News:

Dedicated to the memory of Nick Pellier (1958-2016)

Main Menu

Recent posts

#31
Old Casino Junction to Tuncester / Re: Cubawee
Last post by admin - August 04, 2026, 08:54:05 AM
# Cubawee (Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1946–1966

---

**Type:** Platform (Closed) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 829.130 km (Mileage **513m 1c** — per 1946 opening notice; between Leycester and Tuncester) 
**Location:** -28.796463, 153.206709 
**Between:** Leycester (south) and Tuncester (north) 
**Opened:** **October 1946** — W.N. 44–1946; 16-foot Down side platform; passengers, parcels and small goods 
**Platform extended:** **1950** — total length **32 feet (9.75 metres)** — W.N. 18–1950 and W.N. 28–1950 
**Closed:** **10 September 1966** — W.N. 36 and 37–1966 (ref. A.1–66–40,619 and B.2–66–21,882) 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Probably Aboriginal — the site of the Cubawee Aboriginal Reserve 

### Historical Note — Earlier Planned Platform
A school existed at this location in 1909 under the name "Dunoon." Construction plans noted "platform abolished" — suggesting a platform was planned but not implemented at that time. The 1946 platform was the eventual realisation. (Per your notes.)

### At Opening (W.N. 44–1946)
**Platform:** **16 feet (4.87 metres)** — **Down side** of line at Mileage **513m 1c** between Leycester and Tuncester; known as **CUBAWEE** 
**Traffic:** Passengers, parcels and small lots of goods — unattended; all traffic under **siding and platform conditions** 
**Control:** **Old Casino** 
**Power's Freight Accounting codes:** 
- Ordinary traffic: **2C11** (OCR garbled — possibly 2411 or similar) 
- Local traffic: **2C2–3** (OCR garbled — likely 2C2 series) 
**Station Brand:** **CWE** 

### Platform Extension (1950)
**W.N. 18–1950:** Platform extended to total length of **32 feet (9.75 metres)**; W.N. 44–1946 amended (ref. V.49–62,196) 
**W.N. 28–1950:** Same extension confirmed — total 32 feet (ref. A.1–50–21,203) 
*Note: Two separate WN entries confirm the same extension — published in different WNs through different administrative streams.*

### Through Booking of Parcels (1947)
**W.N. 12–1947:** Through Booking of Parcels, Perambulators, Etc. — Interstate Pamphlet (page 49) — insert **asterisk (*)** before Cubawee (ref. C.4–47–28,958) — indicating limited parcel service

---

> **Notes:** Cubawee opened October 1946 (W.N. 44–1946) with a 16-foot Down side platform at Mileage 513m 1c between Leycester and Tuncester. Unattended; passengers, parcels and small goods under siding and platform conditions; control Old Casino; station brand CWE; Power's codes OCR-garbled. Extended to 32 feet (9.75 metres) in 1950 (W.N. 18 and 28–1950; ref. V.49–62,196 and A.1–50–21,203). Through booking of parcels asterisk inserted W.N. 12–1947. Closed 10 September 1966; deleted from all publications W.N. 36 and 37–1966. The site is the location of the Cubawee Aboriginal Reserve; a school operated here as "Dunoon" in 1909 with a platform planned but not built at that time.

---

## 1946 — Opened October 1946 — W.N. 44–1946; 16 Feet Down Side; Mileage 513m 1c

### Opening — W.N. 44–1946
> **Page 63 — Cubawee (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Provision of Platform** — A platform, **16 feet** in length, situated on the **Down side** of the line at Mileage **513m 1c**, between Leycester and Tuncester, and known as **CUBAWEE**, is in use.
>
> Passengers, parcels and small lots of goods traffic may be accepted for Cubawee, which is **unattended** and under the control of **Old Casino**.
>
> All traffic must be dealt with under **siding and platform conditions**.
>
> **Power's Freight Accounting** — The code numbers for Power's Freight Accounting are: 
> Ordinary traffic: [2411 series — OCR garbled] 
> Local traffic: [2C2 series — OCR garbled]
>
> **Station Brand:** The station brand is **CWE**. *(W.N. 44–1946)*

### Cubawee (P) Listed — W.N. — 1946
> **Page 282 — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Insert **Cubawee (P)** [and relevant mileage]. (B.2–46–60,974.) *(W.N. — 1946)*

---

## 1947 — Through Booking of Parcels — W.N. 12–1947

### Parcels Pamphlet — W.N. 12–1947
> **Through Booking of Parcels, Perambulators, Etc. — Interstate Pamphlet — Page 49** — Insert **asterisk (*)** before **Cubawee**. (C.4–47–28,958.) *(W.N. 12–1947)*

---

## 1950 — Platform Extended to 32 Feet — W.N. 18 and 28–1950

### Platform Extended — W.N. 18–1950
> **Page 63 — Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Cubawee (Casino–Murwillumbah)** — The station platform has been extended to a total length of **32 feet**.
>
> The information as shown in Weekly Notice No. 44 of 1946 to be amended accordingly. (V.49–62,196.) *(W.N. 18–1950)*

### Platform Extension Confirmed — W.N. 28–1950
> **Page 63 — Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Cubawee (Casino–Murwillumbah)** — The platform has been extended to a total length of **32 feet**. The information as shown in Weekly Notice No. 44 of 1946 to be amended accordingly. (A.1–50–21,203.) *(W.N. 28–1950)*

---

## 1966 — Closed and Deleted — W.N. 36 and 37–1966

### Working Timetable and Public Timetable Deleted — W.N. 36–1966
> **Working Timetable — Northern Division — Pages 234 to 237** — Delete **Cubawee** and relative particulars. (A.1–66–40,619.) *(W.N. 36–1966)*

> **Public Timetable — Country — Pages 7 and 84** — Delete **Cubawee** and relative particulars. (A.1–66–40,619.) *(W.N. 36–1966)*

> **Alphabetical List of Stations, Platforms and Sidings Book — Page 28** — Delete **Cubawee** and relative particulars. (A.1–66–40,619.) *(W.N. 36–1966)*

> **Local Appendix — Page 87 — Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete **Cubawee** and relative particulars. (A.1–66–40,619.) *(W.N. 36–1966)*

> **Local Appendix — Page 104 — Grades at Stations, Sidings, Platforms and Signal-boxes — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete **Cubawee** and relative particulars. (A.1–66–40,619.) *(W.N. 36–1966)*

### Rates Books Deleted — W.N. 37–1966
> **Page 154 — List of Stations** — Delete **Cubawee** and relative particulars. (B.2–66–21,882.) *(W.N. 37–1966)*

> **Page 188 — Alphabetical List of Stations** — Delete **Cubawee** and relative particulars. (B.2–66–21,882.) *(W.N. 37–1966)*

> **Page 223 — List of Stations, Sidings, and Platforms on all Lines — Casino–Murwillumbah Line** — Delete **Cubawee** and relative particulars. (B.2–66–21,882.) *(W.N. 37–1966)*

