Coffs Harbour

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Coffs Harbour, 1/2/1977

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A pair of C32s lead the commissioner's train into Coffs Harbour, 1924. The train is composed of commissioner's car AAH9, officer's car AAH8, staff & dining car AC911, and kitchen & brake car AB681. (Evan Rees)

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Coffs Harbour near the jetty in 1909 - prior to the railway arriving, but note the timber lines (State Archives of NSW)

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Coffs Harbour, 1981

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Coffs Harbour Simplex No.1, 9021 of 1952, now at Dorrigo.

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X214 hauls an ANR open wagon on the Jetty siding at Coffs Harbour, NSW, November 7 1984. (uncredited)

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Coffs Harbour Jetty, 1/10/1966 (Grunbach/ARHS)

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Rail Motor Society tour at Coffs, 10am 5/12/25 (Lance Lyon)

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# Coffs Harbour (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1982

---

**Type:** Station (in use) / Crossing Loop 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Bonville–Coffs Harbour / Coffs Harbour–Landrigans sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 607.814 km (Mileage 563 miles from Sydney — per 1922 accommodation table) 
**Location:** -30.305677, 153.138209 
**Opened:** **30 August 1915** (with opening of Coffs Harbour–Raleigh isolated section) 
**Status:** In use 
**Name meaning:** Named after early settler Korff 
**Platform (at opening):** 137.16-metre Down side timber; station building — out-of-room, ladies and general waiting rooms, SM's office, men's toilets 
**Goods shed:** Provided at opening 
**Engine shed:** Relocated from Bungendore at opening 
**Turntable:** 18.2-metre turntable at opening; coal stage provided 
**Interlocked loop opened:** **17 July 1922** — same date as Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh line opening; Signal-box A on platform; Frames B, C and D 
**RRR opened:** **3 December 1923** — per your notes (formal WN notice not found in OCR) 
**Water column:** 304mm bore at Up end of platform — **15 December 1924** (per your notes) 
**Tramway crossing alteration:** **24 January 1923** — Electric Releasing Switch provided at Lever E, released by No. 13 Lever in Signal-box A; Catch-points in Tramway Crossing worked by Lever E; existing Rear Lock and Key dispensed with; movements to/from Wharf across Main line by telephone to Officer in charge (W.N. — 1923) 
**Water reservoir:** **9 August 1926** — 900 kl reservoir built (per your notes) 
**Weir for water storage:** **August 1928** (per your notes) 
**Weighbridge:** 10-ton cart weighbridge — **March 1929** (per your notes) 
**Water supply pump and engine removed:** **12 September 1938** — water taken from town supply thereafter (per your notes) 
**Loop commissioned as ETS Crossing Station:** **5 July 1944** — Raleigh–Coffs Harbour section cancelled; Bonville–Coffs Harbour (Type C) and Coffs Harbour–Karangi created; **Circular No. 148–13 of 1944** (W.N. 27–1944) 
**2-tonne crane:** In commission — W.N. 5–1944 (re-commissioned; ref. G.C.5–43–52,503); coal stage removed when platform extended in 1945 
**Platform extended to 184 metres; brick station built:** **25 August 1944** (per your notes — 45-metre extension and 90 kl water tank at Down end) 
**Frames C and D crossover point indicators removed:** **25 January 1963** — Circular No. 148–13 of 1944 amended (W.N. 6–1963) 
**Diesel rail tractor:** Provided at Coffs Harbour — permitted between Up Outer Home and Down Home signal for shunting directly associated with yard requirements; token not required (W.N. 27 and 30–1963) 
**RRR closed:** **16 April 1962** — W.N. 19–1962 (ref. R.R.R. 62–19,203) 
**Stockyards closed:** **October 1967** (per your notes) 
**Divisible ETS — Bonville–Coffs Harbour:** From **24 April 1967** — Nos. 9–14 divisible type C; Sawtell as intermediate block post (W.N. 16 and 22–1967) 
**All water facilities removed:** **1971** — following end of steam on North Coast (per your notes) 
**Caltex siding deleted:** W.N. 27–1979 (ref. B2 79 46555) 
**Gunthorpe's Brick Siding deleted:** W.N. 27–1979 (ref. B2 79 46555) 
**Allen Taylor & Co. Ltd siding:** Station Code 399F; 612 km from Darling Harbour; controlling station Coffs Harbour (1982) 
**Motor-operated points:** **Sunday 7 November and Monday 8 November 1982** (two-day works) — Ground Frames F and C removed; F points (Main to Loop), F catchpoint/indicator, C crossover (Loop to No. 1 Goods Siding) removed; new Up Starting No. 14 at **606.849 km**; Down Starting No. 13 at **608.442 km**; call indicators at Down Second Home and Up Second Home signals; release button No. 83 for Frame C shunting; ETS Bonville–Coffs Harbour and Coffs Harbour–Landrigans retained; diagram centre pages (W.N. 43 and 45–1982; S&C 126170) 
**Circular:** No. 148–13 of 1944 (Coffs Harbour base diagram — referenced to 1963) 

