History

The Aberdare to Cessnock Railway opened during March 1904. Cessnock served as the end of line station and was situated on the corner of Cessnock and Vincent Streets opposite the southern face of the Railway Hotel. The station featured a back platform dock and horse dock behind the 190 metre main platform. The main line continued beyond the station across Vincent Street to the Aberdare extended colliery.

The last passenger train left Cessnock Station on 26 May 1972 and there are no remains of the station present at the historical site.

The Railway Hotel was constructed in 1912 by builders Litchfield and Hughes at a cost of 5000 pounds. The foundation licensee was John Champion who remained for a short time and was succeeded by Robert Café from January 1914. The longest serving Publican of the Railway Hotel is Thomas Gilmore who held the licence for almost 17 years from 14 February 1949. The original name "Railway Hotel" can still be seen on the central parapet facing the site of the old Railway Station and the original Wunderlich ceilings remain in the main bar.