> **Page 64 — New South Wales Stations** — Delete **Cubawee**. (C.1–66–20,843.) *(W.N. 37–1966)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| 1909 | School at location under name "Dunoon"; platform planned but noted "abolished" in construction plans (per your notes) |
| **October 1946** | **Opened** — W.N. 44–1946; **16-foot (4.87 m)** Down side platform at Mileage **513m 1c** between Leycester and Tuncester; unattended; passengers, parcels, small goods; control Old Casino; station brand **CWE** |
| W.N. — 1946 | Listed as **Cubawee (P)** in Casino–Murwillumbah Line accommodation table (ref. B.2–46–60,974) |
| **W.N. 12–1947** | Insert * in Through Booking of Parcels pamphlet (ref. C.4–47–28,958) |
| **W.N. 18–1950** | Platform extended to **32 feet (9.75 metres)** — W.N. 44–1946 amended (ref. V.49–62,196) |
| **W.N. 28–1950** | Platform extension confirmed — same 32 feet (ref. A.1–50–21,203) |
| **10 September 1966** | **Platform closed** |
| **W.N. 36–1966** | Deleted from Working Timetable (pages 234–237), Public Timetable (pages 7 and 84), Alphabetical List (page 28), Accommodation (page 87), Grades (page 104) — ref. A.1–66–40,619 |
| **W.N. 37–1966** | Deleted from List of Stations (page 154), Alphabetical List (page 188), List of all Lines (page 223), NSW Stations (page 64) — refs B.2–66–21,882 and C.1–66–20,843 |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1946–1966.* 
*Note: Cubawee is one of the latest-opening platforms in the Murwillumbah branch collection — October 1946 — and one of the few platforms specifically associated with an Aboriginal Reserve. The dual 1950 extension entries (W.N. 18 and W.N. 28) under two different file references (V.49–62,196 and A.1–50–21,203) are unusual — the V-series reference (Works branch) and the A-series reference (Traffic/Operations) processed the same physical change through two separate administrative streams in the same year. The station brand "CWE" is one of the more distinctive three-letter codes in the branch collection. The 20-year operational life (1946–1966) and the doubling of platform length from 16 to 32 feet in just four years suggests the Reserve community's use of the platform grew significantly in the late 1940s.*
#32
Old Casino Junction to Tuncester / Re: Cubawee
Last post by admin - August 04, 2026, 08:45:14 AM
Looking over the location of the one-time platform at Cubawee (2025)
#33
Old Casino Junction to Tuncester / Re: Leycester
Last post by admin - August 04, 2026, 08:40:23 AM
# Leycester (Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1912–1975

---

**Type:** Station / Platform (Closed) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 827.555 km (Mileage approximately **513m–514m**; Leycester Quarry Siding at 513m 62c immediately south) 
**Location:** -28.781054, 153.194739 
**Between:** Fernside / Leycester Quarry Siding (south) and Tuncester (north) 
**Opened:** **1912** (per your notes; no WN opening notice found in OCR) 
**Closed:** **3 June 1972** (per your notes; W.N. 19, 20 and 22–1972 deletions) 
**Status:** Closed 

### Signal Sectionmen District Boundary (1930)
**W.N. 47–1930:** Lismore Signal Sectionmen district — "**Leycester** to Murwillumbah and Nallina" — confirming Leycester as the **southern boundary of the Lismore Signal Sectionmen's district** 

### Relation to Leycester Quarry Siding
The Leycester Quarry Siding (abolished 19 February 1952) was at Mileage 513m 62c — immediately south of Leycester station. The Local Appendix formerly listed Leycester station as "Leycester (and Quarry Siding)" until W.N. 1–1953 deleted the quarry siding reference.

### Motor Service (1930)
Listed as a request stop ("a") in Casino–Murwillumbah motor car service timetable — between Fernside and Baraimal/Tuncester

### Deletion History
**W.N. 19–1972 (ref. C.71–4,170):** Casino–Murwillumbah Line distances (page 191) — delete **Leycester** and relevant particulars; Alphabetical List (page 67) — delete Leycester 
**W.N. 20–1972 (refs B.2–71–66,269 and B.2–72–26,510):** Page 56 — delete Leycester station name and relative particulars; List of stations with mileages from border stations — delete Leycester 
**W.N. 22–1972 (refs A.1–72–51,602 and A.1–72–51,611):** Pages 241–244 — delete Leycester; Grades table (page 104) — delete Leycester; page 49 — delete Leycester 

---

> **Notes:** Leycester opened 1912 on the Murwillumbah branch — no WN opening notice found in OCR. Listed as unattended (P) in 1924 between Fernside (P) and Tuncester (P). Leycester was the southern boundary of the Lismore Signal Sectionmen's district (W.N. 47–1930) — confirming its administrative significance beyond its size. Request stop on the 1930 motor car service. The station's Local Appendix entry formerly included the Leycester Quarry Siding — the "(and Quarry Siding)" designation was deleted in W.N. 1–1953 after the quarry siding's abolition in 1952. Closed 3 June 1972; deleted across three consecutive WNs (19, 20 and 22–1972).

---

## 1924 — Unattended Platform

### Unattended Platform — W.N. — 1924
> **Leycester (P)** — unattended platform; between Fernside (P) and Tuncester (P). *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1930 — Signal Sectionmen District; Motor Car Request Stop

### Signal Sectionmen — W.N. 47–1930
> **Signal Sectionmen — Lismore District:** **Leycester** to Murwillumbah and Nallina. *(W.N. 47–1930)*

### Motor Car Timetable — W.N. — 1930
> **Casino–Murwillumbah Motor Car Service** — **Leycester** listed as a **request stop** ("a") between Fernside and Baraimal/Tuncester. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1953 — Quarry Siding Reference Deleted — W.N. 1–1953

### Residual Reference Deleted — W.N. 1–1953
> **Page 45** — Delete "(and Quarry Siding)" from entry relating to **Leycester**. *(W.N. 1–1953)*

---

## 1972 — Station Deleted — W.N. 19, 20 and 22–1972

### Border Table Deleted — W.N. 19–1972
> **Page 191 — Stations and Platforms — Casino–Murwillumbah Line** — Delete **Leycester** and relevant particulars. (C.71–4,170.) *(W.N. 19–1972)*

> **Page 67 — Alphabetical List of Stations** — Delete **Leycester**. (C.1–72–29,810.) *(W.N. 19–1972)*

### Rates Books Deleted — W.N. 20–1972
> **Page 56 — List of Stations** — Delete **Leycester** station name and relative particulars. (B.2–71–66,269.) *(W.N. 20–1972)*

> **List of stations with mileages from border stations** — Delete **Leycester** and relative particulars. (B.2–72–26,510.) *(W.N. 20–1972)*

### Further Deletions — W.N. 22–1972
> **Pages 241 to 244 inclusive** — Delete **Leycester** and relevant particulars. (A.1–72–51,602.) *(W.N. 22–1972)*

> **Page 104 — Grades at Stations, Sidings, Platforms and Signal-boxes — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete **Leycester** and relevant particulars. (A.1–72–51,611.) *(W.N. 22–1972)*

> **Page 49** — Delete **Leycester**. (A.1–72–51,602.) *(W.N. 22–1972)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **1912** | **Opened** — Murwillumbah branch; no WN opening notice found in OCR |
| By 1924 | **Leycester (P)** — unattended platform; between Fernside (P) and Tuncester (P) |
| **W.N. 47–1930** | Lismore Signal Sectionmen district boundary — **Leycester to Murwillumbah and Nallina** |
| **W.N. — 1930** | Request stop on Casino–Murwillumbah motor car service |
| **19 February 1952** | Leycester Quarry Siding (Mileage 513m 62c) abolished — adjacent siding |
| **W.N. 1–1953** | "(and Quarry Siding)" deleted from Leycester Local Appendix entry |
| **3 June 1972** | **Station closed** |
| **W.N. 19–1972** | Deleted from Casino–Murwillumbah Line distances and Alphabetical List (ref. C.71–4,170) |
| **W.N. 20–1972** | Deleted from List of Stations (page 56) and border distances (refs B.2–71–66,269 and B.2–72–26,510) |
| **W.N. 22–1972** | Deleted from pages 241–244, Grades table, and page 49 (refs A.1–72–51,602 and A.1–72–51,611) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1924–1972.* 
*Note: Leycester's administrative significance as the southern boundary of the Lismore Signal Sectionmen's district (W.N. 47–1930) is disproportionate to its size as an unattended platform. This boundary persisted from at least 1930 and likely reflects the transition point between the Casino-controlled lower reaches of the branch and the Lismore-controlled upper section. The three-WN deletion sequence (W.N. 19, 20 and 22–1972) is the most spread deletion in the Murwillumbah branch 1972 closure batch, using five separate file references — reflecting the number of different rate books and administrative publications in which Leycester appeared despite being an unattended platform.*
#34
Old Casino Junction to Tuncester / Re: Leycester
Last post by admin - August 04, 2026, 08:29:16 AM
Looking over the location of the one-time Leycester station on the Murwillumbah branch (Feb 2025)
#35
Old Casino Junction to Tuncester / Re: Leycester Quarry Siding
Last post by admin - August 04, 2026, 08:24:12 AM
# Leycester Quarry Siding (Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1910–1953

