23/08/2026
🚦 CMR Signals Branch – Restoring Cooma’s Mechanical Signalling
Our Signals Branch has been hard at work around the Cooma Railway Precinct, continuing the careful restoration of our historic mechanical signalling system.
Recent work has included replacing rotten timber posts that support the signal-wire runs, as well as beginning the painstaking job of uncovering the No. 1 points and catchpoint rodding and signal wires.
Over many years, soil and material washing down from the cutting embankment has gradually buried sections of this equipment. Our volunteers are now carefully exposing, cleaning and assessing the surviving rodding, cranks, wires and associated equipment so that this important part of Cooma’s railway history can be preserved and progressively returned to working condition.
The photos give a good indication of just how much original railway infrastructure still survives beneath the surface.
But we also have a much larger project ahead.
🚦 The Down Home Signal
Cooma’s Down Home Signal was mounted on a traditional timber signal post. Unfortunately, the timber mast has deteriorated to the point where it now requires replacement.
CMR intends to install a new purpose-built steel signal mast, while retaining and reusing the historic semaphore signal equipment, including the signal arm, operating equipment, ladder and associated fittings wherever possible.
The new mast will be around 10 metres long and will require fabrication, hot-dip galvanising, engineering, excavation, a substantial concrete foundation, transport and crane hire for installation.
Our preliminary project budget is approximately $16,000.
For a volunteer heritage railway, this represents a significant fundraising challenge, but replacing the mast is an important step towards preserving the Down Home Signal and ultimately returning it to operation as part of Cooma’s mechanical signalling system.
Every timber post replaced, every length of wire uncovered and every piece of rodding restored brings us another step closer to preserving Cooma Railway as a working railway, with its signalling infrastructure retained as part of the story.
🚂 We now need your help to raise the funds required for the new Down Home Signal mast.
Donations can be made through CMR’s online store:
https://cooma-monaro-railway.square.site/
💙 All donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
Every contribution, large or small, will help our volunteers continue the restoration and preservation of Cooma’s remarkable railway heritage.
🛠️ Want to get involved?
Projects like this only happen because people are willing to give their time and lend a hand.
Whether you have railway experience, trade skills, an interest in signalling or heritage, or simply want to learn and be part of the team, there are plenty of ways to get involved with CMR.
Find out more about volunteering with us here:
https://cmrweb.azurewebsites.net/get-involved/
All CMR volunteers are required to hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC).
A huge thank you to our Signals Branch volunteers for the many hours of work already going into this project.
There is a lot more hidden beneath the surface at Cooma Railway — and we intend to bring it back to life.
