Nambucca Heads

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Nambucca signal box in 1984 (Taaffe)

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# Nambucca Heads (formerly Nambucca) (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1923–1984

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**Type:** Station (in use) / Crossing Loop (1,943 metres — in use; 100-metre dead-end siding Down side) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Macksville–Nambucca Heads / Nambucca Heads–Raleigh sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 564.390 km (Mileage 352m approximately) 
**Location:** -30.628815, 152.977169 
**Opened:** **3 December 1923** as **Nambucca Heads** (with opening of Macksville–Urunga extension) 
**Renamed NAMBUCCA:** **W.N. 41–1925** — commencing at once; all publications amended (ref. V.25–5,192) 
**Renamed NAMBUCCA HEADS:** **21 June 1964** (W.N. — 1964) 
**Status:** In use 
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word meaning "crooked river" 
**Station Brand (1923):** NMB (per 1923 brand list) 
**Platform:** 198-metre Up slab concrete platform at opening; reduced to **76.2 metres by 1932** 
**Station building:** Original timber; destroyed by fire **28 January 1945**; replaced with current brick building (men's toilet, out-of-room, SM's office, general and ladies waiting rooms) — 1945 
**Water columns:** 304mm bore column at each end of platform; water pumped from Deep Creek 
**Water tower demolished:** **25 September 1984** 
**Ash pit installed:** **22 April 1945** — at Up end of platform 
**Loop at opening:** Within Macksville–Raleigh section; Frames A and B with Staff Drawer Locks (Macksville–Raleigh Miniature ETS; Regulation E) 
**Central interlocked loop opened:** **9 January 1934** — 1,320-foot (402-metre) loop; Macksville–Raleigh cancelled; **Macksville–Nambucca** and **Nambucca–Raleigh** created; Newee Creek Frames A and B altered to Macksville–Nambucca ETS; Urunga Frames A and B altered to Nambucca–Raleigh ETS; **Circular No. 1–4 of 1934**; accommodation table: insert 1320 in crossing loop column, substitute 11 for 24 in Other Sidings (W.N. 2–1934) 
**Up Starting signals relocated:** **26 March 1946** — Nos. 3 and 5 re-fixed 25 feet nearer to Sydney; Circular No. 126–16 of 1941 amended (W.N. 13–1946) 
**CTC conversion:** **Sunday, 24 October 1982** — Down Home and Down Distant colour light signals replaced in situ by new single-light type; route control relay interlocking panel; ETS Macksville–Nambucca Heads and Nambucca Heads–Raleigh retained; diagram page 31 (W.N. 42–1982; S&C 126170) 
**Full CTC Kempsey–Nambucca Heads:** **2 May 1983** — ETS Kempsey–Tamban, Tamban–Eungai, Eungai–Macksville and Macksville–Nambucca Heads cancelled; Broadmeadow CTC; automatic staff exchangers at all five stations removed; local control panel at Nambucca Heads retained 
**ETS Nambucca Heads–Coffs Harbour retained post-May 1983** — signalmen at Nambucca Heads required to issue written notice with every train staff; ETS Nambucca Heads–Raleigh, Raleigh–Bonville and Bonville–Coffs Harbour remained in force until CTC extension (1983 WN) 
**Circular:** No. 387 of 1923 (opening base; amended 9 Jan 1934); No. 1–4 of 1934 (loop base diagram); No. 126–16 of 1941 (referenced 1946) 
**Peterkins Platform:** Between Nambucca and Valla — opened 10 October 1945; 24-foot platform Up side at Mileage 353m 9c; Nos. 21 and 34 Pass. trains stop for school children (W.N. 44–1945; corrected to Down side W.N. 8–1946) 

