Dorrigo

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Type : Station
Line : Dorrigo Branch
Distance from Sydney : 721.700km
Location : -30.331511, 152.706477
Opened : 23 December 1924
Closed : 20 September 1975 (no trains since 1972)
Status : Closed
Name meaning : Aboriginal word "dondorrigo" meaning "stringy bark"
Notes : Platform is on the Down side. Watering facilities removed in 1935 and re-added 1937, removed 1967. Loop conveted to storage siding in 1936. 20 ton weighbridge install in 1947. Departmental Rest House sold in 1960. 5 ton crane decommissioned 1963. Opening of the Extension from Glenreagh to Dorrigo — On Tuesday, 23rd December, 1924, the extension of the line from Glenreagh to Dorrigo will be opened for traffic, in accordance with the instructions contained in Circular No. 584 of 1924 and diagrams attached thereto. (W.N. 52–1924)

Pages 19, 49 and 301 — Opening of the Extension from Glenreagh to Dorrigo (North Coast) — Since Tuesday, 23rd December, 1924, the Extension of the line from Glenreagh to Dorrigo has been open for traffic.

The line is unfenced, therefore Drivers must keep a sharp look-out for livestock that may be straying, so as to be prepared to reduce speed or stop, if necessary.

The following are the names of the stations, with their mileages from Sydney: [Glenreagh, Timber Top, Moleton, Lowanna, Ulong, Brooklana, Mulhearn's Siding, Briggsvale, Megan, Leigh, Dorrigo†††] (W.N. 53–1924)

Dorrigo††† — Station Distinguishing Number WGD 10; Mileage 449m 12c from Sydney; Weighbridge provided; Goods Shed provided; 1 Crane (jib); Livestock without engine: 5 trucks.

Station Master: 9.30 a.m.–1.0 p.m.; 2.0–5.0 p.m.; 7.0–8.30 p.m.
Porter: 5.0–6.0 a.m.; 7.0 a.m.–12 noon; 1.0–3.0 p.m. (W.N. 53–1924)

Insert — Potatoes ex Dorrigo: 15 bags to the ton. Delete — Potatoes ex Dorrigo to South Brisbane. (G.C. 3–42–85,801.) (W.N. 10–1943)

Megan–Dorrigo section closed; Glenreagh–Dorrigo Branch sections table updated. Last trains to Dorrigo — 1972. (Source: 1972 Weekly Notices — sections table deletions)

Facilities at Opening
**Classification:** †††  (ETS station) 
**Station Distinguishing Number:** WGD 10 
**Weighbridge:** Provided 
**Goods Shed:** Provided 
**Crane:** 1 jib crane 
**Livestock without engine:** 5 trucks 
**Staff Receptacle:** Provided at Dorrigo (also at Glenreagh and Lowanna) 

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Peter Neve:


Only two enthusiasts' special trains were operated on the Glenreagh to Dorrigo branch before the line was closed and sold off to two Museum groups.
The first of these was on Saturday, 30/08/1964, was part of a Vintage Train operation to Murwillumbah.   5088 did the honours on this occasion while 5261 hauled a subsequent tour for the NSW Rail Transport Museum.
Here's two scanned slides of mine showing 5088 on the 1964 tour.   One shows the small group of locals on the platform to witness the arrival of what I understand was the first steam-hauled train since dieselisation of the branch line in 1957, while the other shows the train waiting the departure time for the return to Glenreagh.
Fading memories brought back to life by these scanned slides!

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Dorrigo station (recent photo) (uncredited)

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31st August 1964, tour to Dorrigo (Doug Byron)

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3028 and 5069 near Dorrigo 1986 (Chris Sim)

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Greg Lee writes: 5069 being turned at Dorrigo after the reopening train arrived, 1986. I think that was the last time that 5069 steamed, almost 36 years ago now. 3028 steamed a couple of times afterwards for the filming of two movies.

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Dorrigo Railway Station (circa 1970) (M. Fisher)

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Dorrigo station in 2019 (uncredited)

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4434 stands at Dorrigo on 28/3/63 (SRA Archives)

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Dorrigo Station in 1972 - Just prior to closure of the line (SRA Archives)

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4816 leads the last goods train out of Dorrigo in 1972 across the Bielsdown Bridge. The engine stayed in operation until 2016 and is currently stored at Junee. (Peter Holdom)

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First train arrives at Dorrigo 27/9/24 (NSWGR

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Construction of Dorrigo station (Destination Dorrigo)

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A train approaches Dorrigo station on 30/08/1964 (Lindsay Bridge)

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Dorrigo station in 1984 (Flickr)