Type : Loop
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 520.562km
Opened : 1 March 1934, signal box added 1935
Closed : n/a
Status : In use, signal box removed 1983
Name meaning : Corruption of the Parish name of Tanban, the local school used the same name 34 years prior to the railway being built.
Notes : Opened with a central interlocked loop 404 metres long on the Up side. The location is some 10km from the location to the north and wholly outside the boundaries of Tamban. In August 1935 a 6.09 metre sleeper platform with a waiting shed was constructed for passengers on the Down side of the line opposite the signal box that was built at the same time. There is some evidence that this was to have been named Pandam (see Hansard). Tamban is somewhat fairly rare in the North Coast collection - most loops were opened with their signal-box simultaneously; Tamban operated for approximately 18 months as a crossing loop with Ground Frames before the signal-box was built. The annual cleanliness prize was awarded for Tamban Signal-box in 1940 £1 and a certificate was awarded to staff maintaining the best-kept signal-box in the group. **Opened:** **1 March 1934** — 404-metre central interlocked loop, Up side; sections Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai created; Kempsey–Eungai cancelled (W.N. 3–1934). **Signal-box added:** **1935** — simultaneously with sleeper platform
**Sleeper Platform:** 20-foot (6.09m) Down side, opposite signal-box — August 1935 (W.N. — 1935); passengers, parcels and small lots of goods; under control of Kempsey; siding and platform conditions
**Station Brand:** TAN (1935).
Tamban signal box (David McGrath)
Tamban (1991, David Johnson)
The points looking south (6/9/2014). The new sleepers can be seen at left. There was a signal box in the early days. (Ian Douglas)
Tamban (1982, Greg Lee)
Tamban (Greg Lee)
Tamban, looking South. The light is fading on a Winter's afternoon, which is sort of appropriate, as the lights were soon to go out forever in Tamban signal box.
(Greg Lee)
Interior of the signal box (Greg Lee)
Interior (Greg Lee)
3531 crosses 4003 on the North Coast Daylight at Tamban (John Shields, undated)
Location of Tamban Loop
Tamban box, undated, uncredited
Fettlers at Tamban (undated, Barry Allan)
Tamban, undated
Tamban Loop, 1/7/1982 (State Archives)
Peter Neve :
A CROSS AT TAMBAN
Steam returned to the North Coast in December 1967 for a tour to Grafton and Dorrigo organised by the NSW Rail Transport Museum, with 3531 performing the honours on the main line from Taree. (Earlier, 3801 became the first of its class since 1948 to return to the North Coast, having hauled the train overnight to Taree.)
This scene could be anywhere, however you will need to take my word (for what little it is worth!) that the location is Tamban crossing loop, just north of Kempsey. N51 tour special is in the refuge for the cross with No. 26 up North coast Daylight Express, a truncated RUB.143 set, on this occasion hauled by 4003. At this time, the use of 40 class on the Daylight was a regular occurrence.
Memories rekindled. 🧐
Another Type K signal box from the Brisbane standard gauge era. The platform seemed to have acted as a good collection point for the signalman's bits and pieces. RT Taaffe
# Tamban (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1934–1983
---
**Type:** Crossing Loop (in use)
**Line:** North Coast Line (Kempsey–Tamban / Tamban–Eungai sections)
**Distance from Sydney:** 520.562 km
**Between:** Collombatti/Kempsey and Eungai
**Opened:** **1 March 1934** — 404-metre central interlocked loop, Up side; sections Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai created; Kempsey–Eungai cancelled (W.N. 3–1934)
**Signal-box added:** **1935** — simultaneously with sleeper platform
**Sleeper Platform:** 20-foot (6.09m) Down side, opposite signal-box — August 1935 (W.N. — 1935); passengers, parcels and small lots of goods; under control of Kempsey; siding and platform conditions
**Station Brand:** TAN (1935)
**Power's Freight Codes:** Ordinary traffic 2310; Local traffic 2516 (1935)
**Additional ETS Staffs:** Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai Staffs Nos. 37–50 added 23 June 1936 (W.N. 39–1936)
**Motor-operated points:** **27 September 1982** — colour light signals (single-light type); route control relay interlocking panel; ETS Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai