Kerewong Loop

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Kerewong, 2024 (John Berik)

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Kerewong, 1948 (Wal Browning)

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Crossing loop was opened as a key locked type in December 1943. The following month it was
converted to a centrally operated loop with a signal box. The early opening could have been due to
wartime needs.

The points and signals were converted to power operation in July 1982 at which time the mechanical
interlocking machine was replaced by a DML OCS panel. When control was transferred to
Broadmeadow CTC the signal box was closed and the panel was redesignated an emergency panel at
which time it was transferred to the Traffic room of the relay room.

The design drawing used for Kerewong was also used at Gaulds, Mt Neville, The Risk and Loadstone.

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Bago road with the newly opened overhead bridge in the foreground & the old timber bridge under demolition in the background.
3-1-93 (Greg Riddel)

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Down freight approaching Kerewong.
3-1-93
Photo John Barrett

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44206 & 2 x 44 class on a down freight at Kerewong.
The second city end loop extension finishes with the toe of 51 points under the new bridge. (Greg Riddel)

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Down freight trailing view at Kerewong.
3-1-93
Photo John Barrett

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44209 with N36, the first loop extension can be seen in this view.
3-1-93
Photo John Barrett

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N36 at Kerewong another view, loop entry speed is 35kph (51 points)
3-1-93
Photo John Barrett

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N36 with 44209 passing under the new Bago road overhead bridge.
3-1-93
Photo John Barrett

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# Kerewong Loop (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1943–1982

---

**Type:** Crossing Loop (in use — 1,598 metres since 2009) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Kendall–Kerewong / Kerewong–Wauchope sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 446.030 km (Mileage 277m approximately) 
**Location:** -31.539060, 152.726790 
**Between:** Kendall and Wauchope 
**Opened:** **2 April 1943** — as "Open/Closed" ETS and Crossing Loop (Circular No. 70–8 of 1943 and Circular No. 1 of 1943; W.N. 14–1943) 
**Converted to centrally-operated signal-box:** **5 January 1944** — Frames A, B and C dispensed with; new Signal-box on Down side; Down and Up Home and Starting signals (W.N. 52–1943 and 1–1944) 
**ETS sections at opening:** Kendall–Kerewong (Type C, Staffs 1–8 Key, 9–50 Ordinary) and Kerewong–Wauchope (Type B, Staffs 1–50 Ordinary); Kendall–Wauchope cancelled 
**Home signals relocated:** **15 December 1943** — Down Home No. 2 and Up Home No. 7 refixed 150 feet nearer to Sydney and South Grafton respectively; Circular No. 70–8 amended (W.N. 50–1943) 
**Employee platform:** 4.87-metre platform erected **1945** 
**Residence:** Provided opposite signal-box 
**Up exchanger relocated:** **9 June 1980** — 20 metres nearer to Grafton; Circular No. 123–1980; Circular No. 303–32 amended (W.N. 25–1980) 
**Motor-operated points:** **26 July 1982** — route control relay interlocking panel; ETS Kendall–Kerewong and Kerewong–Wauchope retained; diagram page 36 (W.N. 29–1982; confirmed W.N. 30–1982; S&C 126170) 
**Signal box closed:** **19 December 1982** (per your notes) 
**Loop extended to 1,598 metres:** **2009** 
**Status:** In use 
**Name meaning:** Named after the town of Kerewong (now Boorganna), 32 km to the west 
**Circular:** No. 70–8 of 1943 (initial open/closed arrangement); No. 303–32 of 1943 (full centralised arrangements; referenced to 1980) 
**CTC sections (1982):** Kendall–Kerewong (12.995 km) and Kerewong–Wauchope (9.032 km) 
**Local control panel:** Provided in Traffic Room; Regulation 24 of Circular No. 91–2 (1982) 

