NL14, UP North Coast Mail at South Grafton behind 44211. The consist is typical of a mail train which did not need to divide or amalgamate enroute. The timber trestle at South Grafton is visible in the background. This has long ago been replaced in concrete. The photo was taken in March 1983 (Les Shepherd)
South Grafton, 1982 (Greg Lee)
South Grafton, 1982 (Greg Lee)
Philip Tatarinov
South Grafton, 1980
Greg Lee, 1982
North Coast Daylight Express at Grafton, 22/10/1962 (State Archives)
South Grafton, September 1976 (Phil Clarke)
2nd (colour) pic from Garry Fenton:
"I took this similar time pic in March 1979 when I travelled around the state in the Medical Examination Car AG1856. The carriage is in the foreground."
Brisbane express at South Grafton, October 1947
South Grafton viaduct, up Grafton Express, 29/9/93 (David Johnson)
Type : Station
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 695.748km
Location : -29.703226, 152.942127
Opened : 12 October 1915 as South Grafton, renamed Grafton City 1st October 1976, now known as simply Grafton
Closed : n/a
Status : In use
Name meaning : After the Duke of Grafton
Notes : Opened with a 457 metre long central interlocked loop. The original platform was 91.4 metres long, later being increased to 192.9 metres then to 230 metres. The timber station building was a standard A5 type. The site was a major depot at the time it opened. 3.12.1923 - Railway Refreshment Room opened. 1933 - provision of a 45kl water tank. 31.7.1935 - pillar water tank constructed. 1951 - timber deecking on platform replaced with concrete and 1st extension of platform. 1957 - 5 ton crane relocated from Moree. 1966 - water facilities removed. 8/1915 - South Grafton Depot opened with a six pit roundhouse, 15.24 metre turntable (later replaced with an 18.2 metre turntable from Hamilton), a 180kl water tank (1944) and in 1949 a coal hoist. In 1958 the depot was reduced to a sub-depot for Casino. In 1960 diesel facilities were installed.
1915: Opened 12 October 1915; Circular No. 245 of 1915
1922: Frame A (all signals); Frames B, C and D (No. 1 Lever in B and C and Nos. 1 and 4 in D released by key from No. 14 Lever in Frame A; Regulation G); Bolt Locks between Frames A and B, and A and D; sections Lanitza–South Grafton and South Grafton–Grafton (South Grafton–Grafton section for Clarence River Bridge); Signal-box arrangement confirmed
1923: Refreshment Room referenced in working notes; N class engine loads South Grafton–Lanitza 510 tons
1930: South Grafton as controlling station for Brisbane Express reservations from 28 September 1930; Circular No. 384.18 of 1930
1943 W.N. 3: Up Second Home Loop signal No. 24 added 18 January 1943; Up Starting Loop to Main No. 24 renumbered No. 23; Circular No. 186–6 of 1932 (South Grafton to Grafton)
1943 W.N. 16: New six-lever Frame A at South Grafton end of platform; levers: 1 (Down Distant), 2 (Down Home), 3 (Duplex Lock for Frames B, C, D, E), 4 (Space), 5 (...), 7 (Up Home) — in April 1943
1943 W.N. 28: Down Starting No. 6 and Up Home signals (No. 27 Main and No. 25 Main to Loop) refixed 250 feet toward Casino side of No. 15 points — 12 July 1943
1943 W.N. 37: Clarence River Bridge bascule span — Intermediate Staff Instrument at bridge for section South Grafton–Grafton; Lever E bolts lifting rails; Telephone at bridge; Pilotman's duplex lock at South Grafton; complex working instructions (4 September 1943)
1955 W.N. 18: Automatic working equipment removed 26 April 1955 — Braunstone–South Grafton and South Grafton–Grafton ETS
1976 W.N. 46–47: Renamed GRAFTON CITY — "Delete South Grafton wherever appearing and insert instead Grafton City" (ref. B2 76 51107)
1983 W.N. 3: CTC conversion Monday 24 January 1983 — route control relay interlocking; Upper Quadrant Down Outer Home and Down Distant removed; new Down Home No. 1 and Up Starting No. 14 provided; ground frames renamed; releasing switches for Ampol, Dairy Co. Abattoirs and Caltex/Stockyards sidings controlled from control panel; shunting signal (yellow) and low speed indication at Down Second Home and Up Home signals; ETS Braunstone–Grafton City and Grafton City–Grafton retained; diagram centre pages (W.N. 3 and 4–1983; S&C 126170)
1983 W.N. 24: CTC Broadmeadow — Grafton City remains in local control until further advised; Grafton City–Grafton section ETS Type B, Nos 1–50, 1–40 key staffs; Down Starting No. 13 Grafton City
1988 W.N. 12: Dairy Co. Abattoirs siding removed 31 January 1988; Releasing Lock C renamed Releasing Lock B; Up siding renamed Carriage siding and extended toward Casino (220 metres standing room); S&C 263942 and 251196
1989 W.N. 7: 35-tonne Ransomes Rapier diesel crane moved from Casino to South Grafton (note — still called South Grafton in loco department records)
1989 W.N. 26: Ampol siding removed 23 May 1989
Grafton City Station - opened in 1915 as South Grafton and later renamed. Station is still in use. (unknown photographer)
South Grafton, 5/11/1963 (Lindsay Bridge)
5261 Shunting in South Grafton. Taken on Kodachrome on 28 Jan 1968. (Lindsay Bridge)
MotoRail at Grafton City, 26/1/1990 (Lindsay)
Location of Grafton City (Six Maps)
A NSW State Archives photo dated 22nd October 1962 of the up North Coast Mail starting its overnight journey from South Grafton.
