Type : Station
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 378.600km
Opened : 4 February 1913
Closed : n/a
Status : In use
Name meaning : Aboriginal word for "wild fig"
Notes : The Down side platform is 182 metres in length. In 1929 the existing brick station replaced the earlier timber station building and it has been modified over time. The original timber platform was 152 metres in length. 1913 Rest houses and sheep race constructed. 1914 5 tonne yard crane added and yards lit by kerosene lamps. 15.4.1917 weighbridge installed. 28.2.1922 Pillar water tank installed, water drawn from town supply. 4.4.1925 platform extended by 60.9 metres. 1927 50 tonne cart weighbridge installed. 6.11.1929 - Railway Refreshment Room opened. 1934 trucking yards relocated. 1943 yards enlarged and Down siding laid in. 5/6/1945 North and South signal boxes opened. 1963 54kl diesel tank installed. April 1970 roundhouse demolished with the cessation of steam on the line.
Taree south box and associated signalling viewed oh so long ago, 20 January 1985. At the time I took this image, I recall that there was a strike in place which gave me opportunity to walk around the yard and photograph. Old style semaphores are still in place, but the new CTC signalling is making a presence (just visible between the breakdown crane and South box). A considerable number of bogies also seem present in the breakdown road. The sand tower for Taree loco depot can be seen beyond the breakdown crane.
(Chris Harrison)
Old fashioned method of "hot box" detection - January 1980, Taree (Rail Rambler)
The last ever stagecoach from the south, unloading mail in front of Taree Post Office on the 3rd of February, 1913. The next day, Taree's mail would arrive by rail on the first train ever to arrive in Taree.
A very sweet day in Taree Loco with candy at the forefront on December 22, 1986. Present that morning from the left are 731/631, 44205, 44240+4441, 4472+8025, and 4428. (Chris Harrison)
48109+4527 heading south from Taree, October 18, 1986. (Chris Harrison)
First train to Taree in 1913
Taree roundhouse
Taree Refreshment Rooms, 1947
5130 leads a goods train into Taree - undated photo (SRA)
Taree roundhouse (undated) (SRA)
Taree Locomotive Depot (undated) (SRA)
OPENING DAY TAREE. 4.2.13 No. 40. G Kelly Photo. 4th February 1913
Parade, Victoria Street, Taree, 4/02/1913 for the opening of the railway (Midcoast Library
Taree, 1987 (Graeme Skeet)
3328 Shunting at Taree. Taken on Kodachrome on 28 Jan 1968. (Lindsay Bridge)
1963 and Taree celebrates the 50th anniversary of the arrival of rail. Manning Valley Historical Society photo
The crowd at Taree on opening day 1913. Manning Valley Historical Society photo
5253 shunting at Taree 6/10/63. photo by Howard Simpson
Taree North, 1987 (Graeme Skeet)
Taree South signal box and signals, 1987 (Graeme Skeet)
Two 80 class locomotives on a south bound freight waiting for clearance at Taree. (1987) (Graeme Skeet)
Taree Boradze Timber Yard (Ian Douglas
Taree roundhouse - very early view
1st train at Taree
Opening ceremony at Taree
Location of Taree station (Six Maps)
Taree loco, late 70s (Allan Black)
Taree, 1987 (Graeme Skeet)
Lorraine Jones:
The semaphore signals are a significant part of railway history and worthy of their own topic where any remaining NSWGR semaphore signals can be identified together with their working status.
Chris Harrison:
Just a correction to this photo as it would not be 1987 as the old signalling was removed September 1985. I know as I salvaged a number of the signals and lamps at that time, as well as some of Taree South signal box levers. Looking at this, a couple of S trucks are present in the breakdown road which to my knowledge ceased being used to Taree by 1984.
Greg Lee:
As far as I know, all four wheel vehicles were banned from the 'Coast before 1984, not sure when, but I never saw any after I arrived in late 1982. Mind you that was North of Taree. There may have been an exception for the sleeper traffic out of the Boradze depot at Taree.
From a Rail photo site, Taree.
Sunday 6/10/63 foto by Howard Simpson.
