Kundabung

[admin]

Kundabung was one of the group of Type F4 signal boxes. They were really Type F0 signal boxes with the roof altered to a gable
form. RT Taaffe

[admin]

Kundabung signal box interior, like Bonville, was a crowded workplace. The cupboard in the far corner housed the batteries for the Electric Staff instruments. The signalmens' lockers were to the left of the staff instrument. The fuse box on the rear wall indicated that electricity had been connected. RT Taaffe

[admin]

Built to a similar design as the 1927 Telegraph Point. By 1979 the signal box was the only building on the truncated platform.
RT Taaffe

[admin]

# Kundabung (formerly Smiths Creek) (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1917–1982

---

**Type:** Station (Closed) / Crossing Loop (423 metres — in use) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Telegraph Point–Kundabung / Kundabung–Kempsey sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 487.200 km (Mileage 306m 40c — per 1935 WN; 303m approximate per earlier entries) 
**Location:** -31.208899, 152.835637 
**Between:** Telegraph Point and Kempsey 
**Original name:** Smiths Creek (opened 27 November 1917) 
**Renamed:** **Kundabung** — **6 September 1926** (same date as Mingaletta platform opening — same WN) 
**Loop opened:** **2 January 1925** — 410-metre centrally controlled interlocked crossing loop (per your notes) 
**Station closed:** **30 June 1974** 
**Status:** Closed (station); 423-metre loop in use 
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word for "wild apples grew here" 
**Platform:** 76.2-metre Up side; platform truncated by 1979; station building demolished around 1979 
**ETS sections:** Wauchope–Kundabung and Kundabung–Kempsey at opening; later Telegraph Point–Kundabung and Kundabung–Kempsey 
**Hours of attendance (1925):** Mondays — 5.0 a.m.–9.30 a.m., 10.0 p.m.–midnight; Tuesdays–Saturdays: 12.0 midnight–1.0 a.m., 4.0 a.m.–8.34 a.m., 10.30 p.m.–midnight 
**Hours of attendance (1926):** Mondays — 5.40 a.m.–7.40 a.m., 10.30 p.m.–midnight; Tuesdays–Fridays: 12.0 midnight–1.15 a.m., 2.25 a.m.–7.40 a.m., 10.30 p.m.–midnight; Saturdays: 12.0 midnight–1.15 a.m., 2.50 a.m.–7.35 a.m., 10.30 p.m.–midnight 
**Motor-operated points:** **30 August 1982** — advertised 23 August (W.N. 33–1982), deferred to 30 August (W.N. 36–1982); ETS Telegraph Point–Kundabung and Kundabung–Kempsey retained; diagram page 34 (S&C 126170) 
**CTC sections:** Telegraph Point–Kundabung (14.725 km); Kundabung–Kempsey (16.375 km) 
**Circular:** (not found in OCR — base circular for 1925 loop not recovered) 
**No. 80 Circuit:** Deleted by 1940 (W.N. — 1940) 
**1950 signal posts:** Up Loop Starting No. 5 and Down Home signals Nos. 19 and 17 renewed — 21 and 23 March 1950 (W.N. 12–1950) 

---

> **Notes:** Kundabung opened as **Smiths Creek** on 27 November 1917 with the Wauchope–Kempsey extension, with sections Wauchope–Kundabung and Kundabung–Kempsey. A 410-metre centrally controlled interlocked crossing loop was opened on **2 January 1925** — confirmed by the 1925 WN showing train crossings at Kundabung (No. 6 crosses No. 11, etc.) and by the partial attendance hours listing from early 1925. Station renamed **Kundabung** on **6 September 1926** — the same date Mingaletta opened — confirming both were in the same Weekly Notice.
>
> Hours of attendance confirmed from 1925 WN (Mondays partial / Tuesdays–Saturdays largely continuous). Hours continued in 1926 WN with Monday hours adjusted (5.40 a.m.–7.40 a.m.; 10.30 p.m.–midnight). Kundabung deleted from No. 80 Circuit by 1940. Signal posts renewed March 1950 (Up Loop Starting No. 5 and Down Home Nos. 19 and 17). Asterisk (\*) deleted before Kundabung in 1970 (W.N. — 1970). Station closed 30 June 1974. Platform truncated by 1979; station building demolished around that time.
>
> Motor-operated points advertised for **23 August 1982** (W.N. 33–1982; diagram page 34; single-light colour light signals; route control relay interlocking panel; low speed indication and shunting signal beneath Down and Up Home signals; ETS retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; call indicators). Work deferred; brought into use **30 August 1982** (W.N. 36–1982). CTC sections: Telegraph Point–Kundabung (14.725 km) and Kundabung–Kempsey (16.375 km); automatic signals between Kundabung and Kempsey (No. 495 at 494.384 km Down; No. 496 at 495.175 km Up) brought into use simultaneously.

