Collombatti

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Type : Station
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 515.541km
Location : -30.974353, 152.825735
Opened : 1 July 1919
Closed : 30 September 1974
Status : Closed
Name meaning : An Aboriginal word meaning "two swifts fly by", but actually named after the parish of the same name
Notes : The station was Collombatti, the school was Collombatti Rail. The Down side timber platform was 76.2 metres in length and contained a standard A2 station building. The town was located some 5km from the station. 2/7/1975 - demolition of station. Goods siding abolished 30/09/1974. spelling discrepancy — "Collombatti" (town and location) vs "Colombatti" (consistent single-L in the WN) — is confirmed across every WN entry. The railway name was mis-spelt across the entire lifetime of the station (single-L "Colombatti".) Circular No. 116 of 1919 served as the Collombatti base diagram for 55 years — from the line's opening in 1919 to the goods siding abolition in 1974. That's the longest base circular lifespan confirmed for any station in the Kempsey–Macksville section. Collombatti opened 1 July 1919 with the Kempsey–Macksville extension (Circular No. 116 of 1919). Down side platform, 76.2 metres; A2 standard station building. ETS sections at opening: Kempsey–Colombatti and Colombatti–Eungai. Goods shunting: 10 minutes (No. 142 Goods, 1920); 12 minutes (No. 16, 1924). On 1 March 1934 when Tamban was opened, the Kempsey–Eungai section was cancelled and new sections Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai created — Colombatti Frames A and B altered to be released by Kempsey–Tamban ETS; Circular No. 116 of 1919 amended (W.N. 3–1934). On 4–5 December 1940, No. 2B points (Main–Siding) moved 4 feet nearer to Grafton; Frame B then Frame A moved to corresponding positions on the Up side; Circular No. 116 amended (W.N. 50–1940). Two level crossings at Mileage 314m 47c (Kempsey–Colombatti section) and 321m 44c (at Colombatti) attended 6 a.m.–6 p.m. from 21 July 1955 (W.N. 43–1955). Goods Siding Abolished — W.N. 40–1974
> **Colombatti (North Coast) — Abolition of Goods Siding** — Since **30th September, 1974**, Nos. **2A and 2B** points together with **Frames A and B** and associated interlocking equipment have been removed and the goods siding abolished.

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Collombatti - photos provided by someone who wishes to remain anonymous. Rare shots of this near mythical station 🙂

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A2 type station building used at Collombatti and Warrell Creek

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Looking across the location of the one-time station (Google Maps)

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# Collombatti (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1919–1975

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**Type:** Station (Closed — Platform) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Kempsey–Tamban section; originally Kempsey–Eungai) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 515.541 km (Mileage 321m 44c — per 1955 level crossing entry) 
**Location:** -30.974353, 152.825735 
**Between:** Kempsey and Tamban/Eungai 
**Opened:** **1 July 1919** (with opening of Kempsey–Macksville extension; Circular No. 116 of 1919) 
**Station closed:** **30 June 1974** 
**Goods Siding abolished:** **30 September 1974** — 2A and 2B points, Frames A and B and associated interlocking removed; Circular No. 116 of 1919 amended (W.N. 40–1974; ref. S.&C.–74–536102) 
**Station demolished:** **2 July 1975** 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word meaning "two swifts fly by"; named after the parish of the same name 
**Platform:** 76.2-metre Down side; A2 standard station building 
**Station brand:** Not confirmed in OCR 
**ETS sections (1919–1934):** Kempsey–Colombatti and Colombatti–Eungai (Circular No. 116 of 1919) 
**ETS sections (from 1 March 1934):** Frames A and B released by **Kempsey–Tamban** ETS (W.N. 3–1934; Tamban opened; Circular No. 116 of 1919 amended) 
**Circular:** No. 116 of 1919 (Kempsey to Macksville; Collombatti base diagram — referenced to 1974) 
**Level Crossings:** Mileage 314m 47c (Kempsey–Colombatti section) and Mileage 321m 44c (at Colombatti) — both attended 6 a.m.–6 p.m. from 21 July 1955 (W.N. 43–1955) 
**Frame alterations (1940):** No. 2B points moved 4 feet nearer Grafton; Frame B moved to Up side; Frame A moved to Up side; Circular No. 116 of 1919 amended (W.N. 50–1940) 
**School:** Collombatti Rail (distinct from Collombatti town school; 5 km from station) 

