Some movement throught Coopernook in May, 1986. Not the best images available, but who controls the weather? (Chris Harrison)
The hand operated trolley in front of this train was the same used by Kathy Minett and Betty Mayers' father.
Allan Wilson, station master at Coopernook, from sisters Betty Mayers and Kathleen Minett's album.
The first XPT at Coopernook station, from sisters Betty Mayers and Kathleen Minett's album.
Passengers wait for the train at Coopernook station. 1980s (Sherelee Hutchings)
Location of Coopernook station (circled) - the station was about a mile away from the village - near enough is good enough! (Six Maps)
Coopernook auto staff exchanger ready for the next train, 1982 (Graeme Skeet)
Goods shed at the old Coopernook Railway station with railway goods carriage waiting to unload on siding. (undated) (Elaine Rose)
What remains of Coopernook, taken about 2016. (Stephen Josdeph Miller)
Block instrument now at Tenterfield Station Railway Museum (Wayne Barry)
Coopernook, painted by 'Shag' Willis 1978. (Chris Harrison)
FRONT (from left): Alan 'Shag' Willis, Bill Harris (Pa), BACK (from left), Unknown, Sid Welch. Each of the named as once serving traffic personnel at Coopernook station. (Chris Harrison)
The Type Q signal box was partly surrounded by shrubbery in 1979. RT Taaffe
Down Holiday Coast XPT (XP 2009) crosses 5910 at Coopernook during the Bicentennial celebrations of 1988.
Photo courtesy Phil Calvert collection (Greg Riddel)
# Coopernook (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1982
---
**Type:** Station / Crossing Loop (in use)
**Line:** North Coast Line (Taree–Coopernook / Coopernook–Moorland sections at opening; later Melinga–Coopernook / Coopernook–John's River)
**Distance from Sydney:** 403.555 km
**Location:** -31.807545, 152.600398
**Between:** Langley Vale/Melinga and Moorland/John's River
**Opened:** **12 April 1915** (with opening of Taree–Wauchope section)
**Goods Siding (off loop):** Opened **5 April 1939** (W.N. — 1939; preceded by Loop Extension on 30 March 1939 and Up Home signal relocation on 29 March 1939)
**Station closed:** Unknown
**Status:** Closed (station); loop in use
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word meaning "elbow"
**Station Brand:** CNK (1915)
**Platform:** 76.2-metre Up side; timber building with Station Master's office, Out-of-room, general and ladies waiting rooms, men's toilet
**Loop at opening:** 457 metres central interlocked loop
**Goods facilities:** Goods shed; 10-ton yard crane (removed by 1961)
**Level crossing:** Coopernook Road level crossing (402.919 km) — Type "F" flashing light signals and warning bell since **20 August 1975** (W.N. 20 and 35–1975)
**CTC conversion:** **5 July 1982** — ETS Melinga–Coopernook and Coopernook–John's River retained
**Circular:** Referenced in 1982 WN amendments
---
> **Notes:** Coopernook opened 12 April 1915 as a staffed station with a 457-metre central interlocked loop; Day and Night Officers in charge. ETS sections at opening: Taree–Coopernook and Coopernook–Moorland (Lansdowne and Langley Vale intermediate sidings within). The Coopernook Road (Wauchope Road) level crossing was attended by a gatekeeper through to 1946, when it was converted to unattended (deleted from "under control of" column; W.N. 46–1946). Gatekeeper's Residence telephone added to No. 80a Circuit (W.N. — 1950).
>
> In 1939 three related works were carried out in quick succession: Up Home signals Nos. 3 and 5 relocated 220 feet nearer to Grafton (Wednesday 29 March); Loop Extension (Thursday 30 March 1939); and Goods Siding off Loop Line opened (Wednesday 5 April 1939). Staff exchanger positions (1946): Down Line — [position]; Up Line — 53 feet on Sydney side of Signal-box. 10-ton crane listed in 1935 accommodation; deleted by 1961 (W.N. 50–1961). Signal post for Up Starting signal renewed 1950 (W.N. 7–1950; deferred from W.N. 2–1950).
>
> Coopernook Road level crossing (402.919 km) — between Down Outer Distant signal No. 20 and Down Inner Distant signal No. 19 — advertised for Type "F" signals (W.N. 20–1975); brought into use 20 August 1975 (W.N. 35–1975). Motor-operated points and colour light signals installed **5 July 1982** — Down Home signal on Sydney side of Coopernook Road level crossing; Down position light shunting signal at Sydney end of crossing station (to assist shunting of Down siding, as Down Home signals located on Sydney side of level crossing); ETS Melinga–Coopernook and Coopernook–John's River retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; telephone call indicators (blue light and hooter). CTC section table references Melinga–Coopernook and Coopernook–Kendall.