Grafton leases in railway property
(Up) North Coast Daylight Express at South Grafton, 22/10/1962 (State Archives)
Grafton loco, 23/5/1951 (State Archives)
Down passenger train at South Grafton, 1953 (State Archives)
5261 Shunting in South Grafton. Taken on Kodachrome on 28 Jan 1968. (Lindsay Bridge)
Z22 class 2204 on the ferry loading ramp at the Clarence River, Grafton
Train passengers transferring to the ferry at South Grafton. (Julie Spicer)
South Grafton loco - 28/10/1976 (N Munro)
NT26 at South Grafton 3/8/1986 (Munro)
N5 at Grafton City, 3/8/1986 (Munro)
South Grafton Loco, undated (Records NSW)
Maintenance Engineer's office at South Grafton (undated) (Records NSW)
South Grafton, 1920
North Coast Mail departing Grafton (undated, State Archives)
South Grafton, 1923 (State Archives of NSW)
South Grafton Loco, 1958 (Winney Collection)
Oil fuelling plant, South Grafton, 1/11/1956 (State Archives)
South Grafton Loco, 1935 (State Archives)
South Grafton Loco, 23/10/1963 (State Archives)
Less than a year after the new concrete viaduct was constructed at South Grafton a major flood occurred in the Clarence River in May 1996. The South Grafton levee was not quite completed, so South Grafton flooded. As in previous floods, an emergency passenger rail service was instituted so those people at South Grafton living on the "hill" could cross flooded South Grafton using the viaduct. In this instance a railmotor (looks like a 620/720 class) came up from Newcastle to operate the service (in previous floods the service was often loco hauled passenger carriages). May 1996 was the only time the new viaduct was used for a flood emergency passenger rail service as South Grafton has not flooded since the levee was completed. The preserved section of the old timber viaduct can be seen in this photo.
(Greg Mashiah)
Down Brisbane Express arriving SOG September 1985.
Photo Late Rodney James
Greg Riddel.
Peter Neve :
At one time, Railway Refreshment Rooms were to be found at a number of North Coast Line stations, but today, none remain in use. I don't recall seeing many photos on this Page of the interiors of any of these Railway Refreshment Rooms, particularly in use for their intended purpose.
Back in April 1969, a party of NSW Rail Transport Museum members travelled overnight from Sydney to South Grafton by a "Relief Grafton Express". While the train was being remarshalled and double oil-fired 59 class steam locomotives were being attached, we mere passengers had more important matters to attend to – partaking of breakfast in the South Grafton RRR!
I now have no idea what breakfast consisted of – possibly the usual bangers and mash, or maybe eggs & bacon, washed down with either a white or black tea.
However, this black and white photo of mine allows me to relive those memories of some 55 years ago. Today, the RRR no longer exists and South Grafton is now simply Grafton, with the original Grafton (City) on the other side of the Clarence River long gone. Refreshments and meals can be enjoyed at any time on the XPTs servicing the North Coast Line.
Luckily, in my home town of Junee, the former Railway Refreshment Rooms continue to function, but no longer under Railway control. A private lessee operates the RRR, but bangers and mash is not on the menu!
Enjoying the memories (and aromas!). 🧐
Peter Neve :
The City of Grafton is divided by the Clarence River. Similarly, the North Coast Railway was at one time physically divided by the Clarence – with the Lismore-based Tweed Railway terminating on the north side and the line from Sydney/Newcastle on the southern side at South Grafton. In the years leading up to the completion of the road/rail bridge in 1932 joining the two, there was the train ferry, but that is another story!
Even after the railway crossed the Clarence, Grafton remained to be served by two stations, although the NSWGR based its main operations on the south side at South Grafton. The North Coast Daylight Express from Sydney crossed the bridge to terminate in the town centre at Grafton station on the north side, but then came back as empty cars to South Grafton station and yard to stow for the night, returning to Grafton next morning to form the Daylight service back to Sydney.
The How and Why of Station Names book (SRA of NSW, 1993) tells me that the northside Grafton was closed on 02/06/1974, however this is not correct. According to an entry in Weekly Notice No. 21 of 1974 on p.17, Grafton was closed as a Booking Station as from Saturday 02/06/1974, which means that station staff were withdrawn and the location became an unattended platform. Presumably by this time, the North Coast Daylight Express was terminating and starting from the southside station, the combined non-movements possibly saving around three hours each day. How long northside Grafton remained as an unattended platform is not known as the Station Names book incorrectly quotes the closing date as that when it became an unattended platform. However, the October 1978 issue of NSW Digest in Item D16.333 tells me that: "Shortly after midday on Sunday 27/8, shunting staff at Grafton discovered the disused Grafton station building on fire. Wagons standing nearby were shunted clear and the local fire brigade called. However the timber station building was destroyed, together with railway cables, including the circuit for the E.T.S. Grafton – South Grafton."
"A Thematic History of Grafton" by Brett J Stubbs and published in December 2007 states that in 1917, Grafton Municipal Council started calling itself Grafton City Council, but the basis for this change was not known. On 1 January 1957 the two parts of Grafton, then known as the City of Grafton and the Municipality of South Grafton, were reunited, and together with parts of the adjoining Copmanhurst, Orara and Nymboida Shires they formed an enlarged City of Grafton. Never-the-less, it took the NSWGR almost 20 years to recognise this fact.
