LOCATIONS CURRENTLY LISTED
Opened 9/1939, More than likely just a stopping place on the main line adjacent to a local property.
Opened in 1906, Old Burren was provided with a 120' platform and a 285' loop siding..
Closed ??.
Opened 3/1951, More than likely just a stopping place on the main line adjacent to a local property.
Opened in 1906 as Eton after the nearby property Eton. Name changed to Rowena at an unknown date.
When opened Eton was supplied with a 120' platform, a 1191' crossing loop, stock yards and a loading bank.
From August 20, 1919 until an unknown date Rowena was a staff station with the sections being:
Burren - Rowena, and
Rowena - Collarenebri East.
A galvanised iron silo exists. This complex has a discharge spout that can access the rail line and it was envisaged that trains would run to Merrywinebone, reverse and then run back to Rowena where they would load on the main line. This has never happened and the silos have only ever been served by road transport. Rowena is still officially open today, but the siding has not been used for some time and is now spiked out of use.
The siding has been removed and there are only a small number of rails lying loose to give any indication of its existence. [Source: Eddie Oliver 23-10-2005]
Opened in 1906, Merrwinebone was provided with scant facilities.
A 132' platform, a 1611' siding with stock loading chutes and a loading bank provided on the siding.
Merrywinebone is the current terminus containing the third largest Northern inland grain storage area, a private grain silo and a cotton gin owned by Namoi Cotton making this a busy place at certain times of the year. It is possible to see a wheat train loading and a cotton bales train at Merrywinebone at the same time.
There is no cotton traffic (nor has there been for some time), so the up end of the cotton loop is spiked (although the points themselves seem in reasonable condition, and those at the down end are still serviceable). [Source: Eddie Oliver 23-10-2005]
Pokataroo was opened in 1906. Being the terminus of the line all facilities were provided. 180' platform, 1125' crossing loop, triangle, coal stage, engine shed, carriage shed, weighbridge, crane, goods shed, stock loading facilities, a loading bank and an Officer in Charge.
The first train to Collarindabri East was No. 11 down Mixed that departed Narrabri at 0345 and Burren at 1240. No arrival time is recorded.
Pokataroo originally known as Collarindabri East (sic) and Collarinabri East was renamed Pokataroo on May 1, 1919. Station diagrams show the spelling as Collarindabri, whereas Collarinabri is the nearest town. Note, no d.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
According to ARHS Bulletin 630 of 4/1990 and NSW Digest, 2/1974, page 11
Severe flooding on 8/1/1974 of the Pian and Thalaba Creeks caused considerable track damage between Merrywinebone and Pokataroo, necessitating suspension of rail services. The last train to Pokataroo was a goods on Monday 7/1/1974, comprising a 48 class hauling water gin, louvre van, three S trucks and brake van. The three S trucks were left in the goods siding for unloading (S.3665, 16771 & 18338. Owing to the flood damage, they were never collected and were still there ten years later. The Station Master was withdrawn in 1975. Road services replaced rail for general freight. [Hunslet].
Apparently, the passenger service was not officially suspended until August of 1974, so presumably, it was diverted to Walgett and road transport provided between there and Collarenabri/Pokataroo until the passenger service was permanently discontinued on 13/10/1974. [Hunslet].