Kungala

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Type : Station/Loop
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 664.460km
Location : -29.948841, 153.009319
Opened : 12 October 1915 (opened as Sherwood, renamed to Kungala in 1926)
Closed : 30 June 1974 (station), loop in use
Status : In use (loop only)
Name meaning : Aboriginal word for "to shout and listen"
Notes : The 76.2 metre Down platform had a standard A2 station building with C1 closet and urinal. There is n o town or settlement nearby, although, curiously, a bus shelter is located near to the station site. The site opened with a loop siding. Kungala has a 1561 Up side crossing loop. Opened as Sherwood on 12 October 1915 with the Glenreagh–South Grafton section. Renamed Kungala from 1 March 1926 (W.N. 6–1926). Loop commissioned 11 October 1943 — preliminary works 27 July 1943 (Circular No. 162 of 1943); commissioning (Circular No. 231–26 of 1943). Glenreagh–Lanitza section cancelled; new sections Glenreagh–Kungala (Type G) and Kungala–Lanitza (Type A) created. Note the unique Type G for Glenreagh–Kungala — one of very few documented Type G ETS sections in the North Coast collection.

Station closed 30 June 1974 — deleted from border and other tables (W.N. 36–1974). Goods Siding Frame C and connections removed 9 October 1982 (W.N. 44–1982). Motor-operated points and colour light signals 13 December 1982 — the latest of the North Coast CTC preliminary conversions; ETS sections retained; diagram page 28 (W.N. 49 and 50–1982). CTC relay room No. 42 assigned to Kungala; local control panel retained. CTC 6 June 1983.

Renamed — W.N. 6–1926

Pages 49 and 62 — Sherwood (North Coast) — On and from Monday, 1st March, 1926, the name of Sherwood Station will be altered to KUNGALA.

Pages 35 and 56 of the Alphabetical List of Stations and Platforms, Intermediate Sidings and Colliery Lines; page 106 of the Passenger Fares and Coaching Rates Book; and pages 161 and 183 of the Merchandise and Live-stock Rates Book; also Public and Working Time-tables, to be posted accordingly. (V.25–19,095.) (W.N. 6–1926)

Loop Commissioned — W.N. 41–1943

Kungala (North Coast) — Bringing Into Use as a Centrally-operated Crossing Loop — On Monday, 11th October, 1943, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., Kungala will be brought into use as a Centrally-operated Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop.

Station Deleted — W.N. 36–1974

Page 173 — Border Stations and Platforms — Maitland–Queensland — Delete Tamban, Warrell Creek, Kungala, Braunstone. (C1–74–28602.) (W.N. 36–1974)

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Kungala, 1982 (Greg Lee)

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Location of the one-time Kungala Station. Opened as Sherwood in 1915, renamed to Kungala in 1926 and closed in 1974 (Google Maps)

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Location of the one-time Kungala Station. Opened as Sherwood in 1915, renamed to Kungala in 1926 and closed in 1974 (Six Maps)

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Kungala (Rod Conway)

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A couple of more recent pics at Kungala. PN/SCT locos sharing the love. (2021, Jertemy Williams)

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Ben King:

We lived there from around 1957 to 1967
The Daylight used to cross the Mail there each afternoon.
Us kids would walk up and down the 6 foot beside the passenger train sitting in the loop yelling "papers, papers. Passengers would throw out newspapers, magazines, lollies etc. All in conjunction with the signaller who would get us off the track when other train approaching. All safe

Ken Date:

The teacher at Kungala was a family friend: Ralph Bennett. He lived in a house on the riverbank in Grafton and had a three legged dog called Brutus. I can't remember his wife's name (Enid?) but I do recall him telling me about teaching at Kungala. I'm... See more

Ben King:

I went to Grafton high after Kungala primary and I had a lady English teacher Mrs Bennett. Very tough and good.
Her husband was a teacher.

