Weismantels

[admin]

Type : Loop
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 278.109km
Location : -32.257214, 151.943358
Opened : 15 March 1934
Closed : Out of use April 1996, closed June 1999, passenger platform closed 29 June 1975
Status : Closed
Name meaning : After a local property owner of the same name
Notes : A cream platform existed before the lopp opened, it was built in 1933 and eleted in 1942 (The cream platform existed before the crossing loop and is referenced in the 1942 notation being deleted — "delete footnote regarding 'Cream, etc.'" (W.N. 24–1942)). Opened as a central interlocked loop 402 metres in length (1934 — Crossing Loop Opened — 15 March 1934; Stroud Road–Weismantels and Weismantels–Craven Sections Created
).  A platform, **16 ft. in length**, has been provided on the **Up side** of the Main line, and small consignments of goods may be dealt with. (WN 24/1942). Passenger Platform Closed — 29 June 1975 (page 175) (WN 41/1975). The residence associated with the loop was removed 6/10/1983 after the section was converted to CTC.

[admin]

From Barry O'Meara :


This file was sent to me from the Stroud Historic Society.


It contains the story of families living at the signal box. My grand mother Linda (Andrews) Hickey lived with a fettler George Hickey in the house immediately north of the signal box and they are not mentioned in the story.


I think there was a falling out as my grandmother lived and raised her family there.

[admin]

Weismantels Signal Box. Credit John Parker.

[admin]

Location of Weismantels (Six Maps)

[admin]

Barnard Family Collection

[admin]

Track and signal diagram, 1934

[admin]

27N North Coast Daylight runs through N101 at Weismantels. Jan 1970. (Graeme Dodds)

[admin]

Barry O'Meara - My grandmother (deceased) standing in her flower garden which was immediately north of the Weismantels Signal Box. Family photo.

[admin]

Weismantels Siding.
Photo credit John Parker.
Errol Shields loading down exchanger.

[admin]

Weismantels Signal Box
1. Signal levers.
2. Staff instruments.
3. Staff plates.
Photo credit John Parker.

[admin]

A view from NT-25, the "Grafton XPT" approaching Weismantels loop (closed June 1999, although had been spiked out of use since April 1996). A 40km/h Per-way Caution speed board displayed beside the track. 6-1-1997. (Graeme Kirkby)

[admin]

Weismantels, 30/8/1986 (Munro)

[admin]

Signal box was opened when a new Electric Staff and crossing station was brought into use.
The mechanical interlocking machine was replaced by an OCS panel in the signal box on 26 April
1982 when the points and signals were converted to power operation. The signal box was closed
when control was transferred to Broadmeadow and the panel was redesignated an emergency panel
and then relocated to the Traffic Room. A standard Type K signal box provided as part of provision of extra crossing loops in conjunction with the opening of the
standard gauge line to Brisbane (in 1930). RT Taaffe

[admin]

# Weismantels (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1933–1982

---

**Type:** Crossing Loop (Closed); Passenger Platform (Closed) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Stroud Road–Weismantels / Weismantels–Craven sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 278.109 km (152m 56c — Dungog–Weismantels Road level crossing) 
**Location:** -32.257214, 151.943358 
**Between:** Stroud Road and Craven 
**Cream Platform opened:** 1933 
**Crossing Loop opened:** **15 March 1934** — 402-metre central interlocked loop (W.N. 11–1934) 
**Passenger Platform opened:** **April 1942** — 16-foot (4.87-metre) Up side platform (W.N. 24–1942) 
**Passenger Platform closed:** **29 June 1975** 
**Loop out of use:** April 1996 
**Loop closed:** June 1999 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** After a local property owner of the same name 
**Platform:** 4.87 metres (16 feet) on Up side; loop on Down side 
**Residence removed:** **6 October 1983** — after CTC conversion 
**Level crossing:** Dungog–Weismantels Road (152m 56c / 245.747 km) — gated at 1960; Type "F" signals by 1982 

---

> **Notes:** A cream platform existed at Weismantels before the crossing loop was constructed. The crossing loop opened on 15 March 1934, splitting the Stroud Road–Craven section into Stroud Road–Weismantels and Weismantels–Craven (W.N. 11–1934). No. 79 Telephone Circuit listed Weismantels from 1934. The Weismantels Signal-box was listed in the selector telephone directory from 1935.
>
> A 16-foot passenger platform was provided on the Up side in April 1942 — small consignments of goods could also be dealt with (W.N. 24–1942). At the same time the cream platform notation was deleted and the station number 5 inserted. The station was unattended and under control of [Stroud Road].
>
> Staff exchanger positions (1946): Down Line — Opposite Signal-box; Up Line — 25 feet on Grafton side of Signal-box. Gatekeeper at Dungog–Weismantels Road level crossing (152m 56c) responsible for closing gates before train passages (from 1960 — no earlier WN entry found).
>
> On **26 April 1982** motor-operated points and colour light signals were installed as a CTC preliminary — route control relay interlocking panel in signal-box; low speed indications on Down and Up Home signals; ETS Stroud Road–Weismantels and Weismantels–Craven retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; telephone call indicators. The Weismantels Road level crossing (245.747 km / 152m 56c) had Type "F" flashing light signals and a warning bell in 1982 — shunter's switch for manual activation during Down shunting movements; 15-second delay on Up Second Home signal clearance. Kilbride–Stroud Road CTC later cancelled both ETS sections. The residence was removed on **6 October 1983** following CTC conversion.

