Warialda Rail Station

The railway station is located some five kilometres at a locality called Warialda Rail.  Today a former hotel situated to the west of the platform, a cluster of houses, a railway yard and industrial heritage, steel lines, crane, sidings and a prominent wheat silo survive.  In the mid 1970s a goods train came through every weekday and rail motors four days a week. 

The Warialda Railway yard once included a crossing loop located in the Inverell end of the platform; two home signals on the approach from Moree (one to protect the platform and the other on the Inverell side to protect the crossing loop).  The timber station building with its twin gables was situated opposite the goods siding, with its galvanised iron goods shed, hand crane and wool ramp.  Extensions served the stock-races (near the loop line) and a ‘back loading’ siding provided additional accommodation for wool and grain loadings.  A short extension of this latter siding gave access to the bulk fuel depot of Shell Oil, opened on 3 February 1930; a bank of concrete silos was erected by the Grain Elevators Board in 1934 and a local business operated by H. Moore was provided with a special loading site in the yard after 1937.

Photograph 72: Wheat silos at Warilada Rail, Blake & Wilson 2006

The timber station building once took a prominent position opposite the goods siding, with its galvanised iron goods shed, hand crane and wool ramp.  The twin gabled architectural style of the timber railway station was similar to the Walgett and Barraba buildings. 

The introduction of freight centres throughout the state brought an end to the Inverell goods train in January 1979.  The Inverell passenger service ceased in 1985; the bulk grain siding operated on a seasonal basis only and Warialda ceased as a staff station on 4 December 1985.

In May 1991, the Warialda Historical Society published a photograph of the railway yards looking west from the wheat silo that was built in 1935.  This photograph shows the location of the large railway water tank, stationmaster’s residence, railway station and refreshment rooms, the water tank located near the Warialda Bingara Road, the signal box, goos shed and railway line leading to the Shell depot, with trucks on the ‘wool dump’.

Extension of the line north of Warialda

In June 1909 a deputation proceeded to Sydney to urge on the Minister for Works the necessity of extending the railway system to Yetman.  Mr Mackay represented Yallaroi Shire Council and Warialda Municipal Councils whilst J.A. McGregor was also one of the deputation.  Because of a confidence motion before Parliament, the minister could not meet the deputation.

On 17 June 1911 a meeting was held on Yallaroi school ground to consider construction of a railway line from Warialda northwards.  Consequently a deputation from the district met the Minister for Works Mr Griffiths.  Although he promised to come to the area, the visit never eventuated.  By June 1913 the survey was completed from Warialda to Yallaroi but the Department of Public Works stated that a further survey northwards was not necessary as an estimate of costs is sufficient.

Evidence on the extension of three country railway proposals including that from Barraba to Bingara with Yetman as the objective was heard before the Standing Committee on Public Works on 27 June 1913.  A detailed report was published in the Warialda Standard, 7 July 1913.  The Public Works Committee arrived in Warialda from Bingara in Saturday 9 August 1913.  At Bingara, they had investigated the line from Barraba to Bingara.  The party travelled the surveyed line to Croppa Creek to Gunyerwarildi and then returned to hear evidence at Warialda concerning possible railway facilities at Warialda.

Warialda to Boggabilla

A Public Meeting was held in the School of Arts on Saturday 24 November 1906 to consider the advisability of urging the government to make a trial railway line survey from Warialda to Boggabilla.  The meeting formed a committee to investigate the proposal.

Following an approach from Yallaroi Shire Council, the Public Works Committee agreed to hear evidence concerning a possible train line from Warialda to Boggabilla.  The Shire and Municipal Councils then arranged for several witnesses to proceed to Moree to give evidence in January 1923. A detailed report on the evidence given by Francis Heuston, a Myall Creek grazier; J. Lanagan and J.A. McGregor, Warialda stock and station agents of Warialda appeared in the Warialda Standard, 22 January 1923.

