Stokers

[admin]

Timetable supplied by Peter Cokley

[admin]

Stoker's , 1/8/1986 - at this stage the old station was already a shop but had not yet been turned away from the line.

[admin]

Stokers, August 1983

[admin]

Stoker's, undated. The extension nearest to the camera is part of the original Dunbible station that was added to the station building after private purchase. (State Archives)

[admin]

Stokers (undated, uncredited)

[Peter Cokley]

Stokers, near Murwillumbah, was rearranged in the 1990s. The level crossing was shifted from the north side to the south side. This straightened the junction with Smiths Creek Rd to Uki. The old format had the road to Uki crossing the line then doing a dog leg on its way west. The new format has the road to Uki crossing the line then straight out of Stokers to Uki. Old format in 1991 aerial and new in 1997 aerial. The attached has 1991 and present day Google image.

[Peter Cokley]

The attached image shows the station, not the rails, was moved back. Rails in bitumen level crossing show rail's original alignment.

[admin]

Friday 25.04.1969. Photo: Peter Neve

[Peter Cokley]

Station building when in use for trains was on the southern side of the level crossing, as marked on the attached rail plan, while the same station building now used as a shop. This meant the level crossing moved from north of building to south of building, giving a straight road road to Uki without the bend around the station on the western side.

[admin]

# Stokers (Casino–Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1911–1981

---

**Type:** Station (later Platform) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 926.494 km 
**Location:** -28.396993, 153.404617 
**Mileage (Working TT):** 575m 51–58c (926.408–926.440 km) 
**Between:** Farthing's Banana Platform and Dunbible 
**Opened:** Unknown — probably after 1900; first documented 1911 
**Known as:** Stoker's Siding until September 1925; renamed **Stokers** W.N. 31–1925 
**Closed:** 30 June 1974 
**Status:** Re-used (station building converted to general store; line alignment moved away from building) 
**Name meaning:** Unknown 

---

> **Notes:** The station building has been converted to a general store and the line's alignment has been moved away from the building. A fruit loading stage was built on 15 September 1925. The station had a complex operational history — staffed briefly (August 1924–November 1929), then unattended for the remainder of its life. A 5-ton gantry crane was installed by 1912 and withdrawn by 1950. The loop siding was converted to a dead-end siding in September 1973, and the goods siding was abolished on 7 August 1974, shortly before passenger closure on 30 June 1974.

---

## 1911 — Pig and Cattle Yards Erected

### Stoker's Siding (Lismore Line) — Pig and Cattle Yards
> **Stoker's Siding (Lismore Line)** — Pig and cattle yards have been erected at this siding, and the necessary addition should be made to the Northern Local Appendix. (E. 10–19,883.)

*(Source: 1911 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1912 — Five-Ton Gantry Crane Installed

### Gantry Crane Installed
> **Stoker's Siding (Lismore Line)** — A **five-ton gantry crane** has been installed at this Siding. Make necessary addition to Local Appendix. (E. 11–21,095–f.)

*(Source: 1912 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1924 — Opened as Booking Station; Junior Porter in Charge

### Opened as Booking Station — 1 August 1924
> **Stokers Siding (North Coast)** — On and from Friday, **1st August, 1924**, a Junior Porter will be in charge of Stokers Siding, and that station will be open as a **Booking Station for Coaching Traffic only**.
>
> Page 94 of the Passenger Fares and Coaching Rates Book to be posted accordingly. (S. 24–41X.) *(W.N. 32–1924.)*

> **Note:** The station opened as a booking station for coaching (passenger) traffic only — not goods. This is a limited upgrade from its previous status as an unattended siding.

---

## 1925 — Renamed "Stokers"; Fruit Loading Stage Built; Lessing Loading Stage Referenced

### Renamed "Stokers" — W.N. 31–1925
> **Alteration in the name of Stoker's Siding (North Coast)** — Commencing at once, Stoker's Siding is to be called **STOKERS**.
>
> Pages 136 and 157 of the Merchandise and Live-stock Rates Book; page 94 of the Passenger Fares and Coaching Rates Book; and page 52 of the Alphabetical List of Stations and Platforms, Intermediate Sidings and Colliery Lines, to be posted accordingly. (V. –356.) *(W.N. 31–1925.)*

### Fruit Loading Stage Built — 15 September 1925
> A **fruit loading stage** built at Stokers on **15 September 1925**.

*(Per external records — the specific Weekly Notice opening entry has not been identified but is consistent with W.N. 38–1925 which references Lessing Loading Stage nearby at Mileage 138.52 between Stoker's and Upper Burringbar on the same date.)*

### Lessing Loading Stage — Referenced in Relation to Stokers
> Lessing Loading Stage (opened 8th August 1925) — traffic from Lessing to be **booked as from Stoker's**. Nos. 178 and 186 on Tuesdays and Fridays stop when required. *(W.N. 38–1925.)*

> **Note:** The Lessing Loading Stage was administratively attached to Stokers for rating purposes, confirming Stokers as the controlling station for this section of the line.

