Melinga

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By 1976 the only building remaining on the platform was the Type F signal box. The signalman had some spare time to engage in the creative arts. RT Taaffe

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# Melinga (formerly Comboyne Road) (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1982

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**Type:** Station (Closed) / Crossing Loop (1,410 metres — in use) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Taree–Melinga / Melinga–Coopernook sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 392.267 km 
**Location:** Between Taree and Coopernook 
**Opened:** **12 April 1915** as **Comboyne Road** — central interlocked crossing loop; Loop closed **22 June 1915** (W.N. — 1915) 
**Renamed:** **Melinga** — **1917** (W.N. — 1916 alteration of name notice; renamed from Comboyne Road) 
**New Loop:** **31 May 1920** — new interlocked loop installed 
**ETS Station Opened:** **11 December 1920** 
**Log Gallows:** **13 August 1923** 
**New 400-metre Central Interlocked Loop:** **3 July 1935** — Home and Starting signals and Signal-box control (W.N. 27–1935); Circular No. 309.33 of 1935 issued 
**Opened as Booking Station:** **1 December 1935** — Porter in charge; Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 765 
**Station closed:** **30 June 1974** 
**Goods Siding abolished:** **3 May 1981** — Frames B and C removed; Bolt Locks B and C removed; Levers 10 and 11 spare; Circular No. 309.33 amended (W.N. 18–1981) 
**Motor-operated points:** **4 July 1982** — ETS Taree–Melinga and Melinga–Coopernook retained; Circular No. 309.33 amended (W.N. — 1982) 
**Status:** Station closed; 1,410-metre crossing loop in use 
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word meaning "plenty" 
**Platform:** 76.2-metre Up side; stood in the property of A.E. Smith; no town nearby; Comboyne township 20 km distant 
**Circular:** No. 309.33 of 1935 (Melinga base diagram — referenced to 1982) 

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> **Notes:** 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.
>
> Staff exchanger positions (1946): Down Line — Opposite Signal-box; Up Line — 50 feet on Grafton side of Signal-box. Station closed 30 June 1974. Goods Siding abolished **3 May 1981** (your notes give 3 August 1981 — WN gives Sunday, 3rd May, 1981). Motor-operated points and colour light signals **4 July 1982** — ETS Taree–Melinga and Melinga–Coopernook retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; telephone call indicators (blue light and hooter); Circular No. 309.33 amended.

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## 1915 — Opened as Comboyne Road — 12 April 1915; Loop Closed 22 June 1915

### Comboyne Road Opened as Crossing Station — April 1915
> Comboyne Road opened as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station — **12 April 1915**. Central interlocked crossing loop; sections Taree–Comboyne Road and Comboyne Road–Coopernook. *(Source: your notes; referenced in 1915 WN closure notice)*

### Loop Closed — 22 June 1915
> **Comboyne Road (North Coast) — Closing as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — [On 22 June 1915] the existing Electric Train Staff sections **Taree–Comboyne Road** and **Comboyne Road–Coopernook** will be cancelled, and the new section **Taree–Coopernook** (Type B, Nos. 1–4 Key, 5–20 Ordinary) will be opened.
>
> Signal-box and all signals and the Loop Line will be **out of use**. The connections at each end of the Goods Siding will be altered to lead directly from the Main Line to the Goods Siding; intervening points leading to the Loop Line will be **spiked over**. The points in the Main Line, Facing Point Locks, and the Catch-points at each end of the Goods Sidings will be worked from **Ground Frames C and E** respectively.
>
> The officers will be withdrawn from Comboyne Road, which will be **unattended**, and Goods and Coaching business dealt with under Platform and Siding conditions.
>
> Station Masters at Taree (Down journey) and Wauchope (Up journey) to furnish the Driver with a printed notice that **Comboyne Road is closed as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — for three days. *(Source: 1915 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1917 — Renamed Melinga; Wharf Siding Between Taree and Melinga

### Renamed Melinga — W.N. — 1916/1917
> **Alteration of name of Comboyne Road (North Coast)** — On [date], the name of **Comboyne Road** will be altered to **MELINGA**. *(Source: 1916 Weekly Notices — alteration notice; operative 1917)*

