Macksville

[admin]

Although the station building was constructed from concrete units (drop slabs) made by the Signal Engineer's Branch, the signal box was a typical timber Type F design. It is interesting to note that the replacement toilet building was larger than the signal box. RT Taaffe

[admin]

3BS2 with NR16 & NR77 cross 1627
18-01-2000
Perway Depot to the right & BGF to the left which is still in operation 6 years after the cessation of bananas 🍌 by rail.
3 x NLKY louvre vans have been in long term storage in the siding which can be viewed thru the heat haze from the locomotives.
Ironically these are the vans the BGF wanted to purchase to keep the bananas 🍌 on rail & are sitting redundant as there is no traffic for them.
A slap in the face to the BGF by the Rail Authorities.
Greg Riddel

[admin]

# Macksville (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1919–1982

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**Type:** Station (in use) / Crossing Loop 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Eungai–Macksville / Macksville–Nambucca Heads sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 552.400 km (Mileage 343m 37c — per 1945 level crossing entry) 
**Location:** -30.709528, 152.912911 
**Opened:** **1 July 1919** (with opening of Kempsey–Macksville extension; Circular No. 116 of 1919) 
**Status:** In use 
**Name meaning:** After two pioneers — Angus Mackay and MacInally; "Macksville" = Mac's Village 
**Platform (original):** 137.16-metre Up side; later extended to **181 metres** 
**Station building:** Original timber; renewed in concrete (probably 1923) 
**Loop at opening:** 413-metre interlocked loop 
**Coal stage and turntable:** Relocated from Wauchope (15 June 1919) to Macksville (concurrent with line opening) 
**Goods shed and crane:** 3-tonne yard crane provided at opening; reduced capacity to 3 tonnes confirmed W.N. 44–1957 
**Pig trucking yards:** Provided **11 September 1920** (per your notes) 
**Banana Growers' Federation siding:** 12.1-metre platform installed end of **1942**; shunting charge 1s 3d/truck (W.N. 35–1942; ref. B.L.–42–820,021) 
**New 4 December 1934 loop:** Central interlocked loop; Down Home signal (No. 18) replaced with new half-bracket signal 13 November 1934; unattended working instructions W.N. 49–1934 and 1935 — indicator "U" on Starting signals (No. 6 lever); Nos. 7 and 13 levers; Circular No. 495–25 of 1934 
**Eungai–Macksville large→miniature ETS:** **9 May 1935** — Type R; 1–8 key, 9–45 ordinary; Circulars 116/1919 and 495–25/1934 amended 
**Nambucca Co-operative Meat Co. Ltd. Siding:** Established by 1940; instructions amended (W.N. — 1940) 
**Level Crossing (343m 37c):** Gates open for road traffic from 6.0 a.m. to midnight (W.N. 2–1945; amending W.N. 31–1940 which showed "always") 
**COR Siding:** Opened **28 April 1957** — 210 feet in clear; Frame F (No. 2 lever, Up side near points); No. 1 lever unlocked by duplex lock No. 10 lever in Signal-box; 9 vehicles standing room; Circular No. 495–25 of 1934 amended (W.N. 18–1957; ref. S.&T.E. 55–618,110) 
**BP Siding:** Renamed from COR Siding — **1 March 1958** (per your notes) 
**Wharf Siding abolished:** **7 October 1975** — 2B points placed out of use; Frame B and equipment out of use; No. 9 releasing lever spare; Circular No. 495–25 amended (W.N. 40–1975; ref. S.&C. 73/620108) 
**Up Home signals relocated:** **10 November 1975** — Nos. 2 and 4 relocated approximately 6 metres toward Brisbane; Down Starting No. 17 relocated approximately 3 metres toward Sydney; Circular No. 495–25 amended (W.N. 44–1975; ref. S.&C. 107683) 
**Down Inner Distant renewed:** **11 November 1975** — signal post No. 19 renewed (W.N. 45–1975) 
**Motor-operated points:** **Sunday 10 October and Monday 11 October 1982** (two-day works); new Up Starting No. 14 at 551.661 km; Down Outer Home No. 1 at 551.160 km; Up Home on Grafton side of Taylor's Arm Road level crossing (Type F signals and warning bell); call indicators at Down Second Home and Up Second Home; ETS Eungai–Macksville and Macksville–Nambucca Heads retained (W.N. 40–1982; S&C 126170) 
**Full CTC:** **2 May 1983** — ETS Eungai–Macksville and Macksville–Nambucca Heads cancelled; Broadmeadow CTC (W.N. — 1983) 
**Circular:** No. 116 of 1919 (Kempsey to Macksville base); No. 259 of 1920 (1920 yard alterations); No. 495–25 of 1934 (Macksville base diagram — referenced to 1982) 
**Public Telephone:** No. 57 on local exchange installed at Macksville Railway Station (W.N. — 1920) 