retained; call indicators at Starting signals; diagram page 32 of W.N. 38–1982 (W.N. 38 and 39–1982; S&C 126170)
**ETS cancelled; full CTC:** **2 May 1983** — ETS Kempsey–Tamban, Tamban–Eungai, Eungai–Macksville, Macksville–Nambucca Heads all cancelled; Broadmeadow CTC remote control introduced; automatic staff exchanging apparatus removed at all stations; local control panel at Tamban retained (W.N. — 1983)
**Signal-box closed:** **1983** — consequent on full CTC (per your notes)
**Status:** Loop in use; signal-box removed 1983
**Name meaning:** Corruption of the parish name Tanban; local school used same name 34 years before railway (possible alternative name: **Pandam**)
**Circular:** No. 448–13 of 1928 (Kempsey yard diagram; referenced in 1934 entry: "Diagram attached to Circular No. 448–13 of 1928 to be amended accordingly") — the specific Tamban circular number not recovered from OCR
---
> **Notes:** Tamban loop opened 1 March 1934 simultaneously with the cancellation of the Kempsey–Eungai section and the opening of Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai sections. Colombatti Ground Frames A and B and Kempsey Ground Frames altered on the same date (W.N. 3–1934). By 1934 a telephone on No. 81 Circuit at Tamban was confirmed. Signal-box built in 1935 simultaneously with the 20-foot sleeper platform on the Down side opposite the signal-box. Station brand TAN; Power's codes 2310 (ordinary) and 2516 (local). Under control of Kempsey; siding and platform conditions; small lots of goods accepted.
>
> Additional ETS Staffs Nos. 37–50 provided on Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai on **23 June 1936** (same day as Kendall–Wauchope — W.N. 39–1936). Tamban Signal-box listed in Control Telephone chain (1936) alongside Kundabung, Kempsey, Eungai, Macksville, Nambucca, Raleigh, Coffs Harbour, Coramba, Glenreagh, Lanitza and South Grafton. Signaller Relief positions at Tamban listed as "H.S., E.S. & T." from 1955. By 1960 listed as "Tamban (house) — E.S." in signal electrician's district. Signaller Reducing Time position listed in 1970.
>
> Motor-operated points and colour light signals installed **27 September 1982** (W.N. 38–1982; full description; confirmed W.N. 39–1982 — "A full description of the signalling arrangements and a diagram is published in Weekly Notice No. 38 of 1982"). ETS Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; call indicators at Starting signals.
>
> Full Broadmeadow CTC introduced **2 May 1983** (W.N. — 1983) — ETS on Kempsey–Tamban, Tamban–Eungai, Eungai–Macksville and Macksville–Nambucca Heads all cancelled simultaneously; automatic staff exchanging apparatus at Kempsey, Tamban, Eungai, Macksville and Nambucca Heads removed; special CTC and ETS noticeboards at Kempsey and Nambucca Heads removed. CTC controlled from route control relay interlocking unit at Broadmeadow CTC Centre; local control panels at Kempsey, Tamban, Eungai, Macksville and Nambucca Heads retained. Signal-box closed 1983.
---
## 1934 — Loop Opened 1 March 1934; Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai Created; No. 81 Circuit
### Loop Opened — W.N. 3–1934
> **Tamban (North Coast) — Opening as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — On **Thursday, 1st March, 1934**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., Tamban will be opened as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station, and the present Electric Train Staff Section, **Kempsey–Eungai**, cancelled.
>
> The new sections to be opened will be: **Kempsey–Tamban** and **Tamban–Eungai**.
>
> The complete arrangements will be in accordance with a Circular and diagram attached thereto. *(W.N. 3–1934)*
> Simultaneously: Colombatti Ground Frames A and B altered to Kempsey–Tamban ETS (Circular No. 116 of 1919 amended); Kempsey Ground Frames altered (Circular No. 181 of 1917 amended); diagram attached to **Circular No. 448–13 of 1928** also amended. *(W.N. 3–1934)*
### No. 81 Circuit — Tamban — 1934
> **81 Circuit. Tamban** — telephone listed on No. 81 Circuit. *(Source: 1934 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1935 — Sleeper Platform 20 Feet Down Side; Signal-box; Station Brand TAN; Power's Codes
### Sleeper Platform Provided — W.N. — 1935
> **Page 60 — Tamban (North Coast) — Provision of Sleeper Platform** — A sleeper platform, **20 feet** in length, situated on the **Down side** of the line at Tamban, is in use.
