station John Grace, recently residing at Camperdown, had arranged to proceed by the 9.50a.m. train with his sister, Mrs. Patience Scanlon, to the latter's residence in Park-street, East Maitland. A couple of male friends accompanied them to the station, which was reached at 8.45. Grace was scarcely seated in the carriage when he suddenly fell back and died in the arms of one of his friends. The body was removed to the morgue, pending an inquiry. 
Fri 20 Mar 1908



FATALITY AT CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION

An inquest was held this morning by the City Coroner, into the circumstances surrounding the death of Connie Riley, 49, lately residing at Guildford, who died at Sydney Hospital as the result of injuries received through being run over by a train at the Central Railway Station.

Frank Allen, leading porter at No. 4 platform, said he had just started the 5.20 p.m train for Parramatta, when he noticed a woman trying to jump from one of the car platforms. She called out 'My mate is coming.' 'Witness ran over and pushed her back as the train was in motion. He then noticed another woman walking on the platform alongside the train. She staggered against the train, and then fell on to the platform towards the carriage. Witness grabbed her dress, but it gave way, and she fell down on to the line, and he slid down with her, trying to save her. Before he could pull her clear of the rails, her hand and foot were cut off. The train went about half a car length after the accident.

Witness lifted her on to the platform, and she was taken to Sydney Hospital by the Civil Ambulance. In answer to the Coroner witness said she smelt strongly of drink. The medical evidence was that the woman's right foot was crushed and mangled, and the left arm was also crushed, and both injured members had to be amputated. The cause of death was shock from the injuries described.
Sat 25 Apr 1908



CHILD'S BODY FOUND IN WAITING ROOM

SYDNEY. Tuesday. — The body of a newly born girl was found in the second-class waiting room at the Central Railway Station yesterday. An examination showed the child to have been smothered.
Tue 24 Aug 1909

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[Headless2]

DEATH OF FRANK ALLEN

Yesterday morning Mr. Hawkins, P.M., held an inquiry into the death of Frank Allen. Late leading porter at the Central Railway Station. Allen, who lived with his wife and family In Flood-street, Leichhardt, died in the Sydney Hospital from injuries received whilst saving a lad from the wheels of a moving train.

Charles George Williams, a boy living in Marmion-street, Camperdown, said that on September 5 he boarded the 6.30 p.m. train for Ashfield. Whilst he was trying to open the door of a carriage the train started. Allen caught him as he passed, and witness fell under the train.

Evidence was given to the effect that Allen fell under the train at the same time as the boy, and the wheels passed over him. When extricated, he said that he was dying, but what troubled him most was whether the boy was safe. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.
Sat 17 Sep 1910



A WOMAN’S DEATH

SYDNEY, Wednesday — Miss Susan Pearce 54 years of age, a resident of Moree, arrived on a visit to Sydney this morning by train. When stepping from a railway carriage to a platform, she missed her footing, and fell; striking her forehead heavily on the stone coping of the Central Railway Station. When picked up she was unconscious. She was taken to the Sydney Hospital where life was pronounced extinct.
Thu 19 Jan 1911



SUDDEN DEATH

SYDNEY, Tuesday Night — William Thornton, a tailor, middle-aged, and living in Elizabeth street, while on a platform at the Central Railway Station, collapsed and died.
Wed 21 Jun 1911



SUDDEN DEATH

While endeavoring to catch the 6.30 a.m train to National Park at the Central Station yesterday, Cornelius Sweeny (40) was seen to stagger and fall to the platform. A porter immediately went to the man's assistance, and the Civil Ambulance was summoned. On arrival at the Sydney Hospital it was found that he was dead. His address, at present, is unknown.
Mon 15 Jul 1912



BUTCHER SHOOTS HIMSELF

The death of Thomas William Burton, 31, a butcher, who shot himself on No. 2 Platform, Central Railway Station, on Friday evening last, was inquired into by the City Coroner this morning. The evidence was that Burton had been suffering from heart trouble, and was subject to fits, for months prior to his death. His illness worried him a good deal. On Friday he was sitting on one of the seats on the platform. Suddenly he jumped up, and fired two shots into his head. He fell unconscious and died while being taken to Sydney Hospital in the ambulance waggon. Burton lived with his wife at Cabramatta. A verdict of suicide was returned.
Tue 18 Nov 1913

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[Headless2]

SUDDEN DEATH

Yesterday morning a middle-aged woman, whose name is believed to be Miss E. Kelso, of Argyle-street, Picton, collapsed on a platform at the Central Railway Station. The Civil Ambulance took her to Sydney Hospital, where life was found to be extinct.
Sat 23 Aug 1913



SUDDEN DEATH

On Thursday night Alfred Henry Wood (45) collapsed at the Central Railway Station. He was taken to the Sydney Hospital, but the doctors there pronounced life extinct.