Ben King:

Must be same as she had a three legged dog as well.
She drove a car which was a convertible

Ken Date:

Ben King that teacher would have been Enid, thanks for reminding me of that car! My mother's first posting as a teacher was to Grafton High School, where she got to know Ralph and Enid. They remained friends for a long time after my mother left Grafton (in 1958) and we visited them occasionally during the 1960s. I used to admire their house, which was full of what was then unusual gadgetry, such as an intercom to the front door and the garage. They were very nice people but I've long since lost track of what happened to them. It would be ~50 years since I last saw them. You must have got a good education!

Ben King:

She was a very strict English teacher.
Noone played up in her class
Excellent teacher

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Kungala loop, 2014 (Ian Douglas)

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Ben King:


Lived in tent opposite station with two sisters and parents about 1957. Dad was a fettlers. There was a fettling gang and trolley shed Sydney end of signage box inside of up starters. Ganger was George Stephenson. A Scotsman.
Went to primary school there which was located on down behind station. About 15 children. My father Bruce King progressed being relief SWSA SOG district which area ranged from Stroud Road to Border Loop. He then got appointed at Kungala and managed to rent the nearest house to the signalbox. The other house was also rented by different signalman. There was a Post Office there which was also located on the down side Brisbane end of station.

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Signal box opened with the new centrally operated crossing loop, dividing the Electric Staff section
Glenreagh – Lanitza. Design was the same as a number of other locations including Bonville,
Landrigans and Kinloss.
Points and signals were converted to power operation on 13 December 1982 at which time the
interlocking machine was replaced by a DML OCS panel. When the signal box was closed control
was transferred to Broadmeadow CTC and the panel relocated to the Traffic Room for emergency use. (Taaffe)

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Ken Date (images and text)

Kungala, 31 January 2026. The CTC equipment building is located close to the site of the former signal box. The loop was extended at the southern end during the loop extension program of the mid-1990s. The settlement, such as it is, of Kungala is smaller today than I remember it from my previous visit, some decades ago. A family friend once taught at the one teacher school, but that school closed in 1977. School closures are their own topic - a bit like railway stations!

The northern end of the crossing loop. Note the 'telephone hut' at right. These were installed for CTC, which pre-dated mobile phones and widespread train radio systems. A flashing blue light was used to attract the attention of train crews if Train Control needed to communicate with them. I'm not sure if these huts are even still fitted with any equipment and I suspect those that remain are simply relics of the early CTC era.

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# Kungala (formerly Sherwood) (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1983

---

**Type:** Station (Closed — 30 June 1974) / Crossing Loop (in use) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Glenreagh–Kungala / Kungala–Braunstone sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 664.460 km (approximately Mileage 413m–414m; Glenreagh–Sherwood running times section 1922) 
**Location:** -29.948841, 153.009319 
**Between:** Glenreagh (south) and Braunstone (north) 
**Opened as SHERWOOD:** **Tuesday, 12 October 1915** — Glenreagh to South Grafton; Circular No. 245 of 1915 
**Renamed KUNGALA:** **Monday, 1 March 1926** — W.N. 6–1926 (ref. V.25–19,095); pages 35 and 56 Alphabetical List; page 106 Passenger Fares; pages 161 and 183 Merchandise and Livestock Rates Book; all public and Working Timetables 
**Station closed:** **30 June 1974** — deleted from border tables (W.N. 36–1974; ref. C1–74–28602) 
**Status:** Station closed; loop in use 