---

> **Notes:** Kerewong opened on **2 April 1943** under an unusual "open/closed" arrangement — the loop could be opened or closed as required, making it one of the few wartime loops specifically designed for seasonal/demand operation. When "Closed" as an ETS station: Frame A signals left in clear position; closing lever No. 4 in reverse; key held by District Assistant Engineer, S&T Branch, South Grafton. When "Open": opening lever No. 6 in reverse; Frames B and C active with No. 1 levers unlocked by duplex lock on No. 5 lever Frame A. Unused ETS staffs kept by District AE, S&T, South Grafton. This arrangement was deleted from the Local Appendix "Stations opened during busy seasons" in W.N. 1–1944 — confirming the loop had been made permanent. Heron's Creek intermediate sidings table amended from Kendall–Wauchope to Kendall–Kerewong (W.N. 1–1944).
>
> Home signals relocated 150 feet nearer each end on **15 December 1943** (W.N. 50–1943 — note OCR date shows "1945" but context is clearly 1943). Converted to centrally-operated signal-box on **5 January 1944** — Frames A, B and C dispensed with; new Signal-box on Down side; Down and Up Home and Starting signals; indicators on Main Starting signals for when Signal-box unattended (W.N. 52–1943 and 1–1944). Employee platform 4.87 metres erected 1945. Residence provided opposite Signal-box.
>
> By 1960 Kerewong was listed as "Kerewong (house)" in the signal electrician's district table — no officer at the station itself; only residence on circuit. Up direction staff exchanger relocated 20 metres nearer to Grafton on 9 June 1980 (Circular No. 123–1980; Circular No. 303–32 of 1943 amended). Motor-operated points and colour light signals **26 July 1982** (W.N. 29–1982; confirmed W.N. 30–1982) — single-light colour light signals; route control relay interlocking panel; ETS Kendall–Kerewong and Kerewong–Wauchope retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; telephone call indicators (blue light and hooter); local control panel (Regulation 24, Circular No. 91–2/1982). Signal-box closed **19 December 1982**. Loop extended to 1,598 metres in 2009.

---

## 1943 — Opened 2 April 1943; Open/Closed Arrangement; Circular No. 70–8; Circular No. 1 of 1943

### Opened as Open/Closed ETS and Crossing Loop — W.N. 14–1943
> **Kerewong (North Coast) — Into Use as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop** — On **2nd April, 1943**, Kerewong was brought into use as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop (vide Circular No. 1 of 1943).
>
> The complete arrangements are in accordance with clause (b) of **Circular No. 70–8 of 1943**, and diagram attached thereto.
>
> The Electric Train Staff section **"Kendall–Wauchope"** was cancelled, and the sections now in use are:
> - **Kendall–Kerewong**: Electric Train Staff, Type C; Staffs Nos. 1–8 Key and 9–50 Ordinary
> - **Kerewong–Wauchope**: Electric Train Staff, Type B; Staffs Nos. 1–50 Ordinary
>
> (C.T.M. 42–30,517; S. & T.E. —.) *(W.N. 14–1943)*

### Signalling Arrangements — Open/Closed — W.N. 14–1943
> **When Kerewong is "Closed" as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station:**
> - Frame A: Down and Up Home and Distant signals left in the **clear position**; closing lever (No. 4) left in the reverse position; key kept by District Assistant Engineer, Signal and Telegraph Branch, South Grafton
> - Frames B and C: not in use
>
> **When Kerewong is "Open" as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station:**
> - Frame A: Down and Up Home and Distant signals worked from Frame A; opening lever (No. 6) left in the reverse position; key kept by District Assistant Engineer, S&T Branch, South Grafton
> - Frames B and C: No. 1 levers unlocked by either key from the **duplex lock on No. 5 lever in Frame A**; when not in use, keys secured by standard clip and S.L. lock
> - Electric Train Staffs not in use: kept by District Assistant Engineer, S&T Branch, South Grafton
>
> (C.T.M. 42–31,507; S. & T.E. —.) *(W.N. 14–1943)*

### Home Signals Relocated 150 Feet — 15 December 1943
> **Kerewong (North Coast) — Alteration to Location of Home Signals** — On **Monday, 15th December, 1943**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the Down Home signal, No. 2, and the Up Home signal, No. 7, will be refixed **150 feet nearer to Sydney and South Grafton respectively**.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 70–8 of 1943** to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 50–1943)*