---

> **Notes:** Macksville opened 1 July 1919 as the terminus of the Kempsey–Macksville extension (Circular No. 116 of 1919). Coal stage and 18.2-metre turntable relocated from Wauchope (removed 15 June 1919) to Macksville for the line opening. Public telephone No. 57 installed at station (W.N. — 1920). Station Master's residence on telephone circuit (W.N. — 1920).
>
> In November 1920, the loop at Macksville end was extended; new Goods Siding at rear of Goods Shed; Shunting Neck at Sydney end of Yard; Down Main and Down Loop Starting signals moved 54 feet further out; Circular No. 259 of 1920 (later No. 250 of 1920) issued. Pig trucking yards 11 September 1920. Banana Growers' Federation siding by end of 1942 (12.1-metre platform; shunting charge 1s 3d/truck). Level crossing at 343m 37c — gates 6.0 a.m. to midnight (amended from "always" — W.N. 2–1945; W.N. 31–1940 superseded).
>
> New 4 December 1934 loop — Down Home signal No. 18 replaced by new half-bracket signal 13 November 1934 (W.N. 46–1934); unattended working instructions W.N. 49–1934 (indicator "U" by No. 6 lever; Nos. 7 and 13 levers; leave Down Home clear for next Down train); superseded W.N. 1–1935 (amended instructions). Eungai–Macksville large→miniature ETS 9 May 1935 (Type R; 1–8 key, 9–45 ordinary). Macksville–Raleigh section cancelled and Macksville–Nambucca section created (Circular No. 387 of 1923 amended; W.N. 2–1934 — Frames A and B at Urunga released by Macksville–Nambucca ETS). COR Siding opened 28 April 1957 (Frame F; 210 feet; duplex lock No. 10; Circular No. 495–25 amended); renamed BP Siding 1 March 1958. Crane at reduced 3-tonne capacity W.N. 44–1957. Wharf Siding abolished 7 October 1975; Up Home and Down Starting signals relocated 10 November 1975; Down Inner Distant post renewed 11 November 1975. Motor-operated points Sunday 10–Monday 11 October 1982.

---

## 1919 — Opened 1 July 1919; Coal Stage and Turntable from Wauchope; 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**. *(Source: 1919 Weekly Notices)*

### Macksville as Terminus — Hours of Duty — 1919
> **Macksville** — Hours of duty: Monday–Saturday 9.0 a.m.–12.30 p.m. and 2.0 p.m.–6.30 p.m.; Sundays off duty. *(Source: 1919 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1920 — Public Telephone No. 57; SM's Residence; Loop Extended; Circular No. 259

### Public Telephone — W.N. — 1920
> **Public Telephone Connection, Macksville (North Coast)** — A telephone has been installed at the Macksville Railway Station, with connection **No. 57** on the local Public [exchange]. *(Source: 1920 Weekly Notices)*

### SM's Residence on Circuit — 1920
> **Macksville, Station Master's Residence** — listed on telephone circuit. *(Source: 1920 Weekly Notices)*

