Type : Station
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 360.30km
Location : -31.891939, 152.311946
Opened : 4 February 1913
Closed : 29 June 1975 (station), 1983 (signal box)
Status : Loop in use
Name meaning : An Aboriginal word meaning "a scrub turkey" or "turpentine tree"
Notes : It was one of the few island platforms on the line. Killawarra opened 4 February 1913 as one of the original Dungog–Taree line stations. Station brand KLW. One of the few island platforms on the North Coast Line — 76.2 metres at opening, extended to 96.3 metres by 1961. Frame A on the platform; Frames B and C for the Goods Siding, unlocked by No. 5 Lever Frame A; Fixed Signals "All Right." Green disc required for passenger pick-up. Station Closed — W.N. 26–1975
> **Page 173 — Maitland–Queensland Border** — Delete: Berrico, Doon Ayre, Karaak Flat, **Killawarra**. *(W.N. 26–1975)*
A view from the cab of NT-36, the Up "Grafton XPT" as it passes through Killawarra crossing loop on 26-2-2005. An Up Pacific-National freight train waits at the Sydney end of the Loop. The posts visible between the pair of tracks is the site of the former signal box which was closed in August 1982. (Graeme Kirkby)
Kim Andronicus:
GRK, a number of years ago the house on the left caught fire, "they who attended" were told to let it burn. I think it occured before you retiered and the loop has been shortened to get the point on the straight.
Graeme Kirkby:
Kim Andronicus . Yes, Kim, I recall the house being burnt out. I thought it sad as the people then were homeless and I waved whenever I saw someone there. Yes, remember the points into the Loop at Sydney end, a sharp curve into the loop, the points already on a 15 chain curve. A lot of wear on the point blade.
Kim Andronicus:
Old gate keeper house maybe?
Graeme Kirkby:
Kim Andronicus . Perhaps, but I'm more inclined to think it was either a Signalman's or a Ganger's home. The 1961 North Local Appendix shows the level crossing as unattended.
Donald Bourke:
One of the few island stations on the Nth Coast
Train, NT-2, the Up "Brisbane XPT" speeds through Killawarra while NT-25, the Down "Grafton XPT" waits in the Loop, 4-48pm on Monday 21-8-2000. (Graeme Kirby)
A similar view to previous post, but from cab of NT-25, "Grafton XPT" in the Loop at Killawarra as NT-2, the Up "Brisbane XPT" approaches on its way to Sydney. 4-50pm on 15-10-2000. (Graeme Kirkby)
Location of Killawarra Station (opened 1913, closed 1975 (station), loop in use) (Google maps)
Steam in the sixties.
March 1969.
5915/5902 were working 455 goods to Taree and were put away in the loop at Killawarra to cross a following stock train.
View from NT-25, "Grafton XPT", at the Sydney end of Killawarra crossing loop with the points set for the loop. In June 2009 the points into the loop were repositioned about 80 metres further North to eliminate the sharp curve into the loop which was causing maintenance issues. The house seen in centre of photo burnt down in August 2008. (Graeme Kirkby)
NT-25, "Grafton XPT" waits in the Loop at Killawarra for NT-2, "Brisbane XPT" to pass. 13-2-1995. In November 1995, the crossing loop was extended at this Northern end to accomodate the longer freight trains now running. (Graeme Kirkby)
View from cab of NT-25, "Grafton XPT" in the Loop at Killawarra as NT-2, the Up "Brisbane XPT" spears around the curve. 13-2-1995. Fresh earthworks can be seen in preparation for extending the Loop further Northwards. The extension was opened in November 1995. (Graeme Kirkby)
North Coast Mail crossing the old Killawarra bridge 7/4/1948, new bridge under construction (State Archives)
4514 at Killawarra (undated) (Steve Bucton)
42103 Killawarra 14.2.05 (uncredited)
Killawarra 1948 (Wal Browning)
Killawarra, 9/3/1969 (John Ward)
Lex Davy, later Duff, at Killawarra train station. (Alison Johnson)
A view from cab of NT-25, "Grafton XPT" in the Loop at Killawarra as NT-2, the "Brisbane XPT" bursts on the scene, heading to Sydney. Note the white painted rails of the main line which was an experiment carried out over one or two summers in an endeavour to keep the rails a little cooler to minimise their buckling on hot summer afternoons. 4-48pm on Saturday, 17-5-2003. (Graeme Kirkby)
A view from NT-36, Up "Grafton XPT" service as it overtakes an Up Pacific National freight standing in the Loop at Killawarra. Part of the load of the freight consisted of these three suburban electric cars for the "Trans Perth" 3'6" gauge system being transported on temporary standard gauge bogies from Brisbane to Perth. Saturday, 26-2-2005. (Graeme Kirkby)
Killawarra (29/7/24) (John Taylor)
CTC Local Control Panel Killawarra with Aurizon 3MB1 on the board.
