Dingadee

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Type : Station
Distance from Sydney : 249.789km
Location : -32.370487, 151.789971
Opened : 4 February 1913
Closed : 30 October 1969
Status : Closed
Name meaning : Named after Mr F Hooke's estate
Notes : Dingadee opened on 12 January 1912 as a loading siding for sleepers during the construction of the Dungog–Taree extension. There were no signals at the siding — points in the main line secured by standard clip and brass point lock; catch-points in the Siding by chain and padlock. The section Dungog–Dingadee was worked by Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket, **daylight only**, speed limit 35 mph, with a written Caution Order provided to the driver at Dungog. Trains were to be stopped by placing a lookout at the Dingadee end of the Siding on the Down journey, and at the Dungog end on the Up journey.
60.9 metre platform on the Down side held a store room, general and ladies waiting room. An Up loop siding once existed at the site. First location in NSW to use a Type C interlocking machine. Opening of the line diagram shows a building to cover levers operating the signals at the siding. It is uncertain if a building was provided. If it was, then it would have been removed at the same time as the signals (9th March 1914). The only design drawing found was for the pit, not the covering of the levers. In 1924 Dingadee had one of the longest shunting allotment times permitted for what was a very minor location - 30 minutes. A 5 ton crane was provided at the location, this was withdrawn in 1950. The siding was abolished 21 June 1965.

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Construction work near Dingadee

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Residents in 1911 petitioned to have the name changed to Main Creek.

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Location of Dingadee (Six Maps)

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Dingadee station, courtesy Laurie Anderson

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Construction at Dingadee

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Diagram - 1965

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Looking towards the location of the one-time station at Dingadee (2023)

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# Dingadee (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1912–1969

---

**Type:** Station (Closed) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Dungog–Monkerai section) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 249.789 km (Mileage 56.0 from Newcastle on the Dungog–Taree Extension; 154m 14c from Sydney per 1935) 
**Between:** Dungog and Monkerai 
**Opened:** 12 January 1912 as loading siding (construction phase); **4 February 1913** as station 
**Closed:** **30 October 1969** 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Named after Mr F. Hooke's estate 
**Station Brand:** DGD (allotted 4 February 1913) 
**Platform:** 60.9-metre Down side; store room, general and ladies waiting room 
**Up loop siding:** Existed at the site; siding abolished **21 June 1965** — Frames B and C removed (W.N. 24–1965) 
**Type C Interlocking:** First location in NSW to use a Type C interlocking machine 
**Crane:** 5-ton crane; withdrawn from service by January 1950 (W.N. 6–1950) 
**Section (1930 onwards):** Dungog–Monkerai (from 9 September 1930 when Monkerai opened) 

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> **Notes:** Dingadee opened on 12 January 1912 as a loading siding for sleepers during the construction of the Dungog–Taree extension. There were **no signals** at the siding — points in the Main line secured by standard clip and brass point lock; catch-points in the Siding by chain and padlock. The section Dungog–Dingadee was worked by Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket, **daylight only**, speed limit 35 mph, with a written Caution Order provided to the Driver at Dungog. Trains were to be stopped by placing a lookout at the Dingadee end of the Siding on the Down journey, and at the Dungog end on the Up journey.
>
> **The opening of the line diagram shows a building to cover levers operating the signals at the siding.** It is uncertain if a building was provided; if so, it was removed with the signals on 9 March 1914. The only design drawing found was for the pit, not the covering of the levers. Dingadee was the **first location in NSW to use a Type C interlocking machine**.
>
> The station opened formally on **4 February 1913** — station brand DGD. Fixed signals at Dingadee placed in the "All Right" normal position when not required, with Guards responsible for placing signals at Danger during shunting and returning them to All Right when ready to depart. On 9 September 1930 (when Monkerai opened as an ETS station) the Dingadee points — including the Dairymen's and Farmers' Milk and Ice Company's siding and Dungog Co-Op. Milk Siding — were transferred from the Dungog–Stroud Road staff to the Dungog–Monkerai staff. The 5-ton crane was withdrawn from service by January 1950. The siding was abolished on 21 June 1965 (Frames B and C removed). The station closed on 30 October 1969 — formal deletion not found in OCR text of the 1969–1970 volumes.

