Stations of the North Coast Line

Type : Station
Line : Ballina Branch
Distance from Sydney : 876.870km
Location : -28.864731, 153.554233
Station Brand : BLL
Opened : 25 August 1930
Closed : 12 January 1949
Status : Closed
Name meaning : From the Irish place name "Ballina" (Beal an Atha) meaning "mouth of the ford"
Notes : Facilities included a turntable (never constructed, but planned), a stock siding, engine run-around and goods siding, a siding leading to the rail motor shed which included an ash pit and watering facilities.

Ballina was the most significant station on the branch and the only one formally staffed (with a Designated Person in Charge — POR, Porter in Charge) throughout most of its operational life.

See forum entry for full details.

Ballina, 1933 (copyright expired)

Ballina Railway Station, converted into a motel, 1953.

Cows waiting at Ballina Station (Peggy Finch)

Relocated Ballina station master's cottage in 2018 (Uniquely North Coast)

Location of the one time station at Ballina (now Saunders Park)

Construction of Ballina station in February 1930

Construction of Ballina station in February 1930

6/6/1923 - Ballina - Booyong railway celebrations (Tweed Museum)

Ballina station, official opening day 20/9/1930

Ballina (Noel Coombes)

Ballina station in 1952 (Ballina Historical Society)

Dismantling the Ballina to Booyong Railway Line 1950, Canal Rd, Ballina

Ballina (Noel Coombes)

Allen Richards:


As a young boy in the mid 1950's , my family lived in Lismore , and one of our Sunday afternoon drives was down the to Ballina .
The original road bridge across Fishery creek was about 1/2 a mile North of the now existing bridge, and crossed the next to the rail bridge .
From the bridge the old Ballina rail station building could be seen over to the left .
This building had been converted into a Motel ,
and as mentioned in another comment , was Ballina's first motel .
My father , who was born in and grew up in Ballina , would relate the history of the ill fated Ballina railway line .
The line was intended to branch out from Booyong .
However , as I recall , the branch did not actually start at Booyong station , but a few hundred yards down the track , resulting in passengers having to disembark onto the platform at Booyong and walk down to board the train to proceed on to Ballina .
Those of us who have lived in the area know only to well The wet weather cycles in summer and winter , that the far north coast is renowned for ,
Not making it very attractive to rail travelers to experience a walk in the rain to change trains .
Also , as I remember, dad related that the volume of rail travellers would never make the Ballina rail
link a viable project anyway .
Anyway , as they say , it is now all History .

The area of Saunders Park, Ballina, where Ballina Station used to be. (2018)

Document for the purchase of the station-master's house by Hannah Hobbs, in 1949.

It's 1949 and Hannah and George Hobbs feel like moving house. But they also feel like taking their old station master's cottage with them, so they do, piece by piece.
Left over from the days of the Ballina railway, the house was originally built near Saunders Oval and now stands in Tamar St, Ballina.

Postcard from the early 60s - the station is the large building in the middle of the park

Rail Motor #1 at Ballina (Records NSW)

1942 map showing the Ballina end of the Booyong-Ballina branch.

Ballina in 1952

Proposed turntable at Ballina (never constructed) (Records NSW)

Rail Motor shed at Ballina

Opening day at Ballina (State Archives)

Undated overhead view of Ballina station

# Ballina (Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1949

---

**Type:** Station / Branch Terminus (Closed) 
**Line:** Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch 
**Distance from Sydney:** 876.870 km (Mileage approximately **547–548 miles** from Sydney) 
**Location:** -28.864731, 153.554233 
**Station Brand:** BLL 
**Power's Codes:** Ordinary **2,894**; Local **2,895**; (2,896 also listed — possible separate category) 
**Opened:** **25 August 1930** — with the Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch; Circular No. 340–15 of 1930 
**Controlling District:** District Superintendent, South Grafton (1930–1936); District Superintendent, Casino (from W.N. 9–1936) 
**Night Officer withdrawn; Unattended:** **25 July 1942** — W.N. 30–1942 
**Closed:** **12 January 1949** (per your notes; signalling removed 15 February 1942) 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** From Irish "Beal an Atha" — "mouth of the ford" 

