New South Wales Government Railways
The New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) was the agency of the Government of New South Wales that administered rail transport in New South Wales, Australia, between 1855 and 1932.
became responsible for the Sydney Railway
The inaugural Chief Commissioner was Ben Martindale and, following the enactment of the Government Railway Act, 1858 (NSW) he became Commissioner of Railways.
John Rae succeeded Martindale in 1861, and in 1877 Charles Goodchap was appointed Commissioner.
The Government Railway Act, 1888 (NSW) set up a corporate body of three railway commissioners to manage the railways and remove them from political influence, resulting in the resignation of Goodchap.
The agency built all of their track to the 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge and ran its first official passenger train on 26 September 1855 between Sydney (now Redfern) and Parramatta (now Granville) railway stations.