Type : Station
Line : Murwillumbah Branch
Distance from Sydney : 857.140km
Location : -28.74658977550077, 153.44941983687383
Opened : 15 May 1894
Closed : October 1973
Status : Closed
Name meaning : Aboriginal word for "ironwood tree"
Notes : Down platform was 75.5 metres in length (original station on Up side). 13/04/1909 loop siding added. 13/11/1909 platform, buildings and trucking siding constructed. 16/3/1912 crossing loop added. 27/4/1914 - waiting shed construction commenced. 1/9/1924 - opened as a Booking Station for Coaching Traffic (closed 15/04/1957 at which time the station became unattended). 24/7/1957 - closed as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station. Cattle yards provided 1930. 16/6/1971 goods siding closed.
Booyong station in the 1940s (SLA)
The platform at Booyong
Location of Booyong station (Six Maps)
Booyong station in 2015 (Michael Doyle)
Booyong, 1930, first train to Ballina
First Booyong station, it was on the opposite side of the tracks to the later station.
Booyong (Undated)
Booyong station, undated - quite a large number of people on the platform
Signal box at Booyong, apparently it was still standing in the 70s (Peter Anderson)
The Vintage Train visited Murwillumbah at the end of April 1970. (George Stevens)
Booyong (WW2) (Kerrie Melchior)
Booyong station in the 1940s (SLA)
The platform at Booyong
Booyong station in 2015 (Michael Doyle)
Booyong, 1930, first train to Ballina
Details on pic - Booyong-Ballina train
Booyong Platform (CCA License)
The first Booyong Railway Station with Jack Trimble, Tom Kilroy and Alex Waterhouse, the stationmaster. The station was on the opposite side of the line to the second station. (Ian Kirkland)
Booyong station and environs, 22/3/2024 (Ian Kilmartin)
Booyong station and environs, 22/3/2024 (Ian Kilmartin)
Booyong diagram, 1929
# Booyong (Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1894–1975
---
**Type:** Station (Closed); Crossing Loop (Closed); Goods Siding (Closed)
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah; ETS sections: Bexhill–Booyong / Booyong–Bangalow, then Bexhill–Bangalow from 24 July 1957)
**Distance from Sydney:** 857.140 km (Mileage approximately **533m–534m**)
**Location:** -28.74658977550077, 153.44941983687383
**Between:** Booyong Junction (south/west) and Bangalow (north/east)
**Opened:** **15 May 1894** — Lismore-Tweed Line; Circular No. 95 of 1894
**Platform (original):** Up side; replaced by **Down side 75.5-metre platform** after yard reconstruction (per your notes)
**Loop siding added:** **13 April 1909** (per your notes)
**Platform, buildings and trucking siding constructed:** **13 November 1909** (per your notes)
**Crossing loop added:** **16 March 1912** (per your notes)
**Waiting shed construction:** **27 April 1914** (per your notes)
**Opened as Booking Station (coaching):** By early 1924; extended to goods from **1 September 1924** (W.N. 36–1924)
**Cattle yards provided:** **1930** (per your notes; W.N. 51–1930)
**Booking Station closed:** **15 April 1957** — W.N. 16–17–1957; Booyong unattended (P)
**Closed as ETS and Crossing Station:** **Wednesday, 24 July 1957** — W.N. 29–1957 (ref. S.&T.E. 57–512,701)
**Goods Siding abolished:** **Since 16 June 1971** — W.N. 24–1971 (ref. S.&T.E. 71–514,301)
**Station closed:** **October 1973** (per your notes; W.N. 40–1973)
**Status:** Closed
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word for "ironwood tree"
### Note — Booyong Station vs Booyong Junction
**Booyong Junction** (856.223 km; opened as construction siding 23 April 1925; Ballina branch junction) is a **separate and distinct location** from **Booyong station** (857.140 km; opened 15 May 1894). Booyong station was the ETS controlling station for Booyong Junction's Intermediate Staff Instrument from 1930 to 1949.
