This weekend marks the start of the annual Daffodils in Rydal festival and organisers are very excited to be able to showcase the community's newest asset, the station master's residence.
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The three-bedroom cottage is now in the hands of the community via lease and is available to rent as holiday accommodation.
It is a little piece of Rydal history and will be marking its 150th birthday this year.
Special guest at the official opening of the Daffodils at Rydal festival, director of Destinations Country and Outback NSW Board Robert Mason, congratulated the community on its success in securing the lease of the building.
"The resilience, tenacity to work with the transport bureaucracy to take over the lease of the station as accommodation must have been pretty incredible," he said.
"I've been escorted 'round the station master's office and the station master's house and it's a great opportunity for tourism for this area."
"It's a great match with the daffodil festival."
After securing the lease of the residence, the Rydal Village Association is now offering it for short term stays.
An association member said there had already been bookings made, with significant interest coming from train lovers.
The heritage-listed building includes three bedrooms, living and dining rooms, a kitchen and bathroom.
The residence will be open during the Daffodils at Rydal festival on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8 and on September 14 and 15 between 10am and 4pm.
For more information, check out 'places to stay' at www.rydal.com.au.
A $15 entry fee for the Daffodils at Rydal Festival will take you to all the gardens, exhibitions and musical events. There will be an all day barbecye and a hop on hop off bus to take you around the village.
This year Daffodils at Rydal is supporting Lithgow Legacy and Lithgow Vinnies.
History of the station
When the first train came through all those years ago the train line only went as far as Rydal and everyone had to get off and then take a horse, a coach or a wagon to get to their next destination.
By 1876 the railway line was extended and the very busy days of Rydal were over.
However, it was still an important station and its loading dock was well used by the local farmers and grazers. Passenger trains were frequent and people came from Tarana and Sodwalls to do their shopping at Rydal.
By 1989 the station was no longer staffed and the only passenger train to stop if you booked it was the XPT going through to Dubbo.
Next year however, the Bathurst Bullet will be stopping regularly at Rydal.
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