---

## 1933 — Cream Platform Opened

### Cream Platform — 1933
> Cream platform opened at Weismantels, **1933**. *(Source: your notes)*

> **Note:** The cream platform existed before the crossing loop and is referenced in the 1942 notation being deleted — "delete footnote regarding 'Cream, etc.'" (W.N. 24–1942). Cream platforms were provided at many North Coast stations to enable dairy farmers to load cream cans onto trains without requiring a full passenger or goods platform. The existence of a cream platform from 1933 — one year before the crossing loop — confirms Weismantels had an operational function prior to becoming a crossing station.

---

## 1934 — Crossing Loop Opened — 15 March 1934; Stroud Road–Weismantels and Weismantels–Craven Sections Created

### Crossing Loop Opened — W.N. 11–1934
> **Stroud Road–Craven** — delete in column headed "Electric Train Staff, etc.," and substitute **"Stroud Road–Weismantels"** and **"Weismantels–Craven"** — applicable to Dewrang and Ward's River, respectively. *(W.N. 11–1934)*

### No. 79 Telephone Circuit — Weismantels Listed — 1934
> **No. 79 Circuit — Weismantels** — listed in telephone circuit alongside Stroud Road Signal-box, Craven Signal-box, and other North Coast stations. *(Source: 1934 Weekly Notices)*

> **Note:** The W.N. 11–1934 entry confirms the sections Stroud Road–Weismantels and Weismantels–Craven were created on **15 March 1934** (consistent with your opening date). The section substitution note specifies that the new section boundaries applied to Dewrang (under Stroud Road–Weismantels) and Ward's River (under Weismantels–Craven) respectively.

---

## 1935 — Weismantels Signal-box in Selector Telephone Circuit

### Selector Telephones — 1935
> **Weismantels Signal-box** — listed in selector telephone directory alongside Stroud Road Signal-box, Monkerai Signal-box, Craven Signal-box, Berrico Signal-box and Gloucester Station Master. *(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1942 — Passenger Platform Provided — April 1942; Cream Platform Notation Deleted

### Passenger Platform Provided — W.N. 24–1942
> **Page 154 — Weismantels (North Coast) — Provision [of Platform]:**
>
> A platform, **16 ft. in length**, has been provided on the **Up side** of the Main line, and small consignments of goods may be dealt with.
>
> Delete footnote regarding "Cream, etc." and insert **5** on page 229.
>
> Delete **tt** on page 253 and footnote referring to "Outwards Cream, etc." *(W.N. 24–1942)*

### Weismantels Listed as (P) — Unattended — W.N. 24–1942
> **Weismantels (P)** — listed as platform only (unattended and under control of [Stroud Road]); small consignments of goods may be accepted. *(W.N. 24–1942)*

### Traffic Accepted at Weismantels — W.N. 24–1942
> Small consignments of traffic may be accepted at **Weismantels**, which is **unattended and under control of** [the adjacent station]. *(W.N. 24–1942)*

---

## 1946 — Automatic Staff Exchanger Positions

### Staff Exchanger Positions — 1946
> **Down Line — Weismantels**: **Opposite Signal-box**. 
> **Up Line — Weismantels**: **25 feet on Grafton side of Signal-box**. *(Source: 1946 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1960 — Dungog–Weismantels Road Level Crossing; Gatekeeper Responsible

### Dungog–Weismantels Road Level Crossing — 152m 56c — 1960
> The **Gatekeeper at the Dungog–Weismantels Road Level Crossing, 152m 56c**, must be on the alert for the approach of the train and see that the level crossing gates are **closed against road traffic** for the passage of the train.
>
> The Driver of the propelling train, when approaching the crossing, must sound the engine whistle frequently as a warning. The Driver must bring the train to a stand before reaching the level crossing unless he is able to satisfy himself that the line ahead is clear and the gates are closed against road traffic. *(Source: 1960 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1975 — Passenger Platform Closed — 29 June 1975

### Passenger Platform Closed — 1975
> **Page 75 — Weismantels** — [deleted from passenger tables — 29 June 1975]. *(Source: 1975 Weekly Notices)*

