John Street Square
Fast-forwarding to 1984, it was during this year that rail activity at Darling Harbour ceased. In common with other once busy docks worldwide, decline had been brought on by increased containerisation of shipping, this of which negated the presence of large warehouses and the manual sorting of goods on the waterside. Plans were approved to redevelop Darling Harbour, abolishing the existing railway lines and sheds, and gearing the area towards tourism. The line from Wardell Road to Rozelle Bay and Darling Island remained in use beyond this time, although the latter section, opened in 1922 through Glebe Tunnel, was eventually subject to closure on 22nd January 1996. Quite literally days after formal closure, work began on converting this line, specifically that 1⅔-mile section between Wentworth Park (Glebe) and the Powerhouse Museum, into a light rail tram route.
The light rail line was, like its predecessor, double-track throughout, but electrified with overhead wires rated at 750-volts DC. At its eastern end, the line extended beyond the original course of the 1922 route, by assuming a new heading through the city's streets to Central Station. At the latter, a return loop around Belmore Park was created. Limited public tram services along the 2½-mile route commenced on 11th August 1997; formal opening of the line was marked with ceremony on 31st of the same month.
John Street Square was one of ten stations which opened with the light rail line in 1997. Two shallow concrete platforms are linked at either end by track foot crossings. The southern platform is reached both by a concrete staircase, comprising ninety steps descending from the courtyard of the above apartment complex, and a lift. The northern platform is equipped with a lift shaft only, but can also be accessed from the staircase on the opposite side of the lines via either track foot crossing. The overhang of the apartment block is supported by twelve concrete columns which are centrally-positioned in-between the pair of tram tracks. Each end of the cutting is adorned by an arched fascia of English Bond Brick style; that to the west forms the entrance to the 135-yard-long John Street Tunnel.
17th March 2015
The trailing crossover is just about visible in this north easterly view from the road bridge. The deep rock cutting the original goods line was forged through can be appreciated in this view, which also includes further concrete struts propping up comparatively recent developments across the track. Next station stop: Casino. © David Glasspool
17th March 2015
Whilst lifts exist on both sides of the running lines, a ninety-step staircase is also available on the Dulwich Hill-bound platform, for those passengers feeling energetic enough! The post at the foot of the staircase is used by passengers to tap on/off their ''Opal'' cards, Sydney's equivalent of London's ''Oyster''. © David Glasspool
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