Mount Lion

[admin]

Type : Station
Distance from Sydney : 859.245km
Location : -28.432840, 152.956274
Opened : 28 September 1930
Closed : Circa 30 June 1975
Status : Closed
Name meaning : Named after the nearby mountain of the same name
Notes: Platform building was a PC1, it was moved to a local property. 30.48 metre long platform was on the Up side. 15/9/1978 - platform demolished. A Down goods loop siding existed at the site (abolished 18/12/1967). WN34/1933 states a small loading yard and portable sheep race added. Note - WN 3/1968 is yet another erroneous WN entry - it states that the station had been abolished, the actual station was abolished per WN26/1975 correctly.

[admin]

Derailment at Mount Lion, 1970s (Wayne Barass)

[admin]

Looking back towards Mt Lion, washaway damage just outside the station yards (Records NSW)

[admin]

29/9/1981 - near Mt Lion (Bruce Mead)

[admin]

Mt Lion - 1942 diagram

[admin]

Derailment of 7 S trucks at Mount Lion, 29/10/1964 (State Archives)

[admin]

Mount Lion (1928) (Harold Russell)

[admin]

Eric Boyle and Bert Mara loading logs at Mt Lion. (undated) (Doris Boyle)

[admin]

# Mount Lion (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1975

---

**Type:** Station (later Platform) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Kyogle–Border Loop section) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 859.245 km 
**Location:** -28.432840, 152.956274 
**Mileage (Working TT):** 533m 79c (Mt. Lion Yard per 1932 table); approximately 534m 
**Between:** Scholes (private crossing) and Finn's Platform 
**Opened:** 28 September 1930 
**Loop Siding Abolished:** 18 December 1967 (W.N. 1–1968) 
**Station Closed:** 30 June 1975 
**Platform Demolished:** 15 September 1978 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Named after the nearby mountain of the same name 
**Station Brand:** MTL 
**Station Codes:** 3480–7 and 3490–1 (from 1968) 
**Under control of:** Wiangaree (to 1963); Kyogle (from W.N. 38–1963) 

---

> **Notes:** The 30.48-metre Up side platform had a PC1 station building which was moved to a local property after closure. Platform demolished 15 September 1978. A Down goods loop siding existed at the site — abolished 18 December 1967 (W.N. 1–1968) with Frames A and B placed out of use pending removal. Mount Lion Quarry Siding was an associated facility. The location also had a small loading yard and portable race for loading bottom decks of sheep vans (from W.N. — 1933). Rail motor service operated Casino–Mount Lion (later extended to Cougal) from 1930. Sleeper platform for cream cans noted between Mount Lion and Treberth at Mileage 534m 58c (W.N. 46–1955).

---

## 1930 — Opening; Rail Motor Service; Station Brand; Listed in Publications

### Opening — 28 September 1930
> Mount Lion opened on **28 September 1930** along with Wiangaree and The Risk.

### Listed in Alphabetical Stations — 1930
> **Mount Lion** — North Coast — Kyogle–Border Loop. 
> **Mount Lion Quarry Siding** — North Coast — Kyogle–Border Loop.

*(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices — alphabetical station listing)*

### Station Brand — MTL
> **Station Brand: MTL** (listed in station brand table). *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

### Rail Motor Service — Casino to Mount Lion — 1930
> **No. 24 Rail Motor** (8.20 a.m., Mt. Lion to Casino), Weekdays, **starts from Cougal** at 8.5 a.m.
>
> **No. 29 Rail Motor** (3.53 p.m., Casino to Mt. Lion), Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, **extended to Cougal**.
>
> **No. 31 Rail Motor** (4.5 p.m., Casino to Mt. Lion), Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, **extended to Cougal**.

*(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices — Rail Motor service extension)*

> **Note:** The original Rail Motor service was Casino–Mount Lion. By the time of these notices it had been extended to Cougal, with Mount Lion remaining an intermediate stop.

### Section Boundaries — The Risk–Mt. Lion and Mt. Lion–Loadstone
> **Down**: The Risk–Mt. Lion; Mt. Lion–Loadstone. 
> **Up**: Loadstone–Mt. Lion; Mt. Lion–The Risk.

*(Source: 1930 Working Timetable — section running time tables)*

### Speed Boards — The Risk–Mt. Lion and Mt. Lion–Loadstone
> **The Risk–Mt. Lion**: 532m 51c — 533m (multiple speed restrictions, 12–15 mph). 
> **Mt. Lion–Loadstone**: 535m 57c — 535m 60c — 536m (12–20 mph restrictions).