### Wharf Siding Between Taree and Melinga — 9 March 1917
> Wharf Siding between Taree and Melinga opened 9 March 1917 (Mileage 136.49; Up side; ballast train working only; Taree–Shopernook ETS key) — section now Taree–Melinga. *(Source: 1917 Weekly Notices — referenced in Taree document)*

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## 1920 — New Loop Installed — 31 May 1920; Telephone at Fettler McCormack's Residence; ETS Opened — 11 December 1920

### Telephone — No. 52 Circuit — 1920
> **A telephone has been installed in the residence of Fettler McCormack at Melinga**, connecting to **No. 52 Circuit**; the call being **one short ring**. *(Source: 1920 Weekly Notices)*

### New Loop Installed — 31 May 1920
> New interlocked loop installed at Melinga — **31 May 1920**. *(Source: your notes)*

### ETS Station Opened — 11 December 1920 — W.N. — 1920
> **Melinga (North Coast)** — [Opening as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station] — On **11th December, 1920**.
>
> Stock for stations Melinga to Macksville to be forwarded from Darling Harbour on [specific goods service]. *(Source: 1920 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1923 — Log Gallows Installed — 13 August 1923

### Log Gallows — 1923
> **Log Gallows installed at Melinga — 13 August 1923.** *(Source: your notes)*

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## 1924 — Section References; Goods Shunting Times

### Goods Shunting Times — 1924
> No. [—] Goods: Lansdowne, 12 minutes; **Melinga, 15 minutes**. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1930 — Hours of Duty; Train Crossings

### Train Crossings — 1930
> No. 52 arrives Melinga at [time], crosses No. 16, departs Melinga. **Coopernook–Melinga** section and **Melinga–Taree** section referenced. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1935 — New 400-metre Loop; Signal-box Control; Opened as Booking Station — 1 December 1935

### New 400-Metre Loop — 3 July 1935 — W.N. 27–1935
> **Melinga (North Coast) — Bringing Home and Starting Signals Into Use and Controlling Loop Points from Signal-box** — On **Wednesday, 3rd July, 1935**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5 p.m., the Down and Up Home signals, Main to Loop, and Down and Up Starting signals, Main and Loop, will be brought into use.
>
> Main alterations:
> 1. Connecting points at each end of loop to Signal-box
> 2. Provision of indicators on Main line Starting signals to show when Signal-box is unattended
> 3. Alteration to releasing of ground frames
>
> The arrangements in accordance with a circular and diagram — **Circular No. 309.33 of 1935** issued. (S. & T.E., G. 33–349.) *(W.N. 27–1935)*

### Flagmen During Alterations — W.N. 27–1935
> Flagmen to be placed at Rocky Ponds–Cunningar, Carcoar, Billimari, Coramba, **Melinga** and Border Loop during alterations. *(W.N. 27–1935)*

### Opened as Booking Station — 1 December 1935
> **North Coast Line — Opening as Booking Stations for Goods and Coaching Traffic** — Since **Sunday, 1st December, 1935**, Bulliac, **Melinga**, Kundabung, Gurranang and Leeville have been opened as Booking Stations for goods and coaching traffic, with a Porter in charge at each place.
>
> **Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 765** allotted to Melinga. *(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1946 — Staff Exchanger Positions

### Staff Exchanger Positions — 1946
> **Down Line — Melinga**: **Opposite Signal-box**. 
> **Up Line — Melinga**: **50 feet on Grafton side of Signal-box**. *(Source: 1946 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1970 — Melinga (A.D.) — Attendance; Langley Vale Mill Siding Out of Use; Asterisk Deleted

### Melinga (A.D.) — 1970
> **Melinga (A.D.)** — listed as Attended at Intervals in station attendance category; Station Master Melinga listed as Special Prize ($2 and Certificate). *(Source: 1970 Weekly Notices)*

### Langley Vale Mill Siding Out of Use — W.N. — 1970
> **Melinga — Langley Vale Mill Siding has been placed out of use until further notice.** *(Source: 1970 Weekly Notices)*

