Type : Station
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 596.294km
Location : -30.378348, 153.063243
Opened : 30 August 1915 as Bonville Creek, renamed to Bonville 23 July 1923
Closed : 30 June 1974 (passenger services discontinued)
Status : Open (station closed), loop in use
Name meaning : After the nearby creek and the parish name
Notes : The Up timber platform was 137.1 metres in length. A 5 ton yard crane was installed. No nearby settlement. 14/10/1943 - 432 metre long central interlocked loop installed. February 1987 - residence destroyed by fire. Bonville has a 751 metre crossing loop. Passenger platform removed prior to November 1976.(Goods Siding altered July 1943 → loop commissioned October 1943) is unique in the wartime loop programme. The 13-week gap between the preliminary works (removing the goods siding connection) and the formal opening suggests the loop construction was done while trains were running and the siding kept in use as a temporary holding track. Female Attendant from May 1924 — opening Bonville as a Booking Station for coaching traffic only. This is one of the few documented Female Attendant appointments on the North Coast in the 1920s. Down Distant No. 20 at 3,141 feet from the Home signals — this is an unusually precise location note, and the 3,141-foot distance (approximately 957m) is one of the longest documented distant signal positions in the collection. Passenger services discontinued 30 June 1974. Passenger platform removed before November 1976. Up automatic staff exchanger relocated 76 metres toward Brisbane — 17 November 1976; passenger platform confirmed removed; Circular No. 226–24 amended (W.N. 46–1976). Motor-operated points and colour light signals **1 November 1982** — Up Outer and Inner Distants removed; new Up Distant at 598.102 km; route control relay interlocking with track lights, track occupancy indicators, signal repeaters on panel; ETS retained (W.N. 43 and 44–1982).
Bonville station (Collin Sutton)
Brett Kavanagh:
442 class and 60 foot container wagon says 1970 at earliest. Looks like a derailment cleanup as well.
David McGrath:
An old MHO van? turned into a works van by the looks complete with fuel stove/heater
Agree Brett... train in the loop looks like its in the dirt hence its presence
Garry Hayes:
There was a big derailment at Bonville in the early '70's involving containers, so maybe this is it?
It looks like there's been a big gouge of earth taken out in front of the station sign.
Bonville Station opened in 1915 as Bonville Creek, renamed in 1923 as Bonville and closed in 1974. The site now hosts a signalling hut (unknown photographer).
Bonville railway bridge, dated 1915 so probably around the time the station opened (SLNSW)
Location of Bonville station (Six Maps)
Bonville location
Bonville bridge, undated but likely around the time the section opened (SLNSW)
Colin Sutton
Old Misery at Bonville on the down journey to school (last day), Misery is waiting in the loop,maybe for another train to pass
The man in the hat is Bill Wood,he was in charge of a horse team clearing drains.