### Loop Extended and Yard Alterations — November 1920 — Circular No. 259/250 of 1920
> The loop at Macksville end will be extended. The connection between the Main line and the Macksville end of the Loop line and Sidings will be re-arranged. A new Goods Siding laid in at the rear of the Goods Shed will be brought into use, also the new Shunting Neck at the Sydney end of the Yard.
>
> On **Friday, 26th November, 1920**, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Down Starting Main line, the Down Starting Loop to Main line and the Shunting Loop to Shunting Neck signals will be out of use for the purpose of being moved to new positions on the same side of the line, **54 feet further out** from the station.
>
> Complete arrangements in accordance with **Circular No. 259 of 1920** (later referred to as Circular No. 250 of 1920). *(Source: 1920 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1934 — Macksville–Nambucca Section; Down Home Signal Replaced — November 1934; Unattended Working — W.N. 49–1934

### Macksville–Nambucca Section Created — W.N. 2–1934
> **Urunga (North Coast) — Altered Releasing of Ground Frames** — On and from Tuesday, 9th January, 1934, No. 1 lever in Frames "A" and "B" will be released by the Staff for the section **Macksville–Nambucca**. Circular No. 387 of 1923 to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 2–1934)*

> **Note:** This confirms the Macksville–Raleigh section was cancelled and Macksville–Nambucca created. The new 4 December 1934 loop at Macksville also required new ETS sections.

### Down Home Signal Replaced — W.N. 46–1934
> **Macksville (North Coast) — Alteration to Down Home Signal** — On **Tuesday, 13th November, 1934**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the Down Home signal (No. 18) will be out of use for the purpose of replacing it by a new signal, fitted with a **left-hand half bracket** to carry the future Down Home signal, Main to Loop. (S.&T.E. G.34–10 B.) *(W.N. 46–1934)*

### Unattended Working — W.N. 49–1934
> **Macksville — Working When Signal-box is Unattended** — The signalling arrangements have been modified to permit trains to be worked through when the Signal-box is unattended, without clearing the Main line Starting signals.
>
> Indicators, worked by **No. 6 lever**, are provided on the post of the Main line Starting signals, immediately below the arm. The Officer in charge, before going off duty, or the Guard, must pull over **Nos. 7 and 13 levers**, clear the Down Home signal if the next train is a Down train, and then pull over **No. 6 lever**, which causes the indicators to display the letter **"U"** (unattended). When the Guard is aware a crossing is to be made, Home signals must be left at Stop, and Nos. 7, 13 and 6 levers pulled over. *(W.N. 49–1934)*

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## 1935 — Unattended Working Instructions Superseded — W.N. 1–1935; Eungai–Macksville Large to Miniature ETS

### Unattended Working Superseded — W.N. 1–1935
> **Page 266 — Macksville — Working When Signal-box is Unattended** — Instructions on this subject issued in **Weekly Notice No. 49 of 1934** are amended and superseded by the following [updated instructions confirming "U" indicator arrangement; Nos. 7, 13 and 6 levers; Down Home left at clear for next Down train; Nos. 7, 13 and 6 pulled over when crossing is to be made]. *(W.N. 1–1935)*

### Eungai–Macksville Large→Miniature ETS — 9 May 1935
> See Eungai entry — **Eungai–Macksville** section converted to miniature ETS, Type R; 1–8 key, 9–45 ordinary; Circulars 116/1919 and 495–25/1934 amended. *(W.N. 1–1935)*

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## 1942 — Banana Growers' Federation Siding — Shunting Charge — W.N. 35–1942

### Banana Growers' Federation — W.N. 35–1942
> **Macksville — Siding, a/c Banana Growers' Federation** — Shunting charge: **1s 3d per truck**, subject to a maximum charge of **11s. 0d.** for each 15 minutes or part thereof. (B.L.–42–820,021.) *(W.N. 35–1942)*

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## 1945 — Level Crossing 343m 37c — Gates 6 a.m. to Midnight — W.N. 2–1945

### Level Crossing — W.N. 2–1945
> **Page 106 — Level Crossing, Macksville, Mileage 343m 37c** — Instructions in Weekly Notice No. 31 of 1940, which indicate that the gates at the aforementioned level crossing are open for road traffic **"always"**, are to be amended to show **"6.0 a.m. to midnight."** (S.–44–9161.) *(W.N. 2–1945)*