26-06-2024
Greg Riddel
A Type Q signal box that was placed, unusually, between the main and loop lines instead of beside the Main line. RT Taaffe
# Killawarra (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1913–1983
---
**Type:** Station (Closed) / Crossing Loop (1,549 metres — in use)
**Line:** North Coast Line (Kimbriki–Killawarra / Killawarra–Wingham sections)
**Distance from Sydney:** 360.30 km
**Location:** -31.891939, 152.311946
**Between:** Kimbriki and Wingham
**Opened:** 4 February 1913 (station); crossing loop — date uncertain from WN collection (by 1961 confirmed; 1934 ETS section change only)
**Station closed:** **29 June 1975** (W.N. 26–1975)
**Signal box closed:** **1983**
**Status:** Loop in use (1,549 metres)
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word meaning "a scrub turkey" or "turpentine tree"
**Station Brand:** KLW (allotted 1913)
**Platform:** 76.2-metre island platform at opening; extended to 96.3 metres by 1961; timber building with ladies and general waiting rooms and store
**Note:** One of few island platforms on the North Coast Line
**ETS section (from 1934):** Kimbriki–Killawarra and Killawarra–Wingham (Frames A and B released by Kimbriki–Wingham staff — W.N. 5–1934)
**Motor-operated points:** **19 June 1982** (W.N. 25–1982; full description in W.N. 24–1982)
**ETS sections at 1982:** Kimbriki–Killawarra and Killawarra–Wingham
**Circular:** No. 13 of 1913 (referenced in W.N. 5–1934 amendment)
---
> **Notes:** Killawarra opened 4 February 1913 as one of the original Dungog–Taree line stations. Station brand KLW. One of the few island platforms on the North Coast Line — 76.2 metres at opening, extended to 96.3 metres by 1961. Frame A on the platform; Frames B and C for the Goods Siding, unlocked by No. 5 Lever Frame A; Fixed Signals "All Right." Green disc required for passenger pick-up.
>
> On 30 January 1934, Frames A and B were altered to be unlocked by the Miniature ETS for the section **Kimbriki–Wingham** (W.N. 5–1934) — the same day as the Kimbriki loop opened, simultaneously with Charity Creek and Karaak Flat. Circular No. 13 of 1913 amended. Staff exchanger positions (1946): Down Line — 70 feet on Sydney side of Signal-box; Up Line — 60 feet on Sydney side of Signal-box.
>
> Hours of attendance (1975): 12.1 a.m. to 7.0 a.m.; 11.0 p.m. to midnight. Station closed 29 June 1975 alongside Berrico, Doon Ayre, Karaak Flat. Motor-operated points and colour light signals installed **19 June 1982** (W.N. 25–1982) — full signalling description in W.N. 24–1982. ETS Kimbriki–Killawarra and Killawarra–Wingham retained; automatic staff exchangers remain. Signal box closed 1983.
---
## 1913 — Opened; Station Brand KLW; Frame A on Platform; Goods Shunting
### Station Brand — KLW — 1913
> **Killawarra — KLW** — station distinguishing brand allotted. *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*
### Working Instructions — 1913
> All consignments for Somerset, Charity Creek, Karaak Flat, **Killawarra**, Kolodong and State Lime Works Siding prepaid under platform conditions. Passengers exhibit green disc by day; light lamp at night. *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*
### Frame A on Platform — 1913
> **Frame "A"** situated on the Platform at Stratford, Bundook, Somerset, Charity Creek, Karaak Flat and **Killawarra**. Frame "A" secured by Guard's lock on No. 4 Lever. Frames "B" and "C" for Goods Siding, unlocked by No. 5 Lever Frame "A." *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*
### Goods Shunting Times — 1913
> Charity Creek, 5; Karaak Flat, 10; **Killawarra, 5**; Kolodong, 5. *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1924 — Unattended; 7 Minutes Goods Shunting
> **Killawarra\*** — listed as unattended. No. 142 Goods: **Killawarra, 7 minutes**; Karaak Flat, 10; Charity Creek, 7. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1930 — 3 Minutes Goods Train
> No. 149: 3 minutes Charity Creek, 4 minutes Karaak Flat, **3 minutes Killawarra**, 1 minute Kolodong. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1934 — Frames A and B Released by Kimbriki–Wingham Staff — 30 January 1934
### Altered Releasing — W.N. 5–1934
> **Killawarra (North Coast) — Altered Releasing of Ground Frames** — On and from **Tuesday, 30th January, 1934**, No. 1 lever in Frames "A" and "B" will be unlocked by key on the Miniature Electric Train Staff for the section **Kimbriki–Wingham**.
