Shorncliffe rail station’s air raid shelter is to be restored as it closes for more than six months as part of a major facelift.
Queensland Rail says the Brisbane station’s carpark will partially close on October 16 so that site establishment works can start.
The station itself will close on November 29 with a shuttle bus service to run with nearby Sandgate station.
A dedicated bus service for St Patrick’s College students at Shorncliffe will run between the school and Sandgate.
Shorncliffe station is expected to re-open in the middle of 2026, Qld Rail says.
Chief executive officer Kat Stapleton says the work has been a long time in the making.
“We’re excited to start on the major works,” she says.
“Our frequent shuttle bus services will keep customers moving as we get on with the job of restoring Shorncliffe station.”
Stapleton says “careful consideration” will be given to preserving the station’s historical feature.
“We recognise customers on the Shorncliffe line have experienced some travel disruptions during track closures for major project works.”
SHORNCLIFFE STATION
The station was built in 1897 as a resort station for holiday makers and is a rare example of Queensland Railways architect Henrik Hansen’s work.
Preservation works will include the restoration of old station buildings to their original 1914 design and the preservation of a World War II air raid shelter.
Station access will get an upgrade such as 90 metres of high-level platform raising (including at accessible boarding points), hearing augmentation loops, tactile ground surfaces, an accessible ramp to the station, accessible toilets, and other features like new CCTV, customer information screens and lighting.
Other work will involve restoration of the existing heritage awning, upgraded security cameras and lighting, new signs, two new accessible seats, a new accessible ticket window, toilets and facilities.
TREASURE TROVE
Qld Rail says the major work follows a painstaking excavation of the ticket office subfloor where more than 400 historical items from the last century were discovered in 2019.
The dig revealed 100-year-old train tickets, newspaper clippings, bottles, and clothing, including a 1940s sailor’s cap which was returned to its owner’s family 70 years later.
The archaeological dig delayed the Shorncliffe upgrade but Qld Rail says bracing works for the ticket office are now complete.
Work is expected to take place from 6am-6pm Mondays to Saturdays.
More information on the station project can be found here.
MORE QLD RAIL NEWS: Buranda station reopens after 18 months
