Monkerai

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Monkerai, 1940s (Andrew Whittaker)

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Monkerai tunnel country end portal looking in the down direction.
Circa 1993
(photo taken with safe working in place) (Greg Riddel)

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Monkerai Local Control Panel with 2WB7 on the board.
9-12-24 (Greg Riddel)

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# Monkerai (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1982

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**Type:** Crossing Loop (Electric Train Staff Station) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Dungog–Monkerai / Monkerai–Stroud Road sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 254.011 km (approximately 157m 66c at opening) 
**Between:** Dungog and Nooroo / Stroud Road 
**Opened:** **9 September 1930** as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station (W.N. 35–1930) 
**Status:** In use 
**Name meaning:** Unknown 
**Loop length (opening):** 400.5 metres 
**Loop length (current):** 376 metres 
**Up side dead end:** Short dead-end siding on Up side of loop 
**Platform:** 32-foot (9.75-metre) Departmental employee platform on Down side at 157m 66c — provided by 1950 (W.N. 4–1950) 
**Signal box:** Had sleeper-built employee platform attached 
**Circular:** No. 356–17 of 1930 (Monkerai base diagram — issued at opening) 

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> **Notes:** Monkerai opened on 9 September 1930, splitting the Dungog–Stroud Road section into two new sections — Dungog–Monkerai (Type F staffs) and Monkerai–Stroud Road (Type H staffs). Circular No. 356–17 of 1930 issued. Simultaneously, Dingadee and Nooroo points were transferred to the appropriate new staff sections. The 1931 hours of attendance show Officers in charge at Monkerai available: Mon–Sat 12.0 a.m.–3.10 a.m. (or 6.50 a.m. if No. 2a runs) and 11.10 p.m.–midnight; Sundays 12.0 a.m.–3.10 a.m. and 11.10 p.m.–midnight — reflecting night train operations.
>
> A 32-foot Departmental employee platform was provided on the Down side at 157m 66c (W.N. 4–1950). The 1935 selector telephone list confirms Monkerai Signal-box was on the Telephone Train Control circuit. Staff exchanger positions (1946): Down Line — 40 feet on Sydney side of Signal-box; Up Line — Opposite Signal-box.
>
> Motor-operated points and colour light signals were installed on **5 April 1982** as a CTC preliminary — route control relay interlocking panel in the signal-box; single light colour light signals; low speed indications on Down and Up Home signals (approach-cleared ~300 metres in rear); telephone call indicators (blue light and hooter) at Starting signals at each end; ETS Dungog–Monkerai and Monkerai–Stroud Road retained; automatic staff exchangers remain available. Kilbride–Stroud Road CTC subsequently cancelled both ETS sections.

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## 1930 — Opened as ETS and Crossing Station — 9 September 1930; New Sections; Circular No. 356–17

### Monkerai Opened — W.N. 35–1930
> **Monkerai (North Coast) — Opening as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — On **Tuesday, 9th September, 1930**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., Monkerai will be opened as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station, and the present Electric Train Staff section **Dungog–Stroud Road** will be cancelled.
>
> The new sections to be opened will be:
> - **Dungog–Monkerai**: Electric Train Staff, Type **"F"**; Staff Nos. 1 to 6 Key, 7 to 36 Ordinary
> - **Monkerai–Stroud Road**: Electric Train Staff, Type **"H"**; Staff Nos. 1 to 6 Key, 7 to 36 Ordinary
>
> The complete arrangements will be in accordance with **Circular No. 356–17 of 1930**, and diagram attached thereto. *(W.N. 35–1930)*

### Points Transferred — Dingadee and Nooroo — W.N. 35–1930
> Consequent upon the opening of Monkerai:
>
> **Dungog and Dingadee** — Points at the Dairymen's and Farmers' Milk and Ice Company's Siding, Dungog Co-Op. Milk Siding, and Dingadee, transferred from **Dungog–Stroud Road** staff to **Dungog–Monkerai** staff.
>
> **Nooroo** — Points at either end of the Loop transferred from **Dungog–Stroud Road** staff to **Monkerai–Stroud Road** staff. *(W.N. 35–1930)*