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## 1957 — COR Siding Opened — 28 April 1957; Frame F; Duplex Lock; Circular No. 495–25 Amended

### COR Siding — W.N. 18–1957
> **Macksville (North Coast) — Provision of C.O.R. Siding** — [Since 28 April 1957] a new dead-end siding, approximately **210 feet in length** in the clear, is known as **"C.O.R. Siding, Macksville."**
>
> **Frame "F"** — the points in the Main line and catchpoint in the siding are worked from No. 2 Lever in Frame "F" situated on the **Up side** of the line adjacent to the points. No. 1 Lever (F.P.L. No. 2 points) is unlocked by either key from the **Duplex lock on No. 10 Lever** in the Signal-box.
>
> **Circular No. 495–25 of 1934**, and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E. 55–618,110–W.&M.) *(W.N. 18–1957)*

### COR Siding Accommodation — W.N. 20–1957
> **Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided** — Insert after Macksville: Station, Platform or Siding — **C.O.R. Siding**; Number of Sprags provided — **4**; Standing room, other sidings — **9** [vehicles]. (A. 1–55–71,115.) *(W.N. 20–1957)*

### Crane at Reduced Capacity — W.N. 44–1957
> **Page 97 — Macksville (North Coast Line)** — Crane now in commission at **reduced capacity of 3 tons**. Amend particulars under heading "Cranes." (G.W. 57–R.G.2.–B.M.) *(W.N. 44–1957)*

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## 1958 — COR Siding Renamed BP Siding — 1 March 1958

### BP Siding — 1958
> **COR Siding, Macksville renamed BP Siding — 1 March 1958.** *(Source: your notes — formal WN rename notice not found in OCR of 1958 volume)*

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## 1965 — Nambucca Heads Listed After Macksville; Level Crossing Instructions

### Nambucca Heads Added — W.N. — 1965
> **Page 305 — Stations and Sidings** — Add after Macksville: **Nambucca Heads** [confirming Nambucca Heads now separately listed]. *(Source: 1965 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1975 — Wharf Siding Abolished — 7 October 1975; Signals Relocated — November 1975

### Wharf Siding Abolished — W.N. 40–1975
> **Macksville (North Coast) — Abolition of Wharf Siding** — On **Tuesday, 7th October, 1975**, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., No. 2B points, Main line to Wharf siding, will be placed out of use and secured by standard clip and XL lock pending removal. **Frame B** and associated equipment will be placed out of use pending removal and **No. 9 releasing lever** in the signal-box will become spare.
>
> **Circular No. 495–25, Macksville, of 1934**, and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. (S.&C. 73/620108–W.&M.) *(W.N. 40–1975)*

### Up Home Signals and Down Starting Relocated — W.N. 44–1975
> **Macksville (North Coast) — Relocation of Up Home Signals Nos. 2 and 4 and Down Starting Signal No. 17** — On **Monday, 10th November, 1975**, between 4.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., the Up Home signals **Nos. 2 and 4** will be relocated approximately **6 metres toward Brisbane** and the Down Starting signal, Main line, **No. 17**, will be relocated approximately **3 metres toward Sydney**.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 495–25, Macksville, of 1934**, to be amended accordingly. (S.&C. 107683.) *(W.N. 44–1975)*

### Down Inner Distant Signal Post Renewed — W.N. 45–1975
> **Macksville (North Coast) — Renewal of Post of Down Inner Distant Signal No. 19** — On **Tuesday, 11th November, 1975**, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., the Down Inner Distant signal **No. 19** will be out of use for the purpose of renewing the signal post. (S.&C. 75 780137–W.&M.) *(W.N. 45–1975)*

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## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points — 10–11 October 1982; New Signals; Taylor's Arm Road Level Crossing

### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 40–1982
> **Macksville (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Sunday, 10th October, 1982**, between 7.09 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., and on **Monday, 11th October, 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 and the mechanical Main line and loop line signals will be replaced by **colour light signals**.
>
> **New signals:**
> - **Up Starting No. 14** at **551.661 km** (Sydney side)
> - **Down Outer Home No. 1** at **551.160 km** (Sydney side)
> - **Down Starting No. 13** — at [Grafton end]
>
> The **Up Home signal** will be located on the **Grafton side of the Taylor's Arm Road crossing** — automatic control in Down and Up directions of **Type F flashing light highway signals and warning bell** subject to clearance of the protecting signal.
>
> **Telephone Call Indicators** — near **Down Second Home** and **Up Second Home** signals at each end; flashing blue light and hooter.
>
> Electric train staff working remains in use on sections **Eungai–Macksville** and **Macksville–Nambucca Heads**; automatic staff exchangers remain.
>
> **Route Control Relay Interlocking Unit** — combined control panel and indicator diagram.
>
> Diagram in centre pages of this Weekly Notice. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 40–1982)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **1 July 1919** | **Opened** as terminus — 137.16-metre Up platform; 413-metre interlocked loop; goods shed and 3-tonne crane; coal stage and 18.2-metre turntable relocated from Wauchope; Circular No. 116 of 1919 |
| W.N. — 1920 | Public telephone No. 57 at station; SM's residence on circuit |
| November 1920 | Loop extended at Macksville end; new Goods Siding at rear of Goods Shed; Shunting Neck Sydney end; Down Starting signals moved 54 feet; Circular No. 259/250 of 1920 |
| **11 September 1920** | **Pig trucking yards provided** |
| W.N. 2–1934 | Macksville–Nambucca section created; Macksville–Raleigh cancelled; Urunga Frames A and B altered |
| **13 November 1934** | Down Home No. 18 replaced with new half-bracket signal (W.N. 46–1934) |
| **4 December 1934** | **Central interlocked loop provided**; Circular No. 495–25 of 1934 issued |
| W.N. 49–1934 | Unattended working — "U" indicator (No. 6 lever); Nos. 7 and 13 levers |
| W.N. 1–1935 | Unattended working instructions superseded |
| **9 May 1935** | Eungai–Macksville large→miniature ETS — Type R; 1–8 key, 9–45 ordinary |
| End 1942 | **Banana Growers' Federation siding** — 12.1-metre platform; shunting charge 1s 3d/truck (W.N. 35–1942) |
| W.N. 2–1945 | Level crossing (343m 37c) — gates amended from "always" to 6 a.m.–midnight |
| W.N. 44–1957 | Crane at reduced capacity of 3 tonnes |
| **28 April 1957** | **COR Siding opened** — 210 feet; Frame F; duplex lock No. 10 lever; 9 vehicles; Circular No. 495–25 amended (W.N. 18 and 20–1957) |
| **1 March 1958** | **COR Siding renamed BP Siding** |
| **7 October 1975** | **Wharf Siding abolished** — 2B points placed out of use; Frame B out of use; No. 9 lever spare; Circular No. 495–25 amended (W.N. 40–1975) |
| **10 November 1975** | Up Home Nos. 2 and 4 relocated 6m toward Brisbane; Down Starting No. 17 relocated 3m toward Sydney; Circular No. 495–25 amended (W.N. 44–1975) |
| **11 November 1975** | Down Inner Distant No. 19 — post renewed (W.N. 45–1975) |
| **10–11 October 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** (two-day works) — Up Starting No. 14 (551.661 km), Down Outer Home No. 1 (551.160 km); Up Home Grafton side of Taylor's Arm Road — Type F signals and warning bell; call indicators at Down Second Home and Up Second Home; ETS Eungai–Macksville and Macksville–Nambucca Heads retained (W.N. 40–1982; S&C 126170) |
| **2 May 1983** | Full CTC — ETS cancelled; Broadmeadow CTC; automatic exchangers removed |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1919–1982.* 
*Note: Circular No. 495–25 of 1934 served as the Macksville base diagram from 1934 to 1982 — **48 years**. The Macksville CTC conversion was a two-day operation (Sunday 10 and Monday 11 October 1982) — one of only two documented two-day conversions in the North Coast CTC programme (the other being Wauchope). The coal stage and turntable from Wauchope were physically relocated to Macksville on 15 June 1919 — two weeks before the line opened — to establish loco servicing facilities at the new terminus.*