---

## 1926 — Down Timetable Times

### Down Train — Murwillumbah to Mullumbimby
> Upper Burringbar dep. 1.9 p.m., **Stokers arr. 1.20 p.m. dep. 1.26 p.m.** (6-minute dwell), Dunbible arr. 1.31 p.m. dep. 1.36 p.m., Murwillumbah arr. 1.45 p.m.

*(Source: 1926 Working Timetable — repeated in multiple issues)*

---

## 1928 — Working Time Allowances

### Mixed Train — 3 Minutes Allowed at Stokers
> No. 138 is timed at Mixed speed, and is allowed **3 minutes Stoker's Siding**, 12 minutes Upper Burringbar, 5 minutes Mooball, 5 minutes Crabbe's Creek, 8 minutes Tyagarah ... for work.

*(Source: 1928 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1929 — Junior Porter Withdrawn; Station Reverts to Unattended

### Junior Porter Withdrawn — 1 November 1929
> **Stoker's (North Coast) — Withdrawal of Junior Porter in charge** — Since **1st November, 1929**, Stoker's is **unattended**, and all traffic dealt with under Siding and Platform conditions.
>
> Pages 189 and 218 of the Merchandise and Live-stock Rates Book to be also posted accordingly. (S. 29–1040X.) *(W.N. 45–1929.)*

> **Note:** The station was staffed for just over five years (August 1924 to November 1929) before reverting to unattended status for the remainder of its operational life.

---

## 1930 — Train Lighting Instructions

### Train Lighting — Stokers Reference Point
> Down trains to be lighted at Mullumbimby, and lights extinguished at **Stokers**.
> Up trains to be lighted at **Stokers**, and lights extinguished at Mullumbimby.

*(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices — train lighting instructions for tunnel section)*

> **Note:** Stokers served as the reference point for lighting/extinguishing train lights in connection with the Burringbar Range Tunnel — Down trains extinguished at Stokers (having passed through the tunnel), Up trains lit at Stokers (before entering the tunnel toward Burringbar).

---

## 1931 — Working Time Allowances; Telephone Removed

### Working Allowances
> **No. 57** (cream train, 75% load): **5 minutes Stoker's** for work.
> **No. 50** (Up goods): **5 minutes Stoker's** for work.
> **No. 59** (Down goods): **3 minutes Stoker's** for work.
> **No. 44** (Mixed): **3 minutes Stoker's** for work.

*(Source: 1931 Weekly Notices)*

### Telephone Removed — 29 May 1931
> Since **29th May, 1931**, the telephones at **Stokers and Binna Burra**, connected to [telephone circuit], have been removed.
>
> Cancel Stokers — 658. (C. 4–31–5,701.) *(W.N. 34–1931.)*

---

## 1932 — Listed in Station Sequence and Distance Table

### Station Sequence
> Farthing's Banana Platform (P) — **Stokers (P)** — Dunbible (P) — Murwillumbah.

### Distance Table
> **Stokers — 575 [miles]** from Darling Harbour; 58c.

*(Source: 1932 Working Timetable)*

---

## 1933 — Gradient Reference

### Gradient — Upper Burringbar–Stokers
> **Upper Burringbar–Stokers: Burringbar Range — 572m 23c** *(and 572m 49c in some editions)*.

*(Source: 1933 and 1952 Working Timetable — gradient table)*

---

## 1934 — Standing Room Amended

### Standing Room — Altered to 5 Trucks
> **Stations, Platforms, and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Stokers** — Alter particulars under heading "Standing Room — Other Sidings" to read **5 trucks**. (33–72,365.) *(W.N. 48–1933/34)*

---

## 1935 — Engine Load Tables; Referenced as Section Boundary

### Engine Load — Stokers to Mullumbimby / Mullumbimby to Stokers
> Engine load table entry:
> - **Stokers–Mullumbimby**: 125/130/155/150/160/190/165/180/210 [tons by class]
> - **Mullumbimby–Stokers**: 240/325/430/295/400/530/325/440/585 [tons by class]
>
> Five minutes from Murwillumbah to Stokers on the Down and eight minutes from Stokers to St. Helena on the Up is not to be debited against Mechanical Branch.