---

**Type:** Siding (Closed) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 827.203 km (Mileage **513m 62c** — per 1952 abolition notice) 
**Location:** -28.782313, 153.190623 
**Between:** Fernside / Leycester (south) and Tuncester (north) 
**Opened:** **19 October 1910** (per your notes; no WN opening notice found in OCR) 
**Closed:** **Tuesday, 19 February 1952** — W.N. 7–1952 (ref. S.&T.E. 51–606,705–W.&M.) 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Named after the locality of Leycester 

### Siding Reduction (1942)
**W.N. 47–1942:** "Old Quarry Siding, Leycester (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Reduction in Length" — standing room reduced from **34 wagons** to **8 wagons** (delete 34, insert 8 in column "Standing Room — Other Sidings") (ref. 42–30,754) — consistent with your note of **20.1 metres** remaining by 1942 (a dead-end siding)

### Abolition (1952)
**W.N. 7–1952 (19 February 1952):** Points and crossing in Main line at Mileage **513m 62c** removed; siding abolished; **Frame A** and connections removed; all references deleted (pages 33 and 63) (ref. S.&T.E. 51–606,705–W.&M.)

### Residual Reference (1953)
**W.N. 1–1953:** "Page 45 — Delete '(and Quarry Siding)' from entry relating to **Leycester**" — cleanup of remaining Local Appendix reference to the siding after abolition

---

> **Notes:** Leycester Quarry Siding opened 19 October 1910. No WN opening notice found in OCR — consistent with quarry sidings on the Murwillumbah branch not always being formally gazetted. The siding underwent a major capacity reduction in 1942 (from 34 wagons to 8 wagons standing room — W.N. 47–1942), reducing it to a 20.1-metre dead-end by that date. Abolished 19 February 1952 (W.N. 7–1952; Mileage 513m 62c; Frame A removed). Residual Local Appendix reference deleted W.N. 1–1953.

---

## 1942 — Siding Length Reduced — W.N. 47–1942

### Siding Length Reduced — W.N. 47–1942
> **Page 63 — Reduction in Length of Old Quarry Siding, Leycester (Casino–Murwillumbah)** — Delete **34** and insert **8** in column "Standing Room — Other Sidings." (42–30,754.) *(W.N. 47–1942)*

---

## 1952 — Siding Abolished — 19 February 1952 — W.N. 7–1952

### Siding Abolished — W.N. 7–1952
> **Pages 33 and 63 — Leycester Quarry Siding (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Abolition of Siding** — On **Tuesday, 19th February, 1952**, between 8.0 a.m. and 4.0 p.m., the points and crossing in the Main line at Mileage **513m 62c**, leading to Leycester Quarry Siding, will be removed and the siding abolished.
>
> **Frame "A"** and connections will be removed.
>
> Delete all references to Leycester Quarry Siding. (S.&T.E. 51–606,705–W.&M.) *(W.N. 7–1952)*

---

## 1953 — Residual Reference Deleted — W.N. 1–1953

### Local Appendix Cleanup — W.N. 1–1953
> **Page 45** — Delete "(and Quarry Siding)" from entry relating to **Leycester**. *(W.N. 1–1953)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **19 October 1910** | **Opened** — Leycester Quarry Siding at Mileage 513m 62c (per your notes; no WN opening notice found in OCR) |
| **W.N. 47–1942** | **Siding length reduced** — standing room from **34 wagons** to **8 wagons**; "Old Quarry Siding" designation (ref. 42–30,754) |
| By 1942 | **20.1-metre dead-end siding** (per your notes) |
| **19 February 1952** | **Siding abolished** — Mileage 513m 62c; points and crossing removed; Frame A and connections removed; all references deleted (W.N. 7–1952; ref. S.&T.E. 51–606,705) |
| **W.N. 1–1953** | Residual Local Appendix reference "(and Quarry Siding)" deleted from Leycester entry |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1942–1953.* 
*Note: The 1942 WN description as "Old Quarry Siding" (rather than simply "Leycester Quarry Siding") confirms the siding was already considered a legacy facility by wartime, with the quarrying operation presumably having ceased many years earlier. The reduction from 34 to 8 wagons standing room (a drop of nearly 75%) in 1942 reflects either a physical shortening of the siding or regularisation of standing room to match the actual usable length after infrastructure deterioration. The 1953 residual cleanup — deleting "(and Quarry Siding)" from the Leycester entry — is evidence of the dual listing that existed in the Local Appendix where Leycester station and the quarry siding were combined into a single entry.*
#36
Old Casino Junction to Tuncester / Re: Fernside
Last post by admin - August 04, 2026, 07:44:34 AM
# Fernside (Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1924–1975

---

**Type:** Station / Platform (Closed) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah; Grafton-Tweed Line) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 824.350 km 
**Location:** -28.788536, 153.166995 
**Between:** Bungabbee (south) and Leycester / Tuncester (north) 
**Opened:** **1904** — as an unnamed cream stage platform; named **Fernside December 1904** (per your notes; no WN opening notice found in OCR) 
**Closed:** **19 February 1972** (per your notes; W.N. 7–1972 deletions effective) 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Adjacent property was named Fernhill — the same name as Hurlstone Park's station at the time; renamed Fernside to avoid duplication 

### Note on Opening
Small cream stage platforms on the Murwillumbah branch in this period were typically not formally gazetted in the WN. Fernside's opening as an unnamed cream platform in 1904 and its naming in December 1904 is from your notes. No WN opening notice found in the 1903–1905 volumes.

### Unattended Platform (1924)
**Fernside (P)** — listed between Bungabbee (P) and Leycester (P) in accommodation table

### Motor Service (1930)
Listed in Casino–Murwillumbah motor car service timetable — **request stop** (code "a") between Fairy Hill (Down direction) and Bungabbee/Leycester

### Deletion History
**W.N. 7–1972 (ref. B.2–71–64,258 and C.1–72–29,810):**
- Railways of Australia Goods Rates Book (page 49) — delete FERNSIDE station name and relative particulars
- Merchandise and Livestock Rates Book Vol. II (page 157) — delete Fernside
- Merchandise and Livestock Rates Book Vol. II (page 189) — delete Fernside
- Casino–Murwillumbah Line — delete **Fernside (P)** and relative mileages (page 191); also delete Laureldale (P) and Tyagarah (P)
- List of Stations on all Lines — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch (page 204 area) — delete Fernside
- Alphabetical list (page 65) — delete Fernside
- All six separate book entries use ref. B.2–71–64,258 (a 1971 file for 1972 WN action)

**W.N. 26–1975 (ref. A1 73 77203):**
- Grades table (page 104) — delete all reference to Naughton's Gap, Bentley, **Fernside**, Woodlawn College, Bexhill, Eltham, Booyong, Talofa and St Helena

### Nearby Closure — Laureldale
Laureldale (P) was deleted from all books simultaneously with Fernside in W.N. 7–1972 (ref. B.2–72–27,904) — suggesting Laureldale was an adjacent platform on the same Bungabbee–Tuncester section, also closed around the same date.