According to the Station Names book, South Grafton was renamed Grafton City on 01.10.1976. This date has been confirmed from an entry in Weekly Notice N. 37 of 1976 on p.20. (By now, it will be apparent that I do not trust dates etc. appearing in the Station Names Book and like to confirm or otherwise the information from another source, or at least locate where the original information came from! We all make errors, including myself, evidencing that it is always best to check the information before you quote it ... hence my reference sources quoted above.)
Of course, Grafton was not the only regional location to be served by more than one station. West Tamworth and Tamworth come to mind, again separated by a river, but the prize must be taken by Wyalong which at one time had no less than three stations – South Wyalong, Wyalong Central and West Wyalong! Any other contenders?!
Anyhow, here's my photo of the southside station, when it was known as SOUTH GRAFTON. The photo was taken on Friday 25/04/1969 on the occasion of the commencement of the NSW Rail Transport Museum's steam tour from that point to Murwillumbah and South Brisbane, covered separately on this Facebook Page. Oil-burners 5916 leading 5908 stand at the platform waiting departure. Surprising what photos one finds when looking back through a collection of some 70 years!
Enjoy!!! 🧐
South Grafton Loco prior to 1971
The ancient levers on G Frame at South Grafton oversee the departure of NT36 on the right and the preparation if the set for NT 32 this morning (26/11/2024). (Rob Lougher)
Looking South from (South) Grafton railway platform to the relatively new, steel viaduct. Thursday, 14-9-2000. (Graeme Kirkby)
Layout of Grafton in 1989
Accident - Grafton, 2/4/1965 (Alison Cater)
Accident - Grafton, 2/4/1965 (Alison Cater)
NT35, NT34 & NT31 at Grafton, early morning 9/11/2023
Due to vandalism near Maitland requiring signalling repairs this unusual grouping occurred.
(Dani Elle Summerill)
Grafton turntable, September 2025 (Susan Plosen)
Roy Elder :
Photo of my Dad at Grafton, said to be around 1973/74, but could be wrong. Photo most likely taken by Grafton driver Sid Hill.
Later this month marks the 100 year anniversary of the arrival of the Induna to commence her duties of transporting rail rolling stock from South Grafton to Grafton prior to the opening of the Grafton Bridge.
The photo below was taken in White Bay, Sydney during the conversion of the Induna from a sea cargo ship to a ferry capable of transporting rail rolling stock.
On January 21st, 1926 the Induna left Sydney under tow of the tug St. Olaves and on January 27th 1926 relieved the Swallow of her duties at Grafton.
The tug returned to Sydney with the Swallow in tow for maintenance to be carried out.
She later returned to Grafton where the Swallow and the Induna then worked together till the opening of the "new" bridge in 1932. Some very good photos exist of them together.
After the opening of the bridge the Induna was retired to the southern bank close to where the hull lay today.
Due to fears that in the event of a flood the Induna may break away from its position on the river bank and wash down and damage the new bridge, she was sank into the bank by cutting large holes in the hull.
The Induna was then purchased by Norcombe Webber with the intention of selling what he could to recover his costs and to use it as a stage for loading and unloading timber at his mill. Later the hull was used for the purpose of burning the sawdust and scrape timber from sawmill situated on the river bank adjacent to where the Induna rests now.
In 1937 the steam engine was removed for use to drive a gold stamper to the west of Grafton but not the boiler. The boiler, being a marine boiler was not suited to land-based use and remains in the hull to this day.
In August 1957 a scrap monger obtained the rights to remove whatever materials he wanted and The Daily Examiner published a report and photo of his barge reducing the hull to what is visible today.
In 1975 Beadman Bros Engineering (Ted and Reg) were contracted by the Council of the City of Grafton and Burns Philip to remove the bow from the hull. The bow now forms the basis of a monument to her history in Sir Earl Page Park adjacent to Grafton Age Care, Bent Street.
From her building at Aberdeen in Scotland for service from Britain to East Africa until now she has had a very colourful history that still catches the interest of locals and visitors today.
Listed below are some of the highlights of tha history.
Built in Aberdeen, Scotland 1891.
During the Boer War Winston Churchill held captive in prison in Pastoria escaped from South Africa and the Boers on the Induna. 1899
Began shipping out of Sydney under the ownership of Burns, Philip & Co Ltd 1904 in the region of Norfolk Island, Gilbert Islands, Marshal Island and Rabaul.
Captured in Marshal Islands by the Germans in World War 1 for her coal.
Owned and operated by Patrick Steamship from 1920 to 1925 when she was sold to New South Wales Dept of Railways.
Converted from sea cargo freighter to rail ferry in White Bay 1925.
Rail ferry at Grafton 1926 until bridge opening 1932.
