The Cockroach side!
In Australian slang or perhaps colloquialisms, especially in sport, Queenslanders are known as "Cane Toads" and New South Wales people "Cockroaches". Other states have different names again, for example Western Australians are known as "Sand Gropers". The Qld/NSW names become prominent particularly during the rivalry between states in the Rugby League State of Origin series.
This shot is of the Wallangarra station which sits on the border between two states and was a change of gauge station, therefore change of trains from Queensland's 3 foot 6 inch to NSW's 4 foot 8 1/2 inch. When the more direct semi-coastal route via Kyogle was opened between Brisbane and Sydney, trains via the Wallangarra route to between the capital cities were basically superseded and both lines became of local importance only until closed or more or less moth balled. The line up from Sydney is now closed and only goes as far as Armidale and the line from Brisbane, while still nominally open only sees occasional heritage trains operate from Warwick and less so, Brisbane.
The border actually crosses the platform diagonally but this side features in situ but closed NSW tracks. The Queensland tracks are on the other side of the platform and the goods interchange yard is behind me. Over to the right is the small NSW town of Jennings and its pub (photo posted in the last fortnight) while to the left is the small Qld town of Wallangarra. This view looks north into Queensland.
The railways station is also the site of a lovely cafe and small museum. The link to the wikipedia article below explains the history of the station and the lines.
The Cockroach side!
In Australian slang or perhaps colloquialisms, especially in sport, Queenslanders are known as "Cane Toads" and New South Wales people "Cockroaches". Other states have different names again, for example Western Australians are known as "Sand Gropers". The Qld/NSW names become prominent particularly during the rivalry between states in the Rugby League State of Origin series.
This shot is of the Wallangarra station which sits on the border between two states and was a change of gauge station, therefore change of trains from Queensland's 3 foot 6 inch to NSW's 4 foot 8 1/2 inch. When the more direct semi-coastal route via Kyogle was opened between Brisbane and Sydney, trains via the Wallangarra route to between the capital cities were basically superseded and both lines became of local importance only until closed or more or less moth balled. The line up from Sydney is now closed and only goes as far as Armidale and the line from Brisbane, while still nominally open only sees occasional heritage trains operate from Warwick and less so, Brisbane.
The border actually crosses the platform diagonally but this side features in situ but closed NSW tracks. The Queensland tracks are on the other side of the platform and the goods interchange yard is behind me. Over to the right is the small NSW town of Jennings and its pub (photo posted in the last fortnight) while to the left is the small Qld town of Wallangarra. This view looks north into Queensland.
The railways station is also the site of a lovely cafe and small museum. The link to the wikipedia article below explains the history of the station and the lines.