All Aboard! New children's book by Jackie French brings Central Station's history to life and celebrates one-year milestone
Jackie Evans Publicity
As Sydney celebrates the one-year anniversary of the Sydney Metro line opening between Chatswood to Sydenham on 19 August, a new children’s picture book is hitting shelves to take young readers on a ride through time.
All Aboard! Discovering Sydney’s Central Station, written by beloved Australian author Jackie French and illustrated by award-winning artist Martina Heiduczek, is a playful and educational journey through the history of one of Australia’s most iconic train stations.
The book explores how Central Station evolved from a tin shed in 1855 to Australia’s busiest and most iconic railway hub.
Packed with hidden facts, superb illustrations, and a cat named Jim to spot on every page, the book was championed by architect John McAslan, whose firm John McAslan + Partners jointly led the design of the new metro station. Sydney Metro awarded Laing O’Rourke the contract to transform Sydney's Central Station Metro. Architects, Woods Bagot and John McAslan + Partners, and designers GHD and Aurecon, came on board to design the new metro station.
Troy Uleman, Director John McAslan + Partners says:
“More than just a place to catch a train, Central is part of Sydney's story. Our welcoming design for Central's Metro upgrade is the start of a new chapter, and this engaging book opens children's eyes to how transport shapes the city and the nation.”
Mark Dimmock, Managing Director of Laing O’Rourke Australia, added:
"The Sydney Central Station Metro is truly a construction and engineering masterpiece that Laing O'Rourke and our client Sydney Metro are incredibly proud of. I would like to thank each individual who worked on this iconic project from tender stage through to today.
“What makes this children's book particularly special is that it captures not just our remarkable achievement in transforming Australia's busiest commuter hub but places it within the rich tapestry of Central Station's extraordinary history. Our project, with its engineering marvel Central Walk, the innovative roof canopy built three times over, and the 27-metre-deep metro platforms, becomes part of a story that spans generations.
“When children read about Central Station's past and discover how we've helped write its next chapter through sustainable design and world-leading construction techniques, they're seeing how today's engineering excellence builds upon yesterday's vision. That's a legacy we're incredibly proud to have contributed to, and one that will inspire the next generation of builders and dreamers."
Beneath Central Station’s platforms lie forgotten cemeteries, secret lakes, abandoned tunnels, and stories of passengers past.
- Steam and Smoke: Early passengers had to shout “Shut the windows!” as tunnels filled with smoke from steam trains. Electric trains replaced steam in 1926.
- Ghostly Whispers: Beneath the station lie the remains of the Devonshire Street Cemetery—some workers say they’ve heard laughter echo in the dark.
- Longest Train Journey: The Indian Pacific departs from Central for a 4,326 km trip across Australia, including the longest straight stretch of railway in the world.
- Secret lake: In an unused tunnel, there’s a secret lake more than a kilometre long and five metres deep.
- A Clocktower Landmark: Built in 1921, Central’s clock became the city’s go-to meeting point for families and friends.
- World War II: The station’s tunnels were converted into bomb shelters for 20,000 people.
- Hidden Platforms Reborn: Once-abandoned platforms have been transformed into substations that now power the new Sydney Metro line.
From steam trains to modern metros, from wartime travellers to holiday-makers, All Aboard! Discovering Sydney’s Central Station captures some of the most intriguing milestones and secrets of Central Station’s past. Now, young readers can lift the flaps and uncover them all.
“This book is to everyone who loves trains and to all the train guards of my many solo train trips between Sydney and Brisbane as a child, who brought me plates of mixed cream and Nice biscuits, and made each journey a fascinating adventure.” Author Jackie French
About us:
Book information
All Aboard! Discovering Sydney’s Central Station written by Jackie French and illustrated by Martina Heiduczek. New Frontier Publishing. Ages 5–8. Lift-the-Flap Children’s picture book. Hardback. Rrp: $26.99. Available at all good bookstore and online from 21 August 2025.
Book launch at Kinokuniya Sydney 21 August 2025. 5.30pm-6.30pm. Level 2, 500 George Street, Sydney.
Free family event. RSVP essential:
https://events.humanitix.com/book-launch-all-aboard-discovering-sydney-s-central-station
Contact details:
Jackie Evans - Director
Jackie Evans Publicity 0407 776 222 | je[email protected]
Troy Uleman, Director John McAslan + Partners and Mark Dimmock, Managing Director of Laing O’Rourke Australia are also available for interview to talk about the station architecture, the build and how it has influenced the way people use and experience the station over time.