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> **Notes:** Nambucca Heads opened 3 December 1923 with the Macksville–Urunga extension. 198-metre Up slab concrete platform — an unusually long platform for an unattended station — reduced to 76.2 metres by 1932. Frames A and B fitted with Staff Drawer Locks released by Macksville–Raleigh Miniature ETS (Regulation E), same arrangement as Newee Creek and Urunga.
>
> Renamed **NAMBUCCA** in W.N. 41–1925 (reference V.25–5,192) — all publications amended simultaneously. Central interlocked loop opened 9 January 1934 — Macksville–Raleigh section cancelled; Macksville–Nambucca and Nambucca–Raleigh created; Newee Creek and Urunga Frames A and B simultaneously altered to new section staffs (Circular No. 387 of 1923 amended); accommodation table updated (1,320 in crossing loop column; 11 substituted for 24 in Other Sidings). Circular No. 1–4 of 1934 issued. Station (Nambucca) destroyed by fire 28 January 1945; replaced with brick building. Ash pit installed at Up end of platform 22 April 1945. Peterkins school platform between Nambucca and Valla opened 10 October 1945 (initially stated as Up side in W.N. 44–1945; corrected to Down side W.N. 8–1946). Up Starting signals Nos. 3 and 5 relocated 25 feet toward Sydney 26 March 1946 (Circular No. 126–16 of 1941 amended; W.N. 13–1946). Renamed **NAMBUCCA HEADS** 21 June 1964.
>
> Motor-operated points and colour light signals **Sunday, 24 October 1982** — Down Home and Down Distant replaced in situ by single-light colour light signals; route control relay interlocking panel; ETS Macksville–Nambucca Heads and Nambucca Heads–Raleigh retained; automatic staff exchangers remain (W.N. 42–1982; diagram page 31). Full CTC from Kempsey to Nambucca Heads introduced 2 May 1983 — ETS cancelled on four sections; automatic staff exchangers removed from Kempsey, Tamban, Eungai, Macksville and Nambucca Heads. Water tower demolished 25 September 1984.

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## 1923 — Opened 3 December 1923; Brand NMB; Frames A and B; Staff Drawer Locks; Running Times

### Opening — 3 December 1923
> **Opening of the Extension from Macksville to Urunga (North Coast)** — 3 December 1923; Nambucca Heads opened; brand **NMB**. *(Source: 1923 Weekly Notices — opening circular)*

### Frames A and B — Staff Drawer Locks; Regulation E — 1923
> **Newee Creek, Nambucca Heads and Urunga** — Frames "A" and "B" at these Sidings will be fitted with **Staff Drawer Locks**, released by the Miniature Electric Train Staff for the section **Macksville–Raleigh**, and must be operated in accordance with **Regulation E** of Weekly Notice No. 34 of 1921. *(Source: 1923 Weekly Notices — opening circular)*

### Running Times — 1923
> - Newee Creek to Nambucca Heads: **9 minutes** (Down); Nambucca Heads to Urunga: **12 minutes**
> - Macksville to Nambucca Heads: listed in station sequence table
>
> *(Source: 1923 Weekly Notices — running times table)*

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## 1924 — Nambucca Heads Platform; First Timetable

### Timetable Listing — 1924
> **Nambucca Heads\*** — listed as unattended between Newee Creek and Urunga. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1925 — Renamed NAMBUCCA — W.N. 41–1925

### Renamed — W.N. 41–1925
> **Nambucca Heads (North Coast) — Alteration of Name** — Commencing at once, the name of Nambucca Heads is to be called **NAMBUCCA**.
>
> Pages 134 and 155 of the Merchandise and Livestock Rates Book; page 93 of the Passenger Fares and Coaching Rates Book; page 41 of the Alphabetical List of Stations and Platforms, Intermediate Sidings and Colliery Lines; also Public and Working Time-tables, to be posted accordingly. (V.25–5,192.) *(W.N. 41–1925)*

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## 1930 — Section Nambucca–Macksville; Goods Shunting Times

### Section Reference — 1930
> **Nambucca → Macksville** — section listed in train running sequence. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1934 — Central Interlocked Loop — 9 January 1934; Macksville–Nambucca and Nambucca–Raleigh Created; Circular No. 1–4

### Loop Opened as ETS and Crossing Station — W.N. 2–1934
> **Nambucca (North Coast) — Opening as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — On **Tuesday, 9th January, 1934**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., Nambucca will be opened as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station, and the present Electric Train Staff section, **Macksville–Raleigh**, cancelled.
>
> The new sections to be opened will be **Macksville–Nambucca** and **Nambucca–Raleigh**.
>
> The complete arrangements will be in accordance with **Circular No. 1–4 of 1934** and diagram attached thereto. *(W.N. 2–1934)*

