By GARY FRY
JUST shy of 130 years on, there are clear signs of the new community role for the Black Mountain Railway Station.
The picturesque village south of Guyra boasts a strong sense of community and its railway station has become its central focus. The Black Mountain Preservation Society was formed in 1988 to oppose the demolition of the station buildings and cottage after the closure of the line north of Armidale in the late 1980s.
On Sunday afternoon, the restored Black Mountain station sign was unveiled. Proprietor of Soda Blasting New England, Mike Smith donated his services to restore the original black steel letters.
“The volunteers at Black Mountain have worked to prevent our history from crumbling to nothing. It’s meant a lot to support them,” he said.
Society president, Ian Reeve, said the community owed a debt of gratitude to those who saved the station. He recounted what prompted the sign restoration.
“We painted the station buildings inside and out. It was looking great but for the sign. So, it became a priority. We had some of the letters in the ’goods shed’.
“They were all soda blasted and painted. The timber was also restored. The steel posts represent English industrial heritage, here in the middle of nowhere.”
Mr Reeve said that the next objectives were the restoration of the signal tower at the nearby crossing and a signalman’s trike, which the community hopes to see restored and back on track.
The station was opened on 19 August, 1884 as Booroolong, then renamed Black Mountain in 1886. It has not merely been preserved due to locals’ love of their rail-linked past.
It is now a valued community hub, as demonstrated by the sign unveiling, which was followed by a social gathering, an open fire and a barbecue dinner.
The Black Mountain Preservation Society founder Ron Vickress, who now resides in Guyra, was on hand for the unveiling and recited one of his poems, about how the train does not run any more.
Also enjoying the nostalgia and sense of community was 85-year-old Lauris Hutton. “I’ve lived in Black Mountain since 1956, when I was first married. A large amount of produce once left from Black Mountain Station. It was one of the most important in the district. It’s wonderful that they’ve restored the station to serve as our community hall,” she said.
Through the Preservation Society’s efforts, the buildings and cottage are now protected on the NSW State Heritage Register. The society has the lease of the buildings and cottage. It maintains the grounds around the station, providing the only mown open space in the village where dogs can be exercised and children can play, safe from road traffic. The society rents the cottage to provide income for the maintenance of the cottage and station. The station rooms are available for community meetings. There is a small kitchen and amenities.