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## 1912 — Opened as Loading Siding — 12 January 1912; Working Instructions; No Signals; Daylight Only

### Dingadee Siding Opened — 1912
> **Dingadee (Dungog–Taree Extension)** — Dingadee Siding, on the Extension of the line from Dungog to Taree, is open for the purpose of **facilitating the loading of sleepers for the Permanent-way Branch**, also the working of the Construction Branch engine to and from Dungog.
>
> **No signals are provided at Dingadee**, which is situated at Mileage **56.0 from Newcastle** on a **falling grade towards Dungog**.
>
> During shunting operations precautions must be taken to secure any vehicles unattached to an engine from moving, and vehicles left in the Siding must be secured inside the Catch-points.
>
> **Points in the Main Line** secured by standard clip and brass point lock; **Catch-points in the Siding** secured by chain and padlock.
>
> 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 **Caution Order** in which intimation must be given of any other train, engine, trolley, etc., engaged working in the section.
>
> **Speed limit**: trains between Dungog and Dingadee on both Down and Up journeys must not exceed **35 miles per hour**, and Drivers must keep a good look-out, especially when approaching curves. Trains must be **stopped by placing a Lookout at the Dingadee end** of the Siding (Down journey) and at the **Dungog end** (Up journey). *(Source: 1912 Weekly Notices)*

### Loading of Sleepers at Dingadee
> **Loading of Sleepers, etc., at Dingadee** — All concerned to note that approval has been given for sleepers, etc., to be loaded at Dingadee for the Railway Department, and freight to be charged throughout from Dingadee. This station is about **3 miles North of Dungog**, but the line beyond Dungog is not yet open for trade. *(Source: 1912 Weekly Notices — Goods Manager notice)*

---

## 1913 — Opened as Station — 4 February 1913; Station Brand DGD; Fixed Signals; Parcels Rates

### Station Opened — 4 February 1913
> **Dungog–Taree Line** — Distances from Dungog to the new stations:
> - Dungog to Dingadee: [mileage listed]
> - Dingadee to Nooroo: [mileage listed]
> - Nooroo to Stroud Road: [mileage listed]
>
> *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices — station distance table)*

### Station Brand — DGD — 1913
> **Dingadee — DGD** — station distinguishing brand allotted. *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*

### Fixed Signal Working at Unattended Sidings — 1913
> **Normal Position and Lighting of Signals at Unattended Sidings** — The normal position of the Fixed Signals at **Dingadee**, Nooroo, Ward's River, Craven, Stratford, Bulliac, Bundook, Somerset, Charity Creek, Kraraak Flat, Killawams, Kolodong, and State Lime Works Siding will be **All Right**, and when it is necessary for trains travelling on a Staff Ticket to shunt or deal with goods traffic at the places named, the Guards of such trains must immediately on arrival place the necessary signals **at Danger**, and after the work is completed and the train is quite ready to start, lower the signals to the **All Right** position.
>
> The Signals must be lighted at night, and the Station Master at a Staff station, despatching a Goods train on a Staff Ticket to work intermediate sidings and platforms after dark, must give the Driver written permission to do so; and, in addition, must not permit a train to follow until the preceding train has been reported as having arrived complete at the Staff station in advance. *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*

### Parcels Rates — Stations Dingadee to Karaak Flat — 1913
> Stations from **Dingadee to Karaak Flat**, inclusive — parcels rate class **N**. *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1924 — Goods Shunting Times; 30 Minutes Allowed

### Goods Shunting Times — 1924
> - No. [—] Goods: Stratford, 20 minutes; Ward's River, 19 minutes; Nooroo, 15 minutes; **Dingadee, 30 minutes**; Butter Co.'s Siding, 10 minutes; Wiragulla, 8 minutes; Hilldale, 9 minutes (listed three times in 1924)
> - No. 109 Goods: **Dingadee, 30 minutes**; Wiragulla, 8 minutes; Hilldale, 9 minutes; Mindaribba, 5 minutes; Oakhampton, 10 minutes

*(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1930 — Monkerai Opened — Dingadee Points Transferred from Dungog–Stroud Road to Dungog–Monkerai Staff

