[1] A railway Shop Order was issued on 7 December 1912 for the construction of a 'permanent "Rest House" at Parkes (Enginemans or crew barracks).

In this situation, a train crew (driver, fireman and guard) would all sleep in the one room, three iron bedsteads being provided.

[1] The ARTC also manages a dock platform, a steel Warren truss footbridge, erected 1935; and a jib crane.

Historic plans show three brick chimneys and gablet vents and a front verandah to the entry which all still exist.

[1] From historic plans it appears prior to the current building being erected on this site, that there were previously two small structures used as temporary Railway Refreshment rooms and accommodation for the staff.

[1] Two-storey elevated fibro signal box with low hipped pyramid roof clad in concrete tiles.

[1] Numerous additions and changes occurred throughout the 20th century including erection of a rest house (1912), wheat silo (1920), Traffic District Headquarters located at Parkes (1920), purchase of existing residences for Station Master and Steam Shed Inspector, (1920 and 1922), conversion of existing Station Master's residence to railway refreshment room accommodation (1923), new footbridge relocated from Liverpool (1923), erection of temporary railway refreshment rooms (1923), alterations and additions to the station building (c. 1927) rail motor shed erected (1927), new railway refreshment rooms opened (1928), relocated footbridge and signal Box (1928) and a new roundhouse built (1928).

[1] Later alterations to the site included a new footbridge (1935), an elevated coal bunker built (1941), roundhouse and facilities enlarged for defence works, including new 360 kilolitres (79×10^3 imp gal; 95×10^3 US gal) tank and stand, boiler plant, water columns, 75-foot (23 m) diameter turntable replacing 60-foot (18 m) (1944), new Institute Building opened (1962), and new goods shed built (1964).

The precinct includes a locomotive depot with a partial roundhouse and remains of the former goods yard and a range of items typically found at many large railway complexes in NSW from the late 19th and 20th centuries including the footbridge, jib crane and dock platform, which all contribute to the significance of Parkes as a major railway junction.

[1] Parkes railway station was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.

[1] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The two buildings form a coherent group of related railway structures complemented by their large decorative platform awnings.

[1] The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

[1] The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.