Type : Station
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 433.011km
Location : -31.635550, 152.706176
Opened : 12th April 1915
Closed : n/a
Status : In use
Name meaning : After Henry Kendall, the poet, who resided here from 1875 to 1881.
Notes : The Up platform is 92 metres in length and (rare for the NCL) still has the original station building which has been partially re-used. A goods shed was provided on opening along with a 5 tonne crane and a centrally interlocked loop. Water facilities at either end of the platform consisted of two 228mm bore water colums, water was pumped from the nearby Camden Haven River. 25/7/1917 loop closed. 14/10/1922 new interlocked loop provided. 15/11/1925 water tank capacity doubled to 90kl. 26/6/1934 405 metre crossing loop laid in. 23/7/1981 stock and transit siding removed. 25/9/1984 goods shed removed. 12/12/1984 signal hut removed. Kendall has a short 389 metre crossing loop which has a 215 metre dead end siding facing the Down side. Kendall opened 12 April 1915 with a centrally interlocked loop — unusual for the standard unattended 1915 openings. Goods shed, 5-tonne crane, and two 228mm bore water columns at each end of platform drawing from Camden Haven River. Loop closed 25 July 1917 with Automatic ETS Working (Coopernook–Wauchope); no officers at Kendall. Fixed signals worked by Guards during unattended periods. Reopened 14 October 1922 as ETS and Crossing Station — sections Coopernook–Kendall (Type A) and Kendall–Wauchope (Type C); telephone on No. 22 Taree–Macksville circuit. Water tank capacity doubled to 90 kl, 15 November 1925. **Closing of Kendall as an Electric Staff Station and Continuous Automatic Electric Staff Working at Coopernook (North Coast)** — On **Wednesday, 25th July, 1917**, Kendall will be **closed as an Electric Staff Station** and Automatic Electric Staff Working will be in force continuously at Coopernook. There will be **no officers on duty at Kendall or Coopernook**. Kendall (North Coast) — Reopening as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — On **Saturday, 14th October, 1922**, between 8.0 a.m. and 4.0 p.m., Kendall will be reopened as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station. New 405-Metre Loop — 26 June 1934; Circular No. 370–14 of 1933.
May1914, placing first section of top boom, Kendall Rail Bridge (SLNSW)
1913: The construction of the Rail Bridge over the river at Kendall
CHHS
Kendall Station (Kerry Myers) - opened 1915, still in use.
Kendall (Brian Leedham)
Kendall area, 1914
Kendall in 1915, just before opening (kendall.org.au)
44212+44?? are heading south hauling a goods train though Kendall station. The goods shed is just visible at the far left. (1981)
[Copyright: Graeme Skeet]
Kendall (undated) (Port Macquarie Museum
Location of Kendall station (Six Maps)
Timber jinker at Kendall station (undated, uncredited)
First train trip over Kendall railway bridge by construction team (1914)
Kendall Bridge today (Hayleigh Zwickl) (20/3/2021)
c1916-1918: Kendall, taken from the railway line near Railway St....... looking up to the old shops up on Comboyne St.
slNSW
Kendall railway bridge (Camden Haven Historical Society)
Kendall (undated) (Port Macquarie Museum)
Kendall yards, 1950s
Kendall (Phil Martin, 2022)
Kendall (undated, Records NSW)
NL25 at Kendall, 15/11/1984 (Munro)
Kendall (Hi Res) (location)
Kendall, probably 1960s (Mid Coast Libraries)
Kendall (25) Station notes:
3 x 80 class on a up goods circa 1990, the AOOX wagon is loaded with logs for the Alan Taylor & co pole plant, the logs will be unloaded dressed & reloaded into the wagon for final delivery.
623 AOOX wagons were built in Australia showing Australia's once great manufacturing capabilities.
(Jobs not welfare)
Photo Late Ray Price.
Greg Riddel.
In the late 80's early 90's most sidings on the North Coast saw some sort of traffic wether it be for revenue of departmental use here is an example of the later with 1 x NODY & 1 x NOCY wagons in Kendall siding, they have delivered Perway stores for track upgrading circa early 90's, also included is a train consist form showing 1 x NOBX wagon for Kendall as another example.