### Monkerai Signal-box Listed in Telephone Circuit — 1930
> **Monkerai Signal-box** — inserted immediately following Dingadee in the telephone circuit table. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

### Flagmen During Alterations — W.N. 35–1930
> During the time of the alterations to the points and signals at Dungog–Stroud Road and **Monkerai**, competent Flagmen equipped with the necessary Hand and Detonating signals must be placed at the sites and signals affected. *(W.N. 35–1930)*

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## 1931 — Hours of Attendance; No. 178 Fruit Express

### Hours of Attendance — W.N. 29–1931
> **Monkerai — Hours during which the Officer in charge is in attendance for train working:**
>
> - **Mondays to Saturdays**: 12.0 a.m. to 3.10 a.m. (12.0 a.m. to 6.50 a.m. if No. 2a runs); 11.10 p.m. to 12 midnight
> - **Sundays**: 12.0 a.m. to 3.10 a.m.; 11.10 p.m. to 12 midnight
>
> Books to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 29–1931)*

### No. 178 Fruit Express — 1931
> **No. 178 Fruit Express** (Sundays) — arrives Monkerai **6.34 a.m.**, departs **6.44 a.m.**; Dungog arrive 6.56 a.m., depart 7.06 a.m.; Wallarobba pass 7.21 a.m.; Martin's Creek pass 7.38 a.m.; Paterson pass 7.46 a.m.; Telarah pass 8.08 a.m.; West Maitland arrive 8.11 a.m. *(Source: 1931 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1935 — Monkerai Signal-box Listed in Selector Telephone Circuit

### Selector Telephones — 1935
> **Monkerai Signal-box** — listed in selector telephone directory alongside Wallarobba Signal-box, Dungog Station Master, Stroud Signal-box, Weismantels Signal-box, Craven Signal-box, Berrico Signal-box, Gloucester Station Master and further North Coast stations. The Control Telephone is connected to **No. 11 Jack** on the Departmental Switchboard. *(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices)*

### Signal Alterations — Flagmen — W.N. 28–1935
> During the time of the alterations to the points and signals at Glenbrook, Exeter, Marulan, Woy Woy, Hamilton Junction, Brown Street and **Monkerai**, competent Flagmen must be placed at the sites. *(W.N. 28–1935)*

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## 1946 — Automatic Staff Exchanger Positions

### Staff Exchanger Positions — 1946
> **Down Line — Monkerai**: **40 feet on Sydney side of Signal-box**. 
> **Up Line — Monkerai**: **Opposite Signal-box**. *(Source: 1946 Weekly Notices — automatic staff exchanger positions)*

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## 1950 — Employee Platform Provided at 157m 66c — W.N. 4–1950

### Employee Platform Provided — W.N. 4–1950
> **Monkerai (North Coast) — Provision of Platform** — A platform, **32 feet in length**, has been provided on the **Down side** of the line at **157m 66c** for use of **Departmental employees and their families**. *(W.N. 4–1950)*

> **Note:** 32 feet = 9.75 metres. The platform was for Departmental employees and their families only — not a public passenger platform. Distance 157m 66c is approximately 254.1 km from Sydney, consistent with your given distance of 254.011 km.

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## 1960–1965 — ES Cabin Referenced; Section Monkerai Amended

### Monkerai E.S. (Cabin) Listed — 1960–1965
> **Monkerai — E.S. (Cabin provided)** — listed in staff-graded positions tables, appearing multiple times (1960 and 1965 Weekly Notices — five times across both years). *(Source: 1960 and 1965 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1970 — Section Reference Amended to Monkerai–Gloucester

### Section Amended — 1970
> **Amend — Monkerai–Weismantels** → **To read — Monkerai–Gloucester**. *(Source: 1970 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1975 — Hours of Attendance; Down Outer Home Signal Referenced

### Hours of Attendance — 1975
> **Monkerai (Cabin)** — listed three times in 1975 Weekly Notices; hours: **12.1 a.m. to 7.0 a.m.; 3.0 p.m. to 12 midnight**. *(Source: 1975 Weekly Notices)*