### 1912 — Guard Working Signal-Box (No Station Master)
**W.N. — 1912:** "Booyong (Grafton-Tweed Line) — There is no Station Master in charge at Booyong, and Guard of trains will work the Train Staff and Ticket and Fixed Signals at that station. Guards must enter the times of arrival and departure of their trains in the Train Signal Book. The Fixed Signals will be left in the 'All right' position in the direction from which the next train is to arrive, and the signals in the opposite direction at 'Danger'..." — confirming Booyong was unattended pre-1924 with Guards responsible for signal working
### 1924 — Booking Station Extended to Goods Traffic — W.N. 36–1924 (1 September 1924)
**W.N. 36–1924:** Booyong (at present open as a Booking Station for Coaching Traffic only) will from **1st September, 1924**, deal also with Goods Traffic; consignments may be booked "To Pay"; Page 121 of Merchandise and Live Stock Rates Book amended (ref. S.24–50,395)
*Note: Booyong was already a Coaching Booking Station before 1 September 1924; your notes give 1/9/1924 as the booking station opening, which corresponds to the extension to goods traffic.*
### 1930 — Cattle Yards; Booyong Signal-box as Controlling Station
**W.N. 51–1930:** "Booyong — Provision of [Cattle Yards]" — cattle yards provided at Booyong
Booyong Signal-box was the Controlling Station for the Intermediate ETS Instrument at Booyong Junction (from Ballina branch opening August 1930 until branch abolition October 1949)
### ETS Sections History
| Period | Sections at Booyong |
|--------|---------------------|
| By 1912 | Guard-worked Train Staff and Ticket; no Station Master |
| By 1924 | Bexhill–Booyong (Miniature ETS); Booyong–Bangalow |
| 1930–1949 | Booyong as Controlling Station for Booyong Junction Intermediate Staff Instrument |
| **24 July 1957** | Both sections cancelled; **Bexhill–Bangalow** created; Type C Staff Nos. 1–20, Key Staffs 1–6 |
### Closure as Booking Station — 15 April 1957
**W.N. 16–17–1957:** Booyong closed as booking station since **15 April 1957**; insert (P) (ref. C.1–57–440)
**W.N. 18–1957:** Goods traffic to and from Booyong under siding and platform conditions, control of **Bexhill**; insert * before station name; insert "Bexhill" in Controlling Station column; insert "GL" in Goods and Livestock freight to be prepaid column (ref. B.2–57–21,764)
**W.N. 21–1957:** Booyong is unattended since 15 April 1957 (ref. A.1–57–10,511)
### Closure as ETS and Crossing Station — 24 July 1957 — W.N. 29–1957
- Bexhill–Booyong and Booyong–Bangalow ETS sections cancelled
- New section **Bexhill–Bangalow** created — Type "C" Staff Nos. 1–20; Key Staffs Nos. 1–6
- Down and Up Home and Distant signal arms **cross-boarded** out of use pending removal
- Signal-box closed
- Frames B and C — Nos. 1B and 3C points (each end of loop leading to Goods Siding) disconnected from Frames B and C; points spiked to lie for Goods Siding
- Levers 3B and 1C unlocked by key on ETS for section **Bexhill–Bangalow**
- Circulars 499–49 (Bexhill), **512–52 (Booyong)**, 576–56 (Lismore–Byron Bay), 4010–50 (Bangalow) all amended
- Driver notices: Station Masters Casino (Down) and Byron Bay (Up) — 3 days
**W.N. 31–1957:** Delete reference to Booyong from fixed signals/automatic ETS working instructions (ref. A.1–57–40,511); accommodation entries for Bexhill and Booyong deleted: designation of person in charge, parcels obliterating stamp No., seal press No., standing room crossing loop
### Goods Siding Abolished — 16 June 1971 — W.N. 24–1971
Nos. **2B** and **2C** points at Casino and Murwillumbah ends of goods siding removed; siding abolished; **Frames B and C** and associated interlocking equipment removed (ref. S.&T.E. 71–514,301)
**W.N. 26–1971:** Delete *r and insert *S in border stations reference column (ref. B.2–70–40,407); List of Stations: insert (P) after Booyong; North Coast Line list: insert (P) after Booyong
**W.N. 27–1971:** Accommodation — delete **16** from standing room other sidings column (ref. A.1–71–20,422)
### Governor-General's Car List — 1975
**W.N. 26–1975:** Delete Booyong from page 172 — sidings in which Governor-General's Car (GG) and other 72-foot vehicles must not be placed (ref. A1 73 77203) — indicating the Booyong goods siding, even after abolition, was formally listed in this restricted list until W.N. 26–1975
---
## 1894 — Opened 15 May 1894 — Circular No. 95
### Opening — W.N. — 1894
> **Opening of Lismore-Tweed Line** — Tuesday, May 15th, 1894 — Booyong opened as part of the Lismore to Mullumbimby line; Circular No. 95. *(W.N. — 1894)*
---
## 1912 — Guard Working Train Staff and Fixed Signals (No Station Master)
### Guard Working — W.N. — 1912
> **Booyong (Grafton-Tweed Line)** — There is no Station Master in charge at Booyong, and Guard of trains will work the Train Staff and Ticket and Fixed Signals at that station. Guards must enter the times of arrival and departure of their trains in the Train Signal Book.