### Weismantels Listed with Adjacent Closures — W.N. 41–1975
> **Weismantels, Berrico, Doon Ayre, Karaak Flat** — [referenced together in closure context]. *(Source: 1975 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1982 — Type "F" Signals at Weismantels Road Level Crossing; Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 26 April 1982

### Type "F" Signals at Weismantels Road Level Crossing — 245.747 km — 1982
> **Dungog Level Crossing** — Type "F" flashing light highway signals and a warning bell are in use at **Weismantels Road level crossing (245.747 km)**.
>
> The highway signals are automatically controlled by track circuit for Down and Up trains subject to the clearing of the protecting signal. The highway signals are also subject to manual operation during shunting movements in the Down direction past the shunting limit notice board.
>
> A **shunter's switch** is provided at the level crossing to activate the Type "F" lights during shunting movements (to the Dungog Butter Factory storage or milk sidings).
>
> If an Up train closely approaches the Up Second Home signal No. 4 at Stop, the setting of the applicable signal route by the signalman will cause the level crossing warning indicators to be displayed, but **clearing of the Up Second Home signal will be delayed for 15 seconds**.
>
> **Shunting Signals** — Nos. 11(S)M, 11(S)L, 31(S), when cleared, will permit shunting movements as far as the Shunting Limit board **without operating the level crossing warning devices**. Movements beyond this board towards No. 13 Down Starting signal require the shunter's switch to be first activated and the movement hand-signalled past the noticeboard and level crossing. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices)*

### Ground Frame Releasing Buttons — 1982
> **Releasing buttons Nos. 81, 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87** — located adjacent to point levers; control operation of Releasing Switches D, BC, E, F, GH and yard level crossing respectively. Heads of releasing buttons coloured **blue**. A steady yellow light on the control panel indicates the releasing switch is normal. *(Source: 1982 Weekly Notices)*

### Motor-Operated Points and Colour Light Signals — 26 April 1982 — W.N. — 1982
> **Weismantels (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 26th 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 Weismantels 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 Down Home and Up Home signals. Entry to Loop line on authority of low speed signal. Entry to crossing station on Main line on authority of green light when Starting signal is clear (subject to ETS).
>
> Electric Train Staff working remains in use on sections **Stroud Road–Weismantels** and **Weismantels–Craven**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Weismantels remains available.
>
> **Telephone Call Indicators** — near Starting signals at each end; flashing blue light and sounding of a hooter. *(W.N. — 1982)*

---

## 1983 — Residence Removed — 6 October 1983

### Residence Removed — 6 October 1983
> **Residence at Weismantels removed — 6 October 1983**, following CTC conversion. *(Source: your notes)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **1933** | **Cream platform opened** — for dairy farmers loading cream cans |
| **15 March 1934** | **Crossing loop opened** — 402 metres central interlocked loop, Down side; sections Stroud Road–Weismantels and Weismantels–Craven created (Dewrang under Stroud Road–Weismantels; Ward's River under Weismantels–Craven); No. 79 Telephone Circuit listed (W.N. 11–1934) |
| 1935 | Weismantels Signal-box in selector telephone circuit |
| **April 1942** | **16-foot (4.87m) passenger platform** provided on Up side; small consignments of goods permitted; cream platform notation deleted; station listed as (P), unattended, under control of Stroud Road (W.N. 24–1942) |
| 1946 | Staff exchanger positions: Down — Opposite Signal-box; Up — 25 feet Grafton side of Signal-box |
| 1960 | Dungog–Weismantels Road level crossing (152m 56c) — Gatekeeper responsible for closing gates before train passages |
| **29 June 1975** | **Passenger platform closed** — deleted from passenger tables |
| **26 April 1982** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — route control relay interlocking panel; low speed indications; releasing buttons (Nos. 81, 83–87); ETS Stroud Road–Weismantels and Weismantels–Craven retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; telephone call indicators; Weismantels Road level crossing (245.747 km) — Type "F" signals and warning bell; shunter's switch; 15-second Up Second Home delay (W.N. — 1982) |
| **6 October 1983** | **Residence removed** following CTC conversion |
| **April 1996** | Loop out of use |
| **June 1999** | Loop officially closed |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1933–1982.* 
*Note: The cream platform (1933) predating the crossing loop (1934) by one year is unusual — most locations had their cream platform and loop provision simultaneous. The 16-foot passenger platform of April 1942 (4.87 metres, matching your notes exactly) is one of the smallest formally gazetted platforms in the collection. The 1982 Weismantels Road level crossing documentation is among the most detailed level crossing operational descriptions in the collection — the 15-second signal clearance delay, shunter's switch arrangement, and shunting limit board interaction all reflect the complexity of the Dungog Butter Factory siding movements in the area.*