---

## 1917 — Opened as Smiths Creek; ETS Sections

### ETS Sections at Opening — 1917
> - **Wauchope–Kundabung**
> - **Kundabung–Kempsey**
>
> Telegraph Point–Kundabung and Kundabung–Kempsey listed in 1917 opening timetable. *(Source: 1917 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1920 — 10 Minutes Goods Shunting

### Goods Shunting — 1920
> No. 142 Goods: Warrell Creek, 10 minutes; Collombatti, 10 minutes; **Kundabung, 10 minutes**; Munanbang [Pembrooke], 10 minutes; Heron's Creek, 10 minutes; Kendall, 25 minutes. *(Source: 1920 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1925 — Crossing Loop Open — 2 January 1925; Train Crossings at Kundabung; Hours of Attendance

### Train Crossings Confirmed — 1925
> - **No. 6 Pass.** (6.5 a.m. Kempsey to Sydney) arrives Kundabung at 6.25 a.m., **cross No. 11**, depart 6.36 a.m., Telegraph Point arrive 6.54 a.m.
> - **No. 11 Mail** (7.32 p.m. Sydney to South Grafton) due arrive Kundabung, **cross No. 6**, depart; Telegraph Point depart 6.16 a.m., Kundabung pass 6.34 a.m., Kempsey arrive 6.54 a.m.
> - **No. 15 Pass.** (8.0 p.m. Sydney to Kempsey): Wauchope cross No. 6, depart 7.25 a.m., Telegraph Point arrive 7.48 a.m. depart 7.52 a.m., **Kundabung dep. 8.11 a.m.**, Kempsey arrive 8.33 a.m.
> - **No. 16 Pass.** (5.0 p.m. Kempsey to Sydney) arrive **Kundabung 5.21 p.m.** depart 5.25 p.m.
> - **No. 14 Mail** (1.40 p.m. South Grafton to Sydney) arrive **Kundabung 7.30 p.m.** depart 7.34 p.m.
>
> *(Source: 1925 Weekly Notices — appears nine times)*

### Hours of Attendance — 1925
> **Kundabung** — Mondays: 5.0 a.m.–9.30 a.m.; 10.0 p.m.–12.0 midnight; No Officer on duty otherwise. 
> Tuesdays to Saturdays: 12.0 midnight–1.0 a.m.; 4.0 a.m.–8.34 a.m.; 10.30 p.m.–12.0 midnight; Continuously. 
> *(Source: 1925 Weekly Notices — appears twice)*

---

## 1926 — Renamed Kundabung — 6 September 1926; Revised Hours; Officers' Quarters

### Renamed Kundabung — W.N. — 1926
> **Smiths Creek** renamed **KUNDABUNG** — on and from **6 September 1926**. *(Source: 1926 Weekly Notices — same W.N. as Mingaletta platform opening)*

### Revised Hours of Attendance — 1926 (appears four times)
> **Kundabung** — Mondays: **5.40 a.m.–7.40 a.m.; 10.30 p.m.–12.0 midnight**. 
> Tuesdays to Fridays: 12.0 midnight–1.15 a.m.; 2.25 a.m.–7.40 a.m.; 10.30 p.m.–12.0 midnight; No Officer on duty otherwise. 
> Saturdays: 12.0 midnight–1.15 a.m.; 2.50 a.m.–7.35 a.m.; 10.30 p.m.–12.0 midnight. *(Source: 1926 Weekly Notices)*

### Officers' Quarters Listed on Circuit — 1926
> **Kundabung, Officers' Quarters** — listed on telephone circuit alongside John's River (Fettler's Residence), Kempsey (Station and Residence) and Rossglen. *(Source: 1926 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1930 — Train Crossings; Kundabung to Taree Consignments

### Train Crossings — 1930
> No. 122 Goods (9.15 a.m. ex Wauchope), Tuesdays and Saturdays: **Kundabung**, Telegraph Point arrive 2.4 p.m. depart 2.12 p.m. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

### Consignment Direction — 1930
> **Taree 327** — Stroud Road to **Kundabung** [consignment routing]. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1935 — Mileage 306m 40c; District Reference

### Mileage Reference — 1935
> **Kundabung (306m 40c)** — listed in section/mileage table. Shire of Macleay including Municipality of Kempsey — Mingaletta to Kundabung inclusive. *(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1940 — No. 80 Circuit Deleted; Staff Grade Reference

### No. 80 Circuit Deleted — W.N. — 1940
> **No. 80 Circuit, North** — Delete: **Kundabung**. *(Source: 1940 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1945 — Livestock Routing; Colombatti to Macksville

### Livestock Routing — 1945
> Colombatti to Macksville — All stations except **Kundabung to Kendall** — South Grafton. 
> **Kundabung to Kendall** — Kempsey. *(Source: 1945 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1950 — Signal Posts Renewed — 21 and 23 March 1950

### Signal Posts Renewed — W.N. 12–1950
> **Kundabung (North Coast) — Renewing Posts of Up Loop Starting and Down Home Signals** — On **Tuesday and Thursday, 21st and 23rd March, 1950**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.0 p.m. each day, the Up Starting signal, Loop to Main line, **No. 5**, and the Down Home signals, **Nos. 19 and 17**, Main, and Main to Loop, respectively, will be out of use for the purpose of renewing the posts. (S. & T.E. 50.) *(W.N. 12–1950)*