Road Bridges

Prior to construction of a permanent bridge, crossing the Big River (Gwydir) by boat was a costly exercise.  The mail contractor Chaffey was charged two guineas for each crossing and the public per head.  In 1872, G.R. Miller contacted the government through W.C. Browne MP offering to place at the crossing a punt of respectable dimensions, the Government having the power to make a fixed scale of charges.  In reply S.H. Lambton secretary to W.C. Browne, stated although the charges were high for the mail contractor ‘the department cannot interfere in the case, as the contractor himself is required … to provide means of crossing’. However the government was prepared to consider Miller’s offer of a punt.

By November 1878, the piers and the girders were installed for the bridge over Myall Creek although the approaches were not complete nor had any of the superstructures been placed on the girders. However the bridge was completely washed away just when it was on the point of completion.  In February 1880 another attempt was made to complete a bridge and a party was out getting timber. 

In 1880 the N.S.W. Government called tenders in England for construction of bridges at Bingara, Bundarra and Manilla.  Two years later, tenders were called for erection of the bridges shipped from England.  They were sent to Tamworth by train and then carried to their destination by horse drawn wagons.  

Campbell Bridge, Bingara

The Campbell Bridge at Bingara was constructed over a two-year period commencing in August 1884.  Some 150 men were employed on the project and it was opened for traffic on 9 November 1886.  H. Royce was the contractor for the three bridges at Bingara, Bundarra and Manilla.  Mrs Campbell, wife of W.R. Campbell, member for the district, opened the bridge.

The Bingara Municipal Council took the bridge over in June 1934 and in future all repairs were to be carried out by 

Council on behalf of the Board. In January 1938 the Minister for Transport, M.F. Bruxner informed council that concrete decking was to be installed on Campbell’s Bridge and the Halls Creek.  Tenders were to be called immediately. In April 1938 council informed the Department of Main Roads that it was not prepared to continue the care taking of the Campbell and Hall’s Creek Bridge at a sum of ₤22 per annum and asked that the concreting of the bridges be expedited.

Photograph 73: The Campbell Bridge Bingara, Bingara Museum Photograph Collection

Stephen Street Bridge, Warialda

In January 1899 the Warialda Standard announced that a new bridge, some twelve feet higher that the old one would be built.  However it was not until early December that work started.  Completed by Sheldon Bros., the work was completed and opened in March 1900. The bridge was later replaced by the Richard Bligh Bridge.  Commissioner for Main Roads, R.J.S. Thomas opened the Richard Bligh Bridge on Saturday 30 May 1970.  A comprehensive history on Richard Bligh was published in the Public Service Journal, 15 December 1925.

Bligh’s Gully Bridge

Tenders for the delivery of bridge decking for Bligh’s Gully Bridge were called in October 1917.

Elcombe

In January 1937 Gwydir Shire Council sought Yallaroi Council’s co-operation in an endeavour to obtain a grant for construction of a bridge over the Horton River at Elcombe. By May 1938 the Gwydir Shire Engineer, Mr Williamson had placed details of the proposed bridge at Elcombe before the Department’s bridge engineer.  Construction of the low level bridge with its approaches over the Horton River at Elcombe, 16 miles from Bingara on the Bingara Gravesend Road was declared a developmental work in September.

 Photograph 75: First Elcombe Bridge, Bingara Museum Photograph Collection

In October 1900, Robert Hickson, Undersecretary and Commissioner for Roads informed the Warialda Progress Association that portion of the material for the bridge had arrived at Ezzy’s Crossing but he was unaware of when it would be completed to carry passengers.

 Five Mile Creek.

This bridge has concrete sides and a steel rail.  It has a plaque: ‘DMR 1982.  This bridge was opened by the Hon. Paul Whelan LLB Mp, Mister for Consumer Affairs, 24 September 1982’.

