Type : Station
Line : Murwillumbah Branch
Distance from Sydney : 851.490km
Opened : 15 May 1894 as Mayfield, renamed Eltham 1 October 1894
Closed : October 1973
Status : Closed
Name meaning : The name Mayfield conflicted with a suburb in Newcastle, so name was taken from a suburb of London (England). Up platform was 78.2 metres in length (as built 100'). 23/10/1894 Station Master's house built. 16/11/1926 platform raised to standard height. An upper race for loading sheep vans was provided in April 1929 (possibly earlier as this was when it was notified). In 1939 the gardens won 2nd prize in the Department's yearly contest for the Murwillumbah branch and 3rd prize in 1941, others awarded in later years for the Ganger's Tool House (Ganger Youngberry who appears to have been resident for many years until replaced in 1953 by Ganger Maxwell who won awards until 1960). 1942 - station "downgraded" and Porter replaced with Junior Porter - at this stage the station was placed under control of Bexhill. In 1943 the Junior Porter was withdrawn and the station became unattended and under the control of Lismore, on the 16th August control reverted to Bexhill before returning to Lismore in 1957. In 1964 the level crossing was replaced with flashing lights. 27/9/1972 goods siding closed (it could hold 16 trucks). Station was demolished in 1975 and the site was replaced with tennis courts. Eltham was connected to No. 70 North Telephone Circuit, later No. 86, North Telephone Circuit.
.
Eltham railway station
Construction of the railway bridge at Eltham
Eltham railway bridge (Bob Richardson)
Location of Eltham station (Six Maps)
Eltham station master's cottage
Design of Eltham (as Mayfield)
I remember Eltham in the 1960s. It was one of those stations where you held up the green disc to stop the train (or the lamp at night, interesting that the then NSWGR seemed to assume that everyone carried a box of matches!). However, I suspect that even then the station was rarely used and its best years were behind it.
42206 in 2001 at Eltham, on the Northern Rivers Railroad.
Eltham station and station master's cottage plans (Records NSW)
Eltham, undated, State Archives
Wilson's Creek Brige, Eltham - SM cottage. (State Archives)
Eltham 1964
The station site is now a tennis court.