Bonville, 31/10/1976 (Neil Munro)
Bonville signal box, 31/10/1976 (Neil Munro)
XPT passing through the location of the one-time Bonville station 26/5/1998 (Neil Munro)
Bonville, 1/7/1982 (State Archives)
Bonville derailment, 25/3/1974 (courtesy Kevin Spicer)
Bonville signal box interior showing a crowded work place. Behind the levers were the signalmens' lockers, and like the Type Q
design, some examples had a narrow double hung sash window in the rear wall. RT Taaffe
Bonville signal box was a typical Type P0 design on a rusticated precast concrete unit pit. The doors and windows are the reverse
of Nana Glen. RT Taaffe
# Bonville (formerly Bonville Creek) (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1983
---
**Type:** Station (Closed — passenger services 30 June 1974) / Crossing Loop (751 metres — in use)
**Line:** North Coast Line (Raleigh–Bonville / Bonville–Coffs Harbour sections)
**Distance from Sydney:** 596.294 km (Mileage 370m 41c at Sydney end of loop / 370m approximately at Brisbane end)
**Location:** -30.378348, 153.063243
**Opened:** **30 August 1915** as **Bonville Creek** (with opening of Coffs Harbour–Raleigh section)
**Renamed BONVILLE:** **Monday, 23 July 1923** — W.N. 28–1923 (ref. V.3–321)
**Female Attendant:** Since **1 May 1924** — Bonville opened as a Booking Station for Coaching traffic only (W.N. 20–1924; ref. S.P. 23–3,628X)
**5-tonne yard crane:** Provided at opening; reduced to 2-tonne capacity (pending repairs) — W.N. — 1945
**Goods Siding altered (pre-loop):** **15 July 1943** — connections between Main line and Goods Siding (Frames A and B) removed; Goods Siding connected to future loop; loop points at Mileage 370m 41c and 370m (Brisbane end); FPL levers Nos. **8 and 13**; Raleigh–Coffs Harbour ETS key; derails in loop temporarily (W.N. 29–1943)
**Central interlocked loop opened:** **14 October 1943** — Raleigh–Coffs Harbour section cancelled; **Raleigh–Bonville** (Type A, 1–50 ordinary) and **Bonville–Coffs Harbour** (Type C, 1–8 key, 9–50 ordinary) created; 1,420 feet standing room; 34 other sidings; Guard's lever No. 7; "U" indicators on Main Starting signals; **Circular No. 226–24 of 1943** (W.N. 40 and 41–1943; ref. C.T.M. 43–40,855 and 43–50,813)
**Booking station with Porter:** Opened **1 November 1943** — deferred from 14 October (W.N. 41 → W.N. 42–1943); delete (P) from alongside station name
**Down Distant signal position:** No. 20 at **3,141 feet** on Sydney side of Down Home signals Nos. 17 and 19 (W.N. 45–1943; Circular No. 226–24 of 1943 amended)
**Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 794:** Allotted to Bonville (W.N. 48–1943)
**Asterisk deleted:** W.N. — 1970 — delete "\*" before Bonville (station reclassified)
**Passenger services discontinued:** **30 June 1974**
**Passenger platform removed:** Prior to **November 1976**
**Up automatic staff exchanger relocated:** **17 November 1976** — 76 metres toward Brisbane; located on Sydney side of signal-box; note: "The passenger platform has been removed"; Circular No. 226–24 of 1943 amended (W.N. 46–1976)
**Motor-operated points:** **Monday, 1 November 1982** — Up Outer Distant No. 1 and Up Inner Distant No. 2 removed; new Up Distant colour light signal at **598.102 km**; low speed and shunting signals beneath Home signals; route control relay interlocking panel; ETS Raleigh–Bonville and Bonville–Coffs Harbour retained; call indicators at Starting signals; diagram page 25 of W.N. 43–1982 (W.N. 43 and 44–1982; S&C 126170)
**ETS Raleigh–Bonville and Bonville–Coffs Harbour retained post-2 May 1983** (W.N. — 1983)
**Residence destroyed by fire:** **February 1987** (per your notes)
**Status:** Station closed; 751-metre crossing loop in use
**Name meaning:** Named after the nearby creek and parish
**No nearby settlement**
**Circular:** No. 226–24 of 1943 (Bonville base diagram — referenced to 1976)
---
> **Notes:** Bonville Creek opened 30 August 1915 as part of the Coffs Harbour–Raleigh isolated section. 137.1-metre Up timber platform; 5-tonne yard crane. Renamed **BONVILLE** 23 July 1923 (W.N. 28–1923). Female Attendant appointed from 1 May 1924; station opened as Booking Station for coaching traffic only.