### Down Outer Home Signal — 1975
> Movements at Nooroo must not be permitted after a staff has been issued for the approach of a Down train from Monkerai. Down train may proceed as far as the **Down Outer Home signal No. 3** in accordance with Regulation 40, clause (h) (Electric Staff System) in the General Appendix, Part II. *(Source: 1975 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1982 — Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 5 April 1982; CTC Introduced

### Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — W.N. — 1982
> **Monkerai (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 5th April, 1982**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., as a preliminary to the introduction of CTC signalling on the North Coast line, the Main line to loop points at each end of Monkerai 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.
>
> **Colour light signals** — single light type; **low speed indication** (small green light) with route indicator beneath the main head of the Down Home signal and the Up Home signal. Approach-cleared by track circuit approximately **300 metres** in rear of the signal.
>
> **Entry to the Loop line** on the authority of the low speed indication with route indicator.
>
> **Telephone Call Indicator** — call indicators provided near the Starting signals at each end of the crossing loop; activated indication consists of **flashing blue light and sounding of a hooter**. When the signalman requires to speak to the train crew, he must activate the indicator.
>
> **Route Control Relay Interlocking Unit** — combined control panel and indicator diagram; routes set and locked by selection and pressing of appropriate route buttons.
>
> Electric Train Staff working remains in use on sections **Dungog–Monkerai** and **Monkerai–Stroud Road**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Monkerai remains available. *(W.N. — 1982)*

### Kilbride–Stroud Road CTC — Dungog–Monkerai and Monkerai–Stroud Road ETS Cancelled
> ETS working on sections Kilbride–Dungog, **Dungog–Monkerai, Monkerai–Stroud Road** [and Stroud Road] cancelled. CTC working remotely controlled from **Broadmeadow CTC Centre** introduced. Monkerai designated as **CTC location No. 08**. Pilot staffs at Monkerai for emergency working. Local control panel at Monkerai. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **9 September 1930** | **Opened** as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station — 400.5-metre loop; sections Dungog–Monkerai (Type F, 1–6 Key, 7–36 Ordinary) and Monkerai–Stroud Road (Type H, 1–6 Key, 7–36 Ordinary) created; Dingadee and Nooroo points transferred to appropriate new sections; **Circular No. 356–17 of 1930** issued; Monkerai Signal-box added to telephone circuit (W.N. 35–1930) |
| W.N. 29–1931 | Hours of attendance: Mon–Sat 12.0 a.m.–3.10 a.m. and 11.10 p.m.–midnight; Sundays 12.0 a.m.–3.10 a.m. and 11.10 p.m.–midnight |
| 1931 | No. 178 Fruit Express arrives 6.34 a.m., departs 6.44 a.m. |
| 1935 | Monkerai Signal-box in selector telephone circuit (No. 11 Jack on Departmental Switchboard) |
| 1946 | Staff exchanger positions: Down — 40 feet Sydney side of Signal-box; Up — Opposite Signal-box |
| W.N. 4–1950 | **32-foot employee platform** provided on Down side at 157m 66c — for Departmental employees and families |
| 1960–1965 | Monkerai E.S. (Cabin provided) — listed in staff-graded positions |
| 1970 | Section reference amended from Monkerai–Weismantels to Monkerai–Gloucester |
| 1975 | Hours: 12.1 a.m.–7.0 a.m.; 3.0 p.m.–midnight |
| **5 April 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — route control relay interlocking panel; low speed indications ~300m approach-cleared; telephone call indicators (blue light and hooter); ETS Dungog–Monkerai and Monkerai–Stroud Road retained; automatic staff exchangers remain (W.N. — 1982) |
| 1982 | Kilbride–Stroud Road CTC — both ETS sections cancelled; CTC location No. 08; pilot staffs; local control panel |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1982.* 
*Note: Monkerai was opened to split the long Dungog–Stroud Road section (opened in 1913), with both new sections using different staff types — Type F on Dungog–Monkerai and Type H on Monkerai–Stroud Road. Circular No. 356–17 of 1930 was the base diagram from 1930. The 1931 hours of attendance confirm Monkerai was primarily a night-time crossing point for the overnight Brisbane/Grafton mail trains.*