---

> **Notes:** Fernside opened in 1904 as an unnamed cream stage platform on the Murwillumbah branch and was named Fernside in December 1904 — the name chosen because the adjacent property was Fernhill but that name was already in use for Hurlstone Park station. Listed as unattended platform (P) in 1924, between Bungabbee and Leycester. Request stop on the Casino–Murwillumbah motor car service in 1930. Closed 19 February 1972; deleted from all rates books W.N. 7–1972 (ref. B.2–71–64,258 and C.1–72–29,810); Grades table deleted W.N. 26–1975.

---

## 1924 — Unattended Platform

### Unattended Platform — W.N. — 1924
> **Fernside (P)** — unattended platform; between Bungabbee (P) and Leycester (P). *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices — Local Appendix)*

---

## 1930 — Motor Car Service — Request Stop

### Motor Car Timetable — W.N. — 1930
> **Casino–Murwillumbah Motor Car Service** — Fernside listed as a **request stop** (code "a") — between Fairy Hill and Bungabbee/Leycester on Down journey; request stop on Up journey between Leycester/Bungabbee and Fairy Hill. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1972 — Closed and Deleted — W.N. 7–1972

### Rates Books Deleted — W.N. 7–1972
> **Railways of Australia Goods Rates Book — Page 49 — Alphabetical List of Stations** — **FERNSIDE** — delete station name and relative particulars. (B.2–71–64,258.) *(W.N. 7–1972)*

> **Merchandise and Livestock Rates Book, Volume II — Page 157 — List of Stations** — Delete **Fernside** and relative particulars. (B.2–71–64,258.) *(W.N. 7–1972)*

> **Merchandise and Livestock Rates Book, Volume II — Page 189 — Alphabetical List of Stations** — Delete **Fernside** and relative particulars. (B.2–71–64,258.) *(W.N. 7–1972)*

> **Page 191 — Casino–Murwillumbah Line — List of Stations (Mileages to Darling Harbour)** — Delete **Fernside (P)** and relative mileages. Delete Laureldale (P) and relative mileages. Delete Tyagarah (P) and relative mileages. (C.1–72–29,810.) *(W.N. 7–1972)*

> **Casino–Murwillumbah Branch Line — List of Stations on all Lines** — Delete **Fernside** and relative particulars. (B.2–71–64,258.) *(W.N. 7–1972)*

> **Page 65 — Alphabetical List of Stations** — Delete **Fernside**. (C.1–72–29,810.) *(W.N. 7–1972)*

---

## 1975 — Grades Table Deleted — W.N. 26–1975

### Grades Table Deleted — W.N. 26–1975
> **Page 104 — Grades at Stations, Sidings, Platforms and Signal-boxes — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — 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)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **1904** | **Opened as unnamed cream stage platform** (per your notes; no WN notice found) |
| **December 1904** | **Named FERNSIDE** — adjacent property was Fernhill; Hurlstone Park station also named Fernhill at the time; renamed Fernside to avoid duplication (per your notes) |
| By 1924 | **Fernside (P)** — unattended platform; between Bungabbee (P) and Leycester (P) |
| W.N. — 1930 | Listed as request stop on Casino–Murwillumbah motor car service |
| **19 February 1972** | **Station closed** (per your notes) |
| **W.N. 7–1972** | Deleted from all rates books — Railways of Australia Goods Rates Book, Merchandise and Livestock Rates Book (pages 157 and 189), Casino–Murwillumbah Line distances (page 191), List of Stations on all Lines, Alphabetical List (page 65) — refs B.2–71–64,258 and C.1–72–29,810; deleted alongside Laureldale (P), Tyagarah (P) |
| **W.N. 26–1975** | Deleted from Grades table (page 104) alongside Naughton's Gap, Bentley, Woodlawn College, Bexhill, Eltham, Booyong, Talofa and St Helena (ref. A1 73 77203) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1924–1975.* 
*Note: Fernside's naming history is one of the more unusual in the North Coast collection — a deliberate departure from the adjacent property name (Fernhill) to avoid confusion with a metropolitan station (Hurlstone Park, then named Fernhill). The W.N. 7–1972 batch deletion removed Fernside alongside Laureldale, Tyagarah, Cougal, Carstairs, Puggoon, Treberth and Myamyn — a single WN that systematically closed a large number of small unattended platforms across the Casino–Murwillumbah and North Coast branch network in February 1972. The 1971 file reference (B.2–71–64,258) confirms the closure decisions were made in 1971, consistent with the 19 February 1972 operative date.*
#37
Old Casino Junction to Tuncester / Re: Bungabbee
Last post by admin - August 04, 2026, 07:22:02 AM
# Bungabbee (Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1903–1975

---

**Type:** Station / Crossing Loop (Closed) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah; Grafton-Tweed Line) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 821.980 km (Mileage **510m 60c** — per 1973 Local Appendix deletion; also described as **821.972 km** in same notice) 
**Location:** -28.7811, 153.1489 
**Between:** Bentley (south) and Tuncester (north) 
**Opened:** **10 October 1903** (per your notes; not found in OCR — 1903 volume based on 1902 working book) 
**Closed as ETS and Crossing Station:** **Tuesday, 31 July 1973** — W.N. 29–1973 (ref. S.&T.E. 71–521,801) 
**Station formally closed:** **20 October 1973** (per your notes; W.N. 33 and 35–1973 deletions from all books) 
**Status:** Closed 

### Significance
Bungabbee was the **southern boundary of the Lismore and Murwillumbah Land Districts** — confirmed W.N. 45–1926: "The Land Districts of Lismore and Murwillumbah include stations and sidings **Bungabbee to Murwillumbah inclusive**." (ref. G.W. I–26–4,585) 
Bungabbee was also the key ETS section boundary between the Casino district and the Lismore/Murwillumbah district throughout its operating life.

### ETS Sections History
| Period | Sections |
|--------|---------|
| By 1924 | **Old Casino–Bungabbee** and **Bungabbee–Lismore** |
| **1935** | Circular No. 384–18 of 1930 governs Old Casino–Bungabbee section (frame at Casino triangle released by this staff) |
| **1945 W.N. 42–1945** | Bungabbee–Lismore — Staffs Nos. 5 and 6 fitted with keys; delete "1–4" under Key Staffs, insert "1–6" |
| **31 July 1973** | Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore cancelled; **Old Casino–Lismore** (29.210 km / 18m 12c) created |

### Signalling History

**Circular No. 368 of 1911** — base diagram (amended W.N. 39–1950) 

**W.N. 39–1950 (since 14 September 1950) — Ground Frame Alterations:** 
**Sydney end** — 2-lever Ground Frame D and Lever and Bracket Lock B (working Main–Loop and Loop–Goods Siding), plus bolt lock, removed; replaced by new **3-lever Ground Frame B** fixed on Up side adjacent to Main–Loop points:
- No. 1 lever: FPL for No. 2 points — released by either key from **duplex lock on No. 5 lever in Signal-box**
- No. 2 lever: Main–Loop points
- No. 3 lever: Loop–Goods Siding points 

**Murwillumbah end** — 2-lever Ground Frame E (Main–Loop at Murwillumbah end) replaced by new machine at same site, renamed **Frame D** 

Circular No. 368 of 1911 amended accordingly (S.&T.E. 50–519,831–W.&M.) 

**1935 — Casino Triangle** — frame at Casino triangle released by ETS for section Old Casino–Bungabbee (Circular No. 384–18 of 1930; ref. 35–90,008) 

**1943 — Signal Sectionmen District boundary** — "Signal Sectionmen South Grafton: Banyabba to Bungabbee and Greenbank Road, exclusive of Casino" 

**Closure — W.N. 29–1973 (31 July 1973):** 
- Main line points at each end of Loop spiked; standard clips and XL locks; Loop line and Goods Siding placed out of use pending removal
- Signal-box on platform placed out of use; Down and Up Home signal arms and Distant signal arms removed pending complete removal
- Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore ETS sections cancelled; **Old Casino–Lismore** created (29.210 km / 18m 12c)
- Driver notices: Station Master Casino (Down) and Lismore (Up) — 3 days including day of closure (S.&T.E. 71–521,801–W.&M.)

