Taree

[admin]

4487 at the head of 290 in Taree yard with the number 1 & 2 down sidings still intact to the left.
Visible is Taree 21-3 signal & the overhead signal gantry, also in view is the old electrical branch wagon in the mid background & another 44 for shunting duties.
23-7-93
Photo John Barrett
Greg Riddel

[admin]

Taree - milk train (undated) (Geoff Riley)

[admin]

G513 with 4645 at the 378.500km Taree.
24-01-26
Image George Riddel

[admin]

Old signals branch depot repurposed to ARTC administration building.
"The White House"
21-03-26
Greg Riddel

[admin]

Taree (Shane Morris)

[admin]

# Taree (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1913–1985

---

**Type:** Station (in use) / Crossing Loop / Signal Boxes (North and South) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Wingham–Taree / Taree–Melinga sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 378.600 km (235m 00c — Taree South Box per 1963 table) 
**Location:** -31.906077, 152.456227 
**Opened:** 4 February 1913 (Dungog–Taree line opening; original terminus of the extension) 
**Status:** In use 
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word for "wild fig" 
**Station Brand:** TRE (1913) 
**Platform (original):** 152-metre (500-foot) Down side timber platform 
**Platform (1925 extension):** Extended 60.9 metres (200 feet) — 4 April 1925 (total approximately 213 metres) 
**Platform (current):** 182 metres 
**Station building:** Original timber; replaced by brick building 1929 
**Refreshment Room:** Opened **6 November 1929** (RRR) 
**North Signal-box:** Opened **5 June 1945** — Down side, Grafton side of Macquarie Street level crossing 
**South Signal-box:** Opened **5 June 1945** — Down side, opposite Main–Loop points at Sydney end of Loop 
**Circular:** No. 142–15 of 1945 (Taree base diagram — referenced to 1963) 
**ETS Sections (from 1945):** Wingham–Taree South (Type A; 1–8 key, 9–50 ordinary); Taree South–Taree North (Yard working); Taree North–Melinga (Type B; 1–4 key, 5–50 ordinary) 
**Staff Exchangers:** Exchanger rings (not standard apparatus) at Taree South Signal-box — staff delivered by hand; 4 exchanger rings provided (fewer than other stations) 
**Diesel tank:** 54 kl diesel tank installed **1963** 
**Roundhouse demolished:** **April 1970** — cessation of steam on the line 
**Residences demolished:** November 1986 (SM cottage remains) 

---

> **Notes:** Taree opened 4 February 1913 as the terminus of the Dungog–Taree extension. Day and Night Officers in charge. State Lime Works Siding at opening (between Kolodong and Taree — siding only, passengers not permitted). Guard's keys for State Lime Works Frame A kept at Wingham and Taree. Rest houses and sheep race constructed 1913. 5-tonne yard crane added 1914; yards lit by kerosene lamps. Weighbridge Siding provided **15 April 1917** (between Loop line and Goods Siding, connected at Sydney end near Goods Siding–Loop connection; catch-points from Ground Frame E in Loop line; Frame B worked weighbridge). Wharf Siding between Taree and Melinga opened **9 March 1917** (Up side, Mileage 136.49, for ballast train working, Taree–Shopernook ETS key). 28 February 1922 pillar water tank (town supply) installed. 4 April 1925 platform extended 60.9 metres. 1927 50-tonne cart weighbridge installed. 6 November 1929 Railway Refreshment Room opened; Taree Timber Siding (portion of Manning River Siding granted to Taree Timber and Trading Company from 13 July 1918). 1934 trucking yards relocated. 1943 yards enlarged and Down siding laid in. Peters' Siding opened from Manning River Siding 18 September 1939 (570 feet, Taree Central Creameries Pty. Ltd.); extended 316 feet 13 February 1945 (Circular No. 229 of 1926 amended).
>
> On **5 June 1945** Taree Station Signal-box and Taree Loco. Junction Signal-box were dispensed with and two new signal-boxes opened: **Taree South** (Down side, opposite Main–Loop points at Sydney end of Loop) and **Taree North** (Down side, Grafton side of Macquarie Street Level Crossing). Sections: Wingham–Taree South (ETS Type A; 1–8 key, 9–50 ordinary); Taree South–Taree North (Yard working); Taree North–Melinga (ETS Type B; 1–4 key, 5–50 ordinary). Boom gates at Macquarie Street operated mechanically from Taree North Signal-box (gate wheels A and B; No. 30 lever releases gate wheels; wicket gates controlled by Nos. 30 and 31 levers). Highway warning signals (flashing red) each side. Circular No. 142–15 of 1945 issued. Published W.N. 22–1945, republished W.N. 23–1945, and full arrangements W.N. 46–1945.
>
> Taree South was one of three locations on the North Coast (with West Maitland North and Dungog) where exchanger rings were used instead of standard automatic staff exchangers — staff delivered by hand; 4 rings at Taree South vs 6 at other stations. Taree South catchpoint position altered **18 March 1963** — No. 46 catchpoint in Main–Down Sidings connection replaced by full set of points 13 feet nearer sidings; No. 67 Down Sidings to Main signal relocated 6 feet nearer sidings; Circular No. 142–15 of 1945 amended (W.N. 13–1963). 54 kl diesel tank installed 1963. Roundhouse demolished April 1970 (end of steam). Crane (5-tonne) and weighbridge deleted W.N. 50–1978.