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> **Notes:** Collombatti opened 1 July 1919 with the Kempsey–Macksville extension (Circular No. 116 of 1919). Down side platform, 76.2 metres; A2 standard station building. ETS sections at opening: Kempsey–Colombatti and Colombatti–Eungai. Goods shunting: 10 minutes (No. 142 Goods, 1920); 12 minutes (No. 16, 1924). On 1 March 1934 when Tamban was opened, the Kempsey–Eungai section was cancelled and new sections Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai created — Colombatti Frames A and B altered to be released by Kempsey–Tamban ETS; Circular No. 116 of 1919 amended (W.N. 3–1934). On 4–5 December 1940, No. 2B points (Main–Siding) moved 4 feet nearer to Grafton; Frame B then Frame A moved to corresponding positions on the Up side; Circular No. 116 amended (W.N. 50–1940). Two level crossings at Mileage 314m 47c (Kempsey–Colombatti section) and 321m 44c (at Colombatti) attended 6 a.m.–6 p.m. from 21 July 1955 (W.N. 43–1955).
>
> Station closed 30 June 1974 — deleted from list of stations, alphabetical list and rate books (W.N. 29 and 30–1974). Goods siding abolished 30 September 1974 — 2A and 2B points, Frames A and B removed; Circular No. 116 of 1919 amended (W.N. 40–1974; ref. S.&C.–74–536102). Working Timetable and road motor references deleted W.N. 26–1975 (ref. A1 73 77203). Station demolished **2 July 1975**.

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## 1919 — Opened 1 July 1919; Kempsey–Colombatti and Colombatti–Eungai Sections; Circular No. 116

### Opening — Circular No. 116 of 1919
> **Opening of Line from Kempsey to Macksville (North Coast)** — On **Tuesday, 1st July, 1919**, the line from Kempsey to Macksville will be opened for traffic, in accordance with **Circular No. 116 of 1919**.
>
> ETS sections including **Kempsey–Colombatti** and **Colombatti–Eungai** opened. *(Source: 1919 Weekly Notices — Circular No. 116 of 1919)*

### Section Running Times — 1919
> **Kempsey–Colombatti**: running time Down 7 minutes. *(Source: 1919 Weekly Notices — first timetable)*

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## 1920 — 10 Minutes Goods Shunting

### Goods Shunting — 1920
> No. 142 Goods: Warrell Creek, 10 minutes; **Collombatti, 10 minutes**; Kundabung, 10 minutes; Mununbang, 10 minutes. *(Source: 1920 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1924 — 12 Minutes Goods Shunting; Section South Grafton–Colombatti

### Goods Shunting — 1924
> No. 16: Warrell Creek, 12 minutes; **Colombatti, 12 minutes**; Kundabung, 10 minutes. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices — appears multiple times)*

### Section Reference — 1924
> **South Grafton–Colombatti** section reference (southbound direction in WN tables). *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices — appears twice)*

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## 1930 — Colombatti in Station Sequence; Eungai–Colombatti Section

### Station Sequence — 1930
> Eungai → **Colombatti** → Kempsey — listed in station/working sequence. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1934 — Frames A and B Altered to Kempsey–Tamban ETS; Circular No. 116 Amended — W.N. 3–1934

### Frames Altered — W.N. 3–1934
> **Colombatti (North Coast) — Altered Releasing of Ground Frames** — On and from **Thursday, 1st March, 1934**, No. 1 lever in Frames **"A" and "B"** will be unlocked by key on the Miniature Electric Train Staff for the section **Kempsey–Tamban**.
>
> **Circular No. 116 of 1919** to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 3–1934)*

> **Note:** Simultaneously, Tamban was opened as an ETS and Crossing Station; Kempsey–Eungai section cancelled; Kempsey–Tamban and Tamban–Eungai created; Kempsey Frames C and [?] altered to Kempsey–Tamban (Circular No. 181 of 1917 amended). Circular No. 116 of 1919 governed Colombatti from 1919 to 1974 — **55 years**.

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## 1940 — Points and Frames Moved — W.N. 50–1940; Circular No. 116 Amended

### Frames and Points Moved — W.N. 50–1940
> **Colombatti (North Coast) — Alterations to Position of Points and Ground Frames** — On **Wednesday, 4th December, 1940**, No. **2B** points, Main–Siding, were moved **4 feet nearer to Grafton**.
>
> **Frame "B"** was moved to a corresponding position on the **Up side** of the line.
>
> On **Thursday, 5th December, 1940**, **Frame "A"** was moved to a corresponding position on the **Up side** of the line.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 116 of 1919** to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E. 40.) *(W.N. 50–1940)*

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## 1945 — Collombatti in Station and Division Lists

### Divisional Boundary — 1945
> **Colombatti** — listed as boundary point in staff division tables (North Coast Division boundary). *(Source: 1945 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1950 — Staff District Boundary; Control of Stations to Colombatti

