Original Eungai station 1926 - 1992 before being bulldozed & replaced with a glorified bus stop. I'd love to see other photos of the original station in its heyday. And 2 poems written by bored flagmen in the city end cabin c1993.
(Mark Pukso)
Matey Jones has sent in these insights to her family life in the 1940s.
"Bills first abode in 1947 progress to a tent and tin Kitchen. Bill built the shower we used to get hot water from the Engines when it was crossover time or loading from the sawmill. Ray Hadleys Grandfather was the butcher there. 4 timber mills loaded there. Lot of farm produce and bananas and beautiful fish on 6 o'clock Mail for markets next day at Darling Harbour. Just researching face book and came across them!
I watched the Rail program on Strathfield line repairs last night. Men and machines!! Looking forward to next Sunday night!"
44229 North Coast Daylight Express 9-4-83 Eungai, Garry Holt
4402 on 279 at Eungai 9-4-83, Garry Holt
44227 on 277 Eungai 9-4-83, Garry Holt
4481 on 281N at Eungai 9-4-83 (Garry Holt)
Type : Station
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 534.556km
Location : -30.849816, 152.899988
Opened : 1 July 1919
Closed : n/a
Status : In use
Name meaning : An Aboriginal word meaning "noisy creek"
Notes : Opened with an interlocked loop, construction name was Eunkya. The original upside platform was 121.92 metres in legth and this was later reduced to 55 metres, a further reduction occurred with the construction of the rather spartan station that now exists. The original station building contained general and ladies waiting rooms, SM's office and an out-of room. 22/11/1924 - log loading gallows installed. 20/8/1935 - 396 metyre central operatedc loop laid in. Four mill sidings were associated with the site; the timber siding, Viggers, Jeffrey & Smith and Eungai Sawmills; these were in place variously between 1919 and 1972. Eungai has a 1535 crossing loop and a 220 metre dead end siding facing the Down side of the loop.
Site of Eungai Station during construction in 1916 (it opened in 1919) - the station still exists as a truncated concrete platform. (SLNSW)
Cutting and embankment at Eungai, 18/3/1916
Eungai Rail, 1949 (Alison Elliott)
Down North Coast Mail at Eungai, 1948 (SRA)
Location of Eungai Rail (Six Maps)
Eungai (undated) (SLNSW)
Eungai Rail (1962, Alison Elliott)
The lever frame at Eungai. (Greg Lee)
The staff instruments... The Macksville instrument has some keyed staffs (Greg Lee)
Eungai, 1992 (David Johnson)
Eungai. 24th Dec 1979 (Ken Date)
Eungai, 1950s
Eungai Rail 1981 - Diesel Locomotive Shunting and Loading Timber Girders on Rail Trucks (My Dad, James Minett Photos), my Grandfather Raymond (Pat) Minett worked on the Railway as a linesman between Kempsey and Macksville and lived in Eungai Rail. (Angela Saunders)
Ken Date:
Hard to believe that a location as small as Eungai was still loading lineside freight (only) 40 years ago. But, that was typical of the North Coast line, where many locations that now seem insignificant generated all sorts of traffic.
Ken Black:
I worked in eungai in the eights
Geoff Moulds:
Sam Moulds, Plant Operator, Took Me To Work With Him Up There A Couple Of Times..Early 80's..
Ken Black:
Geoff Moulds Sam was a good mate of mine for many years
Ray Geraghty:
Eungai as can be seen was very busy.
Ray Geraghty:
The good old days
Kurt Engelhardt:
Used to order 2 NLKY vans every week to load fruit for Flemington. Honeysuckle fruit was loaded from the platform onto vans attached to the train twice a week.
My Grandmother Margaret Minett at the Eungai Rail Railway Station 1982 (James Minett photo) (Angela Saunders)
Eungai, early 80s
Eungai station sign (Craig Botton)
Eungai (modern) station (Paul Dalton)
Down North Coast Mail at Eungai, 1948 (SRA)
Eungai Rail - Rail Locomotive with Yarrahappani Mountain in the Background (James Minett Photo) 1982
Eungai... 24th Dec 1979
Pic shared with kind permission of owner Ken Date
4301 at Eungai (undated) (Records NSW)
Eungai, 19/1/2000
Eungai, undated (1940s?) (Records NSW)
9-4-1983 at eungai 4481 on 281n with the staff (Garry Holt)
Eungai (6/8/24) (Lance Lyon)
late running (empty) NT32 departs Eungai (6/8/24) (Lance Lyon)
NT32 in the loop at Eungai (6/8/24) (Lance Lyon)
NT32 enters the loop at Eungai, NT33 at the station (6/8/24) (Lance Lyon)
NT33 at Eungai (6/8/24) (Lance Lyon)
Eungai Station looking in the up direction in the right distance across from the white 534.500km marker can be seen an old LCL TNT 🧨 container that was used as a impromptu office for the BGF when bananas 🍌 were loaded from this location (my late father used to load them here as his parents grew bananas at Yarrahapinni)
Circa early 90's (Greg Riddel)
Eungai Station looking in the down direction to the left can be seen 2 x NOBX open wagons to be loaded with sleepers for Boradze Taree which are piled up in the yard.
