Railway station built by Britain in 1856 to reopen after £700,000 refurbishment

The line from Adelaide to Port Adelaide was the first in South Australia and the first government-run steam train service in the British Empire when it opened in 1856.

Alberton is now the junction station for the Outer Harbor and Port Dock lines and its platforms are used daily. The building, however has been abandoned since 2019.

The fine bluestone and brick station and platform walls cost just £982 to build when ground was first broken.

The refurbishment project, funded by South Australia’s Department of Infrastructure and Transport, will be completed for the station’s 170th birthday in 2026.

It is situated in the north-western Adelaide suburb of Alberton, about 10km from Adelaide Station.

The quaint station is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register.

It will now be transformed to it include new and refurbished shelters, seating, bins, LED lighting and artwork, RailTrails Australia reported.