>
> The Fixed Signals will be left in the "All right" position in the direction from which the next train is to arrive, and the signals in the opposite direction at "Danger," except when trains are to cross each other, in which case the Guard of the preceding train will leave the signals in both directions at "Danger," and the Guard of the train arriving first will be responsible for the correct working of the points and signals while he is at the station to admit both his train and that approaching in the opposite direction to the station. After the departure of one train, the Guard of the other train then at the station will be responsible for the working of the points and signals.
>
> When trains are run between sunset and sunrise the signal lamps must be lighted and extinguished [by the Guard]. *(W.N. — 1912)*
---
## 1924 — Booking Station Extended to Goods Traffic — W.N. 36–1924 (1 September 1924)
### Goods Traffic Added — W.N. 36–1924
> **Page 308 — Booyong (North Coast)** — On and from **Monday, 1st September, 1924**, Booyong (at present open as a Booking Station for Coaching Traffic only) will deal also with **Goods Traffic**, and such consignments may be booked "**To Pay.**" Page 121 of the Merchandise and Live Stock Rates Book to be amended accordingly. (S.24–50,395.) *(W.N. 36–1924)*
---
## 1926 — Traffic for Construction Branch and Booyong — W.N. 12–1926
### Construction Traffic — W.N. 12–1926
> **Traffic for Construction Branch, Ballina Junction Depot Siding and Booyong (North Coast)** — Truck loads of traffic for the Construction Branch working on the Booyong to Ballina Railway are to be ticketed and invoiced to **Ballina Junction Depot Siding**, and small lots of "out-of" traffic invoiced to **Booyong**, the invoices in each case being sent to **Bexhill**. (M.R. 26.) *(W.N. 12–1926)*
---
## 1930 — ETS Working; Cattle Yards; Booyong as Controlling Station
### ETS Working — W.N. 34–1930
> **System of Working — Main Line:**
> **Bexhill–Booyong:** Miniature Electric Train Staff, Type "A." (Intermediate Electric Train Staff Instrument at Booyong Junction, with **Booyong** as Controlling Station.) *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*
### Cattle Yards — W.N. 51–1930
> **Page 51 — Booyong** — Provision of [Cattle Yards]. *(W.N. 51–1930)*
---
## 1957 — Booking Station Closed 15 April 1957; ETS and Crossing Station Closed 24 July 1957
### Booking Station Closed — W.N. 16–17–1957
> **Page 154 — Stations and Platforms — Casino–Murwillumbah — Booyong** has been closed as a booking station since **15th April, 1957**. Insert (P). (C.1–57–440.) *(W.N. 16–17–1957)*
### Goods Traffic Under Siding and Platform Conditions — W.N. 18–1957
> **Page 84 — List of Stations — Booyong (Lismore Branch) — Closed as a Booking Station for Goods Traffic** — Booyong has been closed as a booking station and goods traffic to and from Booyong will be dealt with under siding and platform conditions and placed under the control of **Bexhill**. Insert "*" before name of station. Insert "**Bexhill**" in column "Controlling Station." Insert "**GL**" in column "Goods and Livestock freight to be prepaid." (B.2–57–21,764.) *(W.N. 18–1957)*
### Unattended Confirmed — W.N. 21–1957
> **Page 63 — Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Booyong** is unattended since **15th April, 1957**. (A.1–57–10,511.) *(W.N. 21–1957)*
### Closed as ETS and Crossing Station — W.N. 29–1957 (24 July 1957)
> **Booyong (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Closing as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — On **Wednesday, 24th July, 1957**, between 8.0 a.m. and 4.0 p.m., Booyong will be **permanently closed** as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing station.