Circa early 90's (Greg Riddel)
442 45 442 on a down freight passes the under construction (bus type shelter) new station with the old timber platform still intact at Eungai, this is a time when passenger services where being reduced but massive amounts of money 💰 was being spent on station upgrades-Go figure ?
The impromptu BGF office can be seen to the right of the loop starting signal (an old LCL TNT container) & the house to the right is still standing and out of view in the right foreground are stockpiles of timber sleepers ready to be sent by rail to Boradze Taree via the siding mid foreground.
12-6-93
Photo John Barrett
Greg Riddel
7WB3 with NR56 (SEATRAIN) & NR107 stands at Eungai no 3 signal.
28-11-99 (Greg Riddel)
A standard Type F signal box separated some distance along the platform from the station building. It is not known what the purpose of the vent was above the door. RT Taaffe
# Eungai (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1919–1983
---
**Type:** Station (in use) / Crossing Loop (1,535 metres — in use; 220-metre dead-end siding Down side)
**Line:** North Coast Line (Tamban–Eungai / Eungai–Macksville sections)
**Distance from Sydney:** 534.556 km (Mileage 332m approximately)
**Location:** -30.849816, 152.899988
**Construction name:** Eunkya
**Opened:** **1 July 1919** (with opening of Kempsey–Macksville extension; Circular No. 116 of 1919)
**Status:** In use
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word meaning "noisy creek"
**Platform (original):** 121.92-metre Up side; later reduced to 55 metres; further reduced with current spartan station building
**Station building (original):** General and ladies waiting rooms, SM's office, out-of-room
**Log loading gallows:** Installed **22 November 1924** (per your notes)
**Signal renumbering:** **19 March 1935** — Down Home No. 7 → No. 19; Down Distant No. 8 → No. 20; releasing of Frames B, C and D altered; Frame B and C by duplex lock No. 10 lever; Frame D by Annett lock No. 11 lever (W.N. 14–1935)
**Eungai–Macksville large→miniature ETS:** **9 May 1935** — Type R; Nos. 1–8 key, 9–45 ordinary; Circulars 116/1919 and 495–25/1934 amended (W.N. 1–1935)
**New 396-metre loop:** **20 August 1935** — Home and Starting signals, Main to Loop and Main; indicator "U" on Main Starting signals (Nos. 8 and 13 levers) for unattended working; Circular No. 381–39 of 1935 (W.N. — 1935)
**ETS sections (1919):** Kempsey–Eungai and Eungai–Macksville (automatic ETS working Kempsey to Eungai continuously; ordinary working Eungai to Macksville during hours of duty)
**ETS sections (from 1 March 1934):** Tamban–Eungai and Eungai–Macksville
**Additional ETS Staffs:** Tamban–Eungai Staffs Nos. 37–50 added 23 June 1936 (W.N. 39–1936)
**Motor-operated points:** **5 October 1982** — single-light colour light signals; low speed and shunting signals beneath Home signals; route control relay interlocking panel; ETS Tamban–Eungai and Eungai–Macksville retained; call indicators; diagram page 17 of W.N. 37–1982 (W.N. 37 and 40–1982; S&C 126170)
**Full CTC:** **2 May 1983** — ETS Tamban–Eungai and Eungai–Macksville cancelled; Broadmeadow CTC; automatic staff exchangers removed; local control panel retained (W.N. — 1983)
**Staff withdrawn:** **14 August 1983** — (P) inserted after Eungai; wagon loads only; controlling station to be confirmed (W.N. 32–1983)
**Circular:** No. 116 of 1919 (Kempsey to Macksville base; amended 1934, 1935, 1972, 1974); No. 381–39 of 1935 (Eungai loop; referenced to 1972)
### Mill Sidings
| Siding | Mileage | Notes |
|--------|---------|-------|
| Timber Siding | — | Pre-1935 arrangements; in place variously 1919–1972 |
| Viggers Siding | — | Mill siding; specific dates not found in OCR |
| Jeffrey & Smith Siding | — | Mill siding; specific dates not found in OCR |
| Ellis' Siding (Eungai Sawmill Siding) | Mileage 332m 31c, Brisbane side of Eungai | Abolished **11 July 1972** — Main line points removed; Frame B and interlocking removed; 72-foot vehicle clearance restriction removed; shunting charge 85c/wagon; Circular No. 381–39 of 1935 amended (W.N. 35–1972; ref. S.&T.E.–71–560,705) |
---
> **Notes:** Eungai opened 1 July 1919 with the Kempsey–Macksville extension (construction name Eunkya). Platform 121.92 metres Up side; general and ladies waiting rooms, SM's office, out-of-room. Automatic ETS working from Kempsey to Eungai continuously; ordinary working Eungai–Macksville during hours of duty (Macksville hours: Mon–Sat 9.0 a.m.–12.30 p.m., 2.0 p.m.–6.30 p.m.; Sundays off duty). Four mill sidings associated with the site — Timber Siding, Viggers, Jeffrey & Smith, and Eungai Sawmill (Ellis') — variously in place between 1919 and 1972.
