Celebrating 100 Years at Lithgow Coal Stage Signal Box

Area Controllers’ Celebrate 100 years at Lithgow Coal Stage Signal Box

On 7 April 2021, Area Controllers, in conjunction with the RTBU and Sydney Trains, celebrated Lithgow Coal Stage Signal Box’s 100th anniversary.

Sydney Trains hosted a celebratory afternoon tea with Area Controllers issued plaques as recognition, it is further noted that between all the Area Controllers at Coal Stage there is 197 years of service. The New South Wales Government Railways built Lithgow Coal Stage Box to cater for expanded marshaling yards and the loco depot, which was the replacement for the original Eskbank loco depot. Coal Stage takes its name from the 1888 online overhead coaling bunker (now demolished) and controlled access to and from the loco depot, local colliery branch lines in addition to locos using the 1888 online overhead. With the 1957 electrification of Lithgow Yard Coal Side, the signaling system was adapted to include electric light signaling. There was a poignancy to these celebrations as Coal Side is scheduled to be decommissioned due to Area Controllers moving to the Rail Operations Centre (ROC). The decommissioning will be the end of an era and met with great sadness for the Area Controllers past and present. However, Coal Stage is listed on the State Heritage Register, so there will be no risk of demolishing this piece of history.