---

## 1913 — Opened; Station Brand TRE; Day and Night Officers; Frame A at State Lime Works Siding

### Station Brand — TRE — 1913
> **Taree — TRE** — station distinguishing brand allotted; Day and Night Officers in charge. *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*

### State Lime Works Siding — 1913
> **State Lime Works Siding** — a dead-end Siding laid in on the **Down side** of the Main Line with points facing on the Up journey.
>
> **Frame "A"** — Down and Up Home and Distant Signals for the Main Line provided; together with Facing Points, Facing Point Lock and Catch-points in the Siding, worked from Frame "A" fixed on the **Up side of the Main Line opposite the Facing Points**. Frame "A" secured by Guard's Lock on **No. 5 Lever**; Guard's keys kept at **Wingham and Taree** when not in use.
>
> **Note:** Passengers must not be booked to State Lime Works Siding — sidings only at Craven and State Lime Works Siding; consignments prepaid under platform conditions. *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*

### Goods Shunting — 1913
> No. 17 Goods and No. 2 Goods work all stations and sidings between West Maitland and Taree. *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1917 — Weighbridge Siding — 19 March 1917; Wharf Siding — 9 March 1917

### Weighbridge Siding — W.N. — 1917
> **Taree (North Coast)** — On **Monday, 19th March, 1917**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5 p.m., a new Weighbridge Siding, laid in between the Loop Line and the Goods Siding, will be brought into use.
>
> The new Weighbridge Siding will be connected to the Goods Siding at the Sydney end near the Goods Siding connection with the Loop Line. Catch-points will be provided in the Weighbridge Siding opposite those in the Goods Siding, and will be worked from **Frame "B"**.
>
> The Weighbridge Siding will also be connected to the Loop line at the Wauchope end near the Down Starting Signal. The points in the Loop Line, Facing Point Lock and Catch-points in the Weighbridge Siding will be worked from a Ground Frame **"E"**, fixed near the points in the Loop Line. Frame "E" will be worked in accordance with [Regulation D]. *(Source: 1917 Weekly Notices)*

### Wharf Siding Between Taree and Melinga — W.N. — 1917
> **Wharf Siding between Taree and Melinga (North Coast)** — On **Friday, 9th March, 1917**, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., a new siding, laid in on the **Up side** of the line at Mileage **136.49**, between Taree and Melinga, and with points facing on the Down journey, will be brought into use for **ballast train working only**. The points in the Main Line, Facing Point Lock and the Catch-points in the siding will be worked from a Ground Frame fixed near the Main Line points. The key for releasing the Facing Point Lever Lock is attached to the Electric Train Staff for the section **Taree–Shopernook**. *(Source: 1917 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1929 — Taree Timber Siding; Point Indicator at Loop Line Points; RRR Opened