Chris Harrison:
Taree south box and associated signalling viewed oh so long ago, 20 January 1985. At the time I took this image, I recall that there was a strike in place which gave me opportunity to walk around the yard and photograph. Old style semaphores are still in place, but the new CTC signalling is making a presence (just visible between the breakdown crane and South box). A considerable number of bogies also seem present in the breakdown road. The sand tower for Taree loco depot can be seen beyond the breakdown crane.
Taree, late 1990. This was a loading platform that was never used after the late 70's. From the late 70's to around 1983, the Up No. 2 shunting neck ended up storing "Rotton Row", which ended up consisting of one refrigerated van, two S trucks, one louvred van, two former work vans which was a former dogbox type, and a MHG brake van still in charcoal colour. After the scrapping of rotton row wagons, the shunting neck was again used until the end of the 80's.
A busy time at Taree on 3-8-1994. 44238 prepares to depart the yard to continue its journey North, while the rear of a "long" Up goods stands in the Loop. The North end Dock road is still in use at this time. (Graeme Kirkby)
The Brisbane tour, in January, 1973.
3813 moves away to be serviced, at Taree (I think), as two 44 class (and you have to include "class" with the 44s) wait for the right of way before heading out on a goods. (Graeme Belbin)
44203 and 44207 shunting at the North (actually compass point South-east) end of Taree yard. Macquarie street level crossing in the foreground. 24-9-1994. (Graeme Kirkby)
Taree yard and station, Saturday, 24-9-1994. (Graeme Kirkby)
Sydney end of Taree yard looking towards the former loco depot site at left and a stabled goods train in siding on the right. Thursday, 8-12-1994. The Crossing Loop was extended at this Sydney end a little over five years later. (Graeme Kirkby)
Looking down Taree yard from near the Sydney end. The track at lower right leads into Loco. 8-12-1994. (Graeme Kirkby)
Taree, 1987, Chris Harrison
Taree Loco - 25/11/1967 (State Archives)
Taree water tank - 25/08/1947 (State Archives)
Electric Coal Grab, Taree (undated, State Archives)
[Plan - Gloucester to Taree (Part No.3), Engine Shed at Taree] North Coast Railway [Department of Public Works] [no date]
5917 shunting in Taree yards 25/11/1967 (State Archives)
5130 leads a C35 on goods train X7 arriving at Taree 7/7/1947 (State Archives)
Shunting at Taree, 11/7/1947 (State Archives)
8041 and 4466 take a rest between rosters within Taree loco. 8041 has been stabled on what was originally the accident train road, while 4466 is on the original No.2 coal stack road. In the background left, can be seen the upright supports for Taree loco's water tower, the tank having been removed sometime in the late 70's. The remaining frame was demolished sometime later in 1986. This image taken 5th January, 1986. (Chris Harrison)
Chris Harrison:
These images I am led to understand were taken as part of celebrations of 50 years of the railways to Taree. The date being around April 1963. Unfortunately the quality is not the best. I acquired them back in the 80's as a student and the cost of gaining quality print copies was a bit much for me at the time, so I had to make do with photocopies. Since that day, every time I visit the NSW State Archives to look in the SRA archive collection, I make out the same request for Taree material, but the originals of these never seem to fall into my hands again. Perhaps someday, but at least some thing has been gained. In the 2nd and 3rd images, there appear to be many photographers present. You have to wonder how many locals from Taree might have a "treasure image" of this event in an old photobook?
Mike Moy:
Taree South Box, shunting the neck and looking into "Loco". Taree South Box Circa 1945 (68 levers) was a wartime project. The North Coast Centralised Traffic Control Project (CTC) removed Taree from its scope due to the inability of the powers that be to agree to the operational requirements. This photograph is from the microwave tower in 1983 after completion of the CTC to Casino. Taree commissioning subsequently took place on 1st September 1985 about 2 years later.
44221 heading the up North Coast Daylight Express at Taree in 1983. 44221 is in the shadow of the tower the photo is taken from. (Bob McAlpine)
Leon Rudd - Taree Loco
4860 & 4503 with 4492 & maybe an 80 class behind it and 4486 & 4502 in residence on 29/03/1986
Taree looking towards north box. Last of my photos from the microwave tower in later 1983 (Bob McAlpine)
North Coast Daylight Express at Taree 28/1/1968 (Lindsay Bridge)
Graeme Kirkby
A crew member walking up the platform, billy in hand, ready for his trip through to Sydney, while the Train Examiner ( wearing his safety boots) finishes his examination of the train during its ten minute stop.