### Staff District — 1950
> **Colombatti, inclusive, but excluding Kempsey** — referenced in staff district allocation (stations Kundabung to Colombatti inclusive, excluding Kempsey). *(Source: 1950 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1955 — Two Level Crossings Attended 6 a.m.–6 p.m. — W.N. 43–1955

### Level Crossings — W.N. 43–1955
> Since **21st July, 1955**, the level crossing gates at:
> - Mileage **314m 47c** (Kempsey–Colombatti section)
> - Mileage **321m 44c** (Colombatti)
>
> are attended between the hours of **6 a.m. and 6 p.m.** and unattended between **6 p.m. and 6 a.m.** daily. All gates fitted with hooks and chains; notices exhibited. Delete "G", insert "H" in column "See notes, page 100." (S. 55–X.) *(W.N. 43–1955)*

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## 1974 — Station Closed 30 June 1974; Goods Siding Abolished 30 September 1974

### Station Deleted from Rates Books — W.N. 29 and 30–1974
> **Page 259 — List of Stations, Sidings and Platforms — North Coast Line** — Delete Colombatti and relevant particulars. (B. 2–74–71,071.) *(W.N. 29–1974)*

> **Page 227 — Alphabetical List of Stations** — Delete Colombatti and relevant particulars. (B. 2–74–71,071.) *(W.N. 30–1974)*

### Goods Siding Abolished — W.N. 40–1974
> **Colombatti (North Coast) — Abolition of Goods Siding** — Since **30th September, 1974**, Nos. **2A and 2B** points together with **Frames A and B** and associated interlocking equipment have been removed and the goods siding abolished.
>
> **Circular No. 116, Kempsey to Macksville, of 1919**, to be amended accordingly. (S.&C.–74–536102–W.&M.) *(W.N. 40–1974)*

### Horses and Vehicles Loading Deleted — W.N. 29–1974
> **Page 186** — Melinga, Lansdowne, Moorland, John's River, Heron's Creek, Kundabung, **Colombatti**, Newee Creek, Valla, Repton, Archville, Bonville, Park Beach, Lanitza, Nana Glen — all deleted. *(W.N. 29–1974)*

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## 1975 — Working Timetable Deleted — W.N. 26–1975; Station Demolished 2 July 1975

### Working Timetable Deleted — W.N. 26–1975
> **Page 184** — Delete all reference to Lansdowne, **Colombatti**, Repton, Archville, Park Beach, Lawrence Road, Ampdale, Coombell, Wiangaree and Loadstone. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975)*

> **Pages 195–202 and 216–223** — Delete all reference to Lansdowne, **Colombatti**, Repton and Park Beach. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975)*

### Station Demolished — 2 July 1975
> **Collombatti station demolished — 2 July 1975.** *(Source: your notes)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **1 July 1919** | **Opened** — 76.2-metre Down side platform; A2 standard building; ETS sections Kempsey–Colombatti and Colombatti–Eungai; Circular No. 116 of 1919 (Kempsey to Macksville) |
| 1920 | 10 minutes goods shunting (No. 142 Goods) |
| 1924 | 12 minutes goods shunting (No. 16); South Grafton–Colombatti section reference |
| **1 March 1934** | Frames A and B altered to **Kempsey–Tamban ETS** (consequent on Tamban opening; Kempsey–Eungai cancelled); Circular No. 116 of 1919 amended (W.N. 3–1934) |
| **4–5 December 1940** | 2B points moved 4 feet nearer Grafton; Frames B and A moved to Up side; Circular No. 116 amended (W.N. 50–1940) |
| **21 July 1955** | Two level crossings attended 6 a.m.–6 p.m.: Mileage 314m 47c (Kempsey–Colombatti) and 321m 44c (Colombatti); W.N. 43–1955 |
| **30 June 1974** | **Station closed** — deleted from list of stations and alphabetical list (W.N. 29 and 30–1974) |
| **30 September 1974** | **Goods Siding abolished** — 2A and 2B points, Frames A and B removed; Circular No. 116 amended (W.N. 40–1974; S.&C.–74–536102) |
| W.N. 26–1975 | Working Timetable references deleted |
| **2 July 1975** | **Station demolished** |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1919–1975.* 
*Note: Circular No. 116 of 1919 was the Collombatti base diagram from 1919 to 1974 — **55 years**, the longest serving base circular confirmed for the Kempsey–Macksville section. The 1940 frame and points relocation is unusual — moving both frames to the Up side two days apart suggests an incremental works programme. The two attended level crossings (314m 47c and 321m 44c) from 1955 reflect the growing road traffic in the post-war era on the Kempsey–Collombatti road. The OCR spelling varies between "Collombatti" (your notes, town spelling) and "Colombatti" (WN spelling, single L) — the Weekly Notices consistently use the single-L spelling.*