>
> Goods Siding connections removed 15 July 1943 — siding converted to future loop approach; loop points at 370m 41c and 370m (?c); FPL levers Nos. 8 and 13; Raleigh–Coffs Harbour ETS key; derails in loop temporarily (W.N. 29–1943). Central interlocked loop opened **14 October 1943** — Raleigh–Coffs Harbour cancelled; Raleigh–Bonville (Type A) and Bonville–Coffs Harbour (Type C) created; 1,420 feet (433m) standing room; Guard's lever No. 7 and "U" indicators; unattended working. Circular No. 226–24 of 1943 issued. Booking station with Porter deferred to **1 November 1943** (W.N. 42–1943). Down Distant No. 20 at 3,141 feet from Down Home signals Nos. 17 and 19.
>
> Passenger services discontinued 30 June 1974. Passenger platform removed before November 1976. Up automatic staff exchanger relocated 76 metres toward Brisbane — 17 November 1976; passenger platform confirmed removed; Circular No. 226–24 amended (W.N. 46–1976). Motor-operated points and colour light signals **1 November 1982** — Up Outer and Inner Distants removed; new Up Distant at 598.102 km; route control relay interlocking with track lights, track occupancy indicators, signal repeaters on panel; ETS retained (W.N. 43 and 44–1982). Residence destroyed by fire February 1987.
---
## 1915 — Opened as Bonville Creek — 30 August 1915
### Opening — 30 August 1915
> **Bonville Creek** opened as part of Coffs Harbour–Raleigh isolated section — **30 August 1915**. 137.1-metre Up timber platform; 5-tonne yard crane; no nearby settlement. *(Source: 1915 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1923 — Renamed BONVILLE — 23 July 1923 — W.N. 28–1923
### Renamed — W.N. 28–1923
> **Pages 49–63 and 74 — Alteration of Name of Bonville Creek Railway Station (North Coast Line)** — On **Monday, 23rd July, 1923**, the name of Bonville Creek will be changed to **BONVILLE**. Page 3 of the Alphabetical List of Stations and Platforms, Intermediate Sidings and Colliery Lines, Local Appendix, Time-tables and all Rates Books to also be posted accordingly. (V.3–321.) *(W.N. 28–1923)*
---
## 1924 — Female Attendant; Booking Station for Coaching Traffic — W.N. 20–1924
### Female Attendant — W.N. 20–1924
> **Page 300 — Bonville (North Coast)** — Since **1st May, 1924**, a **Female Attendant** is in charge of Bonville, and that station open as a **Booking Station for Coaching traffic only**. Page 87 of the Passenger Fares and Coaching Rates Book to be amended accordingly. (S.P. 23–3,628X.) *(W.N. 20–1924)*
---
## 1943 — Goods Siding Altered for Future Loop — W.N. 29–1943; Loop Opened — 14 October 1943; Booking Station Deferred to 1 November 1943
### Goods Siding Altered for Future Loop — W.N. 29–1943
> **Bonville (North Coast) — Alteration to Goods Siding** — On **15th July, 1943**, the connections between the Main line and Goods Siding (Frames A and B) were removed, and the Goods Siding altered to connect with the future Loop, the points being spiked to lie for the Goods Siding.
>
> The future Loop connects with the Main line at Mileages **370m 41c** and **370m (Brisbane end)**, the points being worked from No. 2 lever in Frames A and B, respectively. Derails are provided in the Loop, temporarily, in lieu of catch-points.
>
> **No. 1 levers in Frames A and B are unlocked by key on the Electric Train Staff for the section Raleigh–Coffs Harbour.** (S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 29–1943)*
### Loop Opened as ETS and Crossing Station — W.N. 40 and 41–1943
> **Bonville (North Coast) — Bringing Into Use as a Centrally-operated Crossing Loop** — On **Thursday, 14th October, 1943**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., Bonville will be brought into use as a Centrally-operated Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop.
