A room in the catacombs of Sydney’s rail hub is a mix of historical and modern timepieces.
Full story by Michael Bleby and Campbell Kwan
John Prentice, a partner at architect Woods Bagot, in a cloakroom at Central Station in Sydney which houses about 200 clocks that have been collected over decades from across the city’s train network.
Dominic Lorrimer
The newly built “clock wall” at Central Station was designed by Woods Bagot partner John Prentice as a way to connect the old station with the new Metro station.
Dominic Lorrimer
Octagonal drop-dial clocks line the walls of the six-metre by eight-metre room beneath Central.
Dominic Lorrimer
Some of the clocks are stacked on shelves that line the walls.
Dominic Lorrimer
Old meets newer: A pendulum clock protected by bubble wrap and an electronic version.
Dominic Lorrimer
Along with the clocks are other artefacts, including notebooks, dyes used to print train tickets and protective carry bags used for transporting mechanical wall clocks.
Dominic Lorrimer
Transport for NSW heritage specialist Lucy Irwin in the clock room.
Dominic Lorrimer
With a value of up to $10,000 apiece, the clocks are a target for collectors and counterfeiters alike.
Dominic Lorrimer
In an age when most people rely on their phones to tell the time, the collection is a snapshot of an earlier technology that once ruled people’s lives.
Dominic Lorrimer
Another view of the “clock wall” at Central Station, designed by Woods Bagot partner John Prentice.
Dominic Lorrimer
Horologist Andrew Markerink at his Camden workshop with a NSW Railways Seth Thomas drop-dial clock that he is restoring. He says the once-common railway clocks are now sought-after collectors’ pieces.
Louise Kennerley
Andrew Markerink is also restoring a NSW Government Railways chronograph pocket watch.
Louise Kennerley
Andrew Markerink works on the pocket watch at his Camden workshop.
Louise Kennerley