>
> Log loading gallows installed 22 November 1924. Signal renumbering 19 March 1935 (W.N. 14–1935); large→miniature ETS Eungai–Macksville 9 May 1935 (Type R, 1–8 key, 9–45 ordinary; Circulars 116/1919 and 495–25/1934 amended; W.N. 1–1935). New 396-metre loop 20 August 1935 — Home and Starting signals, "U" indicators on Main Starting signals (Nos. 8 and 13) for unattended working; Circular No. 381–39 of 1935 issued. Eungai–Macksville working when Signal-box unattended: signalling arrangements permit trains to work through without clearing Main Starting signals; Officer/Guard pulls Nos. 8 and 13 levers before going off duty. Additional ETS Staffs Nos. 37–50 on Tamban–Eungai 23 June 1936.
>
> Ellis' Siding (Eungai Sawmill Siding) at 332m 31c abolished 11 July 1972 — points removed, Frame B removed, 72-foot vehicle clearance restriction removed; Circular No. 381–39 amended (W.N. 35–1972). Down Starting signal post renewed 27 September 1960 (deferred from 19 July — W.N. 29 and 39–1960). Motor-operated points 5 October 1982 (W.N. 37 and 40–1982). Full CTC 2 May 1983 (W.N. — 1983). Staff withdrawn 14 August 1983 (W.N. 32–1983); classification changed from (R) to (P).
---
## 1919 — Opened 1 July 1919; Automatic ETS Working; Hours of Duty; Sections
### Opening — Circular No. 116 of 1919
> **Opening of Line from Kempsey to Macksville** — 1 July 1919. Sections: **Kempsey–Eungai** and **Eungai–Macksville**. *(Source: 1919 Weekly Notices — Circular No. 116 of 1919)*
### Automatic ETS Working — 1919
> **Automatic Electric Staff working** will be in force for Up trains Eungai to Kempsey during the hours the Officer in Charge is not on duty, and Ordinary working when he is on duty. **Automatic working** will be in force continuously for Down and Up trains from Kempsey and Macksville respectively to Eungai. Ordinary working for Down trains Eungai to Macksville during hours of duty of Officer in Charge; Automatic when Officer not on duty.
>
> During the hours no Officer is on duty at Eungai and Macksville, the Electric Staff instruments will be worked by Guards of trains and Drivers of Light Engines (unaccompanied by Traffic employees); Fixed Signals by Guards and Firemen in accordance with General Appendix pages 265–270. *(Source: 1919 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1920 — Overbridge at 221.52; Ganger's Residence on Circuit
### Ganger's Residence — 1920
> **Eungai, Ganger's Residence** — listed on telephone circuit. *(Source: 1920 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1924 — Log Loading Gallows Installed — 22 November 1924
### Log Gallows — 1924
> **Log loading gallows installed at Eungai — 22 November 1924.**
---
## 1935 — Signal Renumbering — 19 March 1935; Eungai–Macksville Miniature ETS — 9 May 1935; New Loop — 20 August 1935; Unattended Working Instructions
### Signal Renumbering — W.N. 14–1935
> **Eungai (North Coast) — Altered Numbering of Signals and Releasing of Ground Frames** — On **Tuesday, 19th March, 1935**, the following alterations were carried out:
>
> 1. The Down Home and Distant signals (Nos. 7 and 8) were re-numbered **"19"** and **"20"** respectively.