*(Source: 1930 Working Timetable — speed board table)*

---

## 1931 — Telephone at Mount Lion Quarry Removed; Unattended Station

### Telephone at Mount Lion Quarry — Removed — W.N. 31–1931
> **Page 92 — Telephone and Phonopore Circuits — Removal of Telephone from Mount Lion Quarry** — The telephone at Mount Lion Quarry, connected to No. 89 Telephone Circuit, North, has been removed. *(W.N. 31–1931.)*

### Listed as Unattended Station
> **Mt. Lion** — listed with asterisk (*) in 1931 station sequence: \*The Risk, **\*Mt. Lion**, \*Cougal, Border Loop.
>
> *"Stations marked thus (\*) are unattended."* *(W.N. 52–1931.)*

---

## 1932 — Listed in Station Sequence; Mt. Lion Yard in Level Crossing Table

### Station Sequence
> Wiangaree (P) — The Risk (P) — **Mount Lion (P)** — Loadstone (P) — Cougal (P) — Queensland Border.

*(Source: 1932 Working Timetable listing)*

### Mt. Lion Yard — Level Crossing Table
> **Mt. Lion Yard — 533m 79c** listed in private crossings/intermediate sidings table between McNamara's (Private) at 533m 40c and Cedar Getters Creek Road at 534m 24c.

*(Source: 1932 Weekly Notices — level crossings/intermediate sidings table)*

---

## 1933 — Small Loading Yard and Portable Race for Sheep Vans

### Loading Yard — Bottom Deck of Sheep Vans — W.N. 24–1933
> **Mount Lion — North Coast Line** — A small loading yard and **Portable Race** have been provided for loading the **bottom deck only** of Sheep-Vans.
>
> Page 191 of the Merchandise and Live-stock Rates Book to also be posted accordingly. *(W.N. 24–1933.)*

> **Note:** The portable race for loading the bottom deck only of sheep vans is a more modest facility than a full stockyard — consistent with Mount Lion's status as a small unattended station handling limited livestock traffic.

---

## 1933 — Mount Lion Quarry Siding — Listed in Accommodation Table

### Mount Lion Quarry Siding — Accommodation Table
> **Insert** — Mount Lion Quarry — North Coast Line — Up side of line, **between Quarry metal chute and siding points**.

*(Source: 1933 Weekly Notices — Local Appendix addition)*

---

## 1934 — Section Boundary in Engine Load Tables

### Section Boundaries
> **Down**: The Risk–Mt. Lion; Mt. Lion–Loadstone; Loadstone–Cougal. 
> **Up**: Cougal–Loadstone; Loadstone–Mt. Lion; **Mt. Lion–The Risk**; The Risk–Wiangaree.
>
> Running times: Mt. Lion–The Risk — **22 minutes**; Mt. Lion–Loadstone — **17 minutes**.

*(Source: 1934 Working Timetable — engine load tables and running times)*

---

## 1935 — Conditional Goods Stops at Mileage 535m 40c (Finn's Platform Area)

### No. 176 Conditional Goods — Stops Between Loadstone and Mount Lion
> **No. 176 Conditional Goods** (1.20 a.m. Clapham to Casino) calls at **Mileage 535m 40c** (between Loadstone and Mount Lion) on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when required, to pick up perishable traffic.
>
> When No. 176 does not run, traffic to be lifted by No. 23 Goods (5.45 a.m. Kyogle to Border Loop) and transhipped at Casino.
>
> Written instructions to be handed to Driver and Guard at Border Loop when stoppage at Mileage 535m 40c is required.

*(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1936 — Finn's Platform Opened Between Mount Lion and Loadstone

### Finn's Platform — Between Mount Lion and Loadstone — W.N. 21–1936
> A loading stage, **8 feet long**, erected on the **Up side** of the Main line at **Mileage 535m 40c**, between **Mount Lion and Loadstone**, for Mr. Finn, is to be known as **Finn's Platform**.
>
> Traffic dealt with under Siding and Platform conditions and **controlled by Wiangaree**. 
> Mileage for Rates Purposes: From Darling Harbour — **537 miles**; From Newcastle — **437 miles**. 
> Freight Account Code: Ordinary — **2934**. 
> Station Brand: **FNS**.

*(W.N. 21–1936)*

---

## 1936 — Mount Lion Quarry Siding Listed in Accommodation Table

### Accommodation Table Entry
> **Mt. Lion Quarry Siding** — listed in accommodation provided table as a Siding on the North Coast Line.

*(Source: 1936 Weekly Notices — accommodation table)*

---

## 1941 — Finn's Platform Moved from Up to Down Side

### Finn's Platform — Moved to Down Side — W.N. 16–1941
> **Finn's Platform (between Mt. Lion and Loadstone, North Coast) — Platform Moved from Up to Down Side of Line** — Since **21st March, 1941**, Finn's Platform has been removed from the Up side of line, and is now located on the **Down side of line at Mileage 535m 49c**.
>
> Instructions contained in Weekly Notice No. 21 of 1936 to be amended accordingly. (C.C.E. 3–57,003–R.E.) *(W.N. 16–1941.)*

> **Note:** The simultaneous deletion of Cedar Getters Creek Road (543m 24c) and Grady's Creek Road (535m 40c) level crossings in the same notice suggests the area around Mount Lion was undergoing rationalisation of level crossing arrangements in 1941.

