Dorrigo

[admin]

Peter Lee:

Another photo from Marie Howlett's collection, this time 4816 on the turntable at Dorrigo. The driver is Vince Shipman, the fireman (in the cab) is Ron Kane and the Guard (squatting) is Lindsay Walters. The Station Master has not been identified.
A black and white version of this photo appears in Malcolm Paull's book, "The Glenreagh to Dorrigo Branch Railway", and is credited to Peter Holdom. According to Malcolm Paull this was the last train to Dorrigo, in October 1972 and if that is the case then it was fortunate that Peter chose to travel on and record this train. There are two other photos of this train in Malcolm Paull's book, and two to come from Marie Howlett's collection. Thanks to Beth Scaysbrook.

[admin]

The building crew of the Dorrigo Railway Station. Grandfather of the original poster (in our sister group "Old Dorrigo")  Norman Graham is sitting on the pile of gravel/sand. (Lynda Sheen)

[admin]

Dorrigo station, September 1978 (State Archives)

[admin]

Dorrigo station, undated, likely a tour train (State Archives)

[admin]

Dorrigo home signal (Allan Black)

[admin]

Approach to Dorrigo station as viewed from the home signal, 1981 (not credited)

[admin]

Dorrigo (31/8/2024 Lance Lyon)

[admin]

Dorrigo Station, sorry no trains today.
Circa 1990's
Photo late Ray Price

[admin]

Ready to depart ? No there will be some delay.
Circa 1996 (Greg Riddel)

[admin]

7008
Circa 1996 (Greg Riddel)

[admin]

Grasslands
Circa 1996 (Greg Riddel)

[admin]

6039
Circa 1996 (Greg Riddel)

[admin]

Weigh bridge
Circa 1990's
Photo late Ray Price

[admin]

Dorrigo signal box was the most common Type K1 signal box. Like Brogans Creek the windows had the glazing incorporated into
the slabs. The roof was a steeper pitch that normal. RT Taaffe

[admin]

# Dorrigo (Dorrigo Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1924–1975

---

**Type:** Station (Closed) 
**Line:** Dorrigo Branch (terminus of Glenreagh–Dorrigo line) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 721.700 km (Mileage **449m 12c** — per 1924 opening accommodation table) 
**Location:** -30.331511, 152.706477 
**Opened:** **Tuesday, 23 December 1924** — terminus of Glenreagh–Dorrigo extension; Circular No. 584 of 1924 (W.N. 52–1924); confirmed W.N. 53–1924 
**Closed:** **20 September 1975** (per your notes; no trains since 1972) 
**Status:** Closed 

### Signalling at Opening (1924)
**Signal-box A:** Down Home signal worked from Signal-box A; **Landmark** in lieu of Distant signal 
**Frame B:** Staff Drawer Lock released by Miniature ETS direct for section **Lowanna–Dorrigo**; Regulation (e) 
**Frames C and D** and **Lever E:** No. 1 Lever in Frames C and D and Lever E unlocked by key from lock on **No. 3 Lever in Signal-box A**; Regulation (g) 

### Facilities at Opening
**Classification:** †††  (ETS station) 
**Station Distinguishing Number:** WGD 10 
**Weighbridge:** Provided 
**Goods Shed:** Provided 
**Crane:** 1 jib crane 
**Livestock without engine:** 5 trucks 
**Staff Receptacle:** Provided at Dorrigo (also at Glenreagh and Lowanna) 
**Station Master hours:** 9.30 a.m.–1.0 p.m.; 2.0–5.0 p.m.; 7.0–8.30 p.m. 
**Porter hours:** 5.0–6.0 a.m.; 7.0 a.m.–12 noon; 1.0–3.0 p.m. 

### ETS Sections
| Period | Sections |
|--------|---------|
| **23 December 1924** | Glenreagh–Lowanna (Type A, 1–20); Lowanna–Dorrigo (Type A, 1–20) |
| **25 November 1925** | Lowanna–Megan (Type B); **Megan–Dorrigo** (Type B) — Circular No. 589 of 1925 |
| **1950 (washaway)** | Megan–Dorrigo **suspended** from 6 November 1950 |
| **1972** | Final train; Dorrigo–Megan suspended |

### Telephone
**No. 71 North Circuit** at opening: Glenreagh – Timber Top – Moleton – Lowanna – Ulong – Megan – **Dorrigo**

### Load Sections (1940)
- Dorrigo→Briggsvale: **230 tons** (Down) 
- Briggsvale→Dorrigo: **230 tons** (Up) 
- Maximum load two 19-class engines Moleton→Glenreagh (1950): **500 tons** 

### Engine Classes
- **1940**: 50-class engines permitted on Glenreagh–Dorrigo section; maximum speed 20 mph; sectional running times as for 19-class (W.N. 48–1940) 
- **1950 (washaway period)**: 19-class engines with bogie tenders only, Glenreagh–Megan; tender first on Down journey 
- **1961**: 48-class engines added to Dorrigo–Glenreagh running times table (W.N. — 1961) 