Grafton signal box was a typical Type O2 design. The main change was the roof changed to hip in shape and was covered by terracotta tiles RT Taaffe
South Grafton (Grafton) around the time the station opened. (RTC)
By 1982 the signal box had been extended at the Sydney end to form the Station Master's office and another room for an unknown purpose. Unusually for a signal box on a platform a signal box name board had been added under the window. This was doubly unusual for a name board to be added to a signal box after it had been constructed. The station had been renamed Grafton City six years previously. RT Taaffe
Later the nameboard was removed from the signal box. In this photograph the extension to the rear of the signal box and Station's Office that formed a parcels office can be observed. ARHS
The rail yards at South Grafton in the early 1980s (David Noonan)
South Grafton (Shane Morris)
# Grafton / Grafton City / South Grafton (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1989
---
**Type:** Station (In use)
**Line:** North Coast Line (Braunstone–Grafton City section; Grafton City–Grafton section)
**Distance from Sydney:** 695.748 km
**Location:** -29.703226, 152.942127
**Between:** Braunstone (south) and Grafton via Clarence River Bridge (north)
**Opened as SOUTH GRAFTON:** **Tuesday, 12 October 1915** — Glenreagh to South Grafton; Circular No. 245 of 1915
**Renamed GRAFTON CITY:** **1 October 1976** (per your notes) — W.N. 46 and 47–1976; "Delete South Grafton wherever appearing and insert instead Grafton City" (ref. B2 76 51107)
**Now known as GRAFTON** (current)
**Status:** In use
**Name meaning:** Named after the Duke of Grafton
### Platform
**Original:** 91.4 metres (300 feet)
**1st extension (1951):** Increased to 192.9 metres — platform decking replaced with concrete at same time
**2nd extension:** Increased to 230 metres
### Station Building
Standard **A5 type** timber station building
### Refreshment Room
**Opened: 3 December 1923** — Railway Refreshment Room (per your notes)
**Referenced in 1930 WNs:** Coaches and train workings via South Grafton mention Refreshment Room arrangements for Brisbane Express from 28 September 1930
### Water Facilities
**1933:** 45 kl water tank provided (per your notes)
**31 July 1935:** Pillar water tank constructed (per your notes)
**1966:** Water facilities removed (per your notes)
### 5-Tonne Crane
**1957:** 5-tonne crane relocated from Moree (per your notes)
### Depot (South Grafton Depot)
**Opened August 1915** — six-pit roundhouse; 15.24-metre turntable (later replaced with 18.2-metre turntable from Hamilton); 180 kl water tank (1944); coal hoist (1949)
**1958:** Reduced to sub-depot under Casino control
**1960:** Diesel facilities installed
### Signalling History
**At opening (1915):** Circular No. 245 of 1915 (alongside Glenreagh, Sherwood, Lanitza, Braunstone and South Grafton Stockyards)
**1922 arrangement:**
- **Frame A:** All points within small circles and all signals worked from Frame A
- **Frames B, C and D:** No. 1 Lever in Frames B and C, and Nos. 1 and 4 Levers in Frame D — unlocked by key from **No. 14 Lever in Frame A**; Regulation G
- **Bolt Locks:** Between Frames A and B; between Frames A and D — prevent points being improperly set
**Sections:**
- **Lanitza–South Grafton** (Miniature ETS; Regulation B at Braunstone and South Grafton Stockyards)
- **South Grafton–Grafton** (Miniature ETS; Intermediate Staff Instrument at Clarence River Bridge)
**Up Second Home Loop Signal No. 24 — 18 January 1943:**
New signal No. 24, Up Second Home Loop, on Up side of Loop line opposite Sydney end of No. 2C Crossover; Up Starting Loop to Main No. 24 renumbered No. 23; **Circular No. 186–6 of 1932** (South Grafton to Grafton) amended (W.N. 3–1943; ref. S.&I. 42–8,929)
**New six-lever Frame A — April 1943:**
Existing Frame A replaced by six-lever machine at South Grafton end of platform; lever connections: No. 1 (Down Distant), No. 2 (Down Home), No. 3 (Duplex Lock for Frames B, C, D and E), No. 4 (Space), No. 5 (—), No. 7 (Up Home) (W.N. 16–1943 approx)
**Down Starting and Up Home signals relocated — 12 July 1943:**
Down Starting No. 6 and Up Home signals (No. 27 Up Home Main and No. 25 Up Home Main to Loop) refixed 250 feet toward Casino side of No. 15 points (Up Main to Loop); Circular No. 186–6 of 1932 amended (W.N. 28–1943; refs S.&T.E. 43–9,517 and S.&I.)
**Clarence River Bridge — 4 September 1943:**
Bascule span — Intermediate Staff Instrument at bridge for section **South Grafton–Grafton**; Lever E bolts lifting rails; telephone at bridge; Pilotman's duplex lock at South Grafton and Pilotman's releasing lock at Grafton; complex ordinary and automatic working instructions; Bridge Operator (Way and Works Branch, South Grafton); "3 pause 1 pause 3" signal for Intermediate Staff required at bridge (W.N. 37–1943)
**Pilot Working — 1960 amendment:**
Pilotman's Releasing Lock and Key in Signal-box at Grafton; Duplex Lock with Key for Lever E in Signal-box at South Grafton; removal of Pilotman's Key disconnects staff instruments; Circular No. 186–6 amended (W.N. 27–1960; ref. A.1–60–53,116)
**Automatic working equipment removed — 26 April 1955:**
Equipment at South Grafton to switch Braunstone–South Grafton and South Grafton–Grafton ETS instruments to automatic working removed (W.N. 18–1955; ref. S.&T.E. 55–677,052)
**Renamed Grafton City — W.N. 46 and 47–1976:**
Delete South Grafton wherever appearing and insert Grafton City — pages 183–216 and 229–239; all publications (ref. B2 76 51107)