In April 1925, the Warialda Standard reported that the Gravesend Bridge was to be decked.  Three years later W.E. Wearne announced in May 1928 that money is to be provided from a Federal Mains Road Grant for a bridge over the Gwydir River.  It was expected that tenders will be called within four months. That September the Shire Council was informed that the bridge will be built from the 1927-1928 Grants Programme.  Tenders for the bridge were called in the metropolitan press in December.

Money was made available in April and work was underway by June 1929.  A pile crane had been erected, excavations for the piers commenced, steel for the flying fox was on the ground and it was expected that the timber will be arriving shortly.  At that stage, ten men were engaged.  In September the Main Roads Board invited tenders for construction of the earthwork approaches and gravel pavement.  A detailed report of work on the bridge appeared in the Warialda Standard, 2 December 1929 and it was expected that the bridge would be completed towards the end of 1930.

In March 1930 the Yallaroi Shire Council was informed by the Main Roads Department that there was no money to complete the approaches.  Council drew the attention of the local member, Mr W.E. Wearne to the matter.  In November tenders were called for the construction of 9050 feet of fencing on the western approach to the bridge. 

Halls Creek Bridge

In March 1936 tenders were called for construction of a reinforced concrete bridge over Halls Creek on the Bingara Barraba Road.  Situated at the boundary of the Gwydir Shire and Bingara Municipality, the bridge was completed in 1937.

Hallams Spring Bridge

This concrete bridge has side rails and a plaque: ‘DMR 1958’.

Horton River Bridge

It was in February 1907 that the Bingara Telegraph appealed to the Shire Council to construct a bridge at the Eulorie crossing on the Narrabri Road.  In answer to a previous call by the newspaper, the Public Works Department asked for a report from the resident engineer.

Gwydir Shire Council received the Main Road’s approval for extra expenditure of ₤663 in connection with the construction of a reinforced concrete bridge over the Horton River at Caroda in November 1940.  This extra money was to be shared by Council and the Department as it applied to the other work.

Today the concrete bridge has concrete piers and galvanised iron railings.  It has a plaque attached: ‘DMR 1960.  This bridge was opened by H.M. Sherrard, CBE MCE, Commissioner for Main Roads, 23 July 1960’.

Kelly’s Gully Bridge

In September 1900, the Department of Public Works called tenders for construction of a timber beam bridge over Kelly’s Gully near Warialda on the road from Bingara to Warialda.

In February 1934 the Unemployment Relief Council set aside ₤5000 for a new bridge at Warialda Railway.  Following completion of the bridge, Warialda auctioneer J.A. McGregor advertised the sale of portion of the bridge building gear and a quantity of timber at the Warialda Railway bridge construction site in April 1937 at a date to be fixed.

Myall Creek, Warialda Road

The tender of Louis Forster, ₤1197 10s was the lowest received by the Public Works Department in October 1900 for the erection and completion of a timber beam bridge over Myall Creek, Warialda Road.  This work was not completed and in March 1906 the Minster for Public Works approved of designs being prepared for a new bridge.In September 1906, the Department announced that Joseph McMahon of Epping was awarded the tender to complete the bridge for ₤1320.  It was expected that the work would be completed within twenty weeks.

In March 1935 it was reported that the contractors were making good progress with the Myall Creek Bridge.  The concrete pillars were constructed and the girders would soon be in position.  It was planned to open the bridge for traffic in August.

Photograph: First Myall Creek Bridge, Bingara Museum Photograph Collection

Myall Creek on the Inverell Bingara Road

In February 1934 the Unemployment Relief Council set down ₤3500 for a new bridge.  It was completed in July 1935 and marked the boundary of Gwydir and Bannockburn Shires.  The tender price of ₤3976 12s was born, one eighth by each Council and the rest by the Department.  Until several months ago, the bridge construction was supervised by Leslie James until he left to tender for a bridge at Gravesend.  In June 2006 the bridge has a D.M.R. plaque with the year 1936, concrete posts at each end of the bridge linked by water pipe.