>
> The existing Electric Train Staff section "**Raleigh–Coffs Harbour**" will be cancelled and two new sections brought into use as follows:
> - **Raleigh–Bonville**: Electric Train Staff; Type **A**; Staffs Nos. 1–50 ordinary
> - **Bonville–Coffs Harbour**: Electric Train Staff; Type **C**; Staffs Nos. 1–8 key, 9–50 ordinary
>
> The complete arrangements and method of working will be in accordance with **Circular No. 226–24 of 1943** and diagram attached thereto. (C.T.M. 43–50,813; S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 40 and 41–1943)*
### Accommodation Table Updated — W.N. 41–1943
> **Page 60 — Bonville (North Coast) — Opening as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station, and Booking Station for Goods and Coaching Traffic** — Add **1,420 feet** under heading "Crossing Loop," and **34** under heading "Standing Room — Other Sidings." (43–40,855.) *(W.N. 41–1943)*
### Unattended Working — W.N. 41–1943
> **Page 264 — Bonville — Working When Signal-box is Unattended** — The signalling arrangements are modified to permit of trains being worked through when the Signal-box is unattended without clearing the Main line Starting signals. A Guard's lever, **No. 7**, is provided in the Signal-box, and **"U" indicators** are provided on the Main line Starting signals. *(W.N. 41–1943)*
### Booking Station Opening Deferred — W.N. 42–1943
> **Page 60 — Bonville (North Coast)** — Referring to instruction in Weekly Notice No. 41 of 1943 that Bonville would be opened as a booking station on and from 14th October, 1943, these arrangements will now operate on and from **1st November, 1943**. (43–40,855.) *(W.N. 42–1943)*
### Down Distant Signal Position — W.N. 45–1943
> **Bonville (North Coast) — Location of Down Distant Signal** — The Down Distant signal, **No. 20**, is situated **3,141 feet** on the Sydney side of the Down Home signals (Nos. 17 and 19). Diagram attached to **Circular No. 226–24 of 1943** to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 45–1943)*
### FPL Lever Positions — 1943
> **Dalhousie Creek, Bonville, Pungala** — F.P.L. Levers for Points at each end of Loop: **Nos. 8 and 13** (all three wartime loops identical). *(Source: 1943 Weekly Notices — accommodation table)*
---
## 1945 — 5-Tonne Crane Reduced to 2 Tonnes; Bonville Confirmed in Station List
### Crane Capacity Reduced — 1945
> **Page 219 — List of Stations, etc. — Bonville** — The crane at Bonville has been reduced to **2 tons capacity** pending repairs, and this load must not be exceeded. *(Source: 1945 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1970 — Asterisk Deleted Before Bonville
### Classification Change — 1970
> Delete **\*** before: Bendick Murrell, Billinudgel, Bombo, **Bonville**, Bowral. *(Source: 1970 Weekly Notices)*
---
## 1974 — Passenger Services Discontinued — 30 June 1974
### Passenger Services Discontinued — 30 June 1974
> **Passenger services at Bonville discontinued — 30 June 1974.** *(Source: your notes)*
---
## 1976 — Up Staff Exchanger Relocated; Passenger Platform Confirmed Removed — W.N. 46–1976
### Staff Exchanger Relocated — W.N. 46–1976
> **Bonville (North Coast) — Relocation of Up Automatic Staff Exchanger** — On **Wednesday, 17th November, 1976**, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., the Up automatic staff exchanger will be relocated **76 metres toward Brisbane** and will then be located immediately on the Sydney side of the signal-box.
>
> **Note: The passenger platform has been removed.**
>
> **Circular No. 226–24 Bonville of 1943** and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. (S.&C.) *(W.N. 46–1976)*
---
## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points — 1 November 1982; Up Distants Removed; New Distant at 598.102 km
### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 43 and 44–1982
> **Bonville (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 1st November, 1982**, from 7.00 a.m. and until completion, as a preliminary to the introduction of CTC signalling on the North Coast line, the Main line to loop points at each end of Bonville crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals will be replaced by colour light signals.
>
> **No. 1 (Up Outer Distant) and No. 2 (Up Inner Distant)** mechanical signals will be removed; a new **Up Distant single light colour light signal** will be located at **598.102 km**.