### Monkerai Opened — Dingadee Points Transferred — W.N. 35–1930
> Consequent upon the opening of Monkerai as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station on **Tuesday, 9th September, 1930**, the following alterations will be carried out:
>
> **Dungog and Dingadee** — The points at either end of the **Dairymen's and Farmers' Milk and Ice Company's Siding**, **Dungog Co-Op. Milk Siding**, and **Dingadee**, at present unlocked by key on the Electric Train Staff for the section **Dungog–Stroud Road**, will be unlocked by key on the Electric Train Staff for the section **Dungog–Monkerai**.
>
> Nooroo — The points at either end of the Loop, at present unlocked by key on the Electric Train Staff for the section Dungog–Stroud Road, will be unlocked by key on the Electric Train Staff for the section Monkerai–Stroud Road. *(W.N. 35–1930)*

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## 1935 — Dingadee Listed at 154m 14c; Section Reference

### Section and Distance Reference — 1935
> **Taree [section via] Dingadee (154m 14c)** — section reference in working timetable. *(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1950 — 5-Ton Crane Withdrawn from Service — W.N. 6–1950

### Crane Withdrawn — W.N. 6–1950
> **Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Dingadee (North Coast Line)** — The 5-ton crane has been withdrawn from service. **Delete relative particulars under the heading "Crane."** *(W.N. 6–1950)*

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## 1965 — Goods Siding Abolished — 21 June 1965; Sprags and Standing Room Deleted

### Siding Abolished — W.N. 24–1965
> **Dingadee (North Coast) — Abolition of Siding** — On **Monday, 21st June, 1965**, between 8.0 a.m. and 4.0 p.m., the points at each end of the goods siding will be placed out of use and the siding abolished.
>
> **Frames B and C and the associated interlocking gear will be dispensed with.**
>
> During the time of alterations, Flagmen equipped with the necessary Hand and Detonating signals must be placed at the sites [alongside simultaneous works at Sydney Station West, Goulburn South, Nambucca Heads, Demondrille North, **Dingadee** and Telarah].
>
> *(S. & T.E. 64–552,052–W. & M.) (W.N. 24–1965)*

### Sprags and Standing Room Deleted — W.N. 35–1965
> **Page 79 — Dingadee** — In column headed "Sprags provided" delete **6**; in column headed "Other sidings based on vehicles 22 feet in length" delete **37**. *(W.N. 35–1965)*

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## 1969 — Station Closed — 30 October 1969

### Station Closed — 30 October 1969
> **Dingadee closed 30 October 1969.** *(Source: your notes — formal deletion notice not found in OCR text of 1969–1970 Weekly Notices volumes)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **12 January 1912** | **Opened as loading siding** — sleepers for Permanent-way Branch / construction train working; no signals; Main line points — clip and brass lock; Catch-points — chain and padlock; Dungog–Dingadee: Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket, daylight only, 35 mph limit, Caution Order required; Lookout at Dingadee end (Down) and Dungog end (Up) |
| **4 February 1913** | **Opened as station** — station brand DGD; 60.9-metre Down side platform; store room, general and ladies waiting room; Fixed Signals in "All Right" normal position; Guards responsible for signals during shunting; first location in NSW to use Type C interlocking machine |
| 1913 | Parcels rate class N (Dingadee to Karaak Flat inclusive) |
| 1924 | 30 minutes goods shunting allowed (largest allowance of any unattended siding on the section) |
| **9 September 1930** | Monkerai opened as ETS station — Dingadee and Dungog Co-Op. Milk Siding points transferred from **Dungog–Stroud Road** staff to **Dungog–Monkerai** staff (W.N. 35–1930) |
| 1935 | Distance: 154m 14c from Sydney |
| W.N. 6–1950 | **5-ton crane withdrawn** from service — deleted from accommodation table |
| **21 June 1965** | **Goods siding abolished** — Frames B and C and interlocking gear removed; 6 sprags and 37-vehicle standing room deleted (W.N. 24 and 35–1965) |
| **30 October 1969** | **Station closed** |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1912–1969.* 
*Note: Dingadee is significant as the first location in NSW to use a Type C interlocking machine, and for the uncertainty surrounding whether the lever-covering building shown on the 1912 opening diagram was actually constructed. The 1912 working instructions — no signals, chain-and-padlock catch-points, daylight-only working, Lookout at each end — represent the most minimal form of safeworking recorded in the collection for a new line opening.*