### Associated Sidings

| Siding | Opened | Closed | Notes |
|--------|--------|--------|-------|
| Wharf Siding | **30 August 1915** | In use | Tramway crossing to wharf; Electric Releasing Switch at Lever E from 24 January 1923 |
| Harbour Works Siding | **30 August 1915** | **1952** | Per your notes |
| Jetty Branch / Goods Shed Siding for Jetty Branch | Unknown | **2 September 1958** | Per your notes |
| Turntable Siding / Banana Growers Federation Siding | Pre-1958 | In use (1958) | Extended to **1,330 feet** from 19 November 1958; Down side; shunted Up direction only (W.N. 50–1958; ref. A1–55–60,832) |
| Plywood Siding | Unknown | Unknown | Dead-end siding terminating at **608.777 km** (per your notes) |
| Caltex Siding | Unknown | Deleted W.N. 27–1979 | Deleted from all publications (W.N. 27 and 1979; ref. B2 79 46555) |
| Gunthorpe's Brick Siding | Unknown | Deleted W.N. 27–1979 | Deleted from all publications (W.N. 27–1979) |
| Allen Taylor & Co. Ltd Siding | By 1982 | Unknown | Station Code 399F; 612 km from Darling Harbour; controlling station Coffs Harbour |

---

> **Notes:** Coffs Harbour opened 30 August 1915 as the northern terminus of the Coffs Harbour–Raleigh isolated section. Down side 137.16-metre timber platform; goods shed; engine shed (from Bungendore); 18.2-metre turntable; coal stage. Wharf Siding and Harbour Works Siding opened at same date. Interlocked loop opened 17 July 1922 (same date as Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh opening); Signal-box A on platform; Frames B, C and D. Tramway crossing to Wharf — Electric Releasing Switch at Lever E installed 24 January 1923; previous Rear Lock and Key dispensed with. RRR opened 3 December 1923. 304mm bore water column 15 December 1924; 900 kl reservoir 9 August 1926; weir August 1928; 10-ton cart weighbridge March 1929. Water pump removed 12 September 1938; town supply thereafter.
>
> Loop converted to centrally-operated ETS Crossing Station 5 July 1944 — Circular No. 148–13 of 1944. 2-tonne crane recommissioned W.N. 5–1944. Platform extended to 184 metres and brick station built 25 August 1944; coal stage removed; 90 kl water tank at Down end. Frames C and D crossover point indicators removed 25 January 1963. RRR closed 16 April 1962. Diesel rail tractor instructions W.N. 27 and 30–1963. Banana Growers Federation Siding (extended turntable siding) 1,330 feet from 19 November 1958, Down side, Up direction shunting only. Divisible ETS Bonville–Coffs Harbour from 24 April 1967 — Sawtell as intermediate block post (W.N. 16 and 22–1967). All water facilities removed 1971. Caltex Siding and Gunthorpe's Brick Siding deleted W.N. 27–1979. Motor-operated points Sunday 7 and Monday 8 November 1982 — two-day works; Frames F and C removed; new Up Starting No. 14 at 606.849 km and Down Starting No. 13 at 608.442 km; release button No. 83 for Frame C; ETS Bonville–Coffs Harbour and Coffs Harbour–Landrigans retained.