Chris Harrison
The examiner you mention always caught my attention - very professionally dressed!!😂
Dave Oliver
Graeme Kirkby, when were Taree men qualified through to Sydney? I'm guessing it occurred once the coast succumbed to diesels?
Peter Lougher
Dave Oliver Graeme Kirkby the various Byways of steam books may shed some light on this but from what I recall reading they started running through after dieselisation in 1958 and the decimation of Dungog Depot which previously ran through to Sydney.
Graeme Kirkby
Dave Oliver . In 1958, Dave. Prior to that, Dungog men had been working through to Sydney on one job, B/O Eveleigh and return same night. Eveleigh men lost their Dungog working early in WW2 period.
Peter Lougher
Graeme Kirkby They were both the things that stood out to me. Last job of the the day for the wheel tapper on a P/off. The engineman is timeless. And the dust coated bloke on the platform. Did they have TEO's on the trains then or maybe he is a Loco Inspector? Let alone the rest of the content in the photo.
Leon Batman
Peter Lougher On train TEOs we're around till early eighties.
Graeme Kirkby
Peter Lougher . As per Leon's reply, Pete. A/C technicians were on every a/c train including DEB sets up to early 1983. From that date, Drivers who worked on DEB sets received a full shift extra training for working 900 class "without a Fitter". Don't ask me what training we received!🙄
Peter Lougher
Leon Batman Graeme Kirkby so they were certainly travelling on the trains back then well.
Graeme Kirkby
Peter Lougher . I imagine they were probably travelling on a/c trains from their introduction in late 1940s.
Peter Lougher
Graeme Kirkby some nights I wish they still were!!!
Dave Oliver
Interesting stuff, thanks all.
Lee Davis
says on pic "taken 28 Jan 1968"
Chris Harrison
Lee Davis Correct. I didn't notice that portion located on the right until after I posted the image. Will amend now.
Lee Davis
all good.
Ken Date
Having a 43 up front must have slowed the trip somewhat as that class of loco was not fitted with staff exchangers (unless I am mistaken) and there were many loops to be passed on the way to the Telarah. I do remember travelling on the NCD in the 60s behind a 43 but I don't recall specific details of the trip - I was far too young at the time. However, from my observations while growing up on the north coast, the use of a 43 on that train was not common.
John Shields
Ken Date 43s had staff exchangers, No1 end only of course
John Shields
Ken Date Additionally, this train was regularly worked by 40 class which were not fitted with staff exchangers.
Graeme Kirkby
Ken Date . Ken, sometime in the early to mid 1960s the 43 class were retro-fitted with staff exchangers. Frequently as an Eveleigh engineman through the 1960s we relieved Taree men off 26 on arrival at Sydney and often the engine was a 40, 43 or 45 class.
Ken Date
Graeme Kirkby thanks for the clarification.
John Treuren
NCDE- nice train in its day.
Shunting at Taree, 28/1/1968 (Lindsay Bridge)
Chris Harrison
36 years ago was this scene of a down XPT stopping at Taree on December 16, 1986.
50th Anniversary of Rail coming to Taree - Photo taken Jan 1963
Aerial view of railway tents that where situated in High Street Taree.Many of the tents had a red fly ( the last tent covering )
Note how close to the railway lines the tents are situated. In the right lower corner is the old butter factory.