>
> The sections **Bexhill–Booyong** and **Booyong–Bangalow** will be cancelled and the new section **Bexhill–Bangalow** will be brought into use. The staff particulars will be: **Type "C" Staff Nos. 1–20** and Key Staffs Nos. 1–6.
>
> **Booyong** — The Down and Up Home and Distant signal arms will be **cross-boarded** out of use, pending removal of the signals, and the **signal-box will be closed**.
>
> **Frames "B" and "C"** — Nos. 1B and 3C points at each end of the Loop leading to the Goods siding will be disconnected from Frames "B" and "C" and the points will be **spiked to lie for the Goods siding**. Levers Nos. 3B and 1C will be unlocked by key on **Electric Train Staff for the section Bexhill–Bangalow**.
>
> The undermentioned Circulars to be amended accordingly: No. **499–49 of 1936** (Bexhill); No. **512–52 of 1936** (Booyong); No. **576–56 of 1936** (Lismore to Byron Bay); No. **4010–50 of 1936** (Bangalow).
>
> **Driver's Notices** — The Station-master at **Casino** (Down journey) and **Byron Bay** (Up journey) must furnish the Driver of each Down and Up train with a printed notice informing him that Booyong is closed as an Electric Staff Station — **three days** including the day of the alterations.
>
> (S.&T.E. 57–512,701–W.&M.) *(W.N. 29–1957)*
### Further Deletions — W.N. 31–1957
> **Page 431 — Working of Fixed Signals and Automatic Electric Train Staff Instruments** — Delete reference to **Booyong**. (A.1–57–40,511.) *(W.N. 31–1957)*
> **Page 63 — Accommodation Provided — Bexhill and Booyong** — Delete particulars under: Designation of person in charge; Parcels obliterating stamp No.; Seal press No.; Standing room, Crossing Loop. (A.1–57–40,511.) *(W.N. 31–1957)*
---
## 1971 — Goods Siding Abolished — 16 June 1971 — W.N. 24–1971
### Goods Siding Abolished — W.N. 24–1971
> **Booyong (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Abolition of Goods Siding** — Since **16th June, 1971**, Nos. **2B** and **2C** points at the Casino and Murwillumbah ends of the goods siding, respectively, have been removed and the siding abolished. **Frames B and C** and associated interlocking equipment have been removed. (S.&T.E. 71–514,301–W.&M.) *(W.N. 24–1971)*
### Reference Column and List of Stations Amended — W.N. 26–1971
> **Page 41 — Booyong** — Delete \*r and insert \*S. (B.2–70–40,407.) *(W.N. 26–1971)*
> **List of Stations — Insert (P) after Booyong.** (B.2–70–40,407.) *(W.N. 26–1971)*
### Accommodation Standing Room Deleted — W.N. 27–1971
> **Page 88 — Accommodation Provided — Booyong** — In column "Standing room, other sidings etc." delete **16**. (A.1–71–20,422.) *(W.N. 27–1971)*
---
## 1973 — Station Closed
### Services Ceased — W.N. 40–1973
> Eltham–Booyong [section] 531m 54c — listed in closures/cessation table. *(W.N. 40–1973)*
---
## 1974 — Deleted from Tables — W.N. 29 and 30–1974
### Station Deleted — W.N. 29–1974
> **Page 186 — Casino–Murwillumbah Line** — Delete Old Casino, Bentley, Bungabbee, Tuncester, North Lismore, Bexhill, Eltham, **Booyong** and Stockers. (C.1–74.) *(W.N. 29–1974)*
> **Page 53 — Loose Keys — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete all existing particulars concerning North Lismore, Eltham and **Booyong**. *(W.N. 21–1974)*
### Further Deletions — W.N. 30–1974
> **Page 186 — List of Stations — Delete Booyong** and relevant particulars. (B.2–74–71,071.) *(W.N. 30–1974)*
> **Page 225 — Alphabetical List — Delete Booyong** and relevant particulars. (B.2–74–71,071.) *(W.N. 30–1974)*
---
## 1975 — Working Timetable and GG Car List Deleted — W.N. 26–1975
### All References Deleted — W.N. 26–1975
> **Pages 234 and 235 — Working Timetable** — Delete all reference to Bentley, Woodlawn College, Bexhill, Eltham, **Booyong**, Crabbe's Creek and De Ville's Banana Platform. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975)*