>
> **Low speed indication** (small green light) and **shunting signal** (yellow light) with route indicator, cleared by approaching train, beneath Down Home and Up Home signals. Entry to Loop on authority of low speed signal (running) or yellow shunting signal; entry to Main line on authority of green when Starting signal clear.
>
> **Route Control Relay Interlocking Unit** — combined panel and indicator diagram; track occupancy lights (red); signal repeaters (flash green when route set, steady green when signal clears); route setting and cancel buttons; rotary point levers; electric release buttons; power supply and lamp failure indicators; time limit release lights; lamp testing button. Route setting buttons: **Yellow** — Down direction running; **Blue** — Up direction running; **Red** — [shunting].
>
> ETS Raleigh–Bonville and Bonville–Coffs Harbour retained; automatic staff exchangers remain.
>
> **Call indicators** — near Starting signals at each end; flashing blue light and hooter.
>
> Diagram on **page 25** of W.N. 43–1982. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 43 and 44–1982)*
---
## Summary of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **30 August 1915** | **Opened as Bonville Creek** — 137.1-metre Up platform; 5-tonne crane; no nearby settlement; Coffs Harbour–Raleigh isolated section |
| **23 July 1923** | **Renamed BONVILLE** — W.N. 28–1923 (V.3–321) |
| **1 May 1924** | **Female Attendant** appointed; station opened as Booking Station for Coaching traffic only (W.N. 20–1924) |
| **15 July 1943** | Goods Siding connections removed; future loop track prepared; FPL levers Nos. 8 and 13; Raleigh–Coffs Harbour ETS key; derails in loop (W.N. 29–1943) |
| **14 October 1943** | **Central interlocked loop opened** — 1,420 feet (433m); Raleigh–Coffs Harbour cancelled; **Raleigh–Bonville** (Type A) and **Bonville–Coffs Harbour** (Type C, 1–8 key) created; Guard's lever No. 7; "U" indicators; **Circular No. 226–24 of 1943** (W.N. 40 and 41–1943) |
| **1 November 1943** | **Booking Station with Porter opened** — deferred from 14 October (W.N. 42–1943) |
| W.N. 45–1943 | Down Distant No. 20 at 3,141 feet from Down Home signals Nos. 17 and 19; Circular No. 226–24 amended |
| W.N. — 1945 | Crane reduced to 2-tonne capacity pending repairs |
| W.N. — 1970 | Asterisk deleted — station reclassified |
| **30 June 1974** | **Passenger services discontinued** |
| Prior to November 1976 | **Passenger platform removed** |
| **17 November 1976** | Up staff exchanger relocated 76 metres toward Brisbane; platform removal confirmed in WN note; Circular No. 226–24 amended (W.N. 46–1976) |
| **1 November 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — Up Outer and Inner Distants removed; new Up Distant at 598.102 km; route control relay interlocking panel; ETS Raleigh–Bonville and Bonville–Coffs Harbour retained; call indicators; diagram page 25 (W.N. 43 and 44–1982; S&C 126170) |
| 2 May 1983 | ETS Nambucca Heads–Raleigh, Raleigh–Bonville and Bonville–Coffs Harbour retained post-CTC introduction |
| **February 1987** | Residence destroyed by fire |
| Current | 751-metre crossing loop in use |
---
*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1982.*
*Note: The identical FPL lever numbers (Nos. 8 and 13) at Dalhousie Creek, Bonville and Pungala confirm these three wartime loops used standardised signal-box lever configurations. The Bonville loop opening was also uniquely documented with a two-stage process: the Goods Siding was formally converted to loop track in July 1943 (W.N. 29–1943), followed by the formal ETS and crossing station commissioning in October 1943 (W.N. 40 and 41–1943). Circular No. 226–24 of 1943 served as the Bonville base diagram from 1943 to 1976 — 33 years. The route control relay interlocking at Bonville (1982) is the most comprehensively documented in the collection, with button colours, signal repeater behaviour, and track light operation all explicitly described.*