1855 - First passenger railway line The original city 'Sydney terminal' station was located south of the present-day Central Station, on the south side of the Devonshire Street tunnel. Four intermediate stations were located along the line at Newtown, Ashfield, Burwood and Homebush.

Sydney officially entered the "Age of Steam" on September 26, 1855, with the opening of the first railway line in New South Wales. This pioneering route ran from the original Sydney Station (located in Cleveland Fields, near the current Central Station) to Parramatta Junction (now Granville), covering a distance of approximately 22 kilometers. The construction was a major engineering feat of the time, overcoming significant financial and geographical hurdles. The first train was pulled by "Locomotive No. 1," which was imported from England. This initial line was a vital catalyst for the city's growth, transforming the journey between Sydney and Parramatta from a multi-hour ordeal by stagecoach or boat into a rapid, 45-minute trip. Following this success, the network expanded rapidly across the suburbs and into the regional areas of the state. In 2026, as Sydney continues to modernize its rail infrastructure with the "Sydney Metro" and high-speed rail projects, the 1855 opening remains the foundational moment for the city's status as a world-class transit hub. The original Locomotive No. 1 is still preserved as a centerpiece of the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, serving as a testament to the city's long and rich industrial heritage.