Railway tents in High St, Taree (probably 50s) (Anne Calvert)
NL25 at Taree (29/9/1984) (Munro)
Taree station, 1914, postcard
No. 26 Daylight Express at Taree, 16/04/1954
On 1st October 1905 Harry Wood Kerle applied for a special purpose lease for a wharf and tramway to link the extensive limestone deposits on Portions 17 & 18 Parish of Taree with the Manning River. Approval was given for a lease from 1st October 1905 to 31st December 1912 and later the lease was extended to 31st December 1919. The plan shows a tramway and a wharf (M4204-666). A later plan of the works by the NSWGR dated 1915 shows the tramway at the quarry end and describes it as a horse tramway, wooden rails. The lime and/or limestone was used by the Sulphide Corporation at Cockle Creek.A siding off the North Coast line was constructed in 1915 and opened in that year. Presumably at some point after that the wooden tramway was abandoned. As the tramway crossed the route of the Manning River railway siding it is likely that tramway was removed at the time of construction (1917-1918) otherwise extensive safeworking would have been needed. The precise site of the crossing is where Nelson Street meets the Manning River Siding.The disadvantage of the location of the Taree Railway Station (opened February 1913) was its distance from the river which was still an important transportation network. In 1911 land was resumed for a siding from Taree station to the waterfront at Taree but this was not constructed.A second siding was surveyed to the Manning River at Chatham (now a suburb of Taree). Although precise details of the rationale for the route have not been located, the undeveloped nature of the land at Chatham (less compensation to be paid) and access to deepwater moorings in the Manning River made the study area ideal to be developed as a connection between the North Coast line and the Manning River. The land was resumed by the Government from 1913 to 1916.The original siding was opened on the 15th July 1918 and ran to the Upper Manning Co-operative Dairy Company's Dairy Factory. It is not clear what happened after the factory closed. However the siding was no doubt a factor in the decision of Peter's limited to construct their Ice Cream and Dairy Factory beside the line off Railway Parade at Chatham. Peters also use a wharf at North Street presumably to collect milk for their factory. It is not known how the milk was moved to the factory but it could have been by the old tramway as the route of the tramway was roughly along Railway Parade.On the 18th October 1940 the Government sold the land along Pitt Street between North Street and Queen Street to the Manning River Co-operative Dairy Society Ltd for ₤1268 (Old System Bk 1880 f742). With the establishment of the Dairy factory the siding was reconditioned and from the associated plan (dated 1941) it seems that the track had been lifted and was now to be re-laid. The original siding was moved to the north to front the boundary along Pitt Street.It is not clear to what extent the siding served the other industries that leased land from the Manning River Co-operative Dairy Society Ltd. There are unloading facilities for the produce sheds. There seems to be no remaining evidence of discharge facilities for the two fuel dumps or for the Readymix plant.The siding was officially put out of use on the 10/11th February 2007 but most of the track remains in place.
27/9/1958 - 3628 on an Up passenger service at Taree (ARHS)
Chris Harrison:
A little over forty years separates these two scenes at what was Taree Loco depot. The first scene on 11 July, 1947, (NSW state Archives) shows a busy depot with three coal-grabs present, two of which can seen at work in No.2 Coal road. The large coal heap at left a good indication of the amount of coal needed for the depot. The 36 class present and the standard goods loco behind stand on the Arrival road. Immediate left of the 36 class is the Departure road from Taree Loco. Fast forward to April 4th, 1988, and 44229 and 8029 are present, with 8050 lurking far in the background. The Departure road is to the right of 8029, and 44229 occupies what was the Crane road (still marked as crane road in the 1984 plan). To the left of 44229 is the Coaling road, still in place. The 1947 image shows at immediate left, a crane on No.2 Coal stack road, and open wagon on No.1 Coal stack road. The 1988 view shows that No. 1 Coal stack road had been removed, although it would seem that one of the sleepers for the turnout of that road still remained in position, protruding into the open space (seen at far right in the sandy location). Interesting to note is that No's 1 & 2 Coal roads were well out of use and either removed or completely covered over with soil, contrary to the 1984 plan.
Rod Gaulke : 48127 and 48150 on Up goods at Taree on the 6 Sep 1976
Brushy Evenden : P class engine at Taree Loco.