### Goods Facilities
**W.N. — 1924:** Goods Shed listed — Casino–Bungabbee ETS section; Bungabbee listed with goods shed in accommodation table 
**W.N. 33–1973:** Bungabbee insert (P) after station name in List of Stations (page 188) and List of Stations on all Lines (page 260) — ref. B.2–73–40,429 

### Deletion History
**W.N. 29–1973:** ETS sections Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore cancelled; Old Casino–Lismore created 
**W.N. 30–1973:** ETS section table (page 15) — delete Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore; insert Old Casino–Lismore (29.210 km, 18m 12c, Miniature Electric Train Staff) (ref. S.&T.E. 72–530,604) 
**W.N. 33–1973:** Insert (P) in List of Stations (page 188); List of all Lines (page 260); Alphabetical List — delete "*r" insert "*S" in reference column (ref. B.2–73–40,429) 
**W.N. 35–1973:** Alphabetical list of stations — delete Bungabbee (ref. A.1–73–60,408); Accommodation Provided (page 87) — delete **821.972 km (510m 60c) Bungabbee** and relevant particulars; Grades table (page 104) — delete Bungabbee (ref. A.1–73–60,408) 
**W.N. 38–1973:** Railways of Australia Intersystem Parcels Rates Book (page 61) — delete Bungabbee; Alphabetical List of Stations (page 226) — delete Bungabbee (ref. B.2–73–40,429) 
**W.N. 29–1974:** Horses/vehicles loading table — Casino–Murwillumbah Line: delete Old Casino, Bentley, **Bungabbee**, Tuncester, North Lismore, Bexhill, Eltham, Booyong and Stockers (C.1–74) 
**W.N. 26–1975:** Steep Grades UP JOURNEY — delete Naughton's Gap–North Casino, insert **Bungabee–Old Casino** (A1 73 77203) 

---

> **Notes:** Bungabbee opened 10 October 1903 — the southern boundary of the Lismore and Murwillumbah Land Districts (W.N. 45–1926). Bungabbee was the key operational boundary between the Casino and Lismore districts throughout its life, reflected in both the ETS section arrangement (Old Casino–Bungabbee / Bungabbee–Lismore) and the Signal Sectionmen district (Banyabba to Bungabbee — South Grafton district). Ground frames at both ends of the yard were significantly reorganised in September 1950 (W.N. 39–1950) — Sydney end from 2-lever Frame D/Bracket Lock B to new 3-lever Frame B (No. 5 Signal-box duplex lock release); Murwillumbah end Frame E renamed Frame D; Circular No. 368 of 1911 amended. Bungabbee–Lismore key staffs expanded from 1–4 to 1–6 in October 1945 (W.N. 42–1945). Closed as ETS and crossing station 31 July 1973 — Old Casino–Lismore section (29.210 km) created; loop and goods siding placed out of use; signal-box closed; signal arms removed. After closure, Bungabbee–Old Casino was inserted into the Steep Grades UP JOURNEY table (W.N. 26–1975), confirming the grade north of Bungabbee toward Old Casino is more severe than the previously listed Naughton's Gap–North Casino section.

---

## 1907 — Position Confirmed (Casino Council Quarry Siding — Loaded Trucks Left at Bungabbee)

> **Casino Council's Quarry Siding (between Naughton's Gap and Bentley):** Loaded trucks for Casino are to be attached to Down trains and **left at Bungubbee** [Bungabbee], from where they will be lifted by Up trains. *(W.N. 5–1907; ref. 07–4754)*

---

## 1924 — Goods Shed; ETS Sections; Unattended

### Local Appendix — W.N. — 1924
> **Bungabbee (P)** — unattended platform with goods shed; **Casino–Bungabbee** and **Bungabbee–Lismore** ETS sections. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1926 — Land Districts Boundary — W.N. 45–1926

### Land Districts Boundary — W.N. 45–1926
> **Land Districts of Lismore and Murwillumbah** — The Land Districts of Lismore and Murwillumbah include stations and sidings **Bungabbee to Murwillumbah inclusive**. All concerned to give this matter close attention. (G.W. I–26–4,585.) *(W.N. 45–1926)*

---

## 1935 — Casino Triangle Frame Released by Old Casino–Bungabbee ETS — W.N. 31–1935

### Triangle Frame — W.N. 31–1935
> **Casino (North Coast) — Alterations to Arrangements in Connection with New Station** — Traffic requiring to be stored in [the Casino] Triangle is to be placed therein via the points at the north or Murwillumbah end. The frame controlling these points is operated by the **Electric Train Staff for the section Old Casino–Bungabbee**. Circular No. 384–18 of 1930, and diagram attached thereto, to be posted accordingly. (35–90,008.) *(W.N. 31–1935)*

---

## 1943 — Signal Sectionmen District Boundary

### Sectionmen District — W.N. — 1943
> **Signal Sectionmen — South Grafton District:** Banyabba to **Bungabbee** and Greenbank Road, exclusive of Casino [and Lismore District]. *(Source: 1943 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1945 — Bungabbee–Lismore Key Staffs Extended — W.N. 42–1945

### Key Staffs Extended — W.N. 42–1945
> **Page 49 — Electric Train Staff Sections — Bungabbee–Lismore** — On **9th October, 1945**, Electric Train Staffs, Nos. 5 and 6, for the section **Bungabbee–Lismore** were fitted with keys. Delete "1–4" under the heading "Key Staffs" and insert "1–6." (S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 42–1945)*

---

## 1950 — Ground Frame Alterations — Since 14 September 1950 — W.N. 39–1950; Circular No. 368 of 1911

### Ground Frame Alterations — W.N. 39–1950
> **Bungabbee (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Alteration to Ground Frames at Each End of the Yard** — Since **14th September, 1950**, alterations to the working of the points at the Sydney end of the yard have been brought into use as follows:
>
> The two-lever Ground Frame "D" and Lever and Bracket Lock "B," operating the points, Main line–Loop line, and Loop line–Goods Siding, respectively; and the bolt lock at the Sydney end of the yard have been removed and replaced by a new **three-lever Ground Frame "B,"** fixed on the Up side of the Main line, adjacent to the points Main–Loop line.
>
> Frame "B" — No. 1 Lever: F.P.L. for No. 2 points; No. 2 Lever: Points, Main–Loop; No. 3 Lever: Points, Loop–Goods Siding.
>
> Frame "B" — No. 1 Lever is unlocked by either key from the **duplex lock on No. 5 Lever in the Signal-box**.
>
> Frame "D" — The two-lever Ground Frame "E," operating the points, Main–Loop line at the Murwillumbah end of the yard, has been replaced by a new machine at the same site and re-named **Frame "D."**
>
> **Circular No. 368 of 1911**, and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E. 50–519,831–W.&M.) *(W.N. 39–1950)*

---

## 1973 — Closed as ETS and Crossing Station — 31 July 1973; Old Casino–Lismore Section Created

### Closure — W.N. 29–1973
> **Bungabbee (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Closing as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — On **Tuesday, 31st July, 1973**, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., Bungabbee will be closed as an electric train staff and crossing station.
>
> The electric train staff sections **Old Casino–Bungabbee** and **Bungabbee–Lismore** will be cancelled and the electric train staff section **Old Casino–Lismore** will be brought into use.
>
> **Particulars of Old Casino–Lismore:**
> - Method of working: **Miniature Electric Train Staff**
> - Length of section: **29.210 km (18m 12c)**
> - From: Old Casino → To: Lismore
>
> **Signalling Alterations** — The Main line points at each end of the Loop line will be secured in their normal positions by standard clips and X.L. locks and the Loop line and Goods Siding will be placed **out of use pending removal**. The signal-box on the platform will be placed out of use and the arms of the Down and Up Home signals and Distant signals will be removed pending complete removal of these facilities.
>
> **Driver's Notices** — The station masters at Casino (for Down trains) and Lismore (for Up trains) must arrange for the driver of each Down and Up train to be issued with a notice advising him of the closure for a period of **three (3) days** including the day on which the alterations are carried out.
>
> (S.&T.E. 71–521,801–W.&M.) *(W.N. 29–1973)*