---

## 1942 — Treberth Opened Between Mount Lion and Loadstone; Engine Load References

### Treberth — Between Mount Lion and Loadstone — W.N. 29–1942
> **Treberth (North Coast)** — A small platform on the **Up side** of line at **Mileage 536m 0c**, between **Mount Lion and Loadstone**. Platform to be known as "**Treberth**," under control of Wiangaree. Treberth is unattended. Station Distinguishing Number: **KB4A**. (32–35,333.) *(W.N. 29–1942.)*

### Engine Load — Mount Lion to Border Loop — 13 Class
> The load for **13 class** from **Mount Lion to Border Loop** will be **205 tons**.
>
> Maximum load from Casino to South Brisbane may be increased for **Mount Lion–Clapham** section — specific loads by class tabulated.

*(Source: 1942 Weekly Notices — engine load tables)*

---

## 1948 — Drawer Lock Key Releases Dispensed With — Frames A and B

### Ground Frame Releases Updated — W.N. 24–1948
> **Mount Lion (North Coast) — Alteration to Releasing of Ground Frames** — Since **3rd May, 1948**, Drawer Lock Key Releases "A" and "B" have been dispensed with.
>
> No. 1 lever in Frames "A" and "B" is unlocked by key on the **Electric Train Staff for the section The Risk–Loadstone**.
>
> Circular No. A(a)–re of 1933, Kyogle to Brisbana, and diagram attached to be amended accordingly. (S. & T.E. A(a).) *(W.N. 24–1948.)*

---

## 1955 — Sleeper Platform for Cream Cans — Between Mount Lion and Treberth

### Sleeper Platform — 534m 58c — W.N. 46–1955
> **Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Between Mount Lion and Treberth — Sleeper Platform** — A sleeper platform is provided on the **Up side** of the line at **Mileage 534m 58ch.**, between **Mount Lion and Treberth**. The platform is used only for the **loading and unloading of cream cans** by trains specified in the Working Time-table. (A. 1–55–71,112.) *(W.N. 46–1955.)*

> **Note:** This cream platform between Mount Lion and Treberth is a separate facility from Treberth itself (536m 0c). At 534m 58c it falls between Mount Lion (533m 79c) and Treberth, suggesting it served a specific dairy property in this gap.

---

## 1960 — Listed in Station Code Updates

### Station Code Update — W.N. 47–1960
> **Amend** — Pages 51 and 101 — **Mount Lion**. *(W.N. 47–1960.)*

---

## 1962 — Frames A and B Unlocked by The Risk–Border Loop Staff

### Following Loadstone Closure — W.N. 38–1962
> **Mount Lion** — No. 1 lever (facing point lock lever) in Frames A and B will be unlocked by key on the miniature electric train staff for the section **The Risk–Border Loop**.

*(W.N. 38–1962 — as part of Loadstone closure notice)*

---

## 1963 — Control Transferred to Kyogle

### Control Transferred from Wiangaree to Kyogle — W.N. 38–1963
> **Intermediate Sidings — System of Working — Wiangaree, Mount Lion** — In column headed "Siding under control of" delete "Wiangaree" and insert "**Kyogle**." *(W.N. 38–1963.)*

---

## 1967–1968 — Goods Loop Siding Abolished; Deleted from Publications

### Loop Siding Abolished — 18 December 1967 (W.N. 1–1968)
> **Mount Lion (North Coast) — Abolition of Siding** — Since **18th December, 1967**, the mainline points at the **Sydney and Brisbane ends of the loop siding**, worked from Frames A and B respectively, have been removed and the siding abolished.
>
> Frames A and B have been placed out of use pending removal. (S. & T.E. 67–634,401–W. & M.) *(W.N. 1–1968.)*

### Initial Deletion — W.N. 3–1968
> **Page 165 — List of Stations, etc.** — Delete \***Mount Lion** and relevant particulars. (B. 2–68–66,351.) *(W.N. 3–1968.)*
>
> **Page 193 — Alphabetical List of Stations** — Delete **Mt Lion** and mileages. (B. 2–68–66,502.) *(W.N. 3–1968.)*
>
> **North Coast Line — Delete Mount Lion.** (B. 2–68–66,502.) *(W.N. 3–1968.)*

### Re-insertion After Error — W.N. 6–1968
> **Page 193** — Reference is made to insertion in Weekly Notice No. 3 of 1968. **The goods siding only at Mt. Lion has been abolished. Re-insert particulars concerning Mt. Lion.** (B. 2–68–66,502.) *(W.N. 6–1968.)*

> **Note:** W.N. 3–1968 incorrectly deleted Mount Lion station entirely from publications — only the siding had been abolished, not the station. W.N. 6–1968 corrected this error by re-inserting Mount Lion as a station, confirming the station continued to operate after the siding's abolition in December 1967.