---

## 1915 — Opened 30 August 1915; Coffs Harbour–Raleigh Isolated Section; Wharf and Harbour Works Sidings

### Opening — 30 August 1915
> **Coffs Harbour** opened — 30 August 1915 as part of Coffs Harbour–Raleigh isolated section. 137.16-metre Down platform; goods shed; engine shed (relocated from Bungendore); 18.2-metre turntable; coal stage; Wharf Siding and Harbour Works Siding at opening. *(Source: 1915 Weekly Notices; your notes)*

---

## 1922 — Interlocked Loop — 17 July 1922; Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh Line Opening; Signal-box A; Frames B, C, D

### Loop and Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh Opening — 17 July 1922
> **Opening of the Line from Coff's Harbour to Glenreagh (Grafton-Tweed Line)** — On **Monday, 17th July, 1922**, the line from Coff's Harbour to Glenreagh will be opened for traffic.
>
> **Coffs Harbour†††** — Signal-box "A" on platform; Frames "B," "C," and "D" — No. 1 Lever in each unlocked by key on Miniature Electric Train Staff for the section Coffs Harbour–Urunga [i.e. the North Coast Line south section]. ETS sections: Raleigh–Bonville Creek, Bonville Creek–Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour–Karangi.
>
> **Accommodation (1922):** Mileage 563 from Sydney; 492 from Newcastle; 1 crossing loop; 20 cattle trucks without engine; 1 weighbridge (truck and cart). *(Source: 1922 Weekly Notices — opening circular)*

### Temporary Ballast Siding Between Coffs Harbour and Karangi — 1922
> A temporary Ballast Siding laid in on the Up side at Mileage 50.54, between Coffs Harbour and Karangi; Frames A and B — No. 1 Lever released by Miniature ETS direct for section Coramba–Coffs Harbour (Regulation E), or Coffs Harbour–Coramba (Staff Drawer Lock; Regulation E). *(Source: 1922 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1923 — Tramway Crossing — Electric Releasing Switch — 24 January 1923

### Tramway Crossing Alteration — W.N. — 1923
> **Page 301 — Coff's Harbour (North Coast) — Altered Method of Working Tramway Crossing** — On **Wednesday, 24th January, 1923**, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., an Electric Releasing Switch will be provided at Lever **"E"**, released by **No. 13 Lever in Signal-box "A"**, and the existing Rear Lock and Key on Lever "E" will be dispensed with.
>
> The Catch-points in the Tramway Crossing are worked by Lever "E" and are open when Lever "E" is in the normal position.
>
> To permit of movements to or from the **Wharf** across the Main line, the method of working will be as follows: Telephone to Officer in charge at the station [to obtain permission]. *(Source: 1923 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1944 — 2-Tonne Crane Recommissioned; Loop Commissioned as ETS Crossing Station — 5 July 1944; Circular No. 148–13

### 2-Tonne Crane Recommissioned — W.N. 5–1944
> **Coffs Harbour (North Coast)** — The 2-ton jib crane at Coffs Harbour is again in commission. (G.C.5–43–52,503.) *(W.N. 5–1944)*

### Loop Commissioned as ETS Crossing Station — W.N. 26 and 27–1944
> **[Advance Notice — W.N. 26–1944]** — On **Wednesday, 5th July, 1944**, the points at each end of the Loop will be altered to work from the Signal-box, additional Down and Up Home and Starting signals will be brought into use and Coff's Harbour will become a Centrally-operated Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop. The complete arrangements will be in accordance with a Circular and diagram to be issued prior to the work being carried out. *(W.N. 26–1944)*

> **[Commissioning — W.N. 27–1944]** — On **Wednesday, 5th July, 1944**, Coff's Harbour will become a Centrally-operated Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop in accordance with **Circular No. 148–13 of 1944** and diagram attached. *(W.N. 27–1944)*