Pallal Creek Bridge.

This bridge has concrete sides and a steel rail.  It has a plaque: ‘DMR 1982.  This bridge was opened by the Hon. Paul Whelan LLB Mp, Mister for Consumer Affiars, 24 September 1982’.

Reedy Creek (at Warialda)

In June 1899 the Department of Public Works called tenders for construction of a timber beam bridge over Reedy Creek at Warialda on the road from Warialda to Yetman.

Rocky Creek (Bingara- Narrabri Road)

A low-level timber bridge across Rocky Creek was completed in 1955.

Sawyers Gully

In May 1937 tenders were called for construction of a sixty-four feet reinforced concrete bridge over Sawyers Gully, five miles from Warialda on the Warialda to Moree Road.  The Warialda Standard also announced that ‘we understand it is the intention of the Main Roads Board to construct a bridge over the Warialda Creek, (a mile from town) where there is now a low concrete crossing.

Slaughterhouse Creek

In April 1935 the Main Roads Board invited tenders for the construction of a sixty-six feet reinforced bridge over Slaughter House Creek between Warialda and Moree.

Ti Tree Creek Bridge

This concrete bridge has metal sides and a plaque: ‘DMR 1988’.

Warialda Creek, Moree Road

In September 1929 it was announced that the Main Roads Board have taken the initial steps for construction of a bridge over the Warialda Creek on the Moree Road.

Tenders for construction of a reinforced concrete bridge, 303 feet long over Warialda Creek some one and a half miles from Warialda on the Moree Road, were called in November 1938.  Material for construction of the bridge arrived early in May 1939 and early in August some thirty men were engaged in the bridge’s construction.  The site was about 200 yards above the existing concrete crossing and was being constructed by B.M. Wade of Inverell.

Yagobie Low Level Bridge 

The Yagobie low-level bridge over the Gwydir River was officially opened on 1 April 1939 by B.M. Wade, M.L.A.  The Gravesend Progress Association and Yallaroi Shire Council attended the function.

Roads

In November 1873 the Town and Country Journal expressed concern about the development of roads in the region: 

The road superintendent seems to be taking a nap…  When are the roads between Tamworth and here to have his attention?  Bowden and Wilkinson, the mail contractors and all teamsters say we shall have to go without flour and mail if something is not done.  Wake up Bingera men or your township will become a sleepy hollow.

It was in October 1900 that the Lands Department informed Warialda Municipal Council that the government would bear half the cost of re-aligning the streets.  The department also asked for the plan of the streets to be forwarded to Sydney.  At that stage council stood the matter over.  A year later, the department informed council ‘that instructions are about to be issued to have survey for alignment of the streets effected’.

Control of roads was vested with the newly formed Gwydir Shire Council from 1 January 1907.  At the time a ferry existed at Copes Creek at the junction of the Gwydir, Guyra and Bannockburn.  There was another ferry at Elcombe. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, a causeway was put across McIntyre Creek and seventeen crossings on the Keera- Bundarra Road were concreted under a grant from the government.

Many men lost their jobs when the Shire Council ceased construction on The Gap Road from Bingara to Keera Station in 1935.

Maitland Street

In November 1936, the Bingara Municipal Council announced its intention to concrete down each side of Maitland Street from Heber to Finch Street.  Council instructed the Town Clerk to seek assistance from the local member for the amount involved, that is, ₤3,300. The concreting of the centre of Maitland Street, Bingara was completed in 1937 as an unemployment project.  In February 1938 work of concreting the entire length of the eastern side of the section from Heber Street to the Druids Hall commenced.

Aerodrome

Bingara

In July 1936, Gwydir Shire Council received a letter from the Department of Defence concerning a proposed aerodrome at Bingara.  Reserve no. 49643, situated about five miles from the town had been selected as a site.  The matter was referred to the Warialda Pastures Protection Board and also the Lands Department for comment.