Summary

Medal issued to commemorate the 50th jubilee of railways in New South Wales. The development of rail transport in New South Wales followed an Australia-wide pattern of private sector instigation, financial collapse and absorption by the government. In 1849, the Sydney Railway Company started building the first railway track in New South Wales. It was to run between Sydney and Parramatta, a distance of 22 km. The project ran into financial difficulty and was taken over by the New South Wales colonial government. The line finally opened on 26 September 1855 - the first in New South Wales. It was the same year that the British government granted NSW responsible government.
Mint: not recorded.

Obverse Description

At centre a signal over many rail lines, above modern (1905) engine and below modern carriages around, NEW SOUTH WALES RAILWAYS JUBILEE YEAR, above engine 26TH SEPT, below carriages 1905

Reverse Description

At centre Australian arms within crowned circle, on circle, NEW SOUTH WALES RAILWAYS 1855 . 1905 around this engine and carriages of 1855 style, below, 26TH SEPT / 1855 / RAILWAYS OPENED

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

The development of rail transport in New South Wales followed an Australia-wide pattern of private sector instigation, financial collapse and absorption by the government. In 1849, the Sydney Railway Company started building the first railway track in New South Wales. It was to run between Sydney and Parramatta, a distance of 22 km. The project ran into financial difficulty and was taken over by the New South Wales colonial government. The line finally opened on 26 September 1855 - the first in New South Wales. It was the same year that the British government granted NSW responsible government. -Australian Government Transport and Regional Services web site http://www.dotrs.gov.au/transprog/rail/history.htm. -D. Tout-Smith 30/10/2003.

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