>
> 2. The releasing of **Frames "B," "C" and "D"** was altered: Frames "B" and "C" are now unlocked by either key from the **duplex lock on No. 10 lever** in the Signal-box; and Frame "D" by key from the **Annett lock on No. 11 lever** in the Signal-box. *(W.N. 14–1935)*
### Eungai–Macksville Large to Miniature ETS — W.N. 1–1935
> **Eungai–Macksville (North Coast) — Replacing Staffs and Instruments of the Large Type by those of Miniature Type** — On **Thursday, 9th May, 1935**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the large type staffs and instruments for the section **Eungai–Macksville** will be replaced by those of the miniature type.
>
> The particulars of the new staffs will be: Type **"R"**; Nos. **1 to 8, key; 9 to 45, ordinary**.
>
> **Circulars Nos. 116 of 1919** and **495–25 of 1934** are to be amended accordingly. (S.&E., G. 33–349.) *(W.N. 1–1935)*
### New Loop — 20 August 1935 — W.N. — 1935; Circular No. 381–39; Unattended Working
### Loop Signals into Use — 20 August 1935
> **Eungai (North Coast) — Bringing Home and Starting Signals Into Use, and Controlling Loop Points from Signal-box** — On **Tuesday, 20th August, 1935**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the Down and Up Home signals, Main to Loop, and Down and Up Starting signals, Main and Loop, will be brought into use.
>
> The main alterations to be carried out:
> 1. Connecting points at each end of Loop to Signal-box
> 2. Provision of indicators on Main line Starting signals to show when Signal-box is unattended
> 3. Alteration to position and naming of Ground Frames
>
> The complete arrangements are in accordance with a Circular and diagram — **Circular No. 381–39 of 1935** issued. *(W.N. — 1935)*
### Unattended Working — W.N. — 1935
> **Page 266 — Eungai — Working When Signal-box is Unattended** — The signalling arrangements permit of trains being worked through when the Signal-box is unattended without clearing the Main line Starting signals. To enable Drivers to determine whether the Signal-box is attended or unattended, an indicator worked by **No. 6 lever** is provided on the post of each Main line Starting signal, immediately below the arm. The Officer in charge, before going off duty, or when the Signal-box is unattended, the Guard of a train, after completing his work, must pull **Nos. 8 and 13 levers** [Starting signals to clear]. *(W.N. — 1935; from 20 August 1935)*
---
## 1936 — Additional ETS Staffs — 23 June 1936
### ETS Staffs Nos. 37–50 — W.N. 39–1936
> Additional Miniature ETS Staffs Nos. **37 to 50** on section **Tamban–Eungai** — 23 June 1936 (same date as Kempsey–Tamban). *(W.N. 39–1936)*
---
## 1960 — Down Starting Signal Post Renewed — September 1960
### Signal Post Renewed — W.N. 29 and 39–1960
> **Eungai (North Coast) — Renewing Post of Down Starting Signal** — Advertised Tuesday, 19 July 1960 (W.N. 29–1960) — **not carried out**; rescheduled to **Tuesday, 27th September, 1960**, between 8.0 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.; Down Starting Signal Main No. 13 and Guard's "U" Indicator No. 6 out of use for renewal. (S.&T.E. 60–787,338.) *(W.N. 29 and 39–1960)*
---
## 1972 — Ellis' Siding (Eungai Sawmill) Abolished — 11 July 1972; Frame B Removed; 72-Foot Clearance Restriction Removed
### Ellis' Siding Abolished — W.N. 35–1972
> **Eungai (North Coast) — Abolition of Ellis' Siding** — Since **11th July, 1972**, Ellis' Siding (Eungai Sawmill Siding) at Mileage **332m 31c**, on the **Brisbane side** of Eungai, has been abolished and the Main line points removed. **Frame B** and all associated interlocking equipment has also been removed.
>
> **Circular No. 381–39, Eungai, of 1935**, and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E.–71–560,705–W.&M.) *(W.N. 35–1972)*
> **Page 39 — Intermediate Sidings** — Delete Eungai Sawmill (B) and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 35–1972)*
> **Page 81 — Accommodation Provided** — Delete Eungai Sawmill Siding and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 35–1972)*
> **Page 171 — 72-Foot Vehicle Clearance Restriction** — Delete Eungai — Eungai Sawmill Siding. *(W.N. 35–1972)*
> **Page 305** — Eungai Sawmill Siding — Delete all reference. *(W.N. 35–1972)*
### Shunting Charge Deleted — W.N. 37–1972
> Eungai Sawmill's Siding — delete **85 cents per four-wheeled wagon** shunting charge. *(W.N. 37–1972; ref. B. 2–72–24,256)*
---
## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points — 5 October 1982; ETS Retained
### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 37–1982 (confirmed W.N. 40–1982)
> **Eungai (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Tuesday, 5th October, 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 Eungai crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals replaced by **colour light signals**.