The local control panel is still working but no longer used, the panels at Wauchope & Telegraph Point are still in situ but are disconnected.
Greg Riddel.
6590 takes the loop at Kendall to avoid the station platform.
14-4-96 (Greg Riddel)
AH 811 Special and Out of Gauge Loads.
Kendall 14-4-96 (Greg Riddel)
Signal box opened when the line from Taree to Wauchope was brought into use. It was closed as an
Electric Staff station on 25 July 1917 and reopened on 14 October 1922 with the loop points being
operated by ground frames, and the Loop Home signals and all Starting signals cross boarded.
In 1933 the Starting signals, then out of use, were removed, only to be reinstated in 1934 along with
the Loop Home signals and direct operation of the Loop points.
The replacement of the interlocking machine in 1967 used the machine displaced from Dalhousie
Creek.
When the points and signals were converted to power operation in July 1982 the mechanical
interlocking machine was replaced by a DML OCS panel. With the transfer of control to Broadmeadow
CTC the signal box was closed and the panel redesignated an emergency panel and relocated to the
Traffic Room in the Relay building.
# Kendall (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1984
---
**Type:** Station (in use) / Crossing Loop (389 metres — in use; 215-metre dead-end siding Down side)
**Line:** North Coast Line (John's River–Kendall / Kendall–Kerewong sections)
**Distance from Sydney:** 433.011 km (Mileage 269m 19c — per 1940 timetable)
**Location:** -31.635550, 152.706176
**Between:** John's River/Batar/Rossglen and Kerewong
**Opened:** **12 April 1915** (Taree–Wauchope section opening)
**Loop closed:** **25 July 1917** — Automatic ETS Working instituted; Coopernook–Kendall and Kendall–Wauchope sections cancelled; new section Coopernook–Wauchope opened; no officers at Kendall or Coopernook (W.N. — 1917)
**Loop reopened:** **14 October 1922** — as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station; Coopernook–Kendall (Type A, Staffs 1–4 Key, 5–20 Ordinary) and Kendall–Wauchope (Type C, 1–20) (W.N. — 1922)
**Water tank capacity doubled:** **15 November 1925** — 90 kl total capacity (per your notes)
**New 405-metre loop laid in:** **26 June 1934** — (per your notes; flagmen required at Kendall and Kundabung — W.N. 17 and flagmen notice 1934); Circular No. 370–14 of 1933 issued; Distant signals brought into use 15 April 1934 (W.N. 17–1934); Frame C relocated W.N. 28–1934
**Status:** In use
**Name meaning:** After Henry Kendall (1839–1882), the Australian poet, who resided here from 1875 to 1881
**Platform:** 92-metre Up side; original station building (rare survivor on NCL; partially re-used)
**Goods shed:** Provided at opening
**Crane:** 5-tonne yard crane at opening
**Water columns:** Two 228mm bore water columns at either end of platform; water pumped from Camden Haven River
**ETS Sections (from 1922):** Coopernook–Kendall and Kendall–Wauchope; later John's River–Kendall and Kendall–Kerewong
**Transit Siding and Frame D removed:** **23 July 1981** — Frame D, Stock siding points and catchpoint removed; transit siding removed; ball lever points at each end straight-railed for Goods siding; Circular No. 140–4 (1972) amended; standing room reduced from 85 to 60 vehicles (W.N. 29–1981; W.N. 39–1981; your notes give 27 March 1981 — WN gives 23 July 1981)
**Motor-operated points:** **19 July 1982** (W.N. — 1982)
**Goods shed removed:** **25 September 1984** (per your notes)
**Signal hut removed:** **12 December 1984** (per your notes)
**Circular:** No. 308 of 1922 (referenced to 1934); No. 370–14 of 1933 (new loop); No. 140–4 of 1972 (referenced to 1981)
---
> **Notes:** Kendall opened 12 April 1915 with a centrally interlocked loop — unusual for the standard unattended 1915 openings. Goods shed, 5-tonne crane, and two 228mm bore water columns at each end of platform drawing from Camden Haven River. Loop closed 25 July 1917 with Automatic ETS Working (Coopernook–Wauchope); no officers at Kendall. Fixed signals worked by Guards during unattended periods. Reopened 14 October 1922 as ETS and Crossing Station — sections Coopernook–Kendall (Type A) and Kendall–Wauchope (Type C); telephone on No. 22 Taree–Macksville circuit. Water tank capacity doubled to 90 kl, 15 November 1925.
