Mount Victoria Railway Station opened on 1 May 1868 as the extension of the Great Western Railway, which previously only went as far as Weatherboard Creek (Wentworth Falls). The complex of railway buildings is the largest in the Blue Mountains and reflects the historic importance of Mount Victoria as a railway terminus and as a resort destination for visitors from Sydney.

At the opening of the new line extension… ‘a sumptuous luncheon… was served …in one of the offices within the station building…. For upwards of an hour the energies of the company were concentrated upon the manipulation of knives and forks, and the absorption of various seductive liquids.”

Sydney Morning Herald, 20 May 1868

The station building began as a simple brick structure, with a timber platform and a goods shed. It remained the last stop before duplication of the line west to Hartley was completed in 1913. The station's history is closely linked to Jenolan Caves, (previously known as Binda Caves or Fish River Caves), as early tourists from Sydney visiting the Caves had to disembark at Mount Victoria and travel on by horse and cart.

As tourism and rail traffic grew, the modest station was replaced by the existing two-storey building with a large refreshment room in 1873-4. It also included the upper storey to house the refreshment room manager, staff and travellers. During its heyday up to 40 people were employed to serve travellers at the station. The dining room could hold up to 200 people and three-course meals were served to travellers upon arriving at the station and before catching the next train. These facilities indicate the importance of Mount Victoria as a health and holiday resort, the accommodation provided in the station building reflecting this.

The station also became a significant changeover point for goods and railway personnel with accommodation provided for the train crews and station guards. They were housed at the Railway Rest House that is still in use today. Mount Victoria is at the top of the bank to Lithgow and was the site at which trains were split or rearranged to traverse the Great Zig Zag. Consequently a locomotive facility was built here but this has been demolished.

Mount Victoria was the destination for the famous ‘Caves Express’ train service, which operated between 1920-1942, transporting tourists to the Blue Mountains for their onward journey to the Jenolan Caves. It was also the nightly destination of the ‘The Fish’ train service for commuters to and from Sydney which began operating in 1868, just after Mount Victoria Railway Station opened. The train was originally driven by John Herron, a large man with the nickname of ‘The Big Fish’, and his crew who had names applicable to various types of fish – including John Salmon and John Pike. Later a contemporary service was appropriately named ‘Chips’.

Electrification in 1957 ended the steam train era. Faster trains serving food ‘on board’ and the increased use of automobiles resulted in the closure of the refreshment rooms in 1960. Today the station is still services trains across the Mountains and to the west. It also houses the Mount Victoria Historical Museum, which holds an extensive and fascinating collection. See our next trail site for more information.