>
> The colour light signals will be of the **single light type**. A **low speed indication** (small green light) and a **shunting signal** (yellow 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.
>
> **Local ground frames** renamed; electrical releasing switches provided.
>
> **Track lights** — red when occupied, no light when unoccupied, yellow (flashing→steady) when points setting.
>
> Electric train staff working remains on sections **Tamban–Eungai** and **Eungai–Macksville**; automatic staff exchangers remain.
>
> **Telephone Call Indicators** — near Starting signals; flashing blue light and hooter.
>
> Diagram on page 17 of this Weekly Notice. A full description is published in W.N. 37–1982. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 37 and 40–1982)*
---
## 1983 — Full CTC — 2 May 1983; Staff Withdrawn — 14 August 1983
### Full CTC Kempsey–Nambucca Heads — W.N. — 1983
> Since **2nd May, 1983**, ETS on sections Kempsey–Tamban, Tamban–Eungai, **Eungai–Macksville**, Macksville–Nambucca Heads cancelled; Broadmeadow CTC introduced; automatic staff exchangers at Kempsey, Tamban, Eungai, Macksville, Nambucca Heads removed. Local control panels retained at all five locations. CTC working reference: Eungai **(W.N. 37–1982)**. *(W.N. — 1983)*
### Staff Withdrawn — W.N. 32–1983
> **Effective from 1st January, 1983** — Staff will be withdrawn from [various stations including] **Eungai** from **14th August, 1983**.
>
> After Eungai insert **(P)** [wagon loads only; controlling station to be confirmed]. *(W.N. 32–1983)*
---
## Summary of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **1 July 1919** | **Opened** (Circular No. 116 of 1919) — 121.92-metre Up platform; general and ladies waiting rooms, SM's office, out-of-room; sections Kempsey–Eungai (automatic ETS continuously) and Eungai–Macksville (ordinary/automatic mixed); construction name Eunkya |
| **22 November 1924** | **Log loading gallows installed** |
| **19 March 1935** | Down Home No. 7→No. 19; Down Distant No. 8→No. 20; Frames B, C released by duplex lock No. 10; Frame D by Annett lock No. 11 (W.N. 14–1935) |
| **9 May 1935** | **Eungai–Macksville large→miniature ETS** — Type R; 1–8 key, 9–45 ordinary; Circulars 116/1919 and 495–25/1934 amended (W.N. 1–1935) |
| **20 August 1935** | **New 396-metre loop** — Home and Starting signals; Signal-box control of loop points; "U" indicators on Main Starting signals; unattended working (Nos. 8 and 13 levers); **Circular No. 381–39 of 1935** issued |
| **23 June 1936** | ETS Staffs Nos. 37–50 added to Tamban–Eungai (W.N. 39–1936) |
| W.N. 29 and 39–1960 | Down Starting signal post renewed (deferred from July to September 1960) |
| **11 July 1972** | **Ellis' Siding (Eungai Sawmill) abolished** — 332m 31c Brisbane side; Frame B removed; 72-foot vehicle clearance restriction removed; Circular No. 381–39 amended (W.N. 35–1972) |
| **5 October 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — single-light type; low speed and shunting signals; local frames renamed; track lights; ETS Tamban–Eungai and Eungai–Macksville retained; automatic exchangers remain; call indicators; diagram page 17 (W.N. 37 and 40–1982; S&C 126170) |
| **2 May 1983** | **Full CTC Kempsey–Nambucca Heads** — ETS all sections cancelled; Broadmeadow CTC; automatic exchangers removed; local control panel at Eungai retained |
| **14 August 1983** | **Staff withdrawn** — (P) inserted; effective from 14 August 1983 (W.N. 32–1983) |
| Current | 1,535-metre crossing loop; 220-metre dead-end siding Down side |
---
*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1919–1983.*
*Note: The 1935 WN entry for Eungai–Macksville large→miniature ETS replacement (W.N. 1–1935, dated May 1935) is among the last conversions of large-type ETS instruments on the North Coast Line — Eungai–Macksville was one of the later sections to receive miniature instruments. Circular No. 381–39 of 1935 served as the Eungai loop base diagram from 1935 to 1972 — **37 years**. The four mill sidings (Timber, Viggers, Jeffrey & Smith, Ellis') reflect Eungai's importance as a timber loading point throughout the 1920s–1970s.*