Yesterday a shearer, Cyril Murpay (21), living at Glebe Point-road, Glebe, became dizzy, and fell while on one of the platforms of the Railway Station. His head struck the ground, and the Civil Ambulance took him in an unconscious condition to the Sydney Hospital. He was admitted suffering from a fractured skull.
Sat 27 Dec 1913



SUDDEN DEATH

While travelling on the Canterbury train, which reached the Central Railway Station at half past 7 this morning,
Mr. C. H. Tullon, who lived in Oswald Street Campsie, collapsed on his seat. He was taking by the Civil Ambulance to  Sydney Hospital, where Dr Alexander found him to be dead.
Mon 19 Oct 1914



CHILD'S CHARRED BODY FOUND

SYDNEY, October — The charred body of a newly born female child was found in the ladies waiting-room at the Central Railway Station, Sydney, on Sunday night. The body was wrapped in two pieces of white paper and newspapers. It was a fully developed child, and appeared to have been in a fire, the flesh being considerably charred. The police are now endeavouring to trace the mother or the person who left the parcel in the waiting-room.
Wed 27 Oct 1915



FOUND WITH THROAT CUT

Shortly after 10 o'clock yesterday morning a porter observed a trickle of blood running under the door of one of the lavatories on the Central Railway Station. The door was forced, and a man was found on the floor with a large gash in his throat and a blood stained razor on the floor by his side. Life was pronounced extinct at the Sydney Hospital, and the body was then removed to the Morgue. The man has not yet been identified, but in one of the pockets of the dead man's clothing were found papers in the name of H. Spencer, Joseph street, Lidcombe.
Sun 14 Nov 1915

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[Headless2]

FATAL ACCIDENT

William Williams, 50, residing at Bunnerong-road, Randwick, was killed yesterday afternoon in attempting to stop a runaway horse. Williams was loading a cart at the inwards parcels office at the Central Railway Station, when suddenly the horse took fright, Williams ran after it, and in endeavouring to secure the reins he was knocked
down. A wheel of the cart passed over his head, fracturing his jaw and injuring the spine. The Civil Ambulance conveyed the unfortunate man to Sydney Hospital, where Dr Scott pronounced life extinct. The horse was eventually pulled up in Central-square after the cart had capsized.
Thu 8 Feb 1917



DEAD BODY OF INFANT FOUND.—£25 REWARD.

Whereas of the 15th December, 1917, the dead body of an unknown male infant was found in the ladies lavatory at the Central Railway Station, Sydney. And whereas at an inquest held on the 3rd instant, before the Acting City Coroner, the following verdict was returned:—

I find that the said unknown male infant in the ladies lavatory, Central Railway Station, Sydney, in the State of New South Wales, on the 15th day of December, 1917, was found dead. Without any marks of violence appearing upon the body; and I further find that he died on or about the 15th day of December, 1917, at or about the same place, from asphyxia, probably from smothering, but how or by what means he came to be asphyxiated the evidence adduced does not enable me to say.

Notice is hereby given that a reward of Twenty-five Pounds (£25) will be paid by Government for such information as shall establish the identity of the said male infant or obtain proof of the manner by which his death was caused. This reward to remain in force for three months only.
Fri 8 Feb 1918



SUDDEN DEATH

SYDNEY, Sunday.—Mr. William Whittaker, 60 years of age, residing in Hoddle street, East Melbourne, collapsed at the Central Railway Station tonight and died. Deceased had only arrived in Sydney on a visit this morning.
Mon 25 Jun 1917



DEATH LEAP

Yesterday afternoon a man about 30 years of age jumped over the parapet of the tramway bridge at the Pitt Street end of the Central Railway Station into Eddy Avenue. The man whose identity has not yet been discovered, was seen to climb on to the railway, after hesitating for a moment, jumped over. He fell on his head, fracturing the skull, right leg, and left arm. When taken by the Civil Ambulance to Sydney Hospital he was dead.
Thu 4 Jul 1918



HUNG HIMSELF AT CENTRAL STATION

SYDNEY. Thursday — A verdict of suicide was returned at the inquest concerning the death of William Fox, whose body was found hanging from a rafter at the Central Railway Station, Sydney, suspended by a piece of rope. Evidence was given that deceased had never been heard to threaten his life, but he had not enjoyed good health for some time prior to his death. He suffered from insomnia and nerve trouble.
Fri 21 Feb 1919

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[KANACKI]

Greetings once again amigos of the death and haunting stories that tease our senses luring us to this site over and over like a Heroin addict to his fix.