### Staff and Control History
| Period | Status | Control |
|--------|--------|---------|
| 1930–25 July 1942 | Staffed (POR — Porter in Charge / Night Officer) | District Supt, South Grafton (to 1936) → Casino |
| **From 25 July 1942** | **Unattended** — siding and platform conditions; freight prepaid | **Bexhill** |

### Infrastructure
**Platform:** [Not specified in OCR — branch Pioneer line standard] 
**Goods siding:** Yes — with goods and livestock facilities 
**Stock siding:** Yes 
**Engine run-round:** Yes — points in Main line to Run-round at Terminus end set to lie normally for Run-round; fitted with slotted connection for trailing movements without operating lever 
**Rail motor shed siding:** Yes — with ash pit and watering facilities 
**Turntable:** Planned but never constructed (per your notes) 
**Seal Presses:** 
- Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. **730** (W.N. 35–1930) 
- Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. **230** (W.N. 30–1942 — deleted on unattended) 
- Seal Press No. **650** (W.N. 30–1942 — deleted on unattended)

### OTS — Booyong Junction–Ballina
Shape: **Round**; Colour: **Red**; **Key** — at opening 
Telephone: **No. 86 North Telephone Circuit** — at opening 

### Signalling — Ballina Terminus (Opening — Circular No. 340–15 of 1930)

**Frame A:**
- No. 1 Lever — special **Duplex Lock** with **S.L. Keyhole**
- Annett Keys secured by S.L. Key by Station-master before ceasing duty
- Guards may use Annett Keys during unattended period — first unlocking with S.L. Key, re-securing on completion
- **No. 3 Lever in Frame A** — unlocked by either key from Duplex Lock on No. 1 Lever

**Lever and Bracket Lock C:**
- Unlocked by Key on Ordinary Train Staff for section **Booyong Junction–Ballina**

**Frame D and Lever E:**
- No. 1 Lever in Frame D and Lever E — unlocked by either key from Duplex Lock on No. 1 Lever in Frame A
- Points worked from Lever E fitted with **slotted connection** — enables trailing movements without operating lever

**Run-round (Terminus end):**
- Points in Main line to Run-round set to lie normally for Run-round
- Fitted with slotted connection — enables trailing movements without operating lever

### The Channel Bridge
**Bascule Span** — secured by **Annett Lock** over The Channel 
- Annett Lock operated by Key on the Ordinary Train Staff 
- Bascule Span not to be operated except under special directions from CTM (Superintendent of Passenger Transportation) 
- Handles for winches kept by **Station-master, Ballina**, when not required for use

### Fixed Signals
**W.N. 49–1931:** "Ballina — Up signals only lighted when trains run during dark. All signals extinguished after last train Saturday night, and Down signals lighted at 6.30 p.m. Monday. Down signals extinguished after last train Saturday night [Officer-in-Charge]." 
**W.N. 2–1934 (simplified):** "Ballina — Signals only lighted when trains run during dark — Officer-in-Charge." (ref. 33–29,016)

### Speed Restrictions (1930)
- **General:** 25 mph 
- **Rail Motors:** 30 mph 
- **Two engines coupled:** 20 mph 
- **Branch trains through Junction Crossover (Booyong Junction):** 10 mph 
- **Booyong Junction–Teven (unfenced):** 15 mph max at dark without electric headlights

### Engine Loads (1930)
*OCR partial — table structure:* 
Down: Booyong Junction–Tyumba; Tyumba–Ballina 
Up: Ballina–Teven; Teven–Booyong Junction 
(Loads: Mixed 45 max four-wheeled vehicles; Goods 55 max four-wheeled vehicles)

