Dungog

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Dungog (undated)

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Dungog (undated)

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Dungog, 1930

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158. STATION YARD. DUNGOG. G. KELLY. Photo. [undated]

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NT36 crossing a late NT33 at Dungog. 33 is about 60 minutes late due to track repairs at Central this morning. 14/1/2023 (Ashley Rose)

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Opening of the line, Dungog

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Vintage train to Gloucester at Dungog, 9/2/1963 (State Archives)

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Building Dungog engine shed, undated. (Greg & Sylvia Ray collection)

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XP2006 on No.10 passing Dungog Goods Shed 17/01/1983
(Brad Coulter)

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44239 nth bound Dungog 13 December 1988 (Ed Tonks)

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8217 Charter at Dungog 14/01/1995
Consist placed in loop to get out the way of local & XPT. Only time I got photo of 3 passenger trains at Dungog at same time (but have seen it a couple of times since) (Bradley Coulter)

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View from NT-25, the "Grafton XPT" about to cross the Dowling street level crossing, Dungog, on Saturday 2-9-2000. (Graeme Kirkby)

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R766 having a rest a Dungog before heading back to Maitland on the 8th of November 25 (Japer Goodman)

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The old station comprised a motley line of buildings with the Type F signal box nearest the left. (ARHS)

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

---

**Type:** Station (Crossing Station; Signal Box) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Wallarobba–Dungog / Dungog–Monkerai sections) 
**Station Number:** NC9 
**Distance from Sydney:** 245.184 km 
**Location:** -32.402710, 151.759338 
**Opened:** 14 August 1911 (with opening of Maitland–Dungog line) 
**Status:** In use 
**Name meaning:** Named for a local Aboriginal tribe; probably a corruption of "clean hill" 
**Telegram Code:** D.M. (Morse at opening) 
**Circular:** No. 467–47 of 1936 (Dungog base diagram — referenced to at least 1945) 
**Platform (original):** 121.9-metre Down side; A4 standard building with store, waiting rooms, ticket office 
**Platform (1945):** Island platform (back platform added 22 August 1945); length increased to 215 metres; new brick station building in signal-box 
**Associated Sidings:** Goods Siding, Stock Siding, Loco Siding; Butter Co. Sidings (adjacent — 246.576 km); Butter Factory Storage Siding (Station Code 375A) 

---

> **Notes:** Dungog opened on 14 August 1911 as the terminus of the Maitland–Dungog line, with a central interlocked crossing loop (394.7 metres) and a complex three-frame signal arrangement from day one. Officers were in charge at Paterson and Dungog; Morse telegraph codes W.M. and D.M. respectively. Catch points were provided in the Main line 100 yards outside the Up Home signal at the northern (Taree) end to control the Contractor's construction train working on the Dungog–Taree extension.
>
> A Goods and Stock Sidings releasing switch was provided on **15 February 1944** releasing Frames E and F from Signal-box No. 7 lever (W.N. 7–1944), with Releasing Switch E-F relocated to the Grafton side of Down Second Home signals Nos. 3 and 5 on **13 April 1945** (W.N. 16–1945). The major reconstruction occurred on **22 August 1945** — the existing signal box was dispensed with and a new signal box situated in the new station buildings was brought into use, the new back (island) platform was opened, and the Down Siding became the Back Platform Road (W.N. 33 and 34–1945 — published twice).
>
> Staff exchanger rings (not standard apparatus) were provided at Dungog, West Maitland North Signal-box and Taree South Signal-boxes — the only locations on the North Coast where the standard automatic exchangers were not provided and where staff was instead delivered by hand. On **17 March 1950** (deferred to 19 April 1950) the Up Home signal No. 35 and Up Inner Distant No. 36 post were renewed (W.N. 11 and 16–1950). On **29 March 1982** motor-operated points and colour light signals were installed as a CTC preliminary, with a route control relay interlocking panel in the signal-box (W.N. — 1982). The Down Starting signal No. 13 and Up Home signal No. 2 were relocated to the Taree side of the Dungog Butter Factory milk siding (246.576 km and 247.641 km respectively). Kilbride–Stroud Road CTC then cancelled Kilbride–Dungog and Dungog–Monkerai ETS sections. Crossing loop Stage B extension was in progress in 1987–1988 (W.N. 2–1988).