>
> Down Distant and Up Inner/Outer Distant signals brought into use 15 April 1934 (Circular No. 308 of 1922 amended, W.N. 17–1934). New 405-metre loop laid in 26 June 1934 — Circular No. 370–14 of 1933. Frame C relocated to new position between Main and Loop lines near Loop points (W.N. 28–1934; Circular No. 370–14 amended). Sleeping berths permitted for Taree, Kendall and Wauchope on No. 11 North Coast Mail from 12 February 1934 (W.N. 8–1934; extended to 14 days advance booking, W.N. 17–1934).
>
> Frame D and Transit Siding removed **23 July 1981** (W.N. 29–1981; your notes give 27 March 1981 — WN confirmed 23 July). Frame D and Stock siding points/catchpoint removed; transit siding removed; ball lever points at each end straight-railed for Goods siding; Circular No. 140–4 (1972) amended. Standing room reduced from 85 to 60 vehicles (W.N. 39–1981). Motor-operated points and colour light signals **19 July 1982** — ETS John's River–Kendall and Kendall–Kerewong retained. Goods shed removed 25 September 1984; signal hut removed 12 December 1984.
---
## 1915 — Opened; ETS Sections at Opening; Goods Shunting; Water Columns
### ETS Sections at Opening — 1915
> - **Camden Haven River–Kendall**
> - **Kendall–Heron's Creek**
>
> *(Source: 1915 Weekly Notices — ETS section table; reverse Up direction shows same sections)*
### Goods Shunting Times — 1915
> - No. 17 Goods: **Kendall** — goods shunting listed between Camden Haven River and Heron's Creek
> - No. 2 Goods: **Kendall** — listed in Up direction goods shunting times
*(Source: 1915 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1917 — Loop Closed — 25 July 1917; Automatic ETS Working; Coopernook–Wauchope Section
### Loop Closed — Automatic ETS Working — W.N. — 1917
> **Closing of Kendall as an Electric Staff Station and Continuous Automatic Electric Staff Working at Coopernook (North Coast)** — On **Wednesday, 25th July, 1917**, Kendall will be **closed as an Electric Staff Station** and Automatic Electric Staff Working will be in force continuously at Coopernook. There will be **no officers on duty at Kendall or Coopernook**.
>
> The present Electric Train Staff Sections **Coopernook–Kendall** and **Kendall–Wauchope** will be cancelled. The new Electric Train Staff Section to be opened will be **Coopernook–Wauchope**, and Electric Staffs, A type, Nos. 1 to 4 Key and 5 to 20 Ordinary will be in use.
>
> The last train to carry the Electric Train Staff over the present sections Coopernook–Kendall and Kendall–Wauchope, and the first train to travel over and open the new section Coopernook–Wauchope, will be as notified by the District Superintendent, Newcastle. *(W.N. — 1917)*
---
## 1922 — Loop Reopened — 14 October 1922; Coopernook–Kendall and Kendall–Wauchope
### Fixed Signals — Working When No Officer on Duty — 1922
> **Craven and Kendall (North Coast) — Working of Fixed Signals** — During the hours that no officer is on duty at Craven and Kendall respectively, while Electric Train Staff Working will be in operation, the Fixed Signals must be worked by Guards of trains in the face of trains accompanied by Traffic employees. *(Source: 1922 Weekly Notices)*
### Loop Reopened — 14 October 1922 — W.N. — 1922
> **Pages 296–297 — Kendall (North Coast) — Reopening as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — On **Saturday, 14th October, 1922**, between 8.0 a.m. and 4.0 p.m., Kendall will be reopened as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station.