The engine was used in the fifty year celebration of Taree Station. My father worked the train up to Taree from Broadmeadow
Chris Harrison:
Anyone else find digital searches simultaneously both frustrating and exhilarating? While attempting to find online a specific image within NSW State Records, I managed to stumble on this beauty I have never seen before. This is despite several visits to Kingswood and previously the SRA Archives. This image is of the Macquarie Street railway crossing in Taree. To the left is North Box which controlled the usual railway infrastructure and also the level crossing gates. I remember how before trains passed through, that these gates used to drop and rebound a few feet off the road several times before finally staying level. On the right is the wicket gate of which as kids we occasionally swung across for safeties sake - it was never closed to my memory. We were surprised when we found that the signalman could actually open it from one of his levers as did happen once. Suddenly swinging off to the right and running parallel to the rail corridor is the road we used to travel upon to the station, and rough it was. They must have put rail ballast into the hot mix. Parts of the old road are still evident today. I can also recall seeing a fettler approaching up to the crossing on his Villiers Quadricycle and having to stop for the traffic. The signalman was casually leaning out of the window taking a break. It seemed to us kids that the fettler pityfully looked up to the signalman so as to make a hint "Shut the gates will ya and let me cross?". The signalman just seemed to ignore him and imply, "Not for lowly Hairylegs". Memories......
View from the south box at Taree, 1960s (Ian Connell)
Vintage train at Taree, 21/06/1963 (State Archives)
Taree yard looking north (undated) (State Archives)
Taree, 25/11/1967 (State Archives)
Taree Loco, 11/7/1947 (State Archives)
Turning the first sod at Taree (State Archives)
The road side of Taree railway station, 3-8-1994. (Graeme Kirkby)
The Sydney end of Taree yard, looking compass South-east. At left is 8117 on a stabled goods train. Thursday, 8-12-1994. (Graeme Kirkby)
4013 in Taree Loco on 28th February 1970 (George Stevens)
Recent discussion in this group centred around the movement of electric cars between Lansdowne Engineering and Sydney. I never saw electric sets arrive or depart Taree from the south, so I presume that they were moved with overnight goods, or perhaps on a special trip. On May 12 1985, I only had a small opportunity to get a couple of shots of L-7517, L-7408, while the sun was still around. The first image here shows as much of both cars as I could see. This was only after some shunting had taken place to remove some wagons blocking my view shown in the second pic. As it was, that same day a railmotor car was also present, but where it was going I am not certain. By the next morning, all these carriages had left Taree.
Not the best quality, but some more interesting happenings that once took place in Taree. In my notebook, these are images 173-175 from my collection, so I was still learning a few things. (Chris Harrison)
Left to right NSSF sheep wagon x 2 NSCF cattle wagon Group B x 1 NSCF cattle wagon group A x 1 & so on. Photographed in Taree yard circa 1980's note 4 wheel S truck in the background.
The hose is for servicing the cars on the Motorail & Limited.
Photo Phil Calvert collection.
Some recent discussion within this group centred around the hot steel traffic NKHY wagons that ventured up the north coast. These wagons had been loaded at the steel works (Newcastle?) with long billets at 400 degrees C. Signage attached to the wagons warned of the hot condition of the metal. This signage being permanently attached did of course lose its real value after some time since loading. However, when these signs originally occurred, it did arouse interest down the line. At Taree, I am told that the shunters when first seeing the signs were intrigued, and took to spitting on the metal to see it if really was hot. These images taken 11 January, 1988. *Being summer time, they probably would have been a bit hot anyway. (Chris Harrison)
Brian Cassel:
Waayyy back in 1986 when I first encountered these wagons the hot billets of steel would be loaded directly off rollers glowing red into the wagons. y the time I had taken the train numbers I would be sweating due to the heat coming from them. Working north to Taree you'd keep an eye out for low hanging branches. They usually stopped glowing around Stroud Rd - Gloucester.
Lenore Reinhard - Riddel:
Brian Cassel
Thanks for that info, i knew they where loaded hot 🔥 but not red hot 🥵
Greg Riddel.
Brian Cassel:
Lenore Reinhard - Riddel 2 or 3 deg at midnight, wind howling straight in off the west somewhere and I'd be in a short sleeve shirt - was always amazed they never warped. Somebody smarter than me worked out how long it would take for them to cool down.
Chris Harrison:
Brian Cassel Thanks for that info. 👍 Pretty much correlated the comment I made in the other post that residual heat could still be present by the time they reached Taree provided immediate transit from the steelworks.