### ETS Section Table Updated — W.N. 30–1973
> **Page 15 — Block, Automatic Signalling, Electric Train Staff and Train Staff and Ticket Sections — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Sections **Old Casino–Bungabbee** and **Bungabbee–Lismore** to be deleted and the following particulars substituted:
>
> **Old Casino–Lismore:** 29.210 km (18m 12c), Miniature Electric Train Staff. (S.&T.E. 72–530,604–W.&M.) *(W.N. 30–1973)*

### Accommodation Deleted — W.N. 35–1973
> **Page 87 — Stations, Platforms, and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete **821.972 km (510m 60c) Bungabbee** and relevant particulars. (A.1–73–60,408.) *(W.N. 35–1973)*

> **Page 104 — Grades at Stations, Sidings, Platforms, and Signal-boxes — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete Bungabbee and relevant particulars. (A.1–73–60,408.) *(W.N. 35–1973)*

---

## 1975 — Steep Grades Amended — W.N. 26–1975

### Steep Grades Amended — W.N. 26–1975
> **Page 115 — Steep Grades — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch — UP JOURNEY** — Delete "Naughton's Gap–North Casino," insert **"Bungabee–Old Casino."** (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **10 October 1903** | **Opened** — Murwillumbah branch; no WN opening notice found in OCR |
| By 1907 | Confirmed operational — Bungabbee used as intermediate depot for quarry siding loaded trucks (W.N. 5–1907) |
| By 1924 | **Bungabbee (P)** — unattended platform with goods shed; Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore ETS sections |
| **W.N. 45–1926** | Land Districts boundary — **Bungabbee to Murwillumbah inclusive** = Lismore and Murwillumbah Land Districts (ref. G.W. I–26–4,585) |
| **W.N. 31–1935** | Casino Triangle frame released by Old Casino–Bungabbee ETS key; Circular No. 384–18 of 1930 |
| **W.N. — 1943** | Signal Sectionmen district boundary — Banyabba to Bungabbee (South Grafton) |
| **9 October 1945** | **Bungabbee–Lismore key staffs extended** — Staffs 5 and 6 fitted with keys; key staffs 1–4 → 1–6 (W.N. 42–1945) |
| **14 September 1950** | **Ground frame alterations** — Sydney end: 2-lever Frame D/Bracket Lock B → 3-lever Frame B (No. 5 Signal-box duplex lock); Murwillumbah end: Frame E renamed Frame D; Circular No. 368 of 1911 amended (W.N. 39–1950; ref. S.&T.E. 50–519,831) |
| **31 July 1973** | **Closed as ETS and Crossing Station** — Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore cancelled; **Old Casino–Lismore (29.210 km)** created; loop spiked; signal-box closed; signal arms removed; Driver notices 3 days (W.N. 29–1973; ref. S.&T.E. 71–521,801) |
| **W.N. 30–1973** | ETS section table updated — Old Casino–Lismore inserted (ref. S.&T.E. 72–530,604) |
| **W.N. 33–1973** | Insert (P); reference column "*r" → "*S" |
| **W.N. 35–1973** | Accommodation (821.972 km / 510m 60c) and Grades deleted (ref. A.1–73–60,408) |
| **W.N. 38–1973** | Parcels Rates Book and Alphabetical List deleted (ref. B.2–73–40,429) |
| **20 October 1973** | **Station formally closed** (per your notes) |
| **W.N. 29–1974** | Deleted from horses/vehicles loading table (C.1–74) |
| **W.N. 26–1975** | Steep Grades UP JOURNEY — Naughton's Gap–North Casino replaced by **Bungabee–Old Casino** (A1 73 77203) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1903–1975.* 
*Note: Bungabbee's role as the permanent boundary between the Casino/South Grafton and Lismore/Murwillumbah administrative districts — confirmed by both the 1926 Land Districts notice and the 1943 Signal Sectionmen boundary — made it operationally disproportionate to its size as an unattended platform. The Old Casino–Lismore section (29.210 km) created on 31 July 1973 is one of the longest Miniature ETS sections on the Murwillumbah branch, reflecting the concentration of the remaining traffic between Casino and Lismore without intermediate staff exchange. The 1950 ground frame reorganisation (Circular No. 368 of 1911 base diagram, amended nearly 40 years later) is the longest-lived base circular in the Murwillumbah branch collection.*
#38
Old Casino Junction to Tuncester / Re: Bentley
Last post by admin - August 04, 2026, 07:10:13 AM
# Bentley (Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1907–1975

---

**Type:** Station (Closed) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah; Grafton-Tweed Line) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 818.956 km 
**Location:** -28.779810, 153.120575 
**Between:** Casino Council Quarry Siding / Naughton's Gap (south) and Bexhill / Fernside (north) 
**Opened:** **1906** (per your notes; no WN opening notice found in OCR) 
**Closed:** **2 June 1975** (per your notes; W.N. 29 and 30–1974 deletions; W.N. 26–1975 accommodation deleted) 
**Status:** Closed 

### Note on Opening
The Murwillumbah branch opening notices for the early 1906 extension to Bentley are not recovered in the OCR. The 1907 WN reference to Casino Council's Quarry Siding "between Naughton's Gap and Bentley" confirms Bentley was already in place by 1907.

### Infrastructure
**W.N. — 1915:** Cattle and pig yards, and a **5-ton Gantry Crane** provided at Bentley (Grafton-Tweed Line) — ref. E.10–3,607 
Listed alongside Rappville 5-ton Gantry Crane provision in the same WN 

### Unattended Platform (1924)
**Bentley (P)** — listed as unattended platform in Local Appendix; between Naughton's Gap (P) and Bungabbee (P)

### Load Sections (1935)
Bentley used as load section boundary:
- **Tuncester→Bentley** — 165/185/205 tons (various engine classes, Down journey)
- **Bentley→Old Casino** — Down: 140/150/165 tons; Up: 175/190/200 tons
- **Bexhill→Bentley** — Up journey; superheated 50-class: 580/450/640 tons
- **Bentley→Casino** — 360/450/640 tons (50-class engines)

### Load Sections (1965)
- **Bangalow→Bentley** — Up journey: 500 tons (p)
- **Bentley→Casino** — Up journey: 1,000 tons (p)

### Deletion History
**W.N. 29–1974:** Deleted from horses/vehicles loading table — Casino–Murwillumbah Line: Old Casino, **Bentley**, Bungabbee, Tuncester, North Lismore, Bexhill, Eltham, Booyong and Stockers (C.1–74) 
**W.N. 30–1974:** Deleted from List of Stations (page 185) and Alphabetical List of Stations (page 225) — ref. B.2–74–71,071 
**W.N. — 1974:** Passenger Fares Book (page 53) — delete **BENTLEY** station name and relevant particulars 
**W.N. 26–1975:** Accommodation Provided table (page 87) — delete all reference to Naughton's Gap, **Bentley** and Fernside (ref. A1 73 77203) 

---

> **Notes:** Bentley opened 1906 on the Murwillumbah branch. By 1907 the Casino Council's Quarry Siding to the south was documented between "Naughton's Gap and Bentley," confirming the station was operational. Cattle and pig yards and a 5-ton Gantry Crane provided in 1915 (ref. E.10–3,607). Listed as unattended platform (P) in 1924. Used as a load section boundary throughout the 1930s and 1960s, separating the heavy Up grades from Casino to Bentley from the lighter Down grades onward toward Bexhill and Murwillumbah. Station closed 2 June 1975; deleted from rates books, station lists and passenger fares W.N. 29 and 30–1974; accommodation references deleted W.N. 26–1975.

