Over time the town centre has evolved away from the station, clustering around Yass Street (the former Hume Highway). However in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, there was a greater degree of commercial and public activity nearer the station. This included the former Frankfield Hotel near (now a private residence) which serviced and provided accommodation to travellers, and the nearby Railway Store, while the Station Master‘s Residence was part of this orbit.

Gunning is one of the best surviving examples of a mid to late Victorian country station complex, featuring buildings from the arrival of the line in 1875, as well as from duplication of the line in 1915. The site also reveals the importance placed on railway development in country NSW in the late 19th century, as evidenced by the scale of the extant main station building.

The Station had some unusual features. The building was the first application of what became a distinctive design approved by the ‗father of the NSW railways‘ John Whitton. There is speculation that Whitton sat on the contract for construction so that works would not be completed at the opening of the line. This was supposedly in order to transfer any further expenditure on unfinished station items to the budget of the Railway Commissioner, to save money and make his own financial position look better. Whitton also introduced a two storey detached Station Master‘s Residence, which at the time was quite rare with combined offices/residences cheaper and more common.

As an example of a mid to late Victorian country station complex, Gunning Railway Station features has featured typical examples of railway technology, with some peculiarities in addition. The Signal Box dates to c.1914, with duplication of the line bringing more complex signalling requirements, however an interlocking machine was provided in 1890, and it is believed the levers were not covered (Ref: Robert Taaffe ‗Signal Boxes of NSW Railways and Tramways‘, Volume 3, p. 109)

A closing lever was installed in 1958. The signal box was decommissioned in 1996, and its equipment has been removed. A water pump remains at the north-eastern end of the main Station Building. The corresponding underground rainwater tank is unusual in that it is oblong-shaped, whereas typically such underground tanks on the NSW rail network were circular. A jib crane and remnants of a goods shed still remain in the railway yard.

Under this theme might also be explained the original purpose and function of existing buildings and rooms. This can be seen for instance in the original floor plan below, showing for example a Ladies‘ Waiting Room separate to the main Waiting Room; showing the kitchenette (R2) originally functioned as a Porters‘ Room. There would be the opportunity to showcase before and after‘ photographs to illustrate repaired / reinstated items including the entry awning and elements of the passageway. Within the Signal Box, devices such as replica wall mounted diagram, or photographs of historic signalling equipment.

Gunning station group is one of the best surviving examples of a small late Victorian country station complex with elements from the opening of the line in 1875 (when it was terminus for a year) through to 1913 when the last building on the site was added. It clearly demonstrates the changes from single track to double track operation in 1915 with addition of a second platform and more complex signalling arrangements. It exhibits a confidence in railway building and its importance in the development of the country by the scale of the buildings, particularly the station masters residence. It presents as a reasonably intact site with all of the major elements still evident. The original station building was an early proto-type of standardised design in station buildings.