Brian Cassel:
Chris HarrisonChris Harrison summer was bad. They wouldn't cool down at all. Relief only on the Sydney end of the platform at Taree. Winter they were ok. But the sides of those wagons would be warped by the heat.
Steve Shotton:
As a young Shunter I would sometimes ride the sides of the wire coil wagons with warm coils in the winter to keep warm, not the hot ones just the warm ones 😆
Down XPT trail with DMC 1902 & a short consist Taree circa early 80's.
Photo courtesy Phil Calvert collection.
Greg Riddel.
4426 & 4484 are stowed in the no 3 up siding at Taree with a ballast train circa 1989, of note is the relatively new NDPF ballast plough at the head of the train & adjacent NQIW container wagon of which 55 where built at Landsdowne engineering Taree during 1988 & featured a low deck height along with the 80ft NQJW wagons also made in Australia 🇦🇺 which allowed them to carry the higher 9'6" (2.9m) Jumbo containers until many overhead bridges were lifted to enable the use of standard container wagons for this traffic.
Photo courtesy Phil Calvert collection.
Greg Riddel.
4511 with no 228 fruit 🍌 express comes into Taree past the long removed North Dock siding, the new Australian National livery is on display applied to the ALGX 4th wagon in consist, circa early 80's change over to CTC period.
Photo courtesy Phil Calvert collection.
4511 with no 228 fruit 🍌 express comes into Taree past the long removed North Dock siding, the new Australian National livery is on display applied to the ALGX 4th wagon in consist, circa early 80's change over to CTC period.
Photo courtesy Phil Calvert collection.
Rolling stock notes:
Photo shows five ABSY which are the early style vans that have been detached in Taree yard by SCT.
VFX/ABFX wagons made in Australia 🇦🇺
310 of these vans were built In Adelaide & Western Australia between 1971 & 1978 which means they are more or less around 50 years old.
Also on display is how I'll disciplined we have become as a society, I remember a time when I was a child & my mother would take me into the city by train from Blacktown & there was not one ounce of graffiti anywhere!
Greg Riddel.
Racing pigeons being released at Taree.
The birds were transported from Sydney (and other area) and released for races well into the 1960s.
All Change:
Crew change at Taree, down freight led by 44225 on the 25-07-1993.
Photo Late Ray Price
Greg Riddel
Perway Department:
Railset, 8244 with a loaded railset stowed in Taree yard ready to depart early on Monday morning to unload rails at various locations between Taree & Kempsey on Sunday the 6-12-2020 whilst 7MB4 sits in the loop waiting for the passage of NT31.
Greg Riddel
3 photo's of brand new NR 3 having just been painted at UGL Taree.
18/10/96
Greg Riddel
Former no 2 goods siding Taree.
27.08.24 (Greg Riddel)
The #2 goods siding used to extend all the way to the boundary fence of the Railway Institute Bowling Club, top left CHG ex Newcastle coal fields non air brake van.
27.08.24 (Greg Riddel)
No 2 goods siding Taree in use pictured NQJW 21959C.
Circa early 90's
Photo John Barrett
Weigh bridge to former goods shed.
27.08.24
Tank supports from old loco depot fuel storage tanks.
27.08.24
Loading ramp former no 2 shunting neck which ran to the left of ramp right up to the boundary fence.
27.08.24 (Greg Riddel)
Crane used for wagon repairs no 1 & no 2 wagon repair sidings still in use when this photo taken.
Circa early 90's
Photo Late Ray Price
4886 4507 with the up TNT 🧨 train coming into Taree Station 5 tonne gantry crane still intact in the right background & old style station signage evident.
Circa 1980's
Photo late Rodney James
Greg Riddel
Taree local control panel.
Circa 2024
Greg Riddel
Taree as would have been viewed from Broadmeadow Centralised Traffic Control centre pre 2007.
(Greg Riddel)
2017 & 2003 at Taree this morning 2/11/24.(Nathan Gloucester)
Taree, late 70s (Nikolas Martin)
4446 Tuscan stabled in Taree Yard , Saturday 23/10/1982 (Don Trevena)
44209, handily stabled at Taree comes to free up the stuck 3820 by using a tow cable to shift the jammed turntable. 19 Feb 1974. (Mike Goodall)