---

## 1930 — Opened 25 August 1930 — Circular No. 340–15 — W.N. 34–1930

### Opening — W.N. 34–1930
> **Opening of the Line from Booyong Junction to Ballina (Booyong–Ballina Branch)** — On **Monday, 25th August, 1930**, the line from Booyong Junction to Ballina will be opened for traffic, and will be under the control of the **District Superintendent, South Grafton**. The complete Signalling, Interlocking and General arrangements will be in accordance with the diagrams attached to **Circular No. 340–15**, dated 20th August, 1930. The line is unfenced between Booyong Junction and Teven. This line is classed as a **"Pioneer" line**. *(W.N. 34–1930; ref. 30–20,443)*

### Station Brand and Power's Codes — W.N. 34–1930
> **Station Brands:** Ballina — **BLL** 
> **Power's Freight Accounting:** Ordinary **2,894**; Local **2,895**; (2,896 also listed)

### OTS Section
> **Booyong Junction–Ballina — Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket:** Train Staff shape — **Round**; colour — **Red**; **Key**. *(Source: 1930 Local Appendix — Circular No. 340–15)*

### Telephone Circuit
> **No. 86 North Telephone Circuit** — Ballina included at opening. *(Source: 1930 Local Appendix)*

### Signalling — Ballina Terminus — W.N. 34–1930
> **BALLINA — Frame "A"** — No. 1 Lever in Frame "A" will be provided with a special **Duplex Lock**, fitted with an S.L. Keyhole, and the Annett Keys must be secured by means of an S.L. Key by the Station-master before he ceases duty. Guards requiring to use the Annett Keys during the time the Station is unattended must first unlock them with an S.L. Key, and secure them by the same means when shunting has been completed.
>
> **No. 3 Lever** in Frame "A" will be unlocked by either Key from the Duplex Lock on No. 1 Lever in that Frame.
>
> **Lever and Bracket Lock "C"** — will be unlocked by Key on the **Ordinary Train Staff for the section Booyong Junction–Ballina**.
>
> **Frame "D" and Lever "E"** — No. 1 Lever in Frame "D" and Lever "E" will be unlocked by either key from the Duplex Lock on No. 1 Lever in Frame "A." The points worked from Lever "E" will be fitted with a **slotted connection**, to enable movements to be made through them in the **Trailing direction** without operating the Lever.
>
> **Run-round (Terminus end):** The points in the Main line leading to the Run-round at the Terminus end are set to lie normally for the Run-round, and are fitted with a slotted connection to enable movements to be made through them in the Trailing direction without operating the Lever. *(W.N. 34–1930; ref. 30–20,443)*

### The Channel Bridge — W.N. 34–1930
> **THE CHANNEL BRIDGE** — A **Bascule Span**, secured by **Annett Lock**, is provided in the Bridge over **The Channel**. Whenever it is necessary to operate the movable Span, the Annett Lock must be unlocked by key on the **Ordinary Train Staff**. The Bascule Span must not be operated except under special directions from the Chief Traffic Manager (Superintendent of Passenger Transportation). The handles for operating the Winches connected to the movable Span must be kept in safe custody by the **Station-master, Ballina**, when not required for use. *(W.N. 34–1930; Source: 1930 Local Appendix)*

### Parcels Obliterating Stamp — W.N. 35–1930
> **Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Ballina (Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch)** — Insert Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. **730**. *(W.N. 35–1930)*

---

## 1931 — Fixed Signals — W.N. 49–1931

### Fixed Signals — W.N. 49–1931
> **Fixed Signals not Lighted during Dark — Grafton–Brisbane Line, Casino–Murwillumbah, and Booyong–Ballina Branches:** [table cancelled and superseded by the following]
>
> **Ballina:** Up signals only lighted when trains run during dark. All signals extinguished after last train Saturday night, and Down signals lighted at **6.30 p.m. Monday**. Down signals extinguished after last train Saturday night. [Officer-in-Charge responsible.] *(W.N. 49–1931)*

---

## 1934 — Fixed Signals Simplified — W.N. 2–1934

### Fixed Signals — W.N. 2–1934
> **Fixed Signals Not Lighted During Dark — Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch:**
> **Ballina** — Signals only lighted when trains run during dark. [Officer-in-Charge.] (33–29,016.) *(W.N. 2–1934)*