---

## 1907 — Bentley Position Confirmed Between Naughton's Gap and Quarry Siding

### Position Confirmed — W.N. 5–1907
> **Casino Council's Quarry Siding at Mileage 73.20, between Naughton's Gap and Bentley** — [Grafton to Murwillumbah Line.] *(W.N. 5–1907; ref. 07–4754)*

*Confirms Bentley was operational by 1907 as the named station immediately north of the quarry siding.*

---

## 1915 — Cattle and Pig Yards; 5-Ton Gantry Crane — W.N. — 1915

### Facilities Provided — W.N. — 1915
> **Bentley (Grafton-Tweed Line)** — Cattle and Pig Yards, also a **5-ton Gantry Crane** have been provided. Local Appendices to be posted accordingly. (E.10–3,607.) *(W.N. — 1915)*

---

## 1924 — Unattended Platform

### Unattended Platform — W.N. — 1924
> **Bentley (P)** — unattended platform; Casino–Murwillumbah Branch. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1935 — Load Sections

### Load Sections — 1935
> **Casino–Murwillumbah Branch Engine Load Table:**
> - Tuncester → **Bentley**: 165/185/205 tons
> - **Bentley** → Old Casino: Down 140/150/165 tons; Up 175/190/200 tons
> - Bexhill → **Bentley**: superheated 50-class — 580/450/640 tons (Up journey)
> - **Bentley** → Casino: 360/450/640 tons *(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1965 — Load Sections

### Load Sections — 1965
> **Casino–Murwillumbah Branch:**
> - Bangalow → **Bentley**: Up 500 tons (p)
> - **Bentley** → Casino: Up 1,000 tons (p) *(Source: 1965 Weekly Notices — C.M.E.–R.C.A.–M.M.–24)*

---

## 1974 — Deleted from Tables — W.N. 29 and 30–1974

### Horses/Vehicles Loading Deleted — W.N. 29–1974
> **Page 186 — Casino–Murwillumbah Line — Stations at which Horses and Vehicles may be loaded and unloaded:** 
> Delete Old Casino, **Bentley**, Bungabbee, Tuncester, North Lismore, Bexhill, Eltham, Booyong and Stockers. (C.1–74.) *(W.N. 29–1974)*

### List of Stations Deleted — W.N. 30–1974
> **Page 185 — List of Stations** — Delete **Bentley** and relevant particulars. (B.2–74–71,071.) *(W.N. 30–1974)*

> **Page 225 — Alphabetical List of Stations** — Delete **Bentley** and relevant particulars. (B.2–74–71,071.) *(W.N. 30–1974)*

### Passenger Fares Book — W.N. — 1974
> **Page 53 — BENTLEY** — Delete station name and relevant particulars. *(W.N. — 1974)*

---

## 1975 — Accommodation References Deleted — W.N. 26–1975

### Accommodation Deleted — W.N. 26–1975
> **Page 87 — Stations, Sidings and Platforms — Accommodation Provided** — Delete all reference to Naughton's Gap, **Bentley** and Fernside. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **1906** | **Opened** — Murwillumbah branch; no WN opening notice found in OCR |
| By 1907 | Confirmed operational — referenced as northern boundary of Casino Council's Quarry Siding (W.N. 5–1907) |
| **W.N. — 1915** | Cattle and pig yards and **5-ton Gantry Crane** provided (ref. E.10–3,607) |
| By 1924 | **Bentley (P)** — unattended platform |
| 1935 | Load section boundary — Tuncester→Bentley; Bentley→Old Casino; Bexhill→Bentley; Bentley→Casino |
| 1965 | Load section boundary — Bangalow→Bentley (500 tons Up); Bentley→Casino (1,000 tons Up) |
| **2 June 1975** | **Station closed** |
| W.N. 29–1974 | Deleted from horses/vehicles loading table — Casino–Murwillumbah Line |
| W.N. 30–1974 | Deleted from List of Stations and Alphabetical List (ref. B.2–74–71,071) |
| W.N. — 1974 | Deleted from Passenger Fares Book (page 53) |
| **W.N. 26–1975** | All accommodation references deleted (ref. A1 73 77203) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1907–1975.* 
*Note: Bentley's role as a load section boundary is confirmed in both the 1935 and 1965 engine load tables — the station marks the inflection point between the severe grades climbing from Casino to Bentley (one of the steepest sustained climbs on the Murwillumbah branch) and the easier grades from Bentley northward toward Bexhill. The Bentley→Casino load (360–640 tons for superheated 50-class in 1935; 1,000 tons Up in 1965) compared with the Old Casino/Casino Council Quarry Siding loads to the south reflects the grade configuration change at this point. The 5-ton Gantry Crane provision in 1915 reflects Bentley's importance as a timber and agricultural goods handling point on the branch.*
#39
Old Casino Junction to Tuncester / Re: Casino Council Quarry Sidi...
Last post by admin - August 03, 2026, 06:29:30 PM
# Casino Council Quarry Siding (Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1907–1937

---

**Type:** Siding (Closed); re-opened 1934; final closure 1937 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah; Grafton-Murwillumbah Line) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 816.683 km (Mileage **507m 36c** — per 1937 abolition notice) 
**Location:** -28.789576, 153.098229 
**Between:** Old Casino / Naughton's Gap (south) and Bentley / St Helena (north) 
**Opened:** **19 November 1907** (per your notes; W.N. 5–1907; ref. 07–4754) 
**First closure:** **1930** — removed since **13 October 1930** (W.N. 44–1930); insert (P) 
**Second closure (temporary):** **W.N. 51–1933** — siding closed 
**Reopened:** **4 October 1934** — "unspiked and brought into use" (W.N. 42–1934; ref. 33–28,770) 
**Final closure:** **22 March 1937** — connections removed and siding abolished (W.N. 13–1937; ref. C.T.M. 36–34,566) 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Named after the Casino Shire Council 

### Note on Opening
Your notes give **W.N. 5/1907** and **15 wagons** standing room. The Local Appendix entry found in the 1907 volume (ref. 07–4754) reads "16 wagons" — this is an OCR misread of "15." W.N. 5/1907 is the confirmed opening notice reference.

### Note on Mileage
The 1937 abolition notice gives **Mileage 507m 36c**; the 1907 entry describes the siding as at Mileage **73.20** from Casino (i.e., 73 miles 20 chains from Casino on the Murwillumbah branch) — consistent with approximately 507m 36c from Sydney.

### Siding Characteristics
- Grade: **1 in 500 falling** from Main line for **130 feet**, then **1 in 80 rising** to stop block
- Approached on Main Line (Up journey) on rising grade of **1 in 50**
- Standing room: **15 wagons** (W.N. 5/1907 per your notes; OCR reads "16")
- Daylight working only; **Down trains only**
- **20 sprags** required, distributed 10 yards apart (owing to heavy grade)
- Loaded trucks left at Bungubbee for Up trains; empty wagons routed via Casino from Lismore

### Load Sections (1935)
Siding used as a load section boundary on Casino–Murwillumbah:
- Old Casino → Casino Council Quarry Siding: 140/150/165 (Down); 175/190/200 (Up) tons
- Casino Council Quarry Siding → St Helena: 190/195/230 (Down); 235/240/285 (Up) tons

### Speed Restrictions (1936)
**W.N. 20–1936:**
- Casino to Quarry Siding: **25 mph**
- Casino Council's Quarry Siding to Mileage 513m 60c: **30 mph** (23 and 32 class engines only)
- Old Casino–Casino Council's Quarry Siding: 32-class engine maximum speed section

### Prohibited Vehicles (1935)
**W.N. 21–1935:** Engines, brake-vans and covered vehicles prohibited beyond Stop Board in siding; 60-class engines must not proceed past loading bank (C.C.E. C.35–38,008; C.T.M. 35–48,906)

---

> **Notes:** Casino Council's Quarry Siding opened W.N. 5/1907 (19 November 1907) at Mileage 507m 36c between Naughton's Gap and Bentley. The severe grade combination (1 in 500 falling then 1 in 80 rising) with a 1 in 50 approach on the Up journey made this one of the most restrictive sidings on the Murwillumbah branch — requiring 20 sprags, daylight/Down-trains-only working, and specific wagon routing arrangements. The siding passed through multiple operational phases: removed in 1930 (W.N. 44); closed in 1933 (W.N. 51); reopened 4 October 1934 (W.N. 42); finally abolished 22 March 1937 (W.N. 13). Used as a load section boundary between Old Casino and St Helena throughout its later life. 60-class engines prohibited from proceeding past loading bank from 1935.