### Station Codes Listed — 1968
> **Mount Lion** — Station Codes: **3480–7** and **3490–1**. *(Source: 1968 station code tables)*

---

## 1970 — Listed as Controlling Station for Cougal, Loadstone, Treberth; Fares Noted

### Kyogle as Controlling Station — Cougal, Loadstone, Mount Lion, Treberth
> **Kyogle is the Controlling Station for the undermentioned platforms:** Cougal, **Loadstone**, **Mount Lion**, **Treberth**. *(W.N. 21–1970.)*

---

## 1973 — Fares — Mount Lion to South Brisbane

### Fares Amended
> **Intersystem Fares — New South Wales and Queensland** — Amend **Mount Lion–South Brisbane** Fares to read:
>
> First Class Single: **$4.87**; First Class Return: **$7.50** 
> Second Class Single: **$3.74**; Second Class Return: **$5.65**

*(W.N. 26–1973.)*

> **Note:** The persistence of intersystem fares for Mount Lion to South Brisbane as late as 1973 — three years before the station's closure — confirms that passengers were still using Mount Lion to travel through to Queensland on the Brisbane Express at this time.

---

## 1974 — Deleted from Coaching Rates and Distance Publications

### Deleted — W.N. 29–1974
> **Passenger Fares and Coaching Rates Book** — Delete: ... Fairy Hill, Kilgra, Wiangaree, The Risk, **Mt Lion**, Loadstone. (C. 1–74.) *(W.N. 29–1974.)*

---

## 1975 — Closed; Deleted from All Publications — W.N. 26–1975

### Final Deletion
> **Intermediate Sidings — System of Working** — Delete all reference to Wiangaree and **Mt Lion**. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975.)*
>
> **Stations, Sidings and Platforms — Accommodation Provided** — Delete all reference to Kilgra, Wiangaree, **Mt Lion**, Loadstone, Flannagan's and Dulbolla. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975.)*
>
> **Grades at Stations, Sidings, Platforms and Signal-boxes** — Delete all reference to ... Kilgra, Wiangaree, **Mt Lion**, Loadstone, Flanagan's and Dulbolla. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975.)*

*(W.N. 26–1975)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| 28 September 1930 | **Opened** — unattended station; Station Brand MTL; listed with The Risk and Wiangaree |
| 1930 | Rail Motor service Casino–Mt. Lion (later extended to Cougal); section boundaries The Risk–Mt. Lion and Mt. Lion–Loadstone |
| W.N. 52–1931 | Listed as unattended (\*) station |
| W.N. 31–1931 | Telephone at Mount Lion Quarry removed |
| 1932 | Mt. Lion Yard at 533m 79c listed in level crossings/intermediate sidings table |
| W.N. 24–1933 | **Small loading yard and portable race** provided for loading bottom deck of sheep vans |
| 1933 | Mount Lion Quarry Siding listed in accommodation table |
| W.N. 21–1936 | **Finn's Platform** (535m 40c) opened between Mount Lion and Loadstone — controlled by Wiangaree |
| W.N. 16–1941 | Finn's Platform moved from Up to Down side (535m 49c) |
| W.N. 29–1942 | **Treberth** (536m 0c) opened between Mount Lion and Loadstone — controlled by Wiangaree |
| W.N. 24–1948 | Drawer Lock Key Releases A and B dispensed with — Frames A and B unlocked by The Risk–Loadstone staff key |
| W.N. 46–1955 | **Sleeper platform for cream cans** (534m 58c) between Mount Lion and Treberth noted in publications |
| W.N. 38–1962 | Frames A and B unlocked by The Risk–Border Loop staff (following Loadstone closure) |
| W.N. 38–1963 | Control transferred from Wiangaree to **Kyogle** |
| **18 December 1967** | **Goods loop siding abolished** — Frames A and B out of use (W.N. 1–1968) |
| W.N. 3–1968 | Incorrectly deleted from publications — error corrected W.N. 6–1968 |
| W.N. 29–1974 | Deleted from Coaching Rates publications |
| **30 June 1975** | **Station closed** — deleted from all publications (W.N. 26–1975) |
| **15 September 1978** | **Platform demolished** |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1975.* 
*Note: The PC1 station building was moved to a local property after closure. The accidental full deletion of Mount Lion from publications in W.N. 3–1968 (corrected W.N. 6–1968) reflects a clerical error — only the goods loop siding had been abolished in December 1967, not the station itself.*