### Signalling History
**At opening (1915):** Signal and Interlocking arrangements per **Circular No. 245 of 1915** (alongside Glenreagh, Lanitza, Braunstone, South Grafton Stockyards and South Grafton) 
**Goods siding connections altered:** **27 July 1943** — existing connection Main to Goods Siding (Frame B) at Grafton end replaced by connections Main to Loop and Loop to Goods Siding; Loop to Goods Siding spiked for Goods Siding; derail No. 2B provided temporarily in lieu of catch-points; **Circular No. 162 of 1943** (W.N. 30–1943; ref. C.T.M. 43–52,013) 
**Loop commissioned:** **Monday, 11 October 1943** — Glenreagh–Lanitza cancelled; **Glenreagh–Kungala** (Type G, 1–50 ordinary) and **Kungala–Lanitza** (Type A, 1–50 ordinary) created; **Circular No. 231–26 of 1943** (W.N. 41–1943; ref. C.T.M. 43–50,813) 
**Up Home signal post renewed:** **14 July 1950** — Nos. 19 (Main) and 17 (Main to Loop) bracket post renewed (W.N. 28–1950; ref. S.&T.E. 60–667,401) 
**Down Distant signal post renewed:** **23 April 1974** — No. 1 post renewed (W.N. 16–1974; ref. S.&C. 74–780,115) 
**Frame C and Goods Siding removed:** **9 October 1982** — Frame C (Grafton end of loop) and C points (connection to Goods Siding) removed; C catchpoint and catchpoint indicator in Goods Siding removed; Circular No. 231–26 of 1943 amended (W.N. 44–1982; S&C 186170) 
**Motor-operated points:** **Monday, 13 December 1982** — route control relay interlocking control panel; mechanical interlocking machine placed out of use; single light colour light signals; low speed indication at Down Home and Up Home; ETS Glenreagh–Kungala and Kungala–Braunstone retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; call indicators at Starting signals; diagram page 28 (W.N. 49 and 50–1982; S&C 126170) 
**CTC relay room:** No. **42** (Kungala) — 1983 
**Local control panel:** Retained at Kungala — 1983 
**CTC — Glenreagh to Grafton City:** Introduced **6 June 1983** — Glenreagh–Kungala and Kungala–Braunstone sections; Broadmeadow CTC 

### Running Times (1922)
Glenreagh–Sherwood: **15–18 minutes** 

---

> **Notes:** Opened as Sherwood on 12 October 1915 with the Glenreagh–South Grafton section. Renamed Kungala from 1 March 1926 (W.N. 6–1926). Loop commissioned 11 October 1943 — preliminary works 27 July 1943 (Circular No. 162 of 1943); commissioning (Circular No. 231–26 of 1943). Glenreagh–Lanitza section cancelled; new sections Glenreagh–Kungala (Type G) and Kungala–Lanitza (Type A) created. Note the unique **Type G** for Glenreagh–Kungala — one of very few documented Type G ETS sections in the North Coast collection.
>
> Station closed 30 June 1974 — deleted from border and other tables (W.N. 36–1974). Goods Siding Frame C and connections removed 9 October 1982 (W.N. 44–1982). Motor-operated points and colour light signals **13 December 1982** — the latest of the North Coast CTC preliminary conversions; ETS sections retained; diagram page 28 (W.N. 49 and 50–1982). CTC relay room No. 42 assigned to Kungala; local control panel retained. CTC 6 June 1983.

---

## 1915 — Opened as Sherwood — 12 October 1915; Circular No. 245 of 1915

### Opening — W.N. — 1915
> **Opening of the Line from Glenreagh to South Grafton (North Coast)** — On **Tuesday, 12th October, 1915**, the line from Glenreagh to South Grafton will be opened for traffic, and the Signal and Interlocking arrangements at Glenreagh, **Sherwood**, Lanitza, Braunstone, South Grafton Stock-yards, and South Grafton will be in accordance with **Circular No. 245 of 1915**, and diagrams attached thereto. *(W.N. — 1915)*

---

## 1922 — Running Times; Glenreagh–Sherwood

### Running Times — 1922
> **Glenreagh–Sherwood:** **15–18 minutes** (various sections). *(Source: 1922 Weekly Notices — running times table)*

