Raleigh

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Type : Station
Station Number : NC49
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 586.455km
Location : -30.453554, 153.017751
Opened : 30 August 1915
Closed : De-manned June 1990, closed in 1993
Status : Station closed, loop in use
Name meaning : Unknown, but possibly after a city in the USA (some sources), other sources say after the Parish of the same name.
Notes : Opened with a loop. Original Up platform was 137.16 metres long with a timber platform building containg a mens and ladies waiting room, SM's office, men's toilet and out-of room. A substantial goods shed was provided along with a 5 ton crane. 1922 - 10 ton crane added for log handling. 19.3.1923 - interlocked 386 metre loop laid in. 1943 - crew rest house built - Raleigh was a major change over for Casino loco crews and was very busing during WW2. 1/9/1983 - stockyards demolished. After the closure of the Dorrigo branch in 1972 following washaways, Raleigh became the railhead for Dorrigo (in addition to Bellingen). The foundations of the turntable still exist on the site. Raleigh has a short 386 metre loop and a 285 metre loop siding accessed from the crossing loop. "Isolated and not connected to any other line" — the 1915 WN wording is precise and deliberate. Raleigh opened **30 August 1915** as the southern terminus of the Coffs Harbour–Raleigh section — described in the WN as "isolated and not connected to any other line at present, but will form part of the North Coast line when latter is completed." Circular No. 207 of 1915; Signal and Interlocking arrangements per circular and diagrams. Substantial goods shed and 5-tonne crane at opening; 137.16-metre Up timber platform. 10-tonne crane added 1922 for log handling. New 386-metre interlocked loop laid in **19 March 1923** — same date as the Raleigh–Urunga extension opening (Circular No. 62 of 1923). A crew rest house was built in 1943 — Raleigh was a busy wartime loco crew changeover point for Casino crews. Circular No. 19–2 of 1935 served as the Raleigh base diagram until at least 1975 (amended W.N. 7–1975 for a siding provision); also amended at Dalhousie Creek closure in 1963. Producers' Distributing Society Siding and Norco CDA Branch Siding associated with Raleigh yard. After the Dorrigo Branch closed in 1972 following washaways, Raleigh became one of two railheads for the Dorrigo district. Siding Provision — W.N. 7–1975
> **RALEIGH (NORTH COAST) — PROVISION [OF SIDING]** — [Works at Raleigh, date to be confirmed]. **Circular No. 19–2, Raleigh, of 1935**, and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. (S.&C.) *(W.N. 7–1975)*

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Raleigh, 1982 (Greg Lee)

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Raleigh, September 1982 (Greg Lee)

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Raleigh 1982 (Greg Lee)

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48109+4502 pulling into the loop at Raleigh to cross with the up XPT, 4 September 1986.  In those days I was always on the lookout for particular liveries and/or combinations.  By chance while waiting to board the XPT, a 48 and 45 in reverse livery was a great catch. (Chris Harrison)

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The location of the one-time Raleigh Station. Opened in 1915, closed 1974, buildings demolished in 1990 (Philip Overton)

Grant Douch states "My parents owned the bus that use to pick up the mail and parcels and passengers from Raleigh station and take them to Dorrigo where we lived in the early 70s"

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This is Raleigh on 12 December 1983. Unlike nearby Sawtell and Urunga, this station was not replaced after demolition in the 1990s. The sign says "Alight here for Bellingen", which is about 12 kms away by road. (Peter Burr)

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Raleigh (undated, Allan Sharp)

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Raleigh in the 1930s

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Raleigh in the 1930s

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Opening of the Coffs Harbour to Raleigh section, 30/08/1915

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School train at Raleigh - last run

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Raleigh station circa 1985 (Colin Sutton)

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Raleigh railway yard, by Joyce Hill

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Raleigh station, mid 80s (Colin Sutton)