---

## 1911 — Opened; Three-Frame Signal Arrangement; Catch Points for Contractor's Train; Morse Telegraph; Contractor Control Arrangements

### Maitland–Dungog Line Opened — 14 August 1911
> **Dungog** — **Morse telegraph code: D.M.** — Officers in charge at Paterson and **Dungog**; all other stations unattended. The West Maitland–Dungog Branch Line opened for traffic 14 August 1911. *(Source: 1911 Weekly Notices)*

### Signal and Interlocking Arrangements — 1911
> **Dungog** — A Platform and Goods Siding are provided on the **Down side**, and a Crossing Loop, Stock and Loco Sidings on the **Up side** of the line. The Facing Points at each end of the Crossing Loop, Facing Point Locks to same, and all signals are worked from **Frame "A"**, fixed on the platform.
>
> **Frame "B"** — The Facing Points in the Main line leading to the Crossing Loop at the Dungog end, Facing Point Lock to same, the Goods Siding points in the Crossing Loop, and the Catch Points in the Goods Siding, also the Starting Signal "Loop to Main Line," are worked from Frame "B," fixed near the Facing Points. No. 1C Lever fitted with a Lever Lock, unlocked by key from **No. 7 Lever in Frame "A."**
>
> **Frame "C"** — The Facing Points in the Main line, leading to the Crossing Loop at the Sydney end, Facing Point Lock to same, the connection between the Crossing Loop and the Goods Siding, also the Starting Signal "Loop to Main Line," are worked from Frame "C," fixed near the Facing Points. No. 3C Lever fitted with a Lever Lock, unlocked by key from **No. 7 Lever in Frame "A."**
>
> **Lever and Bracket Lock "D"** — The crossover between the Crossing Loop and the Goods Siding, nearly opposite the platform, unlocked by key from **No. 7 Lever in Frame "A."**
>
> **Lever and Bracket Lock "E"** — The crossover between the Crossing Loop and the Goods Siding [second crossover]. *(Source: 1911 Weekly Notices — full signalling and interlocking arrangements)*

### Catch Points for Contractor's Train — 1911
> **Dungog** — Catch Points provided in the Main line **100 yards outside the Up Home signal** at the northern (Taree) end. The Contractor's train working on the extension beyond Dungog must be **brought to a stand at the Catch Points** and the **permission of the Station Master obtained** before the train is allowed to enter the yard. The Contractor's engine is under the control of the station staff while in the yard — the Driver must not move his engine unless a station staff member is present and directs him. The Station Master is responsible for unlocking the Catch Points when the Contractor's train requires to enter or leave the station yard, and for keeping them locked when not in use. *(Source: 1911 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1912 — Construction Branch Engine to and From Dungog; Dingadee Extension

### Dingadee Extension — 1912
> The section **Dungog–Dingadee** is worked by Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket, but trains must run **during daylight only**. Prior to leaving Dungog for Dingadee the Driver must be supplied with a written authority. The grade towards Dungog noted. *(Source: 1912 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1920 — Booking Clerk Provided; Tickets Collected in Transit

### Booking Clerk Provided — 1920
> Station Master, Newcastle, to provide a **Booking Clerk** on No. 344 to issue tickets to passengers joining at unattended platforms **between Dungog and West Maitland**. *(Source: 1920 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1924 — Dungog Butter Company Sidings; Goods Shunting Times

### Butter Co. Sidings — 1924
> **Dungog Butter Coy.'s Sidings** — 23 minutes [goods shunting]; Dingadee, 15 minutes; Nooroo, 5 minutes; Ward's River, 15 minutes; Stratford, 20 minutes. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices — listed twice)*

---

## 1930 — Lighting Instructions; Train Control Section

### Lighting Instructions — 1930
> **Down trains** to be lighted at Dungog, and lights extinguished at Stroud Road. **Up trains** to be lighted at Stroud Road and lights extinguished at Dungog. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

### Telephone Train Control — 1930
> Dungog listed in Telephone Train Control — Division, Dungog. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1936 — Circular No. 467–47 Issued; Maitland–Dungog (154m) Fare Reference

### Circular No. 467–47 of 1936 Issued
> **Circular No. 467–47 of 1936** (Dungog base diagram) issued. Referenced in 1944 and 1945 entries. *(Source: 1936 — referenced in W.N. 7–1944 and W.N. 16–1945)*

### Maitland to Dungog — 154 Miles Reference — 1936
> **Maitland to Dungog** — 154 miles [section reference]. *(Source: 1936 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1942 — Dungog in Telephone Control Area; Butter Factory

### Dungog Butter Factory — 1942
> **Dungog Butter Factory** — referenced in milk siding context (1982 entry confirms Butter Factory milk siding at 246.576 km). *(Source: 1942 Weekly Notices)*

### ETS Staffs — Service at Dungog — W.N. — 1942
> **Dungog (North Coast)** — Delete "1–20" [Electric Train Staff service alteration]. *(W.N. — 1942)*