**Motor-operated points — Monday, 24 January 1983:**
Route control relay interlocking control panel; mechanical interlocking machine placed out of use; ground frames renamed; Upper Quadrant Down Outer Home and Down Distant removed; new **Down Home signal No. 1** (Sydney side of Ampol and Dairy Co. Abattoirs sidings) and **Up Starting signal No. 14** (Sydney side of Dairy Co. Abattoirs siding); low speed indication and **shunting signal (yellow)** at Down Second Home and Up Home signals; Ampol, Dairy Co. Abattoirs and Caltex/Stock sidings released by key from releasing switches controlled from releasing buttons in Grafton City control panel (Nos. 81, 82, 83, 84); ETS Braunstone–Grafton City and Grafton City–Grafton retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; shunter's pushbuttons at Ground Frames F and G; Down Home No. 1 or Up Outer Home No. 2 cannot display higher than yellow if associated Second Home or Up Home at stop or low speed; diagram centre pages (W.N. 3 and 4–1983; S&C 126170)
**CTC — 6 June 1983:**
Broadmeadow CTC — Braunstone–Grafton City section; Grafton City–Grafton section remains ETS Type B, Nos. 1–50, 1–40 key staffs; Grafton City remains in local control until further advised; signalman must confer with Broadmeadow CTC (Up trains) or Grafton (Down trains) before clearing any Starting signal; automatic staff exchanging apparatus remains at Grafton City (W.N. 24–1983)
**Dairy Co. Abattoirs siding removed — 31 January 1988:**
Points, Frame C, Releasing Switch C removed; Releasing Lock C renamed **Releasing Lock B** (key from Releasing Lock B unlocks No. 1 lever Frame B for Ampol Siding failure); Up siding renamed **Carriage siding** and extended toward Casino (approximately 220 metres); buffer stop and white over red buffer stop lights; Circular No. 186–6 (of 1932) and diagram in W.N. 4–1983 to be amended (W.N. 12–1988; S&C 263942 and 251196)
**Ampol siding removed — 23 May 1989** (see Ampol Siding entry)
**35-tonne Ransomes Rapier diesel crane moved from Casino to South Grafton — W.N. 7–1989** (note: still described as "South Grafton" in loco department records despite station renamed Grafton City in 1976)
### Ground Frame Releasing Buttons (1983 CTC)
| Button | Release | Siding |
|--------|---------|--------|
| No. 81 | Releasing Switch F | Goods siding (Frame F) |
| No. 82 | Releasing Switch G | Goods siding (Frame G) |
| No. 83 | Releasing Switch B/C | Ampol and Dairy Co. Abattoirs sidings |
| No. 84 | Releasing Switch D/E | Caltex/Stockyards siding |
### Sections History
| Period | Sections |
|--------|---------|
| 1915 | Lanitza–South Grafton; South Grafton–Grafton |
| By 1922 | Lanitza–South Grafton (Miniature ETS); South Grafton–Grafton (Intermediate Staff at bridge) |
| By 1943 | Braunstone–South Grafton; South Grafton–Grafton |
| 26 April 1955 | Automatic working equipment removed — Braunstone–South Grafton and South Grafton–Grafton |
| 1 October 1976 | Renamed Grafton City — sections become Braunstone–Grafton City; Grafton City–Grafton |
| 24 January 1983 | CTC conversion; ETS retained on both sections |
| 6 June 1983 | Broadmeadow CTC — Braunstone–Grafton City; Grafton City–Grafton ETS Type B retained |
### Engine Classes and Load Notes
**N class engines — 1923:** Load South Grafton–Lanitza (Up) 510 tons (W.N. — 1923; ref. 33–30,416)
**12-class engines — 1943:** Permitted to assist Express/Passenger on South Grafton–Gurranang/Banyabba/Casino section; bogie tender required; engine first (leading) when assisting double-headed; from Gurranang to 458m 0c only — must assist in rear and couple to brake-van with Westinghouse brake connected (W.N. 46–1943; ref. C.T.M. 43–45,720)
**Speed loads — 1960:** South Grafton to Taree — maximum 26 bogie vehicles; delete 23 bogie vehicles (W.N. 37–1960)
---
> **Notes:** South Grafton opened 12 October 1915 as the southern terminus of the North Coast line; Circular No. 245 of 1915. Frame A controlled all signals; Frames B, C and D released by No. 14 Lever in Frame A (Regulation G); Bolt Locks between Frames A and B, and A and D. The loop at opening was 457 metres (centrally interlocked). Railway Refreshment Room opened 3 December 1923. Station became the key operational junction for Sydney–Brisbane Express services from 28 September 1930.
>
> The Clarence River Bridge (South Grafton–Grafton section) created a uniquely complex safeworking arrangement: an Intermediate Staff Instrument at the bridge itself, Lever E to bolt lifting rails, Pilotman's duplex lock at South Grafton and releasing lock at Grafton, special "3 pause 1 pause 3" signal, and separate ordinary and automatic working procedures (W.N. 37–1943; extensively amended W.N. 27–1960). Automatic working equipment removed 26 April 1955. Renamed Grafton City W.N. 46 and 47–1976.
>
> CTC conversion 24 January 1983 (W.N. 3 and 4–1983) — the most complex CTC conversion in the Glenreagh–Grafton programme: three associated sidings (Ampol, Dairy Co. Abattoirs, Caltex/Stock) each with their own releasing buttons and switches; shunter's pushbuttons at Frames F and G; signal interlocking rules preventing higher than yellow aspect when second home/up home at stop; and the Grafton City–Grafton section retained as ETS (never converted to CTC) due to the Clarence River Bridge intermediate instrument arrangement. Dairy Co. Abattoirs siding removed 31 January 1988; Ampol siding removed 23 May 1989.