### Newee Creek Frames Altered — W.N. 2–1934
> **Newee Creek (North Coast) — Altered Releasing of Ground Frames** — On and from Tuesday, 9th January, 1934, No. 1 lever in Frames "A" and "B" will be released by the Staff for the section **Macksville–Nambucca**. Circular No. 387 of 1923 to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 2–1934)*

### Urunga Frames Altered — W.N. 2–1934
> **Urunga (North Coast) — Altered Releasing of Ground Frames** — On and from Tuesday, 9th January, 1934, No. 1 lever in Frames "A" and "B" will be released by the Staff for the section **Nambucca–Raleigh**. Circular No. 387 of 1923 to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 2–1934)*

### Accommodation Table Updated — W.N. 2–1934
> **Page 60 — Stations, Platforms and Sidings — North Coast Line — Nambucca** — Add **"1320"** to column headed "Crossing Loop," and substitute **"11"** for "24" in column headed "Other Sidings." *(W.N. 2–1934)*

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## 1940 — Nambucca Electric Light Works Siding

### Nambucca Electric Light Works — 1940
> **Nambucca Electric Light Works** siding referenced in consignment instructions. *(Source: 1940 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1945 — Station Destroyed by Fire — 28 January 1945; Ash Pit — 22 April 1945; Peterkins School Platform

### Station Destroyed by Fire — 28 January 1945
> **Station at Nambucca destroyed by fire — 28 January 1945.** Replaced with current brick building (men's toilet, out-of-room, SM's office, general and ladies waiting rooms). *(Source: your notes)*

### Ash Pit Installed — 22 April 1945
> **Ash pit installed at Up end of platform — 22 April 1945.** *(Source: your notes)*

### Peterkins School Platform — W.N. 44–1945 (corrected W.N. 8–1946)
> **Page 60 — Peterkins (between Nambucca and Valla, North Coast) — Provision of Platform** — Since **10th October, 1945**, a platform, **24 feet** in length on the **Up side** at Mileage **353m 9c**, between Valla and Nambucca, has been in use for school children, and is known as Peterkins. Nos. **21 and 34** Passenger trains to stop to pick up or set down school children. (V.41–95,407.) *(W.N. 44–1945)*

> **Correction (W.N. 8–1946):** Platform at Peterkins is situated on the **Down side** of the line at Mileage 353m 9c. The foregoing amends W.N. 43–1945. (V.44–95,407.) *(W.N. 8–1946)*

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## 1946 — Up Starting Signals Relocated — 26 March 1946; Circular No. 126–16 Amended

### Up Starting Signals Relocated — W.N. 13–1946
> **Nambucca (North Coast) — Alteration to Location of Up Starting Signals** — On **Tuesday, 26th March, 1946**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the Up Starting signals, **No. 3** (Up Starting, Main) and **No. 5** (Up Starting Loop to Main) will be re-fixed in corresponding positions, **25 feet nearer to Sydney**.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 126–16 of 1941** to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 13–1946)*

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## 1964 — Renamed NAMBUCCA HEADS — 21 June 1964

### Renamed Nambucca Heads — 1964
> **Nambucca renamed NAMBUCCA HEADS — 21 June 1964.** *(Source: your notes; W.N. — 1964 rename notice; confirmed in 1964 WN references to "Nambucca Heads")*

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## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points — 24 October 1982; Down Home and Distant Replaced In Situ

### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 42–1982
> **Nambucca Heads (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Sunday, 24th October, 1982**, from 7.00 a.m. and until completion, as a preliminary to the introduction of CTC signalling on the North Coast line, the Main line to loop points at each end of Nambucca Heads crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals will be replaced by colour light signals.
>
> The **Down Home and Down Distant colour light signals** will be **replaced in situ** by new single light 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 local ground frames will be renamed and electrical releasing switches provided.
>
> 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, beneath the Down Home signal and the Up Home signal.
>
> Electric train staff working will remain in use on the sections **Macksville–Nambucca Heads** and **Nambucca Heads–Raleigh**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Nambucca Heads will remain available.
>
> Diagram on **page 31** of this Weekly Notice. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 42–1982)*

