Another interesting aspect of the railway is the social significance it held in the 1800s and early 1900s. The railway and the railway centre was the highlight of the town, which brought about the town's pride in their station. All railway stations boasted elaborate architecture; from English to Italian, many classical designs were used. With the introduction of faster and cheaper transportation and the economic shift to capital gains, the Railway quickly became an insignificant factor of Armidale.