*(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices — engine load tables)*

---

## 1936 — Sectional Running Time References

### Sectional Running Times
> Mullumbimby–Stoker's and **Stoker's–Murwillumbah** listed as sectional running time references.

*(W.N. 20–1936)*

---

## 1937 — Farthing's Banana Platform Inserted Between Upper Burringbar and Stokers

### Farthing's Banana Platform
> Insert between Upper Burringbar and Stokers in station column — "**Farthing's Banana Platform**." *(W.N. 21–1937.)*

---

## 1942 — Two-Lever Machines Provided

### Frames A and B Replaced by Two-Lever Machines — 26 January 1942
> **Stokers (Casino–Murwillumbah Branch) — Provision of Two-lever Machine in Lieu of Levers and Bracket Locks** — On **26th January, 1942**, Levers and Bracket Locks "A" and "B" were replaced by two-lever machines (Frames "A" and "B"), fixed at the same sites.
>
> The numbering in each case is:
> - No. 1 — F.P.L.
> - No. 2 — Points, Main–Siding.

*(W.N. 5–1942.)*

---

## 1949 — 1.5-Ton Crane Deleted

### Crane Deleted from Accommodation Table
> **Stokers (Casino–Murwillumbah)** — Delete 1–5 [ton crane] under heading "Cranes." (49–77,703.) *(W.N. 52–1949.)*

> **Note:** The 1949 entry deletes a "1–5 ton" (i.e. 1.5-ton) crane, while the 1912 entry installed a "5-ton gantry crane." The 1950 entry (below) deletes a "5-ton crane." It appears both a gantry crane (5-ton, installed 1912) and a smaller crane (1.5-ton) existed at Stokers at some point, with the 1.5-ton deleted in 1949 and the 5-ton in 1950.

---

## 1950 — Five-Ton Crane Withdrawn

### Five-Ton Crane Withdrawn
> **Stokers (Casino–Murwillumbah Branch)** — The 5-ton crane has been withdrawn. Delete relative particulars. (G.W. 49.) *(W.N. 1–1950.)*

---

## 1951 — Working of Down Goods — Mullumbimby to Stokers

### Load Restriction — Down Goods, Mullumbimby to Stokers
> The working of Down Goods trains from **Mullumbimby to Stokers** is to be confined to [specific engine class restrictions noted].

*(Source: 1951 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1959 — Load Restriction — 59 Class Engines

### Load Restriction — Mullumbimby to Stokers
> Under heading Sup. 58.53–55 or 59 applicable to the section **Mullumbimby to Stokers** — Down Journey — Insert (h).
>
> Insert Note (h): **The load for a "59" class is not to exceed 480 tons.** (CME.–C.–ES.–24.) *(W.N. 7–1959.)*

---

## 1962–1963 — Speed Board Sections

### Speed Board Sections
> **Farthings–Stokers**: 572m 59c 
> **Stokers–Condong**: [section continuing to Murwillumbah]

*(Source: 1962 and 1963 Working Timetables — speed boards)*

---

## 1965 — Freight Train Conditions

### Freight Train Conditions — Stokers Referenced
> **Mullumbimby–Stokers** and **Stokers–Murwillumbah** listed in freight train conditions table.

*(Source: 1965 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1971 — Speed Board Sections

> **Farthing's–Stokers**: 574m 63c

*(Source: 1971 Working Timetable — speed boards)*

---

## 1973 — Loop Siding Converted to Dead-End; Level Crossing Classification Changed

### Loop Siding Converted to Dead-End — 25 September 1973
> **Stokers (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Conversion of Loop Siding to Dead-End Siding** — Since **25th September, 1973**, No. 2B points and catch-point at the Murwillumbah end of the goods siding have been removed and the siding converted to a dead-end siding connecting with the Main line at No. 2A points at **kilometrage 926.408 km (575m 51c)**.
>
> Frame B and associated interlocking equipment has been removed.
>
> Circular No. 513–53 (Byron Bay–Murwillumbah), of 1936, and diagram of Stokers attached, to be amended accordingly.