---

## 1958 — Turntable Siding Extended to 1,330 Feet; Banana Growers Federation Siding — 19 November 1958

### Banana Growers Federation Siding — W.N. 50–1958
> **Page 266 — Coffs Harbour (North Coast)** — Since **19th November, 1958**, the Turn-table Siding has been extended and is now **1,330 feet** in the clear. The Siding, which will now be known as **Banana Growers Federation Siding**, is on the **Down side** of the running line and can only be shunted in the **Up direction**. (A1–55–60,832.) *(W.N. 50–1958)*

---

## 1962 — RRR Closed — 16 April 1962

### RRR Closed — W.N. 19–1962
> **Railway Refreshment Rooms at Moss Vale, Coffs Harbour and Caragabal, closed, 16th April, 1962** — Since Monday, 16th April, 1962, the Railway Refreshment Rooms at Moss Vale, Coffs Harbour and Caragabal have been closed. All concerned to delete all information respecting these Refreshment Rooms from official publications. (R.R.R. 62–19,203.) *(W.N. 19–1962)*

---

## 1963 — Frames C and D Crossover Point Indicators Removed — 25 January 1963; Diesel Rail Tractor

### Frames C and D Point Indicators Removed — W.N. 6–1963
> **Coff's Harbour (North Coast) — Removal of Point Indicators, Frames C and D Crossovers** — Since **25th January, 1963**, the point indicators working in conjunction with No. 2 Frame C and No. 3 Frame D crossovers have been removed. Diagram attached to **Circular No. 148–13, Coff's Harbour, of 1944**, to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 6–1963)*

### Diesel Rail Tractor — W.N. 27 and 30–1963
> **Page 306 — Coffs Harbour** — A diesel rail tractor is provided at Coffs Harbour and may be permitted to occupy the line between the Up Outer Home signal and the Down Home signal for shunting purposes directly associated with the yard requirements. The working does not involve the usage of the token for the section and is to be carried out strictly in accordance with Regulation 49, clause (c) sub-clause (iii), page 147, General Appendix, Part II. (A.4–63–48,421.) *(W.N. 30–1963, superseding W.N. 27–1963)*

---

## 1967 — Divisible ETS Bonville–Coffs Harbour — 24 April 1967; Sawtell Intermediate Block Post

### Divisible ETS — W.N. 16–1967
> **Bonville–Coff's Harbour (North Coast) — Provision of Divisible Electric Train Staff Working** — On **Monday, 24th April, 1967**, between 8.0 a.m. and 4.0 p.m., divisible electric train staff working will be brought into use on the section **Bonville–Coff's Harbour**. Existing Miniature ETS Nos. 9–14 (Type C) replaced by divisible Miniature ETS Nos. 9–14 (Type C); key attached to staff portion only. **Sawtell** will be brought into use as an **intermediate block post**. *(W.N. 16–1967)*

### Sawtell Intermediate Block Post Conditions — W.N. 22–1967
> Divisible Electric Staff working must not be brought into operation on the section Bonville–Coffs Harbour unless a **competent employee, fully qualified in Electric Train Staff working, is in attendance at Sawtell**. When a train in possession of the "Ticket" portion has been despatched from Bonville or Coffs Harbour, the Signalman must not hand the "Staff" portion to a following train until advice has been received that the preceding train has departed complete from Sawtell. *(W.N. 22–1967)*

---

## 1979 — Caltex Siding and Gunthorpe's Brick Siding Deleted — W.N. 27–1979

### Sidings Deleted — W.N. 27–1979
> **Page 259 (List of Stations) / Page 188 (Local Appendix)** — Delete: **Caltex siding, Coffs Harbour**; delete all reference. (B2 79 46555.) *(W.N. 27–1979)*

> **Page 260 / Page 197** — Delete: **Gunthorpe's Brick siding, Coffs Harbour**; delete all reference. *(W.N. 27–1979)*

---

## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points — 7–8 November 1982; Frames F and C Removed; New Signals 606.849 and 608.442 km

### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 43 and 45–1982
> **Coffs Harbour (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Sunday, 7th November, 1982**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., and on **Monday, 8th November, 1982**, commencing 7.00 a.m. and continuing until completion, as a preliminary to the introduction of CTC signalling on the North Coast line, the Main line to Loop line points at each end of the crossing loop will be converted to motor operation.
>
> **Mechanical Ground Frames "F" and "C"** — "F" points (Main to Loop), "F" catchpoint and catchpoint indicator, and "C" crossover (Loop to No. 1 Goods Siding) — **removed**.
>
> **New Up Starting Signal No. 14** at **606.849 km**; **New Down Starting Signal No. 13** at **608.442 km**.
>
> **Frame C release (No. 83 button)** — for shunting to No. 1 Goods Siding: when shunting portion clear of Frame C points, signalman Coffs Harbour depresses No. 83 for one second upon telephone request by guard/shunter; yellow "release normal" light extinguishes; cancel button must be depressed when shunting completed.
>
> **Call indicators** — near Down Second Home and Up Second Home signals; flashing blue light and hooter.
>
> ETS Bonville–Coffs Harbour and Coffs Harbour–Landrigans retained; automatic staff exchangers remain.
>
> Diagram in **centre pages** of this Weekly Notice. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 43 and 45–1982)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **30 August 1915** | **Opened** — 137.16-metre Down platform; goods shed; engine shed (from Bungendore); 18.2-metre turntable; coal stage; Wharf Siding and Harbour Works Siding |
| **17 July 1922** | **Interlocked loop** opened — same date as Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh line; Signal-box A on platform; Frames B, C, D; sections Bonville Creek–Coffs Harbour and Coffs Harbour–Karangi |
| **24 January 1923** | Tramway crossing — Electric Releasing Switch at Lever E; Rear Lock dispensed with; Wharf working by telephone |
| **3 December 1923** | **RRR opened** |
| **15 December 1924** | 304mm bore water column at Up end of platform |
| **9 August 1926** | 900 kl water reservoir built |
| **August 1928** | Weir constructed for water storage |
| **March 1929** | 10-ton cart weighbridge installed |
| **12 September 1938** | Water supply pump and engine removed; town supply thereafter |
| **25 August 1944** | Platform extended 45 metres to 184 metres; brick station built; 90 kl water tank at Down end; coal stage removed; 2-tonne jib crane |
| **5 July 1944** | **Loop commissioned as ETS Crossing Station** — Circular No. 148–13 of 1944 (W.N. 27–1944) |
| **2 September 1958** | Jetty Branch / Goods Shed Siding for Jetty Branch closed |
| **19 November 1958** | Turntable Siding extended to 1,330 feet; renamed **Banana Growers Federation Siding** — Down side; Up direction only (W.N. 50–1958) |
| **16 April 1962** | **RRR closed** (W.N. 19–1962) |
| **25 January 1963** | Frames C and D crossover point indicators removed; Circular No. 148–13 amended (W.N. 6–1963) |
| W.N. 27 and 30–1963 | Diesel rail tractor instructions |
| **24 April 1967** | **Divisible ETS Bonville–Coffs Harbour** — Sawtell intermediate block post (W.N. 16 and 22–1967) |
| **October 1967** | Stockyards closed |
| **1971** | All water facilities removed — following end of steam |
| **W.N. 27–1979** | Caltex Siding and Gunthorpe's Brick Siding deleted from all publications |
| **7–8 November 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** (two-day works) — Ground Frames F and C removed; Up Starting No. 14 (606.849 km) and Down Starting No. 13 (608.442 km); release button No. 83 for Frame C; ETS Bonville–Coffs Harbour and Coffs Harbour–Landrigans retained (W.N. 43 and 45–1982; S&C 126170) |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1982.* 
*Note: The 17 July 1922 interlocked loop at Coffs Harbour is one of the earliest documented crossing loops on the isolated Coffs Harbour–Raleigh section — commissioned on the same day as the Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh line opened, connecting Coffs Harbour northward for the first time. Circular No. 148–13 of 1944 served as the Coffs Harbour base diagram from 1944 to at least 1963 (19 years). The two-day CTC conversion (7–8 November 1982) is one of only three two-day conversions in the North Coast CTC programme (joining Macksville and Wauchope).*