Wallarobba

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North Coast Daylight Express at Wallarobba, 1/5/1982 (State Archives)

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Wallarobba, 1st May, 1982 (State Archives)

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A view from NT-36, the Up "Grafton XPT" approaching Wallarobba tunnel on Monday, 1-2-2010. (Graeme Kirkby)

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Lunch time and no trains were about. The track crew were using the platform coping as a convenient seat in front of the Type F signal box. Although there was a considerable gap between the station building and the signal box no window was placed in this end wall. RT Taaffe

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# Wallarobba (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1911–1989

---

**Type:** Station (Crossing Loop; Signal Box) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Kilbride–Wallarobba / Wallarobba–Dungog sections) 
**Station Number:** NC7 
**Distance from Sydney:** 231.70 km (231.673 km per 1985 Weekly Notices) 
**Location:** -32.496224, 151.695774 
**Between:** Kilbride and Dungog 
**Opened:** 14 August 1911 (unattended platform); opened as Booking Station **1 October 1914** 
**Central Interlocked Crossing Loop:** 14 May 1914 
**Closed:** 27 November 1985; re-opened 
**Status:** In use 
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word meaning "damp gully" 
**Platform (original):** 76.1-metre Down side platform; waiting room, ladies waiting room and store 
**Station building:** Waiting room, ladies waiting room and store (1911 opening) 
**Night Officer residence:** Built 1914 
**Station Master's residence:** Built 15 May 1915 
**Goods shed removed:** 12 October 1980 (W.N. 41–1980) 
**SM Residence demolished:** May 1986 
**Seal Press:** No. 478 (allotted 1 October 1914); Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 354 
**Circular:** No. 69 of 1914 (Wallarobba base diagram — referenced to 1980) 

---

> **Notes:** Wallarobba opened on 14 August 1911 as an unattended platform with a Lever and Bracket Lock goods siding. A central interlocked crossing loop was installed on 14 May 1914, and on 1 October 1914 Wallarobba was opened as a Booking Station for coaching and goods traffic (Seal Press No. 478; Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 354). The Station Master's residence was built on 15 May 1915. Night officers were stationed at Wallarobba from 1914. Automatic staff exchangers were installed (1946 table: Down Line — 42 feet from Sydney end of Platform; Up Line — Opposite Signal-box). Wallarobba–Dungog Key Staffs Nos. 1–8 were replaced by miniature ETS without keys on 4 November 1955 (W.N. 47–1955). The existing 20-lever interlocking machine was replaced by a new 16-lever machine on 19 May 1970. Main Road No. 101 level crossing (231.283 km) Type "F" signals from 19 December 1974. On 12 October 1980 Frames B and C with the goods siding were removed (W.N. 41–1980). On 22 March 1982 motor-operated points and colour light signals were installed as a CTC preliminary; Kilbride–Wallarobba and Wallarobba–Dungog ETS sections then cancelled under Kilbride–Stroud Road CTC in 1982.

---

## 1911 — Opened as Unattended Platform; Station Brand WLB; Lever and Bracket Lock

### Maitland–Dungog Line Opened — 14 August 1911
> **Wallarobba** — station brand **WLB** allotted; 141 miles 68 chains from Sydney (approximately). *(Source: 1911 Weekly Notices)*

### Working Instructions — Unattended; Green Disc Required — 1911
> Trains authorised to stop at Oakhampton, Dunmore, Martin's Creek, Hilldale, **Wallarobba** and Wiragulla. Passengers must **exhibit a green disc by day and light the lamp at night**. All consignments prepaid under platform conditions. *(Source: 1911 Weekly Notices)*

### Lever and Bracket Lock Arrangements — 1911
> **Wallarobba and Wiragulla** — Lever and Bracket Lock arrangements worked in accordance with Regulation "E," unlocked by key on the Ordinary Train Staff for the section **Paterson–Dungog**. *(Source: 1911 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1914 — Central Interlocked Loop — 14 May 1914; Opened as Booking Station — 1 October 1914; Seal Press No. 478

### Central Interlocked Loop Installed — 14 May 1914
> Central interlocked crossing loop installed at Wallarobba on **14 May 1914**. Night Officer residence built 1914. **Circular No. 69 of 1914** (Wallarobba base diagram) issued. *(Source: your notes; Circular No. 69–1914 referenced in W.N. 41–1980)*

### Opened as Booking Station — 1 October 1914
> **Wallarobba (North Coast) — Opening as a Booking Station** — On and from **Thursday, 1st October, 1914**, Wallarobba will be opened as a **Booking Station for Coaching and Goods Traffic**.
>
> **Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 354** and **Seal Press No. 478** have been allotted. *(Source: 1914 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1915 — Station Master's Residence

### SM Residence Built — 15 May 1915
> **Station Master's residence built at Wallarobba** — 15 May 1915. *(Source: your notes)*

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## 1920 — Night Officer Duties; Hours of Attendance

### Night Officer Duties — 1920
> **Wallarobba** — 12 midnight to 1.0 a.m. (Monday) [nights officer on duty]. *(Source: 1920 Weekly Notices — appearing three times in same year)*