*(W.N. 39–1973.)*

### Level Crossing Classification Changed
> **575m 58c (926.440 km) — Stokers** — In the column headed "for notes see page 123" delete "Y" and insert "C."

*(W.N. 43–1973.)*

### Local Appendix — Page 73
> **Page 73 — Talofa and Stokers** listed in Local Appendix, Northern Division.

*(W.N. 40–1973.)*

---

## 1974 — Goods Siding Abolished; Deleted from All Publications; Station Closed

### Goods Siding Abolished — 7 August 1974
> **Stokers (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Abolition of Goods Siding** — Since **7th August, 1974**, No. 2A points together with Frame A and associated interlocking equipment have been removed and the goods siding abolished.
>
> Circular No. 513–53, Byron Bay to Murwillumbah, of 1936, to be amended accordingly.

*(W.N. 40–1974.)*

### Deleted from All Publications — Multiple Entries
> **Alphabetical List of Stations** — Delete Stokers and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 29–1974)*
>
> **List of Stations, Sidings, and Platforms** — Delete Stokers and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 29 and 30–1974)*
>
> **Intermediate Sidings — System of Working** — Delete Stokers and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 35–1974)*
>
> **Accommodation Provided — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Stokers — In the column headed "Other sidings based on vehicles 22 feet in length," delete "6." *(W.N. 35–1974)*
>
> **Grades at Stations, Sidings, Platforms and Signal-boxes — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete Stokers and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 44–1974)*
>
> **STOKERS** — Delete station name and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 41–1974)*

*(W.N. 29, 30, 35, 40, 41 and 44–1974)*

---

## 1975 — Final Deletion

### Deleted from Remaining Publications
> **Booyong, Talofa and St Helena** — Delete all reference to Booyong, **Talofa** and St Helena [with Stokers already deleted].

*(W.N. 26–1975)*

---

## 1981 — Final Reference — Freight Train Conditions

### Stokers Replaced by Mullumbimby in Freight Train Conditions
> **Freight Train Conditions — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch:**
>
> Delete all reference to **Mullumbimby–Stokers** (Down section). 
> Delete all reference to **Stokers–Murwillumbah and Condong**. 
> Insert: **Mullumbimby–Murwillumbah and Condong** — 310, 665, 1330, 510, 1020.
>
> Delete: **Condong and Murwillumbah–Stokers** — substitute Mullumbimby. 
> Delete all reference to **Stokers–Mullumbimby** (Up section).

*(W.N. 11–1981.)*

> **Note:** This 1981 entry is the final administrative reference to Stokers in the Weekly Notices — seven years after physical closure, it was still appearing in the Freight Train Conditions table until formally deleted in this notice.

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| Unknown (post 1900) | Stoker's Siding opened — probably after 1900 |
| 1911 | Pig and cattle yards erected (W.N. — 1911) |
| 1912 | **Five-ton gantry crane installed** (W.N. — 1912) |
| 1 August 1924 | **Opened as Booking Station** — Junior Porter in charge, coaching traffic only (W.N. 32–1924) |
| W.N. 31–1925 | **Renamed "Stokers"** (from Stoker's Siding) |
| 15 September 1925 | **Fruit loading stage built** |
| August 1925 | Lessing Loading Stage opened nearby — traffic booked as from Stokers |
| 1926 | Down timetable: arr. 1.20 p.m. dep. 1.26 p.m. — 6-minute dwell |
| 1 November 1929 | **Junior Porter withdrawn** — station reverts to unattended (W.N. 45–1929) |
| 29 May 1931 | Telephone removed (W.N. 34–1931) |
| 26 January 1942 | Frames A and B (two-lever machines) installed (W.N. 5–1942) |
| W.N. 52–1949 | 1.5-ton crane deleted |
| W.N. 1–1950 | **Five-ton crane withdrawn** |
| 25 September 1973 | **Loop siding converted to dead-end** at 926.408 km (W.N. 39–1973) |
| 30 June 1974 | **Station closed** |
| 7 August 1974 | **Goods siding abolished** — Frame A removed (W.N. 40–1974) |
| W.N. 29–44, 1974 | Deleted from all publications |
| W.N. 11–1981 | **Final reference** — deleted from Freight Train Conditions table |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1911–1981.*