---
## 1915 — Opened as South Grafton — 12 October 1915; Circular No. 245 of 1915
### Opening — W.N. — 1915
> **Opening of the Line from Glenreagh to South Grafton (North Coast)** — On **Tuesday, 12th October, 1915**, the line from Glenreagh to South Grafton will be opened for traffic, and the Signal and Interlocking arrangements at Glenreagh, Sherwood, Lanitza, Braunstone, South Grafton Stock-yards, and **South Grafton** will be in accordance with **Circular No. 245 of 1915**, and diagrams attached thereto. *(W.N. — 1915)*
### 1922 Signalling — Frame A; Frames B, C and D; Bolt Locks; Regulation G
> **SOUTH GRAFTON** —
>
> **Frame "A"** — The points shown within small circles and all signals will be worked from Frame "A."
>
> **Frames "B," "C," and "D"** — No. 1 Lever in Frames "B" and "C" and Nos. 1 and 4 Levers in Frame "D" will be unlocked by key from **No. 14 Lever in Frame "A,"** and must be operated in accordance with **Regulation G** of Weekly Notice No. 37 of 1920.
>
> **Bolt Locks** — Bolt Locks will be provided between Frames "A" and "B" and "A" and "D," in order to prevent the points being improperly set. *(Source: 1922 Weekly Notices — Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh opening circular)*
---
## 1923 — Railway Refreshment Room; N-Class Engine Loads
### Refreshment Room — 3 December 1923
> **Railway Refreshment Room, South Grafton** — opened **3rd December, 1923**. *(Source: your notes)*
### N-Class Engine Loads — W.N. — 1923
> **Loads for N Class Engines Working Up Goods Trains South Grafton to Lanitza (North Coast)** — The load for N class engines working Goods trains on the Up journey for the section **South Grafton–Lanitza** is **510 tons**. Circular No. 388 and Weekly Notice No. 40 of 1923 to be corrected accordingly. (33–30,416.) *(W.N. — 1923)*
---
## 1930 — Brisbane Express from 28 September 1930; Circular No. 384.18 of 1930; Reservation Control
### Brisbane Express — W.N. 38–1930
> Since **Sunday, 28th September, 1930**, through service Sydney to Brisbane via Kyogle introduced. Station Master and Booking Clerk, South Grafton, will control sleeping berth and seat allotments for Down and Up Express trains from/to South Grafton; **Circular No. 384.18 of 1930**. *(W.N. 38–1930)*
---
## 1943 — Multiple Signal Alterations; Clarence River Bridge Working; New Frame A
### Up Second Home Signal — W.N. 3–1943
> **South Grafton (North Coast) — Provision of Up Second Home Signal, Loop Line** — On **Monday, 18th January, 1943**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., a new signal, **No. 24**, Up Second Home Loop, situated on the Up side of the Loop line, opposite the Sydney end of No. 2C Crossover, will be brought into use.
>
> The Up Starting signal, Loop to Main, No. 24, will be re-numbered **No. 23**.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 186–6 of 1932**, South Grafton to Grafton, to be amended accordingly. (S.&I. 42–8,929.) *(W.N. 3–1943)*
### New Six-Lever Frame A — W.N. 16–1943 (approx)
> **South Grafton (North Coast)** — The existing Frame A will be replaced by a **six-lever machine**, situated at the **South Grafton end of the platform**. The connections to the new frame:
> - No. 1 — Down Distant
> - No. 2 — Down Home
> - No. 3 (Duplex Lock) — Keys for Frames B, C, D and E
> - No. 4 — Space
> - No. 7 — Up Home
>
> *(W.N. 16–1943 approx)*
### Down Starting and Up Home Signals Relocated — W.N. 28–1943
> **South Grafton (North Coast) — Alteration to Location of Down Starting and Up Home Signals** — On **Monday, 12th July, 1943**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the Down Starting signal, **No. 6**, and the Up Home signals (**No. 27** Up Home, Main, and **No. 25** Up Home, Main to Loop) will be refixed in corresponding positions, **250 feet** on the Casino side of No. 15 points (Up Main–Loop).
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 186–6 of 1932** is to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E. 43–9,517.) *(W.N. 28–1943)*
### Clarence River Bridge Bascule Span Working — W.N. 37–1943; Since 4 September 1943
> **Clarence River Bridge — Working of Bascule Span** — Since **Saturday, 4th September, 1943**, the Bascule span on the Clarence River Bridge will be operated by a mechanic (Bridge Operator) attached to the Way and Works Branch at South Grafton.
>
> **Equipment:**
> 1. Intermediate Staff Instrument at bridge for section **South Grafton–Grafton**
> 2. Lever E at bridge — bolts lifting rails
> 3. Telephone at bridge connected to South Grafton and Grafton
> 4. Pilotman's releasing lock at Grafton; Pilotman's duplex lock at South Grafton (for Pilot Working only)
> 5. Warning gongs — 35 yards from southern gate, 50 yards from northern gate
>
> **Ordinary Working:** Bridge Operator telephones Signalman at South Grafton for permission. Signalman sends "Intermediate Staff Required at Bridge" signal (**3 pause 1 pause 3**) to Grafton; Grafton acknowledges. Signalman notifies Bridge Operator by one long ring; Intermediate Staff raised into bridge instrument. Signalmen must satisfy themselves that Starting signals for section South Grafton–Grafton are at Stop before giving permission.
>
> **Automatic Working (South Grafton unattended):** Bridge Operator satisfies himself Down Starting signal at South Grafton is at Stop; telephones Grafton for permission.
>
> **Pilot Working:** Pilotman obtains key from releasing lock at Grafton; unlocks bottom lock of duplex lock at South Grafton; removes top key; uses key to unlock Lever E to release lifting rails. Removal of keys disconnects Staff Instruments. On cancellation — Pilotman restores keys; Railway Electrician reconnects instruments; glass front in lock face at Grafton restored.