>
> The existing Electric Train Staff Section **Wauchope–Coopernook** will be cancelled, and the new Electric Train Staff sections will be as follows:
> - **Coopernook–Kendall**: Miniature Electric Train Staff, 1 to 4 Key and 5 to 20 Ordinary, Type **"A"**
> - **Kendall–Wauchope**: Miniature Electric Train Staff, 1 to 20, Type **"C"**
>
> Telephone provided on No. 22 Taree–Macksville circuit. *(W.N. — 1922)*
---
## 1924 — Goods Shunting Times; Hours of Attendance; ETS Section Kendall–Camden Haven River
### Goods Shunting Times — 1924
> No. 142 Goods: Heron's Creek, 15 minutes; Rossglen, 10 minutes; **Kendall, 25 minutes**; John's River, 10 minutes. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*
### Hours of Attendance — 1925 (confirmed by 1924 entries)
> **Kendall** — Mondays to Fridays: 12.0 midnight to 4.0 a.m., 6.0 p.m. to 10.0 p.m.
> Saturdays: 12.0 midnight to 4.0 a.m., 2.0 p.m. to 10.0 p.m. *(Source: 1925 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1930 — Goods Shunting Times; Train Crossings
### Goods Shunting and Train Crossings — 1930
> No. 122 Goods (9.15 a.m. ex Wauchope), Tuesdays and Saturdays: Wauchope departs 9.15 a.m.; **Kendall arrives 10.18 a.m., crosses No. 151, departs 10.35 a.m.**; Coopernook [next]. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1934 — Sleeping Berths; Down Distant Signals; New Loop; Frame C Relocated
### Sleeping Berths on No. 11 Mail — W.N. 8 and 17–1934
> Since **12th February, 1934**, passengers holding First and Second class tickets for Taree, **Kendall** and Wauchope have been permitted to book sleeping-berths on No. 11 North Coast Mail on the day of departure. (W.N. 8–1934.) Subsequently extended: passengers permitted to reserve sleeping-berths **14 days in advance**, including date of travel. (W.N. 17–1934.)
### Down Distant and Up Inner/Outer Distant Signals — W.N. 17–1934
> **Kendall (North Coast) — Bringing Down Distant and Up Inner and Outer Distant Signals into Use** — On **Wednesday, [15th] April, 1934**, between 2.0 p.m. and 4 p.m., the **Down Distant signal (No. 20)** and the **Up Inner and Outer Distant signals (Nos. 2 and 1)** will be brought into use.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 308 of 1922** to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 17–1934)*
### New 405-Metre Loop — 26 June 1934; Circular No. 370–14 of 1933
> New 405-metre central interlocked loop laid in at Kendall — **26 June 1934**. Circular No. 370–14 of 1933 issued. *(Source: your notes; flagmen notice for Kendall and Kundabung alterations confirmed in 1934 WN)*
### Frame C Relocated — W.N. 28–1934
> **Kendall (North Coast) — Frame "C" moved to a new Position** — Frame "C," operating the connection between the Loop line and Goods Siding at the Sydney end, has been moved to a new position between the **Main and Loop lines**, near the Loop line points.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 370–14 of 1933** to be amended accordingly. (33–28,741.) *(W.N. 28–1934)*
---
## 1946 — Staff Exchanger Position; No. 80A Circuit
### Staff Exchanger and Telephone — 1934/1946
> **Kendall** — listed on No. 80A telephone circuit alongside John's River, Wauchope and Pembrooke Fettler's Residence (W.N. 45–1934). Staff exchanger positions listed in 1946 table (between Coopernook and Wauchope). *(Source: 1934 and 1946 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1981 — Frame D and Transit Siding Removed — 23 July 1981; Circular No. 140–4 Amended
### Frame D and Transit Siding Removed — W.N. 29–1981
> **Kendall (North Coast) — Removal of Frame D and Transit Siding** — On **Thursday, 23rd July, 1981**, between 7.30 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., the following track and signalling works will take place:
>
> (i) The points in the Main line and catchpoint in the **Stock siding** operated by **Frame D**, together with Frame D, will be removed.
>
> (ii) [Stock siding removed].
>
> (iii) The **Transit siding** will be removed and the ball lever operated points at each end of the Transit siding will be **straight-railed for the Goods siding**.
>
> **Circular No. 140–4 (1972), Kendall** and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. (S&C 130642, 183960.) *(W.N. 29–1981)*
> **Note:** Your notes give **27 March 1981** for this removal. The Weekly Notice states **Thursday, 23rd July, 1981** (W.N. 29–1981). July is the WN-confirmed date.