### Key Events
**1950 Washaway — Megan–Dorrigo closed:** Since 6 November 1950 — Glenreagh–Dorrigo line re-opened for goods traffic only between Glenreagh and Megan; Megan–Dorrigo ETS suspended; Megan became temporary terminal station; 19-class engines only (W.N. 46–1950) 
**Station closed:** **20 September 1975** — all references deleted W.N. 38–1975 alongside other Dorrigo Branch stations (ref. C1 75 2414) 
**Horses and vehicles loading:** Dorrigo Line — delete all reference W.N. 38–1975 (ref. C1 75 2414) 
**Unfenced line:** At opening, all Drivers instructed to keep sharp look-out for livestock straying on unfenced line 
**Potatoes ex Dorrigo:** Deleted from rates book W.N. 10–1943 (ref. G.C. 3–42–85,801) 
**50-class engines on Glenreagh–Dorrigo:** Permitted from W.N. 1–1940/W.N. 48–1940 — maximum speed 20 mph; running times same as 19-class 

---

> **Notes:** Dorrigo opened as the terminus of the Glenreagh–Dorrigo extension on 23 December 1924. Signal-box A; Landmark in lieu of Distant; Frame B (Staff Drawer Lock; Lowanna–Dorrigo ETS; Regulation e); Frames C and D and Lever E (lock on No. 3 Lever Signal-box A; Regulation g). Facilities: weighbridge, goods shed, jib crane, staff receptacle. Station Master and Porter with specified hours. Livestock capacity 5 trucks without engine. The unfenced line required Drivers to watch for straying livestock.
>
> The Megan–Dorrigo section was suspended from 6 November 1950 (washaway) — for an extended period Megan served as the terminus and Dorrigo was cut off. The upper branch above Megan was not re-opened for regular traffic after the washaway. No trains reached Dorrigo after 1972; the station was formally closed 20 September 1975. All references deleted W.N. 38–1975.

---

## 1924 — Opened 23 December 1924; Signal-box A; Frames B, C, D and Lever E; Circular No. 584

### Opening — W.N. 52 and 53–1924; Circular No. 584 of 1924
> **Page 301 — Opening of the Extension from Glenreagh to Dorrigo** — On **Tuesday, 23rd December, 1924**, the extension of the line from Glenreagh to Dorrigo will be opened for traffic, in accordance with the instructions contained in **Circular No. 584 of 1924** and diagrams attached thereto. *(W.N. 52–1924)*

> **Pages 19, 49 and 301 — Opening of the Extension from Glenreagh to Dorrigo (North Coast)** — Since Tuesday, 23rd December, 1924, the Extension of the line from Glenreagh to Dorrigo has been open for traffic.
>
> The line is **unfenced**, therefore Drivers must keep a sharp look-out for livestock that may be straying, so as to be prepared to reduce speed or stop, if necessary.
>
> The following are the names of the stations, with their mileages from Sydney: [Glenreagh, Timber Top, Moleton, Lowanna, Ulong, Brooklana, Mulhearn's Siding, Briggsvale, Megan, Leigh, **Dorrigo†††**] *(W.N. 53–1924)*

### Dorrigo Signalling — 1924
> **DORRIGO** —
>
> **Signal-box "A"** — The Down Home signal is worked from Signal-box "A." A **Landmark** is provided in lieu of a Distant signal.
>
> **Frame "B"** — Frame "B" is fitted with a **Staff Drawer Lock**, released by Miniature Electric Train Staff direct for the section **Lowanna–Dorrigo**, and must be operated in accordance with **Regulation (e)** of Weekly Notice No. 34 of 1921.
>
> **Frames "C" and "D"** and **Lever "E"** — No. 1 Lever in Frames "C" and "D" and Lever "E" are unlocked by key from the lock on **No. 3 Lever in Signal-box "A"**, and must be operated in accordance with **Regulation (g)** of Weekly Notice No. 37 of 1920. *(W.N. 53–1924; Circular No. 584 of 1924)*

### Accommodation Table — 1924
> **Dorrigo†††** — Station Distinguishing Number **WGD 10**; Mileage **449m 12c** from Sydney; **Weighbridge** provided; **Goods Shed** provided; **1 Crane** (jib); Livestock without engine: **5 trucks**.
>
> **Station Master:** 9.30 a.m.–1.0 p.m.; 2.0–5.0 p.m.; 7.0–8.30 p.m. 
> **Porter:** 5.0–6.0 a.m.; 7.0 a.m.–12 noon; 1.0–3.0 p.m. *(W.N. 53–1924)*

### Staff Receptacle — 1924
> **Staff Receptacles** are provided at Glenreagh, **Lowanna** and **Dorrigo**, and the method of working is in accordance with the instructions contained in Weekly Notice No. 3 of 1924. *(W.N. 53–1924)*

### Telephone Circuit — 1924
> **No. 71 North Circuit**: Glenreagh — Timber Top — Moleton — Lowanna — Ulong — Megan — **Dorrigo**. *(W.N. 53–1924)*