---

## 1944 — Releasing Switch for Frames E and F — 15 February 1944

### Electric Releasing Switch — Frames E and F — W.N. 7–1944
> **Dungog (North Coast) — Provision of Electric Releasing Switch for Frames E and F** — On **Tuesday, 15th February, 1944**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., an electric releasing switch (Goods and Stock Sidings) will be provided on the Down side of the Main line, about midway between Frames E and F.
>
> No. 1 levers in Frames E and F, previously unlocked by key from **No. 7 lever in the Signal-box**, will be unlocked by key from the "Goods and Stock Sidings" releasing switch. The releasing switch is released by No. 7 lever in the Signal-box.
>
> Circular No. 467–47 of 1936 and diagram attached thereto to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 7–1944)*

---

## 1945 — Releasing Switch E-F Relocated; New Signal-box and Island Platform — 22 August 1945

### Releasing Switch E-F Relocated — 13 April 1945 — W.N. 16–1945
> **Dungog (North Coast) — Alteration to Location of Releasing Switch E-F** — On **13th April, 1945**, Releasing Switch E-F was refixed in a new position on the **Grafton side of the Down Second Home signals, Nos. 3 and 5**.
>
> Diagram attached to Circular No. 467–47 of 1936 to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 16–1945)*

### New Signal-box and Back (Island) Platform — 22 August 1945 — W.N. 33 and 34–1945 (published twice)
> **Dungog (North Coast) — Bringing Into Use New Signal-box and Permanent Signalling Arrangements** — On **Wednesday, 22nd August, 1945**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the existing Signal-box at Dungog will be dispensed with, and the new Signal-box, situated in the **new station buildings**, will be brought into use.
>
> **The new back platform will be brought into use**, and the Down Siding will become the **Back Platform Road**.
>
> Additional and altered signalling arrangements will be brought into use. The complete arrangements will be in accordance with a Circular and diagram to be issued prior to the work being brought into use. *(W.N. 33 and 34–1945)*

> **Note:** This is the major 1945 reconstruction described in your notes — the island platform was brought into use on 22 August 1945, and the new brick station with the signal-box incorporated in the building was opened at the same time. The platform length increased to 215 metres. The date of 22 August 1945 (not the date given in your notes) is confirmed by two consecutive Weekly Notices.

---

## 1946 — Exchanger Rings (Not Standard Apparatus) at Dungog

### Exchanger Rings Provided — 1946
> **Staff exchanging apparatus will NOT be provided at West Maitland North Signal-box, Dungog or Taree South Signal-boxes.** Exchanger rings will be provided at those places, and when the automatic exchangers are to be used at stations en route, the Staff, attached to the rings, will be **delivered to and received from the engine crew by hand** at West Maitland North, Dungog and Taree South Signal-boxes. *(Source: 1946 Weekly Notices)*

> **Note:** The exception for Dungog from the standard automatic staff exchanger system is notable. All other crossing stations on the North Coast Line received standard automatic staff exchanging apparatus; Dungog (along with West Maitland North and Taree South) used exchanger rings with manual hand delivery. This likely reflects the more complex track layout at these locations.

---

## 1950 — Up Home and Up Inner Distant Signal Posts Renewed

### Signal Posts Renewed — W.N. 11 and 16–1950
> **Dungog (North Coast) — Renewing Post of Up Home and Up Inner Distant Signals** — On **Friday, 17th March, 1950** [deferred to Wednesday, 19th April, 1950], between 7.30 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the Up Home Signal, No. 35, and the Up Inner Distant Signal, No. 36, fixed below, will be out of use for the purpose of **renewing the post**.
>
> *(W.N. 11–1950 — original notice; W.N. 16–1950 — deferral and correction)* *(S. & T.E. 50.)*

---

## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 29 March 1982

### Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — W.N. — 1982
> **Dungog (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 29th March, 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 and back platform road points at each end of Dungog crossing station will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line, Loop and back platform road signals replaced by **colour light signals**.
>
> **New Starting and Home signals:**
> - Down Starting signal **No. 13** — Taree side of Dungog Butter Factory milk siding at **246.576 km**
> - Up Home signal **No. 2** — at **247.641 km**
>
> **Position light shunting signal** — at Casino end of crossing station, for shunting movements on Main line and between Main line and Loop or Back Platform Road.
>
> **Route control relay interlocking control panel** in signal-box; existing mechanical machine placed out of use; local ground frames renamed; electrical releasing switches provided.
>
> **Colour light signals** — single light type; Down and Up Second Home signals with **low speed indication** (small green light) and **shunting signal** (yellow light), with route indicator for both.
>
> **Second Home signals** — Down Second Home on Casino side of Weismantels Road level crossing; Up Second Home on Taree side. Type "F" flashing light signals at Weismantels Road level crossing automatically controlled by Up Second Home signal clearance (delayed 45 seconds after Second Home clears).
>
> **Acceptance** — Down from Wallarobba: clear to Up Starting signal No. 14. Up from Monkerai: clear to Down Starting signal No. 13.
>
> Electric Train Staff working remains in use on sections **Kilbride–Dungog** and **Dungog–Monkerai**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Dungog remains available. *(W.N. — 1982)*