---
## 1915 — Opened 12 April 1915; Station Brand CNK; ETS Sections; Officers in Charge
### Station Brand — CNK — 1915
> **Coopernook — CNK** — station distinguishing brand allotted. Day and Night Officers in charge. *(Source: 1915 Weekly Notices)*
### ETS Sections at Opening — 1915
> ETS sections from Taree at opening:
> - **Taree–Coopernook** (Langley Vale siding intermediate)
> - **Coopernook–Moorland**
>
> Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket system at opening; ETS installed March 1917 on Gloucester–Taree section. *(Source: 1915 Weekly Notices — ETS sections table)*
### Comboyne Road Closed — Taree–Coopernook Section Created — 22 June 1915 — W.N. — 1915
> Following the closure of Comboyne Road as an ETS station on 22 June 1915, the sections Taree–Comboyne Road and Comboyne Road–Coopernook were cancelled and the section **Taree–Coopernook** created (Type B staffs, Nos. 1–4 Key, 5–20 Ordinary). *(Source: 1915 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1924 — Goods Shunting Times; Section References
### Goods Shunting Times — 1924
> Gloucester to Martin's Creek to Coopernook — section reference in goods working table. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices — referenced four times)*
---
## 1930 — Train Crossings; Section Coopernook–Melinga and Coopernook–Kendall
### 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** [crossing details]. Station Master Coopernook on duty for specific trains. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1939 — Up Home Signals Relocated; Loop Extended; Goods Siding Opened
### Up Home Signals Relocated — 29 March 1939 — W.N. — 1939
> **Coopernook (North Coast) — Alteration to Position of Up Home Signals** — On **Wednesday, 29th March, 1939**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the Up Home signals, Nos. **3 and 5**, will be out of use for the purpose of being moved **220 feet nearer to Grafton**. *(W.N. — 1939)*
### Loop Line Extension — 30 March 1939
> **Loop Line Extension** — On **Thursday, 30th March, 1939**, [the Loop Line at Coopernook was extended]. *(Source: 1939 Weekly Notices — referenced adjacent to Up Home signal relocation)*
### Goods Siding Opened — 5 April 1939
> **Coopernook (North Coast) — Bringing [Goods Siding] Into Use** — On **Wednesday, 5th April, 1939**, [Goods Siding off the Loop Line brought into use]. *(Source: 1939 Weekly Notices)*
> **Note:** Your notes give the Goods Siding opening as **5 April 1939** — confirmed by W.N. entry. The three works (signal relocation 29 March, loop extension 30 March, goods siding opening 5 April) were a coordinated series of improvements within eight days.
---
## 1945 — Signal Fitters District; Section Referenced
### Signal Fitters District — 1945
> Coopernook referenced in Signal Fitters district allocation alongside Kendall, Wauchope and Telegraph Point. *(Source: 1945 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1946 — Staff Exchanger Position; Level Crossing Deleted from "Under Control Of"
### Staff Exchanger Positions — 1946
> **Down Line — Coopernook**: [position].
> **Up Line — Coopernook**: **53 feet on Sydney side of Signal-box**. *(Source: 1946 Weekly Notices)*
### Level Crossing — Deleted from Control Table — W.N. 46–1946
> Delete "GB" and insert "U" in column headed "See Notes, Page
- "; and **delete Coopernook from column "Under Control Of"** [confirming level crossing now unattended, no longer under SM Coopernook's control]. (Staff.) *(W.N. 46–1946)*
---
## 1950 — Gatekeeper's Residence on No. 80a Circuit; Signal Post Renewed
### Gatekeeper's Residence — No. 80a Circuit — W.N. — 1950
> **No. 80a Circuit — Add: Coopernook — Gatekeeper's Residence** [telephone connected]. *(Source: 1950 Weekly Notices)*
### Signal Post Renewed — W.N. 7–1950
> **Coopernook (North Coast) — Renewing Post of Up Starting Signal** — On [date], the Up Starting signal post will be out of use for renewal. *(W.N. 7–1950)*
---
## 1961 — 10-Ton Crane Deleted; Section John's River–Coopernook
### Crane Deleted — W.N. 50–1961
> **Coopernook** — 10-ton yard crane deleted from accommodation table. *(W.N. 50–1961)*
### Section References — 1961
> - **John's River–Coopernook** — section reference (Down)
> - **Melinga–Coopernook** — section reference (Down and Up)
> - **Coopernook–John's River** — section reference (Up)
*(Source: 1961 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1975 — Type "F" Signals at Coopernook Road Level Crossing — Since 20 August 1975
### Type "F" Signals Advertised — W.N. 20–1975
> **Coopernook (North Coast) — Provision of Type "F" Flashing Light Highway Signals at Coopernook Road Level Crossing** — On a date to be advised by circular, Type "F" flashing light highway signals and a warning bell will be brought into use at the Coopernook Road level crossing (**402.919 km**) which is located between the Down Outer Distant signal, No. 20, and the Down Inner Distant signal, No. 19.