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## 1983 — Full CTC Kempsey–Nambucca Heads — 2 May 1983; ETS Nambucca Heads–Coffs Harbour Retained

### Full CTC — 2 May 1983 — W.N. — 1983
> Since **2 May 1983**, ETS on sections Kempsey–Tamban, Tamban–Eungai, Eungai–Macksville and **Macksville–Nambucca Heads** were cancelled; Broadmeadow CTC introduced; automatic staff exchangers at Kempsey, Tamban, Eungai, Macksville and **Nambucca Heads** removed; local control panel at Nambucca Heads retained. CTC working reference: Nambucca Heads **(W.N. 42–1982)**. *(W.N. — 1983)*

### ETS Nambucca Heads–Coffs Harbour Retained — 1983
> **Note:** Electric Train Staff working remains in operation on the sections between **Nambucca Heads and Coffs Harbour** (Nambucca Heads–Raleigh, Raleigh–Bonville and Bonville–Coffs Harbour) until CTC extension. Signalmen at Nambucca Heads (Down direction) and Coffs Harbour (Up direction) must issue a **written notice** with every train staff advising the driver that ETS working is in use. *(Source: 1983 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1984 — Water Tower Demolished — 25 September 1984

### Water Tower Demolished — 1984
> **Water tower at Nambucca Heads demolished — 25 September 1984.** *(Source: your notes)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **3 December 1923** | **Opened as Nambucca Heads** — 198-metre Up slab concrete platform; brand NMB; Frames A and B (Staff Drawer Locks; Macksville–Raleigh Miniature ETS; Regulation E); 304mm bore water columns each end of platform; water from Deep Creek; 5 km from town |
| **W.N. 41–1925** | **Renamed NAMBUCCA** — all publications amended (ref. V.25–5,192) |
| By 1932 | Platform reduced from 198 metres to **76.2 metres** |
| **9 January 1934** | **Central interlocked loop opened** — 1,320-foot (402m) loop; Macksville–Raleigh cancelled; **Macksville–Nambucca** and **Nambucca–Raleigh** created; Newee Creek and Urunga frames altered; accommodation table: insert 1320 (loop) and substitute 11 for 24 (Other Sidings); **Circular No. 1–4 of 1934** (W.N. 2–1934) |
| **28 January 1945** | **Station building destroyed by fire** — replaced with brick building |
| **22 April 1945** | **Ash pit installed** at Up end of platform |
| **10 October 1945** | Peterkins school platform — 24 feet, Down side (corrected from Up), 353m 9c between Valla and Nambucca; Nos. 21 and 34 Pass. (W.N. 44–1945; corrected W.N. 8–1946) |
| **26 March 1946** | Up Starting signals Nos. 3 and 5 relocated **25 feet nearer Sydney**; Circular No. 126–16 of 1941 amended (W.N. 13–1946) |
| **21 June 1964** | **Renamed NAMBUCCA HEADS** |
| **24 October 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — Down Home and Distant replaced in situ; ETS Macksville–Nambucca Heads and Nambucca Heads–Raleigh retained; automatic exchangers remain; diagram page 31 (W.N. 42–1982; S&C 126170) |
| **2 May 1983** | **Full CTC Kempsey–Nambucca Heads** — ETS cancelled; automatic exchangers removed; local control panel at Nambucca Heads retained; ETS Nambucca Heads–Coffs Harbour retained and signalmen required to issue written notices with each train staff |
| **25 September 1984** | **Water tower demolished** |
| Current | 1,943-metre crossing loop; 100-metre dead-end siding Down side |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1923–1984.* 
*Note: The "Down Home and Down Distant colour light signals replaced in situ" wording in the 1982 CTC conversion is unique in the collection — indicating these two signals already existed as colour light signals before the 1982 conversion, and were simply replaced with new single-light equivalents rather than being relocated. Circular No. 1–4 of 1934 (loop opening) succeeded Circular No. 387 of 1923 (opening base diagram) as the Nambucca base diagram. The 198-metre slab concrete platform at opening (reduced to 76.2m by 1932) suggests the original platform was built to an ambitious length for what was then the terminus of the Macksville–Urunga extension.*