### Conversion to Centrally-Operated Crossing Loop — 5 January 1944 — W.N. 52–1943
> **Kerewong (North Coast) — Conversion to Centrally Operated Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop** — On **Wednesday, 5th January, 1944**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., Kerewong will be converted to a centrally operated Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop.
>
> The main alterations to be carried out are as follows:
> 1. The existing Frames A, B and C will be dispensed with and a new **Signal-box** will be provided on the **Down side** of the line
> 2. Down and Up Home and Starting Signals will be provided
> 3. The points at each end of the Loop and all signals will be worked from the Signal-box
> 4. **"U" indicators** will be provided on the Main line Starting Signals
>
> The complete arrangements in accordance with Circular and diagram attached thereto, to be issued prior to work being carried out. (S. & T.E. —.) *(W.N. 52–1943)*

---

## 1944 — Open/Closed Arrangement Deleted; Local Appendix Updated; Heron's Creek Section Changed

### Open/Closed Arrangement Deleted — W.N. 1–1944
> **Page 12 — Clause (d) — Stations Opened During Busy Seasons or as Required** — Delete **"Kerewong"** and references thereto. (C.T.M. 43–50,818; S. & T.E. —.) *(W.N. 1–1944)*

### Heron's Creek Intermediate Sidings Section Amended — W.N. 1–1944
> **Page 32 — Intermediate Sidings, North Coast Line — Heron's Creek** — Amend "Kendall–Wauchope" under heading "Electric Train Staff Section" to read **"Kendall–Kerewong."** (C.T.M. 43–50,818; S. & T.E. —.) *(W.N. 1–1944)*

### Kerewong Working When Signal-box Unattended — W.N. 1–1944
> **Page 265 — Kerewong** — Delete existing instructions and insert the following: **KEREWONG. Working when Signal-box is unattended** — [full unattended working instructions for centrally-operated loop; "U" indicators on Main line Starting Signals]. *(W.N. 1–1944)*

---

## 1945 — Employee Platform Erected; No. 80A Circuit

### Employee Platform — 1945
> Employee platform 4.87 metres erected at Kerewong — **1945**. *(Source: your notes)*

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## 1955 — Kerewong House Listed on Telephone Circuit

### Telephone Circuit — 1955
> **Kerewong — House** listed on telephone circuit (appears twice). *(Source: 1955 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1960 — Kerewong (House) Listed in Signal Electrician District

### Signal Electrician District — 1960
> **Kerewong (house)** — listed as E.S. (signal electrician station) in district table. No officer at station; residence only on circuit. *(Source: 1960 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1965 — Section Wauchope–Kerewong Referenced

### Section Reference — 1965
> The Electric Train Staff for the section **Wauchope–Kerewong** [referenced in working instructions]. *(Source: 1965 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1970 — Kerewong (A.U.–A.D.); Renewal of Leading-off Timbers

### Signal-box Attended — W.N. — 1970
> **Kerewong (A.U.–A.D.)** — listed as Attended Unlimited / Attended at Distances; Signal-box in use. *(Source: 1970 Weekly Notices)*

### Leading-off Timbers Renewed — W.N. — 1970
> **Kerewong (North Coast) — Renewal of Leading-off Timbers at Signal-box** — On Thursday [date], [leading-off timbers renewed]. *(Source: 1970 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1975 — Kerewong in Signaller Relief Roster; Shunting E.S.

### Signaller Relief — 1975
> **Sog.Rlf. Kerewong** — listed in signaller relief roster, classification **Shunting, E.S.** (appears four times; minimum age 20). *(Source: 1975 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1980 — Up Staff Exchanger Relocated 20 Metres — 9 June 1980; Circular No. 303–32 Amended

### Up Exchanger Relocated — W.N. 25–1980
> **Kerewong (North Coast) — Relocation of Up Direction Automatic Staff Exchanger** — Since **9th June, 1980**, the Up direction ground staff exchanger was relocated **20 metres nearer to Grafton** vide Circular No. 123–1980.
>
> **Circular No. 303–32, Kerewong, of 1943** and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. (S&C —.) *(W.N. 25–1980)*

---

## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 26 July 1982; ETS Retained; Signal-box Closed 19 December 1982

### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 29–1982 (confirmed W.N. 30–1982)
> **Kerewong (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 26th July, 1982**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., as a preliminary to the introduction of CTC signalling on the North Coast line, the Main line to loop points at each end of Kerewong crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals will be replaced by **colour light signals**.
>
> The foregoing points and signals will be worked from a **route control relay interlocking control panel** located in the signal-box. The existing mechanical interlocking machine will be placed out of use.
>
> The colour light signals will be of the **single light type** and will show indications in accordance with Regulation 5 (Signalling) of the General Appendix, Part II.
>
> A **low speed indication** (small green light) with route indicator, cleared by an approaching train, will be provided beneath the main head of the Down Home signal and the Up Home signal.
>
> Electric train staff working will remain in use on the sections **Kendall–Kerewong** and **Kerewong–Wauchope**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Kerewong will remain available.
>
> **Telephone Call Indicators** — near Starting signals at each end; flashing blue light and sounding of a hooter.
>
> **Route Control Relay Interlocking Unit** — combined control panel and indicator diagram; track indicator lights for track occupancy (red). Diagram on **page 36** of this Weekly Notice. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 29–1982; confirmed W.N. 30–1982)*

### CTC Sections — 1982
> CTC section distances:
> - **Kendall–Kerewong**: 12.995 km
> - **Kerewong–Wauchope**: 9.032 km
>
> *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices — CTC section table)*

### Local Control Panel — 1982
> **Local control panels** provided at Melinga, Coopernook, John's River, Kendall, **Kerewong**, Wauchope, Telegraph Point and Kundabung — in Traffic Room attached to CTC Relay room; Regulation 24, Circular No. 91–2 (1982), North Coast Centralised Traffic Control. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices)*

### Signal-box Closed — 19 December 1982
> **Signal-box closed — Kerewong — 19 December 1982.** *(Source: your notes)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **2 April 1943** | **Opened** as Open/Closed ETS and Crossing Loop — 432-metre loop; Open/Closed arrangement (closing lever No. 4 / opening lever No. 6; keys at District AE S&T South Grafton); Kendall–Wauchope cancelled; **Kendall–Kerewong** (Type C, 1–8 Key, 9–50 Ordinary) and **Kerewong–Wauchope** (Type B, 1–50 Ordinary) opened; Circular No. 70–8 of 1943 and Circular No. 1 of 1943 (W.N. 14–1943) |
| **15 December 1943** | Down Home No. 2 and Up Home No. 7 relocated **150 feet** nearer to Sydney and South Grafton; Circular No. 70–8 amended (W.N. 50–1943) |
| **5 January 1944** | **Converted to centrally-operated Signal-box** — Frames A, B and C dispensed with; new Signal-box Down side; Down and Up Home and Starting Signals; "U" indicators on Main Starting signals; Circular No. 303–32 of 1943 issued (W.N. 52–1943 and 1–1944) |
| W.N. 1–1944 | Open/Closed arrangement deleted from "Stations opened during busy seasons" table; Heron's Creek section amended from Kendall–Wauchope to Kendall–Kerewong |
| **1945** | **Employee platform erected** — 4.87 metres |
| 1955 | Kerewong House listed on telephone circuit |
| 1960 | Kerewong (house) in signal electrician district (E.S.); no officer at station |
| 1975 | Signaller relief roster — Shunting, E.S. classification; minimum age 20 |
| **9 June 1980** | **Up direction staff exchanger relocated** 20 metres nearer to Grafton; Circular No. 303–32 of 1943 amended (W.N. 25–1980) |
| **26 July 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — single-light type; route control relay interlocking panel; ETS Kendall–Kerewong and Kerewong–Wauchope retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; telephone call indicators; local control panel; diagram page 36 (W.N. 29 and 30–1982; S&C 126170) |
| **19 December 1982** | **Signal-box closed** |
| **2009** | Loop extended to **1,598 metres** |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1943–1982.* 
*Note: Kerewong's "Open/Closed" arrangement at opening (April 1943) is unique in the North Coast collection — specifically designed for seasonal demand, with a formal mechanism (closing lever/opening lever, keys at the District AE) for switching between staffed crossing station and automatic through-working. The arrangement lasted less than nine months before being superseded by the permanent centrally-operated signal-box (January 1944). Two separate Circulars were issued on opening day — Circular No. 1 of 1943 (the initial arrangement) and Circular No. 70–8 of 1943 (the full working instructions). Circular No. 303–32 of 1943 succeeded these as the base diagram through to 1980.*