### Asterisk Deleted Before Melinga — W.N. — 1970
> **Page 67** — Delete \* before: Kotara, Kundabung, Leumeah, Maldon, Marayong, **Melinga**, Moorland. *(Source: 1970 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1974 — Station Closed; Section Taree–Melinga Referenced

### Station Closed — 30 June 1974
> **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)*

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## 1981 — Goods Siding Abolished — 3 May 1981; Circular No. 309.33 Amended

### Goods Siding Abolished — W.N. 18–1981
> **Melinga (North Coast) — 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.
>
> **Circular No. 309.33, Melinga of 1935** and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. (S&C.) *(W.N. 18–1981)*

> **Note:** Your notes give "3.8.1981" (3 August 1981) for the goods siding removal. The Weekly Notice (W.N. 18–1981) states **Sunday, 3rd May, 1981**. May 1981 is the correct date.

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## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 4 July 1982

### Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — W.N. — 1982
> **Melinga (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Sunday, 4th July, 1982**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., the Main line to loop points at each end of Melinga crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals 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.
>
> **Low speed indication** (small green light) with route indicator, cleared by approaching train — beneath the Down Home signal and Up Home signal. Entry to Loop on authority of low speed signal with route indication.
>
> **Route Control Relay Interlocking Unit** — combined control panel and indicator diagram incorporating:
> (i) A diagram of the tracks throughout the Melinga area with **track indicator lights** for track occupancy (red when occupied; no light when unoccupied)
>
> Electric Train Staff working remains in use on sections **Taree–Melinga** and **Melinga–Coopernook**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Melinga remains available.
>
> **Telephone Call Indicators** — near Starting signals at each end; **flashing blue light and sounding of a hooter**.
>
> A diagram showing the new signalling arrangements at Melinga appears on page 24 of this Weekly Notice. *(W.N. — 1982)*

### Circular No. 309.33 Amended — 1982
> **Circular No. 309.33, Melinga of 1935** and diagram attached to be amended following motor-operated points conversion. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **12 April 1915** | **Opened as Comboyne Road** — central interlocked crossing loop; sections Taree–Comboyne Road (Type B) and Comboyne Road–Coopernook |
| **22 June 1915** | **Loop closed** — Signal-box and signals out of use; Ground Frames C and E for Goods Siding; sections cancelled; Taree–Coopernook section created; officers withdrawn; Comboyne Road unattended (W.N. — 1915) |
| **1917** | **Renamed Melinga** (alteration of name notice W.N. — 1916/1917) |
| 1920 | Telephone at Fettler McCormack's residence — No. 52 Circuit, one short ring |
| **31 May 1920** | **New interlocked loop installed** |
| **11 December 1920** | **Opened as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** |
| **13 August 1923** | **Log Gallows installed** |
| **3 July 1935** | **New 400-metre loop** — Home and Starting signals; Signal-box control of loop points; indicators on Main Starting signals; ground frames altered; **Circular No. 309.33 of 1935** issued (W.N. 27–1935) |
| **1 December 1935** | **Opened as Booking Station** — Porter in charge; Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 765 |
| 1946 | Staff exchanger: Down — Opposite Signal-box; Up — 50 feet Grafton side of Signal-box |
| W.N. — 1970 | Melinga (A.D.) — Langley Vale Mill Siding out of use; asterisk deleted |
| **30 June 1974** | **Station closed** |
| **3 May 1981** | **Goods Siding abolished** — Frames B and C removed; Bolt Locks B and C removed; Levers 10 and 11 spare; Circular No. 309.33 amended (W.N. 18–1981) |
| **4 July 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — route control relay interlocking panel; track indicator diagram; telephone call indicators (blue light and hooter); ETS Taree–Melinga and Melinga–Coopernook retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; Circular No. 309.33 amended |
| Current | 1,410-metre crossing loop in use |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1982.* 
*Note: Melinga's complex early history — opened April 1915, loop closed June 1915 (ten weeks), loop reopened May 1920, ETS opened December 1920 — reflects the operational uncertainty of the early North Coast Line extension period. Circular No. 309.33 of 1935 was the base diagram from 1935 to 1982 — 47 years. Your note of "3.8.1981" (3 August) for goods siding abolition is corrected by W.N. 18–1981 which gives Sunday, 3rd May, 1981.*