NSW railway infrastructure in the early 1980s
1st January 1981 to 1st January 1986

Some views of infrastructure around the NSW rail system from the early to mid 1980s. Branch line services were still operating on a number of lines and many stations that have since been demolished, in whole or in part, were still standing. Sidings could be seen with wagons occupying them - it was a different railway in the early 1980s, although the system was by then in decline. Train services were being cut, stations that had been closed were demolished and the reminders of the steam age were starting to rapidly disappear. In retrospect, the 1980s can be seen as the decade in which the rail system shook off the cloak of its considerable steam heritage, but in so doing, it lost much of what had made it such an interesting experience for travellers and enthusiasts alike. By the end of the decade, considerable change was in store, but these images depict a time that was rapidly closing.

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Boggabilla was the end of the line north of Moree and the terminus was located across the border from the Queensland town of Goondiwindi. The line has long since been truncated to North Star and this station has been demolished.
Boggabilla was the end of the line north of Moree and the terminus was located across the border from the Queensland town of Goondiwindi. The line has long since been truncated to North Star and this station has been demolished.
Boggabilla_station_12_Apr_1983.JPG
Corowa marked the end of the line from Culcairn and the line was still open when this photo was taken in February 1981, although by the end of the decade trains had ceased to run this far.
Corowa marked the end of the line from Culcairn and the line was still open when this photo was taken in February 1981, although by the end of the decade trains had ceased to run this far.
Corowa_station_23_Feb_1981.JPG
Dombarton signal box, on the line between Moss Vale and Unanderra and depicted here on 16 February 1985, controlled an elaborate set of crossing sidings.
Dombarton signal box, on the line between Moss Vale and Unanderra and depicted here on 16 February 1985, controlled an elaborate set of crossing sidings.
Dombarton_signal_box_16_Feb_1985.JPG
Johns River station on the North Coast line between Taree and Wauchope.
Johns River station on the North Coast line between Taree and Wauchope.
Johns_River_station_12_Jun_1981.JPG
The southern highlands station of Marulan is still in use in 2006, although its signal box has been closed since 1992. The upper quadrant signal visible in this view has been removed.
The southern highlands station of Marulan is still in use in 2006, although its signal box has been closed since 1992. The upper quadrant signal visible in this view has been removed.
Marulan_station_3_Oct_1981.JPG
There is still a station at Menangle Park, on Sydney's southern outskirts, but this model has been demolished.
There is still a station at Menangle Park, on Sydney's southern outskirts, but this model has been demolished.
Menangle_Park_station_26_Aug_1981.JPG
Millthorpe station still stands although it is no longer serviced by trains. In fact, the track has been slewed away from the platform and the other platform, to the right of the camera, has been removed.
Millthorpe station still stands although it is no longer serviced by trains. In fact, the track has been slewed away from the platform and the other platform, to the right of the camera, has been removed.
Millthorpe_station_11_Sep_1981.JPG
The former signal box at Mindaribba, the first crossing loop north of Telarah on the North Coast line, some years after it closed as a result of the CTC signalling project. The platform and box have long since been demolished and a small platform is now available on the loop.
The former signal box at Mindaribba, the first crossing loop north of Telarah on the North Coast line, some years after it closed as a result of the CTC signalling project. The platform and box have long since been demolished and a small platform is now available on the loop.
Mindaribba_signal_box_1_Mar_1985.JPG
Molong station in September 1981, when its yard was still intact. Today, most of the track has been removed, the main line has been slewed away from the platform and the former line to Dubbo (behind camera) is now a refuge.
Molong station in September 1981, when its yard was still intact. Today, most of the track has been removed, the main line has been slewed away from the platform and the former line to Dubbo (behind camera) is now a refuge.
Molong_station_13_Sep_1981.JPG
The station at Narromine, junction for the lines to Parkes and Cobar (formerly also Bourke).
The station at Narromine, junction for the lines to Parkes and Cobar (formerly also Bourke).
Narromine_station_12_Sep_1981.JPG
The station at Perthville, located a few km west of Bathurst, no longer stands.
The station at Perthville, located a few km west of Bathurst, no longer stands.