---

## 1924 — Station Listed; Section Running Times; Wallarobba–Dungog Section

### Station in Section — 1924
> **Wallarobba\*†** — listed in station sequence (asterisk = unattended at certain times; dagger = additional designation). *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*

### Section Running Times — 1924
> **Hilldale–Wallarobba**: 141m 68c. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices — section distances table)*

---

## 1930 — Wallarobba in Section Table; Timetable References

### Section References — 1930
> **Dungog–Wallarobba** and **Wallarobba–Martin's Creek** — Down and Up journey times listed in working timetable. *(Source: 1930 Working Timetable)*

---

## 1935 — Wallarobba Signal-box Listed in Selector Telephones

### Selector Telephones — 1935
> **Wallarobba Signal-box** — listed in selector telephone directory alongside Telarah Signal-box, Mindaribba Signal-box, Paterson Station Master, and Dungog. *(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1942 — Kilbride Opened — Wallarobba Referenced; Martin's Creek–Wallarobba Section Cancelled

### Martin's Creek–Wallarobba Section Cancelled — W.N. 20–1942
> The existing sections **Paterson–Martin's Creek** and **Martin's Creek–Wallarobba** will be cancelled, and the new sections to be brought into use will be:
>
> | Section | Length |
> |---------|--------|
> | Paterson–Kilbride | 6m 30c |
> | Kilbride–Wallarobba | 5m 8c |
>
> *(W.N. 20–1942)*

---

## 1946 — Automatic Staff Exchanger Positions

### Staff Exchanger Positions — 1946
> **Down Line — Wallarobba**: **42 feet from Sydney end of Platform**. 
> **Up Line — Wallarobba**: **Opposite Signal-box**. *(Source: 1946 Weekly Notices — automatic staff exchanger positions)*

---

## 1955 — Wallarobba–Dungog Key Staffs Replaced — 4 November 1955

### Key Staffs Replaced — W.N. 47–1955
> **Wallarobba–Dungog (North Coast) — Dispensing with Key Staffs** — Since **4th November, 1955**, the Key Staffs Nos. 1–8 on the section **Wallarobba–Dungog** have been replaced by Miniature Electric Train Staffs **without keys**.
>
> Under the heading "Key Staffs" delete **1–8**. *(W.N. 47–1955)*

---

## 1961 — Speed Tables; Wallarobba–Dungog Section

### Speed Tables — 1961
> - **Kilbride–Wallarobba**: Down 45 mph
> - **Wallarobba–Dungog**: [speed listed]; section length 141m 65c [Down] / 141m 68c [Up]

*(Source: 1961 Weekly Notices — speed and section tables)*

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## 1965 — Wallarobba ES House Listed

### Wallarobba ES House — 1965
> **Wallarobba — E.S. (House)** — listed twice in 1965 Weekly Notices in accommodation tables. *(Source: 1965 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1970 — 20-lever Machine Replaced by 16-lever — 19 May 1970; Platform Length

### Interlocking Machine Renewal — W.N. — 1970
> **Wallarobba (North Coast) — Renewal of Interlocking Machine** — On **Tuesday, 19th May, 1970**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the existing **20-lever interlocking machine** in the signal-box will be replaced by a new **16-lever machine**.
>
> The Down direction signals will retain their existing lever numbers but the **Up direction signals and points etc. will be renumbered**. *(Source: 1970 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1974–1975 — Type "F" Signals at Main Road No. 101 Level Crossing

### Type "F" Signals — Main Road No. 101 — 19 December 1974 — W.N. 1–1975
> **Wallarobba (North Coast) — Provision of Type "F" Flashing Light Highway Signals at Main Road No. 101 Level Crossing** — Since **19th December, 1974**, Type "F" flashing light highway signals and a warning bell have been in use at the **new level crossing of Main Road No. 101 (231.283 km)** which replaced the level crossing at 231.223 km.
>
> Full particulars appear in Weekly Notices Nos. 49 and 50 of 1974. *(W.N. 1–1975)*

---

## 1980 — Goods Shed Removed — 12 October 1980; Frames B and C and Goods Siding Removed

### Goods Shed Removed — W.N. 41–1980
> **Wallarobba — Removal of Frame B Points, Frame C Points and the Goods Siding** — On **Sunday, 12th October, 1980**, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., **Frames B and C and associated equipment will be removed** and the Goods siding abolished.
>
> **Circular No. 69, Wallarobba, of 1914** and diagrams attached, to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 41–1980)*

### Standing Room Deleted — W.N. 45–1980
> **Page 72 — Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Wallarobba** — Column headed "Standing Room — Other Sidings" — Delete: **33**. *(W.N. 45–1980)*

---

## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 22 March 1982; CTC Introduced

### Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — W.N. — 1982
> **Wallarobba (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 22nd March, 1982**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., as a preliminary to the introduction of centralised traffic control signalling on the North Coast line, the **Main line to loop points at each end of Wallarobba crossing loop** will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and Loop signals 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.
>
> Colour light signals — **single light type**. A **low speed indication** (small green light) with route indicator will be provided beneath the main head of both the Down Home and Up Home signals — approach cleared by track circuit approximately 300 metres in rear.
>
> Entry to the Loop line on the authority of the low speed indication with route indicator.
>
> Electric Train Staff working remains in use on sections **Kilbride–Wallarobba** and **Wallarobba–Dungog**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Wallarobba remains available.
>
> **Telephone Call Indicator** — provided near the Starting signals at each end of the crossing loop; flashing blue light and sounding of a hooter when activated. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices)*

### Kilbride–Stroud Road CTC — Kilbride–Wallarobba and Wallarobba–Dungog Sections Cancelled
> ETS working on sections **Kilbride–Wallarobba** and **Wallarobba–Dungog** [and beyond to Stroud Road] cancelled. CTC working remotely controlled from **Broadmeadow CTC Centre** introduced. Wallarobba designated as **CTC location No. 06**:
>
> | From | To | Down Starting | Up Starting |
> |------|----|----|-----|
> | Wallarobba (06) | Dungog (07) | No. 12M or 12L | — |
> | Wallarobba (06) | Kilbride (05) | — | No. 11M or 11L |
>
> Pilot staffs at Wallarobba for emergency working. Local control panel at Wallarobba. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1985 — Station Closed 27 November 1985; Distance 231.673 km Confirmed

### Station Closed — 1985
> **Wallarobba closed 27 November 1985**; distance confirmed as **231.673 km**. *(Source: 1985 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1988 — Wallarobba–Dungog Speed Boards Updated; Hilldale Level Crossing Referenced

### Speed Boards — 1988
> In section **Wallarobba–Dungog** — speed board entries updated. *(Source: 1988 Weekly Notices — multiple entries)*

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## Wallarobba Loop (North Coast Line)

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**Type:** Crossing Loop 
**Line:** North Coast Line 
**Distance from Sydney:** 234.000 km (approximately) 
**Loop Length:** 1,550 metres, Up side 
**Status:** In use 
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word meaning "damp gully" (same as Wallarobba station) 
**Opened:** Unknown (not found in Weekly Notices collection) 

---

> **Notes:** The Wallarobba Loop at approximately 234.000 km is a separate loop from the Wallarobba crossing loop at the station. At 1,550 metres on the Up side it is one of the longer loops on the North Coast Line. No opening notice or specific operational entries for this loop were found in the NSW Weekly Notices 1910–1989 — it was likely installed in the post-1982 CTC era as part of the North Coast Line capacity upgrades.

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## Summary of Key Events — Wallarobba Station

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **14 August 1911** | **Opened** as unattended platform — Down side (76.1m); waiting room, ladies waiting room and store; Lever and Bracket Lock (Paterson–Dungog staff); station brand WLB; green disc required |
| **14 May 1914** | **Central interlocked crossing loop installed** — Night Officer residence built; Circular No. 69 of 1914 issued |
| **1 October 1914** | **Opened as Booking Station** for coaching and goods traffic — Seal Press No. 478; Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 354 |
| **15 May 1915** | Station Master's residence built |
| 1920 | Night Officer on duty 12 midnight to 1.0 a.m. (Monday) |
| 1935 | Wallarobba Signal-box listed in selector telephone directory |
| W.N. 20–1942 | Martin's Creek–Wallarobba section cancelled; Kilbride–Wallarobba (5m 8c) and Kilbride–Paterson sections created |
| 1946 | Staff exchanger positions: Down — 42 feet from Sydney end of Platform; Up — Opposite Signal-box |
| **4 November 1955** | Wallarobba–Dungog Key Staffs Nos. 1–8 replaced by miniature ETS without keys (W.N. 47–1955) |
| **19 May 1970** | **20-lever interlocking machine replaced by 16-lever machine** — Up direction signals and points renumbered |
| 19 December 1974 | Type "F" flashing light signals at Main Road No. 101 level crossing (231.283 km) |
| **12 October 1980** | **Frames B and C and goods siding removed** — standing room (33 trucks) deleted; Circular No. 69 of 1914 amended (W.N. 41–1980) |
| **22 March 1982** | Motor-operated points and colour light signals — route control relay interlocking panel; ETS retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; telephone call indicator (W.N. — 1982) |
| 1982 | Kilbride–Stroud Road CTC — Kilbride–Wallarobba and Wallarobba–Dungog ETS cancelled; CTC location No. 06; pilot staffs; local control panel |
| **27 November 1985** | **Station closed** — distance confirmed 231.673 km |
| May 1986 | SM residence demolished |
| Reopened | Station re-opened |
| 1988 | Wallarobba–Dungog speed board section updated |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1911–1989.* 
*Note: Wallarobba is one of the few original North Coast Line stations that progressed from an unattended platform (1911) to a full Booking Station (1914) within the same year as the central interlocked loop was installed. Circular No. 69 of 1914 was the base diagram referenced from 1914 to 1980 — 66 years, one of the longest in the entire collection.*