---

## 1974 — Station Closed — 30 June 1974; Deleted from Publications

### Rates Books Deleted — W.N. 29–1974
> **Page 67** — Langley Vale, John's River, **Kundabung**, Koolkhan, Ulgra [and others deleted]. *(W.N. 29–1974)*

> **Page 186 — Horses and Vehicles** — Melinga, Lansdowne, Moorland, John's River, Heron's Creek, **Kundabung**, Colombatti [deleted]. *(W.N. 29–1974)*

### Station Closed — 30 June 1974
> **Station closed — 30 June 1974.** *(Source: your notes)*

---

## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 30 August 1982; CTC Sections

### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 33–1982 (confirmed W.N. 34–1982)
> **Kundabung (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 23rd August, 1982**, commencing 7.30 a.m. and continuing 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 Kundabung 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 local ground frames will be renamed and **electrical releasing switches** for unlocking the respective ground frames will be provided.
>
> The colour light signals will be of the **single light type** and will show indications in accordance with Regulation 5 (Signalling) of the General Appendix, Part II.
>
> A **low speed indication** (small green light) and a **shunting signal** (yellow light), with route indicator applicable to both, and cleared by an approaching train, will be provided beneath the main head of the Down Home signal and the Up Home signal.
>
> Electric train staff working will remain in use on the sections **Telegraph Point–Kundabung** and **Kundabung–Kempsey**; working within Kundabung crossing station and between Kundabung crossing station and the adjoining ETS sections will be subject to the electric train staff regulations.
>
> The automatic staff exchanging equipment at Kundabung will remain available for use.
>
> **Telephone Call Indicators** — near Down and Up Starting signals at each end; flashing blue light and sounding of a hooter.
>
> **Route Control Relay Interlocking Unit** — combined control panel and indicator diagram incorporating track lights (red when occupied; no light when unoccupied; yellow when points set).
>
> A diagram showing the new signalling arrangements at Kundabung appears on **page 34** of this Weekly Notice. A full description is in W.N. No. 33 of 1982. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 33 and 34–1982)*

### Works Deferred — Brought Into Use 30 August 1982 — W.N. 36–1982
> **Kundabung (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — Work previously advertised in Weekly Notices No. 33 and No. 34 of 1982 for the conversion to power operation of points and signals at Kundabung, as a preliminary to the introduction of Centralised Traffic Control signalling on the North Coast line, was brought into use on **Monday, 30th August, 1982**. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 36–1982)*

### Automatic Signals Between Kundabung and Kempsey — 1982
> Automatic signals brought into use between Kundabung and Kempsey:
> - **No. 495** (with distant signal) — Down direction at **494.384 km**
> - **No. 496** (with distant signal) — Up direction at **495.175 km**
>
> Single-light colour light type; working of trains on authority of fixed signals. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices)*

### CTC Sections — 1982
> CTC section distances:
> - **Telegraph Point–Kundabung**: **14.725 km**
> - **Kundabung–Kempsey**: **16.375 km**
>
> *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices — CTC section table)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **27 November 1917** | **Opened as Smiths Creek** — 76.2-metre Up platform; sections Wauchope–Kundabung and Kundabung–Kempsey |
| 1920 | 10 minutes goods shunting (No. 142 Goods) |
| **2 January 1925** | **410-metre centrally controlled interlocked crossing loop opened** (per your notes; confirmed by 1925 WN train crossings and attendance hours) |
| 1925 | Hours: Mondays partial; Tuesdays–Saturdays largely continuous |
| **6 September 1926** | **Renamed KUNDABUNG** — same WN as Mingaletta platform opening |
| 1926 | Revised hours: Mondays 5.40 a.m.–7.40 a.m., 10.30 p.m.–midnight; Officers' Quarters on telephone circuit |
| W.N. 12–1950 | Up Loop Starting No. 5 and Down Home Nos. 19 and 17 — posts renewed 21 and 23 March |
| W.N. — 1970 | \* deleted before Kundabung |
| **30 June 1974** | **Station closed** — deleted from rates books and border tables (W.N. 29–1974) |
| By 1979 | Platform truncated; station building demolished |
| **30 August 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — advertised 23 August (W.N. 33), deferred to 30 August (W.N. 36); ETS Telegraph Point–Kundabung and Kundabung–Kempsey retained; automatic signals 494.384 km and 495.175 km between Kundabung and Kempsey; CTC sections 14.725 km and 16.375 km |
| Current | 423-metre crossing loop in use |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1917–1982.* 
*Note: The 1982 CTC conversion at Kundabung was advertised for 23 August but deferred to 30 August — one of the few documented deferrals in the North Coast CTC programme (joining Kempsey, which W.N. 36 also notes was deferred to 13 September 1982). The CTC sections at Kundabung (14.725 km and 16.375 km) are among the longer sections on the North Coast CTC network. The renaming from Smiths Creek to Kundabung in 1926 coincided precisely with the opening of Mingaletta — both changes appearing in the same Weekly Notice — suggesting a coordinated administrative update across the Telegraph Point–Kempsey section.*