> **Page 104 — Grades table** — Delete all reference to Naughton's Gap, Bentley, Fernside, Woodlawn College, Bexhill, Eltham, **Booyong**, Talofa and St Helena. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975)*
> **Page 172 — Sidings in which the Governor-General's Car (GG) and other 72-feet Vehicles must not be placed** — Delete all reference to Old Quarry Siding and **Booyong**. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975)*
---
## Summary of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **15 May 1894** | **Opened** — Lismore-Tweed Line; Circular No. 95; original Up side platform |
| **13 April 1909** | Loop siding added (per your notes) |
| **13 November 1909** | Platform, buildings and trucking siding constructed; Down side 75.5-metre platform (per your notes) |
| **16 March 1912** | Crossing loop added (per your notes) |
| W.N. — 1912 | No Station Master — Guards work Train Staff and Fixed Signals |
| **27 April 1914** | Waiting shed construction commenced (per your notes) |
| By early 1924 | **Opened as Booking Station for Coaching Traffic** (per your notes 1/9/1924) |
| **1 September 1924** | **Goods Traffic added** — consignments to be booked "To Pay" (W.N. 36–1924; ref. S.24–50,395) |
| **1930** | **Cattle yards provided** (W.N. 51–1930); Booyong Signal-box becomes Controlling Station for Booyong Junction Intermediate ETS Instrument (from August 1930) |
| W.N. 12–1926 | Construction traffic — Booyong Junction Depot Siding (Ballina branch construction); invoices via Bexhill |
| 1930–1949 | Booyong controls Booyong Junction Intermediate Staff Instrument — Ballina branch working |
| **15 April 1957** | **Booking Station closed** — unattended (P); Bexhill control; GL designation (W.N. 16–17, 18 and 21–1957; refs C.1–57–440, B.2–57–21,764, A.1–57–10,511) |
| **24 July 1957** | **Closed as ETS and Crossing Station** — Bexhill–Booyong and Booyong–Bangalow cancelled; **Bexhill–Bangalow** (Type C, Nos. 1–20, Key Staffs 1–6) created; signals cross-boarded; signal-box closed; Frames B/C disconnected; Nos. 1B and 3C spiked; Circulars 499–49, 512–52, 576–56, 4010–50 all amended (W.N. 29–1957; ref. S.&T.E. 57–512,701) |
| **W.N. 31–1957** | Fixed signals/ETS stations reference deleted; accommodation (designation, parcels stamp, seal press, crossing loop standing room) deleted |
| **16 June 1971** | **Goods Siding abolished** — Nos. 2B and 2C points removed; Frames B and C removed; standing room (16 vehicles) deleted (W.N. 24, 26 and 27–1971; ref. S.&T.E. 71–514,301) |
| **October 1973** | **Station closed** (W.N. 40–1973) |
| **W.N. 21 and 29–1974** | Loose keys deleted; deleted from Casino–Murwillumbah Line distances and List of Stations |
| **W.N. 30–1974** | Deleted from List of Stations (page 186) and Alphabetical List (page 225) |
| **W.N. 26–1975** | Working Timetable (pages 234–235), Grades table (page 104), and GG Car restricted list (page 172) all deleted |
---
*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1894–1975.*
*Note: Booyong's 1912 "Guard working" notice is the most detailed documented example of unattended station signal-working in the Murwillumbah branch collection — specifying the exact procedure for leaving signals in "All right" vs "Danger" positions and the allocation of responsibility between Guards of crossing trains. This pre-booking-station operation lasted from 1894 until at least 1924. The July 1957 closure is operationally significant — it simultaneously closed Booyong as an ETS station, cancelled two ETS sections, created the Bexhill–Bangalow section, and required four separate circular amendments (Bexhill, Booyong, Lismore–Byron Bay and Bangalow) all in one W.N. 29–1957 notice. The cross-boarding of signals (rather than immediate removal) pending complete removal is a documented transitional measure rare in the collection. Circular No. 512–52 of 1936 (Booyong) was the base signalling diagram for the station — its amendment in 1957 effectively closed out the interlocking history at Booyong.*