Melinga

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Type : Station
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 392.267km
Opened : 12 April 1915 (opened as Comboyne Road, renamed 1917)
Closed : 30 June 1974
Status : Open (station closed) - loop still in use
Name meaning : Aboriginal word meaning "plenty"
Notes : The Up platform was 76.2 metres long and stood in the property of A E Smith. No town is nearby, the town it was built to serve (Comboyne) is 20km away. The station opened with a central interlocked loop, this was removed on the 22nd of June 1915. 31.5.1920 - new interlocked loop installed. 11.12.1920 electric staff station opened. 13.8.1923 log gallows installed. 3.7.1935 a new 400m central interlocked loop was provided. 3.8.1981 goods siding removed. A 1,410 metre crossing loop is at the location. Melinga opened as **Comboyne Road** on 12 April 1915 with a central interlocked crossing loop — the loop was then closed on **22 June 1915** (ten weeks later), with signal-box and signals put out of use and goods siding connections altered to lead directly from Main line, loop connections spiked over, and Ground Frames C and E provided for goods siding. The Comboyne Road–Coopernook and Taree–Comboyne Road sections were cancelled and a single Taree–Coopernook section created. Officers at Taree and Wauchope were required to furnish printed notices to drivers for three days. The name was altered from Comboyne Road to **Melinga** in 1917 (W.N. — 1916 notice; operative from a date in 1917). Telephone installed in residence of Fettler McCormack at Melinga, connecting to No. 52 Circuit (call: one short ring), from 1920. On **31 May 1920** a new interlocked loop was installed; on **11 December 1920** Melinga was opened as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station. Log gallows installed **13 August 1923**. On **3 July 1935** the new 400-metre central interlocked loop with Home and Starting signals, Signal-box, and indicators on Main line Starting signals (for when Signal-box is unattended) was brought into use — Circular No. 309.33 of 1935 issued. Opened as Booking Station **1 December 1935** with Porter in charge; Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 765. 1935 — New 400-metre Loop; Signal-box Control; Opened as Booking Station — 1 December 1935. **Melinga** — station closed **30 June 1974** (from 1974 closing notices); listed at page 17 in station sequence. *(Source: 1974 Weekly Notices — referenced in multiple notices)* Removal of Goods Siding** — On **Sunday, 3rd May, 1981**, between 7.30 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., the connections in the Loop line leading to the Goods Siding operated by **Frames B and C** will be removed. Frames B and C and associated equipment including **Bolt Locks B and C** will be removed. The Goods siding will be abolished. Levers No. **10 and 11** in the signal-box will become spare.

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Location of Melinga station (Six Maps)

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Although the station closed to passengers in 1975 the signal box on the platform was still working in 1981. The view of the station is taken from the Sydney side looking north. (1981)
[/size][Copyright: Graeme Skeet]

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The unusual sign consisting angle iron proudly depicts the station name. (1981)
[/size][Copyright: Graeme Skeet]

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Melinga diagram in 1981 showing the refuge loop gone, as shown by the white out. (1981)
[/size][Copyright: Graeme Skeet]

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4306 passing Melinga Loop with an Up Goods, 28/2/1970. (highlandrob)

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4418 Northbound freight, Melinga, NSW, October 23, 1982 (dunedoo)

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NL81 Tilt train Melinga Wed 7-3-95 (David Porter)

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Melinga, undated (State Archives)

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Undated photo of Melinga, notes indicate crane to be erected at location shown (State Records)

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Melinga, Mick Williams (4/12/2022)

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XP2015 leads NT32 through Melinga on 5th October 2014. (Sean Bailey)

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Dave Porter
4427-4472 down freight at Melinga. Date unrecorded.

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Melinga, yard layout at opening

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Melinga
Local Control Panel
NT33 on the board.
19-09-24
Greg Riddel