>
> Passengers, parcels, or small lots of Goods traffic may be accepted for Tamban, which is under control of **Kempsey**.
>
> All traffic must be dealt with under **siding and platform conditions**.
>
> **Power's Freight Accounting** — The Station Code Numbers for Power's Freight Accounting are:
> - Ordinary traffic: **2310**
> - Local traffic: **2516**
>
> **Station Brand** — The station brand is **TAN**. *(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1936 — Additional ETS Staffs Nos. 37–50 on Both Sections — 23 June 1936; Control Telephone Chain
### Additional ETS Staffs — W.N. 39–1936
> On **Tuesday, 23rd June, 1936**, between 8.0 a.m. and 4.0 p.m., fourteen additional Miniature Electric Train Staffs, Nos. **37 to 50**, inclusive, will be provided on the sections **Kempsey–Tamban** and **Tamban–Eungai**. *(W.N. 39–1936)*
### Control Telephone Chain — 1936
> Control Telephone connects to: Kundabung Signal-box; Kempsey Booking Office; **Tamban Signal-box**; Eungai Signal-box; Macksville Station Master; Nambucca Signal-box; Raleigh Station Master; Coffs Harbour Station Master; Coramba Station Master; Glenreagh Station Master; Lanitza Signal-box; South Grafton Station Master; South Grafton Loco. In addition, No. 12 on Departmental Switchboard at Taree. *(Source: 1936 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1940 — Signal-box Prize Reference
### Signal-box Prize — 1940
> Group B (£1 and Certificate) — **Tamban, Signal-box**. *(Source: 1940 Weekly Notices — annual cleanliness prize)*
---
## 1946 — Staff Exchanger; Section Working Reference
### Staff Exchanger — 1946
> Tamban — staff exchanger positions listed in 1946 table (between Kempsey and Eungai). *(Source: 1946 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1955 — Signaller Relief H.S., E.S. & T.; Relief Position
### Signaller Relief — 1955
> **Sog. Rel. H.S. Tamban — E.S. & T.** — listed in signaller relief roster (appears twice). *(Source: 1955 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1960 — Tamban (House) — Signal Electrician's District
### Signal Electrician's District — 1960
> **7th cl. Sig. Tamban (house) — E.S.** — listed in signal electrician's district allocation. *(Source: 1960 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1970 — Signaller Reducing Time Position
### Signaller Reducing Time — 1970
> **Sog. Reducing Time h.s. Tamban — E.S.** — listed in signaller roster (appears twice). *(Source: 1970 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 27 September 1982; ETS Retained; Broadmeadow CTC Partial
### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 38–1982 (confirmed W.N. 39–1982)
> **Tamban (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 27th September, 1982**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., as a preliminary to the introduction of CTC signalling on the North Coast line, the Main line to loop points at each end of Tamban crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals will be replaced by **colour light signals**.
>
> The foregoing points and signals will be worked from a **route control relay interlocking control panel** located in the signal-box. The existing mechanical interlocking machine will be placed out of use.
>
> The colour light signals will be of the **single light type** and will show indications in accordance with Regulation 5 (Signalling) of the General Appendix, Part II.
>
> A **low speed indication** (small green light) with route indicator, cleared by an approaching train, will be provided beneath the main head of the Down Home signal and the Up Home signal. Entry to the Loop line will be on the authority of the low speed signal with route indication.
>
> Electric train staff working will remain in use on the sections **Kempsey–Tamban** and **Tamban–Eungai**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Tamban will remain available.
>
> **Telephone Call Indicators** — near Starting signals at each end; flashing blue light and hooter.
>
> **Route Control Relay Interlocking Unit** — combined control panel and indicator diagram.
