By Local Studies librarian Jenny McConchie

Pictures like this conjure up thoughts of the romance of train travel in the 19th century. However, the reality was that, while not romantic, steam trains made travel faster, more comfortable and accessible to more people. This train (above, main image) is heading north on the sea bank between Stanwell Park and Coalcliff.

The Stanwell Park Railway Station was opened on the 14th March 1890 with a single track snaking through Stanwell Park on what is now Lawrence Hargrave Drive. However, trains heading north faced the challenge of a 1-in-40 gradient. This meant that steam engines only had the power to haul half the train at a time to Otford.

In addition, the 1550-metre Otford Railway Tunnel produced hot and suffocating conditions for the crew. A lack of ventilation also left travellers gasping for fresh air.

1920 brought relief with the opening of the double track deviation, including an eight-span curved viaduct, which still skirts Stanwell Park.

You too can take a trip down memory lane online at Illawarra Images