Perthville_station_11_Sep_1981.JPG
The station at Raglan on 11 September 1981. Note the 49 class loco in the distance. This unit was the 'bank engine' for the day and was on its way back to Bathurst after pushing a train up the hill.
The station at Raglan on 11 September 1981. Note the 49 class loco in the distance. This unit was the 'bank engine' for the day and was on its way back to Bathurst after pushing a train up the hill.
Raglan_station_11_Sep_1981.JPG
The former signal box at Sandgate, on the line between Broadmeadow and Maitland. This building has since been demolished and only 'bus stop' style shelters are provided at this station.
The former signal box at Sandgate, on the line between Broadmeadow and Maitland. This building has since been demolished and only 'bus stop' style shelters are provided at this station.
Sandgate_signal_box_1_Mar_1985.JPG
Tarana station, located between Lithgow and Bathurst, still stands, but the yard has been rationalised. The line from Wallerawang is now single track, although double track remains from here to Kelso. The signals that are visible in this view have been removed.
Tarana station, located between Lithgow and Bathurst, still stands, but the yard has been rationalised. The line from Wallerawang is now single track, although double track remains from here to Kelso. The signals that are visible in this view have been removed.
Tarana_station_11_Sep_1981.JPG
A crowd waits on the station at Trangie, in far western NSW, for a tour train to arrive on 12 September 1981.
A crowd waits on the station at Trangie, in far western NSW, for a tour train to arrive on 12 September 1981.
Trangie_station_12_Sep_1981.JPG
The former station at Wallarobba. The middle building is the former signal box. Since this photo was taken (on 1 March 1985), a new crossing loop has been opened about 1 km further up the line. The loop in this scene has been taken up, the station demolished and a new short platform built on the opposite side of the line.
The former station at Wallarobba. The middle building is the former signal box. Since this photo was taken (on 1 March 1985), a new crossing loop has been opened about 1 km further up the line. The loop in this scene has been taken up, the station demolished and a new short platform built on the opposite side of the line.
Wallarobba_station_1_Mar_1985.JPG
Wimbledon station was located between Bathurst and Blayney. A one time crossing loop that divided the section between Tumulla and Gresham, it had recently ceased to function as such by the time of this view in September 1981 and was later demolished. Note the loose signal wire against the platform face, the now redundant levers on the platform and the small 'cage' for the SM to stand in while exchanging the Staff. Today, no trace of this station remains.
Wimbledon station was located between Bathurst and Blayney. A one time crossing loop that divided the section between Tumulla and Gresham, it had recently ceased to function as such by the time of this view in September 1981 and was later demolished. Note the loose signal wire against the platform face, the now redundant levers on the platform and the small 'cage' for the SM to stand in while exchanging the Staff. Today, no trace of this station remains.
Wimbledon_station_11_Sep_1981.JPG
The station at Yeoval, on the cross-country line between Dubbo and Molong, on 13 September 1981, at which time the line was still open. It finally closed in 1987.
The station at Yeoval, on the cross-country line between Dubbo and Molong, on 13 September 1981, at which time the line was still open. It finally closed in 1987.
Yeoval_station_13_Sep_1981.JPG
The rail motor to Moree waits at Inverell station for departure.
The rail motor to Moree waits at Inverell station for departure.
Inverell_station_with_HPC402_11_Apr_1983.JPG
The closed signal box at Snowy Junction, a few km north of Cooma, was still standing many years after it had ceased to operate.
The closed signal box at Snowy Junction, a few km north of Cooma, was still standing many years after it had ceased to operate.
Snowy_Junction_signal_box_15_Feb_1983.JPG
The Wagga Wagga to Tumbarumba branch was truncated to Ladysmith in 1975 but 8 years later the derelict station at the terminus was still standing. It has long since been demolished.
The Wagga Wagga to Tumbarumba branch was truncated to Ladysmith in 1975 but 8 years later the derelict station at the terminus was still standing. It has long since been demolished.
Tumbarumba_station_24_Jan_1983.JPG
Deep in the lower New England area of NSW, the station at Walcha Road, between Tamworth and Armidale on the Main Northern line.
Deep in the lower New England area of NSW, the station at Walcha Road, between Tamworth and Armidale on the Main Northern line.
Walcha_Road_station_9_Apr_1983.JPG