>
> Cancels instructions in **Circular No. 136–6** (previous bridge working). *(W.N. 37–1943)*
---
## 1955 — Automatic Working Equipment Removed — 26 April 1955
### Automatic Working Removed — W.N. 18–1955
> **South Grafton (North Coast) — Removal of Facilities for Automatic Working of Electric Train Staff Instruments** — Since **26th April, 1955**, the equipment at South Grafton to enable the Electric Train Staff Instruments for the sections **Braunstone–South Grafton** and **South Grafton–Grafton** to be switched into Automatic Working, has been removed. (S.&T.E. 55–677,052.) *(W.N. 18–1955)*
---
## 1960 — Pilot Working Instructions Revised — W.N. 27–1960
### Pilot Working — W.N. 27–1960
> **Clarence River Bridge — Pilot Working** — A Pilotman's Releasing Lock and Key is provided in the Signal-box at Grafton. When Pilot Working is being instituted on the section South Grafton–Grafton, the Pilotman must obtain the Pilotman's Key from the Releasing Lock and retain it in his possession during the time trains are being worked through the section.
>
> **Operation of Bascule Span during Pilot Working** — A Duplex Lock with Key for unlocking Lever E at the bridge is provided in the Signal-box at South Grafton. When it is required to open the Bascule Span during Pilot Working, the Pilotman must insert and turn the Pilotman's Key in the bottom lock of the duplex lock; remove the Bridge Key from the top lock; unlock Lever E. Upon completion, Lever E restored, Bridge Key returned, Pilotman's Key regained.
>
> **Cancellation** — Pilotman restores Pilotman's Key to Releasing Lock at Grafton; Signal Electrician reconnects Staff Instruments; glass front in lock face at Grafton restored by Signal Electrician; Station-master at Grafton responsible for this. (A.1–60–53,116.) *(W.N. 27–1960)*
---
## 1976 — Renamed Grafton City — W.N. 46 and 47–1976
### Renamed Grafton City — W.N. 46–1976
> **Pages 183–216 — List of Stations, etc. (continued)** — Delete **South Grafton** wherever appearing and insert **Grafton City**. (B2 76 51107.) *(W.N. 46–1976)*
> **Page 234** — Delete: South Grafton and relevant particulars.
> **Page 239 — List of Stations, Sidings, and Platforms on all Lines and Branches** — Delete South Grafton wherever appearing and insert instead **Grafton City**. (B2 76 51107.) *(W.N. 46–1976)*
> Further pages amended (W.N. 47–1976) — all publications updated. *(W.N. 47–1976)*
---
## 1983 — Motor-Operated Points — 24 January 1983; CTC — 6 June 1983
### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 3 and 4–1983
> **Grafton City (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 24th January, 1983**, commencing at 7.30 a.m. and continuing until completion, as a preliminary to the introduction of centralised traffic control signalling on the North Coast line, the Main line to loop points at each end of Grafton City crossing station will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main Line and Loop signals will be replaced by colour light signals.
>
> The **Upper Quadrant Down Outer Home** and **Down Distant** signals will be removed.
>
> A new **Down Home signal (No. 1)** and **Up Starting signal (No. 14)** will be provided on the Sydney side of the Ampol and Dairy Company Abattoirs sidings respectively.
>
> The **Ampol siding, Dairy Company Abattoir's siding and Caltex Stockyards siding** will be released by key from new releasing switches provided adjacent to the respective ground frames. The releasing switches will be controlled from releasing buttons in the **Grafton City control panel**.
>
> **Low speed indication** (small green light) and a **shunting signal** (yellow light), with route indicator applicable to both, and cleared by an approaching train, will be provided beneath the main head of the Down Second Home signal and the Up Home signal.
>
> The Down Home signal No. 1 or Up Outer Home signal No. 2 cannot display a higher running indication than **yellow** if the Down Second Home or Up Home signal respectively is at stop or displaying a low speed indication.
>
> **Ground frame releasing buttons** Nos. 81, 82, 83 and 84 — heads coloured blue; located adjacent to point levers:
> - No. 81 — Releasing Switch F
> - No. 82 — Releasing Switch G
> - No. 83 — Releasing Switch B/C (Ampol and Dairy Co. Abattoirs)
> - No. 84 — Releasing Switch D/E (Caltex/Stock)
>
> **Shunter's pushbuttons** provided adjacent to Ground Frames F and G; red and green repeater lights.
>
> ETS working will remain in use on sections **Braunstone–Grafton City** and **Grafton City–Grafton**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Grafton City remains available.
>
> Diagram appearing in **centre pages** of W.N. 4–1983. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 3 and 4–1983)*
### CTC — 6 June 1983; Grafton City–Grafton ETS Retained — W.N. 24–1983
> **System of Working:** Braunstone–Grafton City — CTC. **Grafton City–Grafton — Electric Train Staff, Type B, Nos. 1–50, Nos. 1–40 key staffs**.
>
> **Grafton City will remain in local control until further advised.** Before clearing any Starting signal at Grafton City, the signalman must confer with the CTC signalman Broadmeadow (Up trains) or the signalman Grafton (Down trains). Signalman at Grafton must confer with signalman Grafton City before clearing Up Starting signal.
>
> Contact operated by ETS for Grafton City–Grafton section provided in Station Master's office; must be operated by signalman before Down Starting signal No. 13 Grafton City can be cleared.