### Taree Timber Siding — W.N. 33–1929
> **Taree Timber Siding (North Coast)** — Since **13th July, 1918**, the Taree Timber and Trading Company has been granted the use of **245 feet of the terminal end of the Manning River Siding**, and the aforementioned portion of Manning River Siding is now known as **TAREE TIMBER SIDING**.
>
> Shunting Charge — a shunting charge of 2s. per four-wheeled truck, subject to a maximum charge of 10s. for each 15 minutes or part thereof, is to be made on all loaded trucks placed in or taken out of Taree Timber Siding. *(W.N. 33–1929)*

### Point Indicator at Loop Line — W.N. 6–1929
> A **Point Indicator** will be provided at the points in the Loop line at Taree. *(W.N. 6–1929)*

---

## 1940 — Peters' Siding — Taree Central Creameries Pty. Ltd. — from 18 September 1939

### Peters' Siding — W.N. — 1940 (amending W.N. 39–1939)
> **Peters' Siding, Taree (North Coast) — Provision of Loop Siding for Taree Central Creameries Pty. Ltd.** — Since **18th September, 1939**, a loop siding connected to the **Down side of Manning River Siding**, **570 feet in length** in the clear, has been in use by Taree Central Creameries Pty. Ltd., and is known as **Peters' Siding, Taree**.
>
> The siding must be worked by an engine sent from Taree, and may be worked during daylight or dark as required. The train must be **hauled to and from the siding**, and the speed must not exceed **15 miles per hour**. During dark, the Guard or Shunter must bring the train to a stand at the facing points at the Sydney end of the siding and satisfy himself the road is clear before entering the siding. The movement of trains over the level crossing must be protected in accordance with the Regulations; trains must not be allowed to pass over the level crossing until the Guard or Shunter has satisfied himself no road vehicles are approaching. *(Source: 1940 Weekly Notices — amending W.N. 39–1939)*

---

## 1945 — Peters' Siding Extended; North and South Signal-boxes Opened — 5 June 1945

### Peters' Siding Extended — W.N. 19–1945
> **Peters' Siding, Taree — Provision of Additional Accommodation** — Since **13th February, 1945**, this siding has been extended at the Taree end **316 feet from points to Dead-end**.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 229 of 1926** to be amended accordingly. (44–35,836.) *(W.N. 19–1945)*

### Taree North and South Signal-boxes Opened — 5 June 1945 — W.N. 22, 23 and 46–1945

> **Dispensing with Taree Station Signal-box and Taree Loco. Junction Signal-box** — On **Tuesday, 5th June, 1945**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., Taree Station Signal-box and Taree Loco. Junction Signal-box will be dispensed with and two new Signal-boxes will be brought into use:
>
> - **Taree South Signal-box** — situated on the **Down side** of the line, opposite the points (Main–Loop) at the **Sydney end** of the Loop
> - **Taree North Signal-box** — situated on the **Down side** of the line, on the **Grafton side of Macquarie Street Level Crossing**
>
> **System of Working:**
> - **Wingham–Taree South**: Electric Train Staff, Type **A**; Staffs Nos. 1–8 key, 9–50 ordinary
> - **Taree South–Taree North**: **Yard working**
> - **Taree North–Melinga**: Electric Train Staff, Type **B**; Staffs Nos. 1–4 key, 5–50 ordinary
>
> **Level Crossing Gates** — the existing gates at Macquarie Street Level Crossing will be replaced by **boom gates** operated mechanically from Taree North Signal-box by means of gate wheels "A" and "B." No. 30 lever releases the gate wheels. Wicket gates controlled by Nos. 30 and 31 levers on the station side of the level crossing.
>
> **Highway Signals** — a highway warning signal displaying a **flashing red light** to approaching road traffic when boom gates are lowered, provided on each side. The Signalman must lower boom gates only after seeing flashing lights are displayed.
>
> **Additional and altered signalling arrangements** in accordance with a Circular and diagram — **Circular No. 142–15 of 1945** issued. *(W.N. 22–1945 — initial notice; W.N. 23–1945 — republished; W.N. 46–1945 — full arrangements including intermediate staff instrument, Pilotman's lock in Taree North Signal-box)*