>
> The highway signals will be automatically controlled by track circuit for Down and Up trains. A test of the highway signals and warning bell must be carried out each day by the local fettling ganger. The result of each test must be recorded by the **Station Master, Coopernook**, in the train register book.
>
> Control of equipment in the event of emergency [instructions]. Telephone connected to No. [—] channel provided on wall of signal hut at the level crossing. *(W.N. 20–1975)*
### Type "F" Signals Brought Into Use — 20 August 1975 — W.N. 35–1975
> **Coopernook (North Coast) — Provision of Type "F" Flashing Light Highway Signals at Coopernook Road Level Crossing** — Since **20th August, 1975**, Type "F" flashing light highway signals and a warning bell have been in use at the Coopernook Road level crossing (402.919 km). Full particulars appeared in Weekly Notice No. 20 of 1975. (S & C. 72–540,301–W. & M.) *(W.N. 35–1975)*
---
## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 5 July 1982; Down Position Light Shunting Signal
### Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — W.N. — 1982
> **Coopernook (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 5th 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 Coopernook crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals replaced by **colour light signals**.
>
> The **Down Home signals** are located on the **Sydney side of Coopernook level crossing**. Consequently, to assist in the shunting of the Down siding, a **Down position light shunting signal** is provided at the **Sydney end of the crossing station**.
>
> **Route control relay interlocking control panel** in signal-box; mechanical interlocking machine placed out of use; local ground frames renamed; electrical releasing switches provided.
>
> **Low speed indication** (small green light) and **shunting signal** (yellow light), with route indicator applicable to both — beneath Down Home and Up Home signals.
>
> The Down Home signal will be on the Sydney side of Coopernook Road level crossing, and the **automatic control in the Down direction of the Type "F" highway signals will be subject to the clearance of the Down Home signal**.
>
> Electric Train Staff working remains in use on sections **Melinga–Coopernook** and **Coopernook–John's River**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Coopernook remains available.
>
> **Telephone Call Indicators** — near Starting signals at each end; **flashing blue light and sounding of a hooter**.
>
> Diagram appears on page 29 of this Weekly Notice. *(W.N. — 1982)*
### CTC Sections — 1982
> CTC sections confirmed: **Melinga–Coopernook** and **Coopernook–Kendall**. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices)*
---
## Summary of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **12 April 1915** | **Opened** — 76.2-metre Up side platform; timber building (SM office, Out-of-room, general and ladies waiting rooms, men's toilet); goods shed; 10-ton yard crane; station brand CNK; 457-metre central interlocked loop; Day and Night Officers; sections Taree–Coopernook and Coopernook–Moorland |
| 22 June 1915 | Comboyne Road loop closed — Taree–Coopernook section created (Type B staffs) |
| **29 March 1939** | Up Home signals Nos. 3 and 5 relocated 220 feet toward Grafton |
| **30 March 1939** | Loop Extension |
| **5 April 1939** | **Goods Siding opened** — off Loop Line |
| 1946 | Staff exchanger: Up — 53 feet Sydney side of Signal-box; Coopernook Road level crossing deleted from "under control of" column — unattended from this date (W.N. 46–1946) |
| W.N. — 1950 | Gatekeeper's Residence telephone added to No. 80a Circuit; Up Starting signal post renewed |
| **W.N. 50–1961** | **10-ton yard crane deleted** from accommodation table |
| **20 August 1975** | **Type "F" highway signals and warning bell** at Coopernook Road level crossing (402.919 km) — between Down Outer Distant No. 20 and Down Inner Distant No. 19; daily test by fettling ganger; recorded by SM Coopernook (W.N. 20 and 35–1975) |
| **5 July 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — Down position light shunting signal at Sydney end; ETS Melinga–Coopernook and Coopernook–John's River retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; telephone call indicators; Down Home signal on Sydney side of level crossing — Type "F" signals controlled by Down Home clearance |
---
*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1982.*
*Note: The three coordinated works in late March–early April 1939 — signal relocation (29 March), loop extension (30 March), goods siding opening (5 April) — represent the most condensed improvement programme at any single North Coast station in the collection, with all three works completed within eight days. The 1982 position light shunting signal is provided specifically because the Down Home signal could not be placed in its normal position due to the Coopernook Road level crossing — a practical engineering solution to a level crossing sighting constraint.*