>
> **Circular No. 13 of 1913** to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 5–1934)*
> **Note:** Killawarra is on the Wingham side of Kimbriki (as is Karaak Flat), confirmed by both being assigned to the Kimbriki–Wingham section staff. The Circular No. 13 of 1913 covered all the original Dungog–Taree unattended stations from 1913 to 1934.
---
## 1934 — District Reference — Paterson to Killawarra Inclusive
### District Boundary — 1934
> **Gloucester** — "Paterson to Killawarra, inclusive" — listed as Signal Electrician's district boundary. *(Source: 1934 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1946 — Staff Exchanger Positions; Exchanger on Both Down and Up
### Staff Exchanger Positions — 1946
> **Down Line — Killawarra**: **70 feet on Sydney side of Signal-box**.
> **Up Line — Killawarra**: **60 feet on Sydney side of Signal-box**. *(Source: 1946 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1961 — Platform Extended to 96.3 Metres; Killawarra–Wingham Section Reference
### Platform Extended — by 1961
> **Killawarra** — platform extended to **96.3 metres** (316 feet) by 1961. *(Source: your notes — specific WN notice not found in OCR)*
### Section Reference — 1961
> **Kimbriki–Killawarra** section referenced in staff grades listings. *(Source: 1961 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1975 — Station Closed — 29 June 1975; Hours of Attendance
### Hours of Attendance — 1975
> **Killawarra** — **12.1 a.m. to 7.0 a.m.; 11.0 p.m. to 12 midnight**. *(Source: 1975 Weekly Notices)*
### Station Closed — W.N. 26–1975
> **Page 173 — Maitland–Queensland Border** — Delete: Berrico, Doon Ayre, Karaak Flat, **Killawarra**. *(W.N. 26–1975)*
### Rate Book Code Deleted — W.N. 27–1975
> Rate book code **199** — **Killawarra** — deleted. *(W.N. 27–1975)*
---
## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 19 June 1982; ETS Sections Retained
### Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — W.N. 25–1982
> **Killawarra (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Saturday, 19th June, 1982**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., as a preliminary to the introduction of centralised traffic control signalling on the North Coast line, the Main line to loop points at each end of Killawarra crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals replaced by **colour light signals**.
>
> A **full description of the signalling arrangements and a diagram** is published in **Weekly Notice No. 24 of 1982**. *(W.N. 25–1982)*
### ETS Sections Retained — 1982
> Electric Train Staff working remains in use on sections **Kimbriki–Killawarra** and **Killawarra–Wingham**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Killawarra remains available. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices — Kimbriki and Killawarra entries)*
---
## 1983 — Signal Box Closed; Section Timetable References
### Signal Box Closed — 1983
> Signal box at Killawarra closed **1983** following CTC conversion. *(Source: your notes)*
### Section Running Times — 1983
> - **Kimbriki–Killawarra** and **Killawarra–Wingham** listed in running time tables. *(Source: 1983 Weekly Notices)*
---
## Summary of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **4 February 1913** | **Opened** — 76.2-metre island platform; timber building (ladies and general waiting rooms, store); station brand KLW; Frame A on platform; Frames B and C (Goods Siding); Fixed Signals "All Right"; green disc required; 5 minutes goods shunting |
| 1924 | Listed as unattended (\*); 7 minutes goods shunting |
| **30 January 1934** | **Frames A and B released by Kimbriki–Wingham Miniature ETS**; Circular No. 13 of 1913 amended (W.N. 5–1934) |
| 1946 | Staff exchanger: Down — 70 feet Sydney side of Signal-box; Up — 60 feet Sydney side of Signal-box |
| By 1961 | Platform extended from 76.2 metres to **96.3 metres**; Kimbriki–Killawarra section listed |
| 1975 | Hours: 12.1 a.m.–7.0 a.m.; 11.0 p.m.–midnight |
| **29 June 1975** | **Station closed** — deleted from Maitland–Queensland Border publications; rate code 199 deleted (W.N. 26 and 27–1975) |
| **19 June 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — full description in W.N. 24–1982; ETS Kimbriki–Killawarra and Killawarra–Wingham retained; automatic staff exchangers remain (W.N. 25–1982) |
| **1983** | **Signal box closed** |
| Current | 1,549-metre crossing loop in use |
---
*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1913–1983.*
*Note: Killawarra is one of the few island platforms on the North Coast Line — unusual for what was otherwise an unattended rural stop. The platform extension (from 76.2m to 96.3m by 1961) suggests increasing train lengths required more platform capacity even as the station's commercial importance was declining. The CTC conversion on 19 June 1982 (a Saturday) is one of the few Saturday conversions in the programme — most other stations were converted on Monday–Wednesday.*