### Intermediate Staff Instrument — Pilotman's Lock — W.N. 46–1945
> **Intermediate Staff Instrument** — telephone connecting directly with Taree North Signal-box is provided in the Intermediate Staff hut.
>
> **Pilotman's Lock** — provided in Taree North Signal-box, containing the key for unlocking Frame A during times Pilot Working is in operation. When Pilot Working is cancelled, the key must be restored to the Pilotman's Lock by the Signal Electrician. *(W.N. 46–1945)*

---

## 1946 — Exchanger Rings at Taree South; Only 4 Rings (Not 6)

### Exchanger Rings at Taree South — 1946
> Staff exchanging apparatus will **not** be provided at West Maitland North Signal-box, Dungog or **Taree South Signal-boxes**. **Exchanger rings** will be provided at those places, and when the automatic exchangers are to be used at stations en route, the Staff, attached to the rings, will be **delivered to and received from the engine crew by hand** at West Maitland North, Dungog and Taree South Signal-boxes.
>
> **Four exchanger rings** are provided at **Taree South Signal-box** (vs six rings at all other staff stations). *(Source: 1946 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1963 — Taree South Catchpoint Altered; Circular No. 142–15 Amended; Diesel Tank; Signal Electrician District

### Taree South Catchpoint Altered — W.N. 13–1963
> **Taree South Signal-box (North Coast) — Alteration to Position of No. 46 Catchpoint and No. 67 Signal** — On **Monday, 18th March, 1963**, No. 46 catchpoint in the connection, **Main to Down Sidings**, was replaced by a full set of points **13 feet nearer to the sidings**.
>
> No. 67, **Down Sidings to Main**, signal, was also relocated in a corresponding position **6 feet nearer the sidings**.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 142–15, of 1945, Taree**, to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 13–1963)*

### Signal Electrician District — Taree — 1963
> **Taree** — listed at 235m 00c; **Taree South Box** — telephone provided. *(Source: 1963 Weekly Notices — signal electrician district tables)*

### 54 kl Diesel Tank Installed — 1963
> 54 kl diesel tank installed at Taree, 1963. *(Source: your notes)*

---

## 1970 — Roundhouse Demolished; Level Crossing Type "F" Signals

### Roundhouse Demolished — April 1970
> **Roundhouse at Taree demolished April 1970** — cessation of steam traction on the line. *(Source: your notes)*

### Type "F" Signals — Level Crossing — W.N. 9–1970
> Type "F" flashing light highway signals and a warning bell provided at [level crossing in Taree area]. Result of each test must be recorded by the Signalman, **Taree North Signal-box**, in the train register book. Station Master, Taree, keeps keys for the emergency box and switches. Telephone connected to No. 270 channel provided on wall of signal hut at the level crossing. *(W.N. 9–1970)*

---

## 1978 — Crane and Weighbridge Deleted

### Crane and Weighbridge Deleted — W.N. 50–1978
> **367.055 km Wingham** — [same W.N. as Wingham]; **Taree** — crane and weighbridge deleted from accommodation table. *(W.N. 50–1978)*

---

## Associated Sidings Summary

### State Lime Works Siding (1913 onwards)
> Dead-end siding, Down side, between Kolodong and Taree; Frame A opposite Facing Points (not on platform); Guard's keys at Wingham and Taree; passengers not permitted; consignments prepaid under platform conditions. *(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*

### Wharf Siding — Mileage 136.49 (from 9 March 1917)
> Up side, between Taree and Melinga; ballast train working only; Taree–Shopernook ETS key; Ground Frame. *(W.N. — 1917)*