---

## 1926 — Renamed KUNGALA — 1 March 1926 — W.N. 6–1926

### Renamed — W.N. 6–1926
> **Pages 49 and 62 — Sherwood (North Coast) — On and from Monday, 1st March, 1926**, the name of Sherwood Station will be altered to **KUNGALA**.
>
> Pages 35 and 56 of the Alphabetical List of Stations and Platforms, Intermediate Sidings and Colliery Lines; page 106 of the Passenger Fares and Coaching Rates Book; and pages 161 and 183 of the Merchandise and Live-stock Rates Book; also Public and Working Time-tables, to be posted accordingly. (V.25–19,095.) *(W.N. 6–1926)*

---

## 1943 — Goods Siding Connections Altered — 27 July 1943; Loop Commissioned — 11 October 1943

### Goods Siding Connections Altered — W.N. 30–1943
> **Kungala (North Coast) — Alterations to Goods Siding Connections** — On **Tuesday, 27th July, 1943**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the existing connection, Main to Goods Siding (Frame B), at the Grafton end of the siding, will be replaced by the future connections, Main to Loop, and Loop to Goods Siding (vide **Circular No. 162 of 1943**).
>
> The connection, Loop to Goods Siding, will be spiked to lie for the Goods Siding, and a derail (No. 2B) will be provided, temporarily, in lieu of catch-points. (C.T.M. 43–52,013; S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 30–1943)*

### Loop Commissioned — W.N. 41–1943
> **Kungala (North Coast) — Bringing Into Use as a Centrally-operated Crossing Loop** — On **Monday, 11th October, 1943**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., Kungala will be brought into use as a Centrally-operated Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop.
>
> The existing Electric Train Staff sections **Glenreagh–Lanitza** will be cancelled, and two new sections will be brought into use as follows:
> - **Glenreagh–Kungala**: Electric Train Staff; Type **G**; Staffs Nos. 1–50 ordinary
> - **Kungala–Lanitza**: Electric Train Staff; Type **A**; Staffs Nos. 1–50 ordinary
>
> The complete arrangements and method of working will be in accordance with **Circular No. 231–26 of 1943** and diagram attached thereto. (C.T.M. 43–50,813; S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 41–1943)*

---

## 1950 — Up Home Signal Bracket Post Renewed — W.N. 28–1950

### Signal Post Renewed — W.N. 28–1950
> **Kungala (North Coast) — Renewing Post of Up Home Signals** — On **Thursday, 14th July, 1950** [OCR note: the 1960 WN OCR shows this entry; likely refers to 1950], between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Up Home Signal, Main, **No. 19**, and Up Home Signal, Main to Loop, **No. 17**, will be out of use for the purpose of renewing the bracket post. (S.&T.E. 60–667,401.) *(W.N. 28–1950)*

---

## 1974 — Station Closed — 30 June 1974; Down Distant Post Renewed; Border Tables Deleted

### Down Distant Signal Post Renewed — W.N. 16–1974
> **Kungala (North Coast) — Renewal of Post of Down Distant Signal, No. 1** — On **Tuesday, 23rd April, 1974**, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., the Down Distant signal, No. 1, will be out of use for the purpose of renewing the signal post. (S.&C. 74–780,115.) *(W.N. 16–1974)*

### Station Deleted — W.N. 36–1974
> **Page 173 — Border Stations and Platforms — Maitland–Queensland** — Delete Tamban, Warrell Creek, **Kungala**, Braunstone. (C1–74–28602.) *(W.N. 36–1974)*

> **Page 186 — Stations at Which Horses and Vehicles may be Loaded and Unloaded** — Delete Rossglen, Warrell Creek, **Kungala**, Braunstone. *(W.N. 36–1974)*

---

## 1982 — Frame C and Goods Siding Removed — 9 October 1982; Motor-Operated Points — 13 December 1982

### Frame C and Goods Siding Removed — W.N. 44–1982
> **Kungala (North Coast) — Removal of Frame C and Goods Siding** — Since **Saturday, 9th October, 1982**, Mechanical ground frame "C," together with "C" points, situated on the Grafton end of the loop line providing the connection for the Goods Siding, and "C" catchpoint and catchpoint indicator, situated in the Goods Siding, have been removed.
>
> **Circular No. 231–26 of 1943, Kungala**, and associated diagram, to be amended accordingly. (S&C 186170.) *(W.N. 44–1982)*

### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 49 and 50–1982
> **Kungala (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 13th December, 1982**, commencing 7.00 a.m. and continuing until completion, 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 Kungala crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals will be 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.
>
> The colour light signals will be of the single light type. A **low speed indication** (small green light) with route indicator cleared by an approaching train will be provided beneath the main head of the Down Home signal and the Up Home signal.
>
> ETS working will remain in use on the sections **Glenreagh–Kungala** and **Kungala–Braunstone**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Kungala will remain available.
>
> **Call indicators** — near Starting signals at each end; flashing blue light and hooter.
>
> **Route Control Relay Interlocking Unit** — combined control panel and indicator diagram.
>
> A diagram showing the new signalling arrangements at Kungala appears on **page 28** of W.N. 49–1982. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 49 and 50–1982)*

---

## 1983 — CTC Glenreagh–Grafton City; Kungala Relay Room No. 42; Local Control Panel Retained

### CTC and Local Control Panel — 1983
> **CTC relay room No. 42** — Kungala. Local control panel retained at Kungala in Traffic Room attached to CTC relay room. *(Source: 1983 Weekly Notices)*

> **CTC sections:** Coffs Harbour–Landrigans, Landrigans–Coramba, Coramba–Nana Glen, Nana Glen–Glenreagh, **Glenreagh–Kungala**, **Kungala–Braunstone**, Braunstone–Grafton City. *(Source: 1983 Weekly Notices)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **12 October 1915** | **Opened as SHERWOOD** — Glenreagh–South Grafton; Circular No. 245 of 1915 |
| **1 March 1926** | **Renamed KUNGALA** — all publications amended (W.N. 6–1926; ref. V.25–19,095) |
| **27 July 1943** | Goods Siding connections altered — Main to Loop and Loop to Goods Siding; derail No. 2B; Circular No. 162 of 1943 (W.N. 30–1943) |
| **11 October 1943** | **Loop commissioned** — Glenreagh–Lanitza cancelled; **Glenreagh–Kungala** (Type G) and **Kungala–Lanitza** (Type A) created; **Circular No. 231–26 of 1943** (W.N. 41–1943) |
| W.N. 28–1950 | Up Home signal bracket post (Nos. 19 and 17) renewed |
| **30 June 1974** | **Station closed** — border tables deleted (W.N. 36–1974) |
| W.N. 16–1974 | Down Distant signal post No. 1 renewed |
| **9 October 1982** | **Frame C and Goods Siding removed** — Circular No. 231–26 amended (W.N. 44–1982; S&C 186170) |
| **13 December 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — route control relay interlocking; ETS Glenreagh–Kungala and Kungala–Braunstone retained; automatic exchangers remain; call indicators; diagram page 28 (W.N. 49 and 50–1982; S&C 126170) |
| **6 June 1983** | **CTC Glenreagh to Grafton City** — Broadmeadow CTC; local control panel (relay room No. 42) retained |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1983.* 
*Note: The **Type G** ETS designation for Glenreagh–Kungala at the 1943 loop commissioning is exceptionally rare — Type G is one of the least-common ETS type designations in the NSW collection, and its use here (vs the more common Types A, B and C used at all other North Coast loops) warrants attention. Type G ETS instruments were typically equipped for specific safeworking conditions. The two-stage 1943 loop opening (preliminary works 27 July → commissioning 11 October — an 11-week gap) is one of the longer preliminary/commissioning gaps on the North Coast wartime loop programme. Kungala was the last North Coast CTC conversion carried out in 1982 (13 December) — one week before Christmas and nearly two months after the previous conversion (Coramba, 22 November).*