### ETS Sections at Opening — 1924
> - **Glenreagh–Lowanna**: Type A; Staffs Nos. 1–20
> - **Lowanna–Dorrigo**: Type A; Staffs Nos. 1–20
>
> *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices — accommodation table)*

---

## 1940 — 50-Class Engines Permitted on Glenreagh–Dorrigo; Load Tables

### 50-Class Engines — W.N. 48–1940
> **Lines over which Various Classes of Engines may Run — Glenreagh–Dorrigo Section** — Commencing at once, engines of the **50 class** may be permitted to run singly on the section Glenreagh–Dorrigo, subject to a maximum speed of **20 miles per hour** and strict observance of permanent speed restrictions. The sectional running times at present prescribed for 19-class engines will apply to 50-class engines. (C.T.M. 40–51,070.) *(W.N. 48–1940)*

### Load Sections — 1940
> **Glenreagh–Dorrigo Branch — Down:**
> - Glenreagh–Lowanna: 230 tons; Lowanna–Ulong: 330 tons; Ulong–Brooklana: 450 tons; Brooklana–Dorrigo [Briggsvale]: 330 tons; Briggsvale–Megan: 230 tons; Megan–Dorrigo: 230 tons
>
> *(Source: 1940 Weekly Notices — engine load table)*

---

## 1943 — Potatoes ex Dorrigo Rate Deleted

### Potatoes Rate Deleted — W.N. 10–1943
> **Insert** — Potatoes ex Dorrigo: 15 bags to the ton. **Delete** — Potatoes ex Dorrigo to South Brisbane. (G.C. 3–42–85,801.) *(W.N. 10–1943)*

---

## 1950 — Megan–Dorrigo Section Suspended; 19-Class Engines Only; Temporary Terminal at Megan

### Megan–Dorrigo Suspended — W.N. 46–1950
> **The Electric Train Staff Section, Megan–Dorrigo, is suspended until further notice.**
>
> 19-class engines fitted with **bogie tenders only** will be employed to haul goods trains between Glenreagh and Megan. Three engines of this type are being made available at Glenreagh for the working. It will be necessary for **tender first working** to be performed in one direction — to be carried out on the Down journey.
>
> The maximum load for two 19-class engines from Moleton to Glenreagh will be **500 tons**. *(W.N. 46–1950)*

---

## 1972 — Final Trains; Section References Updated

### Glenreagh–Dorrigo Section Closure — 1972
> Megan–Dorrigo section closed; Glenreagh–Dorrigo Branch sections table updated. **Last trains to Dorrigo — 1972.** *(Source: 1972 Weekly Notices — sections table deletions)*

---

## 1975 — All Local Appendix References Deleted — W.N. 38–1975

### All References Deleted — W.N. 38–1975
> **Page 174 — Stations and Platforms, etc. — Glenreagh–Dorrigo Branch** — Delete Timber Top, Lowanna, Ulong, Brooklana, Lloyd, Cascade, Briggsvale, Megan, Leigh and relevant distances. *(Note: Dorrigo itself deleted from Passenger Fares and Coaching Rates Book and Horses/Vehicles loading pages)* (C1 75 2414.) *(W.N. 38–1975)*

> **Page 186 — Stations at Which Horses and Vehicles may be Loaded and Unloaded — Dorrigo Line** — Delete all reference. (C1 75 2414.) *(W.N. 38–1975)*

> **Page 68** — Delete Dorrigo and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 38–1975)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **23 December 1924** | **Opened** as terminus of Glenreagh–Dorrigo extension; Signal-box A; Frames B (Staff Drawer Lock; Regulation e), C, D and Lever E (No. 3 Lever lock; Regulation g); Landmark; Weighbridge; Goods Shed; Jib crane; 5-truck livestock capacity; Staff Receptacle; Telephone Circuit No. 71; WGD 10; Mileage 449m 12c; **Circular No. 584 of 1924** |
| **25 November 1925** | Megan–Dorrigo section (Type B) — section split; Circular No. 589 of 1925 |
| **W.N. 48–1940** | 50-class engines permitted — max 20 mph; running times as 19-class |
| **6 November 1950** | **Megan–Dorrigo ETS suspended** — washaway; Megan became temporary terminal; 19-class engines only (W.N. 46–1950) |
| **1972** | **Last trains to Dorrigo** |
| **20 September 1975** | **Station formally closed** |
| **W.N. 38–1975** | All references deleted — Passenger Fares, Horses/Vehicles loading, stations table (ref. C1 75 2414) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1924–1975.* 
*Note: Dorrigo's signalling at opening was the most complex on the Dorrigo Branch — Signal-box A with four frames and a lever (B, C, D and Lever E), compared to Lowanna's two frames with Duplex Lock and the simple Staff Drawer Lock arrangements at all other intermediate stations. The three Lever/Frame groups (Signal-box A controlling Down Home signal; Frame B — Staff Drawer Lock for section staff; Frames C and D and Lever E — goods sidings and other movements) reflect the terminus functions at Dorrigo. The unfenced line warning at opening is unique — while the main North Coast line had been operating for years, the Dorrigo Branch opened into more remote pastoral country where livestock straying was a genuine operational hazard from the first day.*