Old Kanacki gives many thanks to the tireless efforts of Headless who has uncovered a story that would be fitting to be told at Halloween or as it is known Samhain.

Ironic being in the southern hemisphere is is not the real day of remembering the dead because we are opposite to Northern hemisphere. But popular belief we follow in general the concept on that sacred norther hemisphere day the the dead of memory of dead becomes closest to us.

The following yarn is utterly fascinating because its in a location at one time or another many thousands but perhaps millions have past through in their lives. The grimy some what run down area around Central Railway Station. If there is spot that has had more misery and death with the millions of lives that past through it please tell me?

Yet it is a location we take for granted. Yet strange enough for me I always found the place daunting and some what seedy with unsavory characters haunting the back streets there today. I too wondered if the ghosts of the past still haunt this location? Affectionately known as central, the place has many dark secrets?

Once again a big thumbs up to Headless for some fantastic research as it really well deserves to be mentioned. And the story really does deserve to make the list of haunted locations in Australia. The following picture is shot of Central railway station Sydney from above. For those who cannot see the pictures I suggest signing up to this wonderful forum to get marvelous insight into haunted locations in Australia. This site can be visited virtually any time of day the beat heart of Sydney pulsing away trains like blood from the heart. No wonder people feel the place to have dark history.

Enjoy

To be continued......

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

Ah bugger old Kanacki lost his marbles posted in the wrong thread.

Anyway well done headless with the research.

Please do continue.

Kanacki

[Headless2]

SUDDEN DEATH

Mrs. Georgina Mitchell, the matron at the Central Police Station, was collecting a parcel in the parcels office on the Central Railway Station last night, when she collapsed. She was taken by the Civil Ambulance Brigade to Sydney Hospital, where life was pronounced extinct.
Tue 8 Apr 1919



FATALITY AT CENTRAL STATION

Martin William Bushnell Broderick (28), commercial traveller, who served at the front, was terribly injured at the Central Railway Station on Sunday afternoon. He was conveyed to the Sydney Hospital by the Civil Ambulance, where he was found to be dead. Broderick was standing on No. 5 Platform when he was soon to fall in front of an incoming locomotive. He sustained a fracture of the skull, fracture of the left arm, injuries to the left leg and right foot, and was also severely cut about the body.
Fri 2 Apr 1920



FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT

The body of James H. Wood, aged 20 years, was found lying on the rails at No. 6 Platform, Central Station, about half-past 8 o'clock last night. He had sustained terrible injuries, a train having passed over his chest. Deceased was a cadet on the staff of the "Sydney Morning Herald," and resided with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Wood, at Loma Loma, Knox-street, Ashfield.
Tue 14 Sep 1920



RUSSIAN KILLED

A foreigner was killed at the Central Railway Station at about 11 o'clock last night. An outward bound train, it is thought, ran over his neck, practically severing the head from the body. From letters found in the pockets of the clothing, it is believed that deceased was George Mielnikoff, of 66 Erskine Street, City, and indications are that the case was one of suicide. The body was discovered on the line near No. 8 platform, about 50 yards from the assembly platform, on the metals on the right-hand side. The man was lying face downward, and when picked up by members of the Civil Ambulance was apparently dead. At Sydney Hospital Dr. M'Laughlin pronounced life extinct, and the body was taken to the Morgue. A five chambered revolver, fully loaded, was found in one of the pockets of the man's clothing.
Wed 24 Nov 1920



FATAL TRAIN ACCIDENT

Late on Saturday night Leslie Borgman, aged 29 years, a postal employee, living at Rosemont street, Summer Hill, was run over by a train at the Central Railway Station, and had his right arm and right leg severely crushed. The Civil Ambulance conveyed him to Sydney Hospital, where he died yesterday morning from the effects of his injuries.
Mon 25 Jul 1921

To be continued…..