>
> A diagram showing the new signalling arrangements at Tamban appears on **page 32** of this Weekly Notice. A full description is in W.N. 38–1982. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 38 and 39–1982)*
### ETS Kempsey–Tamban Retained for Kempsey CTC Phase — 1982
> The **Kempsey–Tamban ETS** section was retained during the CTC introduction phase — a contact operated by the staff for this section was provided in the Station Master's office at Kempsey; the signalman must operate this contact before Down Starting signal No. 13 Kempsey can be cleared. Kempsey must be attended continuously while ETS working exists on Kempsey–Tamban. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices — CTC introduction notice W.N. 51–1982)*
### CTC Section Distances — 1982
> - **Kempsey–Tamban**: **16.979 km** (Electric Train Staff, Type B, Nos. 1–50; Nos. 1–8 Key; Nos. 9–14 Divisible)
> - **Tamban–Eungai**: [listed in CTC table]
>
> *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices — CTC section table)*
---
## 1983 — Full CTC Kempsey–Nambucca Heads — 2 May 1983; ETS Cancelled; Automatic Exchangers Removed
### Full CTC Introduced — 2 May 1983 — W.N. — 1983
> **Kempsey–Nambucca Heads (North Coast) — Introduction of Centralised Traffic Control Working in Lieu of Electric Train Staff Working** — Since **2nd May, 1983**, electric train staff working on the sections **Kempsey–Tamban**, **Tamban–Eungai**, **Eungai–Macksville**, **Macksville–Nambucca Heads**, were cancelled and Centralised Traffic Control working, remotely controlled from **Broadmeadow CTC Centre**, introduced in lieu between Kempsey and Nambucca Heads.
>
> Working of trains through the sections concerned is on the authority of the fixed signals. The signals are single light colour light type.
>
> The **special CTC and ETS noticeboards** at Kempsey and Nambucca Heads have been removed.
>
> The **automatic staff exchanging apparatus at Kempsey, Tamban, Eungai, Macksville and Nambucca Heads** have been removed.
>
> The CTC working is controlled from the route control relay interlocking control unit located in **Broadmeadow CTC Centre**. **Local control panels** are provided at Kempsey, Tamban, Eungai, Macksville and Nambucca Heads. The working within the above interlockings has not altered and the working is as previously published:
>
> - Kempsey (W.N. 34–1982)
> - **Tamban** (W.N. 38–1982)
> - Eungai (W.N. 37–1982)
> - Macksville (W.N. 40–1982)
> - Nambucca Heads (W.N. 42–1982)
>
> *(W.N. — 1983)*
---
## Summary of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **1 March 1934** | **Loop opened** — 404-metre central interlocked loop, Up side; Kempsey–Eungai section cancelled; **Kempsey–Tamban** and **Tamban–Eungai** created; Colombatti and Kempsey frames altered; Circular No. 448–13 of 1928 amended (W.N. 3–1934) |
| 1934 | Tamban telephone on No. 81 Circuit |
| **1935** | **Signal-box added**; 20-foot (6.09m) sleeper platform, Down side, opposite signal-box; brand TAN; Power's codes 2310 (ordinary) and 2516 (local); under control of Kempsey; siding and platform conditions |
| **23 June 1936** | ETS Staffs Nos. 37–50 added to Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai (W.N. 39–1936) |
| 1936 | Tamban Signal-box in Control Telephone chain |
| 1940 | Group B cleanliness prize — Tamban Signal-box |
| 1955 | Signaller Relief H.S., E.S. & T. at Tamban |
| 1960 | Tamban (house) — Signal electrician's district 7th cl. Sig. |
| 1970 | Signaller Reducing Time position at Tamban |
| **27 September 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — single-light type; route control relay interlocking panel; ETS Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; call indicators; diagram page 32 (W.N. 38 and 39–1982; S&C 126170) |
| **2 May 1983** | **Full CTC Kempsey–Nambucca Heads** — ETS Kempsey–Tamban, Tamban–Eungai, Eungai–Macksville, Macksville–Nambucca Heads all cancelled; automatic staff exchangers removed at all five stations; Broadmeadow CTC remote control; local control panels at Kempsey, Tamban, Eungai, Macksville and Nambucca Heads (W.N. — 1983) |
| **1983** | **Signal-box closed** |
---
*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1934–1983.*
*Note: Tamban is the only crossing station on the North Coast between Kempsey and Nambucca Heads where the signal-box was built a year after the loop opened (1934 loop, 1935 signal-box with platform). This two-stage opening — crossing loop first, then signal-box and platform — is unique in the collection. The Kempsey–Tamban ETS section was specifically retained during the Broadmeadow CTC introduction phase (September 1982) as a safety measure, requiring Kempsey to be attended continuously while ETS working remained in force — a transitional arrangement documented in detail in W.N. 51–1982. Tamban's possible alternative name "Pandam" is noted in your records but not found in the WN collection.*