>
> Automatic staff exchanging apparatus remains at Grafton City. *(W.N. 24–1983; S&C 126170)*
---
## 1988 — Dairy Co. Abattoirs Siding Removed; Carriage Siding Extended — W.N. 12–1988
### Dairy Co. Abattoirs Siding Removed — W.N. 12–1988
> **Grafton City (North Coast) — Removal of Dairy Co. Abbatoirs Siding** — Since **31st January, 1988**, the points, Main line to Dairy Co. Abbatoirs siding, worked from Frame C, have been removed together with the siding, Frame C, Releasing Switch C and associated equipment.
>
> **Releasing Lock C** has been renamed **Releasing Lock B**. The key from Releasing Lock B unlocks No. 1 lever in Frame B in case of failure of Releasing Switch B (Ampol Siding).
>
> **Up Siding alteration** — The non-interlocked points Goods siding to Up siding (between Loop line and Goods siding) have been removed. The Up siding has been renamed the **Carriage siding** and extended toward Casino (standing room approximately **220 metres**). Buffer stop and white over red buffer stop lights provided.
>
> Instructions in W.N. Nos. 4 and 24 of 1983 and diagram in W.N. No. 4 of 1983 to be amended accordingly. (S.&C. 263942 and 251196.) *(W.N. 12–1988)*
---
## 1989 — 35-Tonne Diesel Crane Relocated from Casino — W.N. 7–1989
### Diesel Crane from Casino — W.N. 7–1989
> The **35-tonne Ransomes Rapier diesel crane** has been moved from Casino to **South Grafton**. Delete 35-tonne Diesel crane from "Cranes" column at Casino; insert in "Cranes" column at South Grafton "35-tonne Diesel." (BAC:PH:VL.) *(W.N. 7–1989)*
---
## Summary of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **12 October 1915** | **Opened as South Grafton** — terminus; Frame A (all signals); Frames B, C, D (No. 14 Lever release; Regulation G); Bolt Locks; 457-metre loop; 91.4-metre platform; A5 building; Circular No. 245 of 1915 |
| **August 1915** | **South Grafton Depot opened** — six-pit roundhouse; 15.24-metre turntable; |
| **3 December 1923** | **Railway Refreshment Room opened** |
| **28 September 1930** | Through Sydney–Brisbane Express service commenced via South Grafton — reservation control; Circular No. 384.18 of 1930 |
| **1933** | 45 kl water tank provided |
| **31 July 1935** | Pillar water tank constructed |
| **1944** | 180 kl water tank (depot) |
| **18 January 1943** | Up Second Home Loop signal No. 24 added; Up Starting No. 24 renumbered No. 23; Circular No. 186–6 amended (W.N. 3–1943) |
| **April 1943** | New six-lever Frame A at South Grafton end of platform |
| **12 July 1943** | Down Starting No. 6 and Up Home signals (Nos. 27 and 25) refixed 250 feet toward Casino (W.N. 28–1943) |
| **4 September 1943** | Clarence River Bridge bascule span — Bridge Operator (Way and Works); Intermediate Staff Instrument; Lever E; "3 pause 1 pause 3" signal; complex pilot working arrangements (W.N. 37–1943) |
| **1949** | Coal hoist installed (depot) |
| **1951** | Platform concrete decking; 1st platform extension to 192.9 metres |
| **1957** | 5-tonne crane relocated from Moree |
| **1958** | Depot reduced to sub-depot under Casino control |
| **1960** | Diesel facilities installed |
| **26 April 1955** | Automatic working equipment removed — Braunstone–South Grafton and South Grafton–Grafton ETS (W.N. 18–1955) |
| **27 October 1960** | Pilot Working instructions revised — Duplex Lock at South Grafton; Releasing Lock at Grafton (W.N. 27–1960) |
| **1966** | Water facilities removed |
| **2nd extension** | Platform extended to 230 metres |
| **1 October 1976** | **Renamed GRAFTON CITY** — all publications; W.N. 46 and 47–1976 (ref. B2 76 51107) |
| **24 January 1983** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — route control relay interlocking; Upper Quadrant Down Outer Home and Down Distant removed; Down Home No. 1 and Up Starting No. 14 new; releasing buttons 81–84; shunting signals; ETS Braunstone–Grafton City and Grafton City–Grafton retained; diagram centre pages (W.N. 3 and 4–1983; S&C 126170) |
| **6 June 1983** | **CTC Braunstone–Grafton City** — Broadmeadow CTC; Grafton City–Grafton ETS Type B retained; local control |
| **31 January 1988** | Dairy Co. Abattoirs siding removed; Up siding renamed Carriage siding and extended to 220 metres; Releasing Lock C renamed B (W.N. 12–1988) |
| **23 May 1989** | Ampol siding removed (see Ampol Siding entry) |
| **W.N. 7–1989** | 35-tonne diesel crane relocated from Casino to South Grafton |
---
*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1989.*
*Note: Grafton City (South Grafton) is one of the most complex stations in the North Coast collection — terminus (1915–1930), through station, major junction for Brisbane Express, district headquarters, and the only station in the Glenreagh–Grafton CTC programme where one adjacent section (Grafton City–Grafton) was retained as ETS rather than converted to CTC. This was necessitated by the Clarence River Bridge Intermediate Staff Instrument arrangement — the bascule span required an intermediate instrument in the bridge itself that was incompatible with CTC remote control. The Pilot Working duplex lock at South Grafton and releasing lock at Grafton (established 1943, revised 1960) remained in use throughout the CTC era. The renaming from South Grafton to Grafton City (1976) and subsequently to simply Grafton reflects 107 years of administrative evolution — the station's WN record spans three names across 74 years of the collection.*