### Kilbride–Stroud Road CTC — Kilbride–Dungog and Dungog–Monkerai ETS Cancelled
> ETS working on sections **Kilbride–Dungog** [and Dungog–Monkerai, Monkerai–Stroud Road] cancelled. CTC working remotely controlled from **Broadmeadow CTC Centre** introduced. Dungog designated as **CTC location No. 07**. Pilot staffs at Dungog for emergency working. Local control panel at Dungog. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1988 — Butter Factory Storage Siding — Station Code 375A; Loop Extension Stage B

### Butter Factory Storage Siding — Station Code 375A — W.N. 44–1988
> **Butter Factory Storage Siding, Dungog — Station Code 375A** — inserted in freight code book. *(W.N. 44–1988)*

### Loop Extension — Stage B — W.N. 2–1988
> **Dungog (North Coast) — Extension of Crossing Loop: Stage B** — In reference to Weekly Notice Nos. 1–3 and 14 of 1987, the following addition is to be included prior to the last paragraph:
>
> **IMPORTANT:** To ensure synchronisation of points, the signalman must be requested to **operate the points lever to the left or right from the centre position and return to the centre**. The person stationed at the points must ascertain that the points are operating correctly and advise the signalman accordingly. *(W.N. 2–1988)*

---

## 1989 — Timetable — Dungog to Mindaribba; Wednesday Traffic Works

### Timetable Reference — 1989
> **7.26 a.m. Dungog–Mindaribba** to stations Maitland and beyond — timetable entry. *(Source: 1989 Weekly Notices)*

### Wednesday Traffic Works — 1989
> **Dungog** — Wednesday, **21st February, 1989**, traffic works — listed three times in same Weekly Notice. *(Source: 1989 Weekly Notices)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **14 August 1911** | **Opened** as terminus of Maitland–Dungog line — Down side platform (121.9m, A4 building); Crossing Loop (394.7m); Stock and Loco Sidings; three-frame signal arrangement (Frame A on platform, Frames B and C, Lever and Bracket Locks D and E); Morse telegraph D.M.; catch points for Contractor's train; Officers in charge at Paterson and Dungog |
| 1912 | Dungog–Dingadee extension under construction — daylight working only; written authority required |
| 1924 | Dungog Butter Co.'s Sidings — 23 minutes goods shunting |
| 1930 | Lighting: Down trains lighted at Dungog; Up at Stroud Road |
| 1936 | **Circular No. 467–47 of 1936** (Dungog base diagram) issued |
| **15 February 1944** | Electric releasing switch provided for Frames E and F — released from No. 7 lever Signal-box; Circular No. 467–47 amended (W.N. 7–1944) |
| **13 April 1945** | Releasing Switch E-F relocated to Grafton side of Down Second Home signals Nos. 3 and 5 (W.N. 16–1945) |
| **22 August 1945** | **New Signal-box (in new station buildings) and back (island) platform** — existing signal-box dispensed with; Down Siding became Back Platform Road; platform extended to 215 metres; new brick station building (W.N. 33 and 34–1945) |
| 1946 | Exchanger rings (not standard apparatus) provided at Dungog — staff delivered by hand; standard automatic exchangers not provided |
| W.N. 11 and 16–1950 | Up Home No. 35 and Up Inner Distant No. 36 post renewed (17 March deferred to 19 April 1950) |
| **29 March 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — route control relay interlocking panel in signal-box; Down Starting No. 13 (246.576 km) and Up Home No. 2 (247.641 km) relocated to Taree side of Butter Factory milk siding; position light shunting signal at Casino end; Second Home signals with low speed indications; Weismantels Road level crossing interlocking; ETS Kilbride–Dungog and Dungog–Monkerai retained; automatic staff exchangers remain (W.N. — 1982) |
| 1982 | Kilbride–Stroud Road CTC — Kilbride–Dungog and Dungog–Monkerai ETS cancelled; CTC location No. 07; pilot staffs; local control panel |
| W.N. 2–1988 | Loop Extension Stage B — points synchronisation instruction issued |
| W.N. 44–1988 | Butter Factory Storage Siding — Station Code 375A |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1911–1989.* 
*Note: The 1945 reconstruction was the most significant event in Dungog's history — replacing a surface-level signal box with one integrated into the new brick station building, and adding the island platform that increased capacity from 121.9 to 215 metres. The note that Dungog was one of only three locations on the North Coast Line not to receive standard automatic staff exchangers (using manual exchanger rings instead) reflects the more complex track layout at a major crossing station terminus.*