For some reason I have it in my head that this is one of the largest suburban stations in…read moreAustralia. Well, considering that it is on the convergence of two lines, and that trains pass through here regularly (and pretty much they all stop here as well) is probably one of the reasons why it is so large. Also, there happens to be a major shopping centre a short walk from here as well. I guess that is one of the reasons why the Sydney Rail network is so convenient - the stations are pretty close to, well, everything.

With a name that would cause a race riot in America, it seems anti-climactic to sit here and wait…read morefor your train connection. But don't harass the locals - they breed 'em tough out here. I hail from close to here. Never liked Blacktown Station. Just sayin'. But they did refurbish it in the 1990's. Blacktown station opened on 2 July 1860 as Black Town Road with the construction of the Main Western railway line. Blacktown is an Easy Access (handicapped-accessible) station, with lift/elevator access to all platforms. The station is known as the "Mother Ship" as it looks like a UFO when lit up at night. As a major transport terminus, you can get to a lot of places from here, so it is a means to an end. A huge bus interchange is adjacent. Fast trains to Sydney from here are a godsend. The Sydney metropolitan area has one of the best public transport systems of any city in the world.

Marayong Station, is a very local station, with few customers on the platform. Just one station…read morefrom Blacktown, it is perfectly situated on the T1 Richmond Line. Unfortunately, due to this, trains will come less frequently and have more stops. When staffed, the staff members are extremely helpful and friendly and will assist at any time. I definitely recommend Marayong Station.

30 km west of Sydney's Central Station is Toongabbie Station, serving the local residential suburb…read more There are two platforms, one for the two eastbound lines and one for the two westbound lines. Basic but functional design. The suburb is often locally referred to as "Toonie" or "Toonga Bay". My god, how many times have I waited for trains here. I had to sprint up the ramp more for not wanting to miss a train -- typically 30 minutes apart (more at peak hours). I deserve to get a First Review on this one. Maybe they ought to give me a plaque or something - a gold-plated one with a diamond studded border. Then I can sell it and retire in Oahu. The sooner the better! Toongabbie is noted for being the third mainland settlement (after Sydney and Parramatta) set up after the British occupation of Australia began in 1788. Funny how I never knew that till I read it on Wikipedia, even though I went to the local high school for two years. Great local pride, huh? Toongabbie is derived from an Aboriginal word, meaning place by the water or the meeting of the waters. It was named in June 1792 after Governor Arthur Phillip asked the local Aborigines what they called the place. Per Wikipedia, Governor Phillip established a government farm and convict station on 640 acres (259 ha) in 1791 to grow food for the colony. It was supplement to the farms already established at Rose Hill. By December 1791 there were 500 men working at clearing the land. After eleven years, the government farm was closed and the land was given as grants to settlers and convicts who had done their time.