---

## 1936 — Controlling District Officer Changed — W.N. 9–1936

### District Control Changed — W.N. 9–1936
> **Lismore to Murwillumbah and Ballina Branch — All stations** — Delete **Lismore**, insert **Casino** [as controlling district officer]. (S.&T.E., G.35–1498.) *(W.N. 9–1936)*

---

## 1942 — Night Officer Withdrawn; Station Unattended — W.N. 3 and 30–1942

### Rates Book Amendment — W.N. 3–1942
> **Page 203 — Ballina (Booyong–Ballina)** — After **25th July, 1942**, Ballina will be unattended, under control of **Bexhill**. Coaching and Goods traffic will be dealt with under siding and platform conditions. Insert * alongside station name, and Bexhill in column "Controlling Station." (42–21,151.) *(W.N. 3–1942)*

### Night Officer Withdrawn — W.N. 30–1942
> **Ballina — Withdrawal of Night Officer** — On and from **Saturday, 25th July, 1942**, the Night Officer will be withdrawn from Ballina, and the station will be unattended. All traffic must be dealt with under siding and platform conditions. Ballina under control of **Bexhill**.
>
> Delete "**POR**" in column "Designation of Person in Charge"; Parcels Obliterating Stamp **230**; and Seal Press Number **650**. (42–21,151.) *(W.N. 30–1942)*

### Sugar Cane Tramway Instructions Amended — W.N. 30–1942
> **Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch — Provision of Temporary Tramway Crossings** — Clause (d): Ballina to be deleted and **Bexhill** inserted in lieu thereof. Clause (e): Delete words "at Ballina or" and insert after Lismore "for the Down and Up journey." Clause (g): Ballina to be deleted and Lismore inserted. Ballina to be deleted in the last paragraph and Bexhill inserted. (42–21,151.) *(W.N. 30 and 42–1942)*

---

## 1945 — Freight Charges Notice; Branch Suspended — W.N. 3 and 32–1945

### Freight Charges — W.N. 3–1945
> **Pages 218 and 274 — Ballina (Booyong–Ballina Branch)** — Cases are continually being brought under notice of consignments for Ballina being accepted for conveyance under "To Pay" conditions. As this station is unattended, freight charges, unless otherwise authorised, must be prepaid. (M.G. 43–73,000.) *(W.N. 3–1945)*

### Branch Suspended — Flood — W.N. 32–1945
> **Booyong–Ballina Branch Line** — Owing to flood conditions traffic has been suspended on the Booyong–Ballina Branch line, and the staff are directed that until further notice goods or parcels must not be accepted for stations or sidings on that branch line. (M.G. 45–32,897.) *(W.N. 32–1945)*

---

## 1949 — Branch Closed; All References Deleted — W.N. 5, 13, 43 and 49–1949

### Passenger Fares Book Deleted — W.N. 5–1949
> **Page 161 — Station Platforms, Etc.** — Delete **Booyong Junction–Ballina Line** — which has been closed. Ticket stocks to stations on this line should be withdrawn and forwarded to "Audit" for cancellation. (C.1–49.) *(W.N. 5–1949)*

### Traffic Not to be Booked — W.N. 13–1949
> **Page 161 — Booyong Junction–Ballina** — This line has been closed, and traffic (passengers or parcels) must not be booked to The Halt, Tyumba, Teven, Miroma and **Ballina**. (C.1–49–15,391.) *(W.N. 13–1949)*

### Branch Formally Abolished — W.N. 43–1949
> **Booyong Junction (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Abolition of Booyong–Ballina Branch Line** — Since **15th February, 1942**, the Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch line has been put out of use, and the signalling equipment at Tyumba, Teven and **Ballina** removed. On **Wednesday, 26th October, 1949**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m.:
>
> (i) The connection between the Main line at Booyong Junction and the Branch line will be removed and the Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch line abolished.
> (ii) The Intermediate Staff Instrument for the section Bexhill–Booyong and the signalling equipment at Booyong Junction, together with the telephone connected directly to Booyong Signal-box, will be removed.
> (iii) The Ordinary Train Staff for the section Booyong Junction–Ballina will be recovered.
>
> **Circular No. 340–15 of 1930**, Opening of the Line from Booyong Junction to Ballina, and diagrams attached, is hereby **cancelled**. (S.&T.E. 48–507,415–W.&M.) *(W.N. 43–1949)*