### Weighbridge Siding (from 15 April 1917 per your notes; 19 March 1917 per WN)
> Between Loop and Goods Siding; Frame B (catch-points in Weighbridge Siding from Goods Siding); Ground Frame E in Loop line (facing points in Loop). *(Source: 1917 Weekly Notices)*

### Taree Timber Siding (from 13 July 1918)
> 245 feet of terminal end of Manning River Siding; shunting charge 2s. per truck (max 10s. per 15 minutes). *(W.N. 33–1929)*

### Peters' Siding / Taree Central Creameries (from 18 September 1939)
> Loop siding, Down side of Manning River Siding, 570 feet; hauled workings only; 15 mph limit; daylight or dark; level crossing protection required. Extended 316 feet at Taree end 13 February 1945 (Circular No. 229 of 1926 amended). *(W.N. 39–1939; W.N. — 1940; W.N. 19–1945)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **4 February 1913** | **Opened** — as terminus of Dungog–Taree extension; Day and Night Officers; station brand TRE; State Lime Works Siding (dead-end, Down side, Frame A opposite Facing Points; Guard's keys at Wingham and Taree); rest houses and sheep race |
| 1914 | 5-tonne yard crane added; yards lit by kerosene lamps |
| **9 March 1917** | Wharf Siding opened — Mileage 136.49 between Taree and Melinga; Up side; ballast trains only; Taree–Shopernook ETS key |
| **15 April 1917** | Weighbridge installed (per your notes); Weighbridge Siding (19 March 1917 per WN) — between Loop and Goods Siding; Frames B and E |
| **28 February 1922** | Pillar water tank installed — town supply |
| **4 April 1925** | Platform extended 60.9 metres |
| 1927 | 50-tonne cart weighbridge installed |
| **13 July 1918** | Taree Timber Siding — 245 feet of Manning River Siding granted to Taree Timber and Trading Company (gazetted W.N. 33–1929) |
| **6 November 1929** | Railway Refreshment Room opened; brick station building (replacing timber) |
| 1934 | Trucking yards relocated |
| 1943 | Yards enlarged and Down siding laid in |
| **18 September 1939** | Peters' Siding opened — 570 feet, Down side of Manning River Siding, Taree Central Creameries Pty. Ltd. |
| **13 February 1945** | Peters' Siding extended 316 feet at Taree end; Circular No. 229 of 1926 amended (W.N. 19–1945) |
| **5 June 1945** | **Taree Station Signal-box and Taree Loco. Junction Signal-box dispensed with** — new **Taree South Signal-box** (Sydney end Loop) and **Taree North Signal-box** (Grafton side Macquarie Street) opened; sections Wingham–Taree South (Type A), Taree South–Taree North (Yard), Taree North–Melinga (Type B); boom gates at Macquarie Street from Taree North; **Circular No. 142–15 of 1945** issued (W.N. 22, 23 and 46–1945) |
| 1946 | Exchanger rings (not standard apparatus) at Taree South — 4 rings; staff delivered by hand |
| **18 March 1963** | Taree South No. 46 catchpoint replaced by full points (13 feet nearer sidings); No. 67 signal relocated 6 feet; Circular No. 142–15 amended (W.N. 13–1963) |
| **1963** | 54 kl diesel tank installed |
| **April 1970** | **Roundhouse demolished** — end of steam on the North Coast Line |
| W.N. 50–1978 | Crane and weighbridge deleted |
| **November 1986** | Residences demolished (SM cottage remains) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1913–1985.* 
*Note: The 1945 opening of Taree North and South Signal-boxes (replacing Station and Loco. Junction boxes) represents the most significant single operational change at Taree in the collection — splitting the station working into two separate signal boxes with three ETS sections and introducing mechanical boom gates at Macquarie Street. Circular No. 142–15 of 1945 was the base diagram from 1945 to at least 1963 — 18 years.*