### Standing Room Reduced — W.N. 39–1981
> **Page 75 — Kendall — Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided** — In column headed "Standing Room — Other Sidings," delete **85** and insert **60**. (A1 81–48708.) *(W.N. 39–1981)*
---
## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 19 July 1982
### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. — 1982
> **Kendall (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 19th July, 1982**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., as a preliminary to the introduction of CTC signalling, the Main line to loop points at each end of Kendall crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals replaced by **colour light signals**.
>
> Route control relay interlocking control panel; low speed indication (small green light) with route indicator.
>
> Electric Train Staff working remains in use on sections **John's River–Kendall** and **Kendall–Kerewong**; automatic staff exchanging equipment remains available.
>
> Telephone call indicators — flashing blue light and hooter. Diagram on page 29 of this Weekly Notice. *(W.N. — 1982)*
---
## 1984 — Goods Shed Removed; Signal Hut Removed
### Goods Shed Removed — 25 September 1984
> **Goods shed removed at Kendall — 25 September 1984.** *(Source: your notes)*
### Signal Hut Removed — 12 December 1984
> **Signal hut removed at Kendall — 12 December 1984.** *(Source: your notes)*
---
## Summary of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **12 April 1915** | **Opened** — 92-metre Up platform; original timber station building (rare survivor); goods shed; 5-tonne crane; centrally interlocked loop; two 228mm bore water columns at each end, pumped from Camden Haven River; sections Camden Haven River–Kendall and Kendall–Heron's Creek |
| **25 July 1917** | **Loop closed** — Automatic ETS Working; Coopernook–Kendall and Kendall–Wauchope cancelled; **Coopernook–Wauchope** section opened; no officers at Kendall (W.N. — 1917) |
| **14 October 1922** | **Loop reopened** as ETS and Crossing Station — **Coopernook–Kendall** (Type A, 1–4 Key, 5–20 Ordinary) and **Kendall–Wauchope** (Type C, 1–20) opened; Wauchope–Coopernook cancelled; telephone No. 22 circuit; Circular No. 308 of 1922 issued (W.N. — 1922) |
| **15 November 1925** | Water tank capacity doubled to **90 kl** |
| W.N. 17–1934 | Down Distant (No. 20) and Up Inner/Outer Distants (Nos. 2 and 1) brought into use; sleeping berths permitted on No. 11 Mail; Circular No. 308 amended |
| **26 June 1934** | **New 405-metre loop laid in** — Circular No. 370–14 of 1933 |
| W.N. 28–1934 | Frame C relocated to new position between Main and Loop lines; Circular No. 370–14 amended |
| W.N. 45–1934 | Kendall added to No. 80A telephone circuit |
| **23 July 1981** | **Frame D and Transit Siding removed** — Stock siding points/catchpoint removed; transit siding removed; ball levers straight-railed for Goods siding; Circular No. 140–4 amended; standing room 85→60 vehicles (W.N. 29 and 39–1981; your notes give 27 March 1981 — WN confirmed 23 July 1981) |
| **19 July 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — ETS John's River–Kendall and Kendall–Kerewong retained; automatic staff exchangers remain (W.N. — 1982) |
| **25 September 1984** | **Goods shed removed** |
| **12 December 1984** | **Signal hut removed** |
| Current | 389-metre crossing loop; 215-metre dead-end siding (Down side); original station building surviving |
---
*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1984.*
*Note: Two date corrections from WN records: (1) Transit Siding/Frame D removal — your notes give 27 March 1981; WN 29–1981 gives Thursday, 23 July 1981. (2) The loop closure in 1917 was one of only a small number on the entire North Coast Line — Kendall's loop was closed for over five years (July 1917 to October 1922), a reflection of wartime staff reductions and the low traffic density on this section. Circular No. 308 of 1922 was the base diagram from 1922 to at least 1934 — 12 years; succeeded by Circular No. 370–14 of 1933 (the new loop diagram). The original station building's survival makes Kendall one of the most historically significant surviving station sites between Coopernook and Wauchope.*