### Local Appendix — Final Deletion — W.N. 49–1949
> **Local Appendix — Northern Division — Pages 33, 43, 63, 75, 108 and 117 — Booyong Junction–Ballina — Abolition of Line** — Delete all references (abolished **26th October, 1949**). (A.1–49–60,874.) *(W.N. 49–1949)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **25 August 1930** | **Opened** — Station Brand **BLL**; Power's Ordinary **2,894**; OTS Round/Red/Key; **No. 86 North Telephone Circuit**; Frames A/C/D/E; Duplex Lock on Frame A; Channel Bridge Bascule Span; Run-round; Pioneer line; District Supt South Grafton (Circular No. 340–15; ref. 30–20,443) |
| **W.N. 35–1930** | Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. **730** inserted |
| **W.N. 49–1931** | Fixed Signals — Up signals lighted when trains run at night; Down signals lit 6.30 p.m. Monday; all extinguished after last Saturday train |
| **W.N. 2–1934** | Fixed signals simplified — "Signals only lighted when trains run during dark" (ref. 33–29,016) |
| **W.N. 9–1936** | District officer changed — **Lismore → Casino** (ref. S.&T.E. G.35–1498) |
| **15 February 1942** | Branch put out of use — signalling at Ballina removed |
| **25 July 1942** | **Night Officer withdrawn; Ballina unattended** — control **Bexhill**; siding and platform conditions; delete POR, Stamp 230, Seal Press 650 (W.N. 30–1942; ref. 42–21,151) |
| **W.N. 42–1942** | Sugar cane tramway instructions amended — Ballina replaced by Bexhill/Lismore |
| **W.N. 3–1945** | Freight prepaid notice — consignments continually accepted under "To Pay" conditions (ref. M.G. 43–73,000) |
| **W.N. 32–1945** | Branch suspended — flood conditions |
| **12 January 1949** | **Station closed** (per your notes) |
| **W.N. 5–1949** | Booyong Junction–Ballina Line deleted from Passenger Fares Book; ticket stocks to Audit (ref. C.1–49) |
| **W.N. 13–1949** | Traffic not to be booked to Ballina (ref. C.1–49–15,391) |
| **26 October 1949** | **Branch formally abolished** — Circular No. 340–15 cancelled; OTS recovered; Booyong Junction connection removed (W.N. 43–1949; ref. S.&T.E. 48–507,415) |
| **W.N. 49–1949** | All Local Appendix references deleted from pages 33, 43, 63, 75, 108 and 117 (ref. A.1–49–60,874) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1949.* 
*Note: Ballina was the most significant station on the branch and the only one formally staffed (with a Designated Person in Charge — POR, Porter in Charge) throughout most of its operational life. The Duplex Lock arrangement on Frame A (S.L. Keyhole, Annett Keys secured by S.L. Key) was more sophisticated than the simple Bracket Lock arrangements at Teven and Tyumba, reflecting Ballina's terminus status and its need to allow Guards to shunt during unattended periods. The Channel Bridge Bascule Span — requiring OTS key to unlock its Annett Lock and CTM authorisation for operation — was the most complex piece of infrastructure on the branch, with the winch handles in the Station-master's custody adding a further layer of control. The planned turntable (never constructed) confirms Ballina was designed for a higher level of locomotive operations than the branch ultimately achieved. The W.N. 3–1945 "To Pay" notice — issued after the branch had already been out of use for three years — suggests goods traffic was still being accepted at Ballina on an occasional ad hoc basis long after passenger services ended, with staff elsewhere continuing to book traffic incorrectly.*