---

## 1907 — Opened W.N. 5–1907; Mileage 73.20 from Casino; 15 Wagons

### Opening and Working Instructions — W.N. 5–1907
> **Casino Council's Quarry Siding at Mileage 73.20, between Naughton's Gap and Bentley — Grafton to Murwillumbah Line** — This siding is on a grade of **1 in 500, falling** from the Main line for a distance of **130 feet**, and then **rises to the stop block on a grade of 1 in 80**, and is approached on the Main Line on the **Up journey** by a rising grade of 1 in 50. It must be worked during **daylight**, and **only by trains on the Down journey**.
>
> Loaded trucks for Casino are to be attached to Down trains and left at **Bungubbee**, from where they will be lifted by Up trains. When necessary to supply empty wagons from Lismore, they should be taken on to Casino and returned to the siding by Down trains.
>
> There is standing room for **15 wagons** in this siding. Owing to the heavy grade, **20 sprags** should be provided and distributed 10 yards apart. (07–4754.) *(W.N. 5–1907)*

---

## 1930 — Siding Removed — Since 13 October 1930 — W.N. 44–1930

### Siding Removed — W.N. 44–1930
> **Pages 187 and 218 — Quarry Siding (Casino–Murwillumbah Branch) — Removal of Siding** — Since **13th October, 1930**, the Siding has been removed, and the following amendments are to be made:
>
> **Page 187 — List of Stations:** 
> Delete — One 5-ton crane, maximum hook lift above rail level 21 ft. 6 in. 
> Insert — $ Small consignments of a light nature only.
>
> **Page 218:** Insert — **(P)**
>
> (G.W. I–31,486.) *(W.N. 44–1930)*

> **Pages 33 and 63 — Intermediate Sidings / Accommodation Provided:** 
> Delete — Quarry Siding; One 5-ton Crane, 3 sprags, 18 vehicles. *(W.N. 44–1930)*

---

## 1933 — Siding Closed — W.N. 51–1933

### Siding Closed — W.N. 51–1933
> **Casino Council's Quarry Siding — Closed.** *(W.N. 51–1933; ref. 33–28,770 — referenced in 1934 reopening notice)*

---

## 1934 — Siding Reopened — 4 October 1934 — W.N. 42–1934

### Siding Reopened — W.N. 42–1934
> **Pages 33, 63, 75 and 26 — Casino Council's Quarry Siding (North Coast) — Siding Brought into Use** — Since **4th October, 1934**, the points in the Main line and catch-points in the siding have been **unspiked** and siding **brought into use**.
>
> This cancels the instruction on the subject issued in **Weekly Notice No. 51 of 1933**. (33–28,770.) *(W.N. 42–1934)*

---

## 1935 — Prohibited Vehicles; Load Sections; Speed Restrictions

### Prohibited Vehicles — W.N. 21–1935
> **Engines, Brake-vans, and Covered Vehicles Prohibited from Running on Specified Sidings — Casino Council Quarry Siding (Casino–Murwillumbah Branch)** — Commencing at once, previous instructions on this subject are amended by the following:
>
> **South Grafton District — Casino Council Quarry Siding:** 
> Not to be placed beyond the Stop Board in siding opposite to him, and 60-class engines must not proceed on the siding past the loading bank. (C.C.E., C.35–38,008; C.T.M. 35–48,906.) *(W.N. 21–1935)*

### Load Sections — 1935
> **Casino–Murwillumbah Branch — Load Sections:**
> - Old Casino → Casino Council Quarry Siding: Down 140/150/165 tons; Up 175/190/200 tons
> - Casino Council Quarry Siding → St Helena: Down 190/195/230 tons; Up 235/240/285 tons
>
> *(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices — Engine Load Tables)*

### Steep Grades (Up journey) — 1935
> **Casino–Murwillumbah Branch — UP JOURNEY:** 
> Casino → Casino Council Quarry Siding: [steep grade section — trains required to stop to apply/release brakes] 
> Casino Council Quarry Siding → St Helena: [separate section] *(Source: 1935 Steep Grades table)*

---

## 1936 — Speed Restrictions — W.N. 20–1936

### Speed Restrictions — W.N. 20–1936
> **Old Casino–Murwillumbah Branch:** 
> Casino to Quarry Siding: **25 miles per hour** 
> Quarry Siding to Mileage 513m 60c: **20 miles per hour**; Mileage 513m 60c to Mileage 515m 0c: **25 miles per hour** 
>
> **Engines of "23" and "32" class specially reduced speed:** 
> Casino Council's Quarry Siding to Mileage 513m 60c: **30 miles per hour** 
>
> **Old Casino–Casino Council's Quarry Siding** — maximum speed for 32-class engines as specified. (C.T.M. 34–26,104; C.C.E., C.36–36,316.) *(W.N. 20–1936)*

---

## 1937 — Final Abolition — 22 March 1937 — W.N. 13–1937

### Siding Abolished — W.N. 13–1937
> **Pages 33, 63, 75 and 269 — Casino Council's Quarry Siding (Casino–Murwillumbah Branch) — Abolition of Siding** — On **22nd March, 1937**, the connections leading to the Casino Council's Siding, Mileage **507m 36c**, were removed and the siding **abolished**. Delete reference thereto. (C.T.M. 36–34,566; S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 13–1937)*

> **Page 189 and 235 — Abolition of Siding** — Delete particulars relative thereto. (36–34,566.) *(W.N. 13–1937)*

> **Page 16 — Collieries** — Delete particulars relative thereto. (36–34,566.) *(W.N. 13–1937)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **19 November 1907** | **Opened** — W.N. 5–1907; Mileage 73.20 from Casino (507m 36c from Sydney); 15 wagons standing; grade 1 in 500 falling 130 feet then 1 in 80 rising; daylight Down trains only; 20 sprags; 5-ton crane; ref. 07–4754 |
| **Since 13 October 1930** | **Siding removed** — 5-ton crane and accommodation deleted; insert (P); (W.N. 44–1930; ref. G.W. I–31,486) |
| **W.N. 51–1933** | **Siding closed** (ref. 33–28,770) |
| **4 October 1934** | **Siding reopened** — points unspiked; brought into use; W.N. 51–1933 instructions cancelled (W.N. 42–1934; ref. 33–28,770) |
| **W.N. 21–1935** | **Prohibited vehicles** — 60-class engines not past loading bank; vehicles not past Stop Board; (C.C.E. C.35–38,008; C.T.M. 35–48,906) |
| **1935** | Used as **load section boundary** — Old Casino→Quarry Siding; Quarry Siding→St Helena |
| **W.N. 20–1936** | **Speed restrictions** — 25 mph Casino to Quarry Siding; 23/32-class engines 30 mph Quarry Siding–513m 60c |
| **22 March 1937** | **Final abolition** — connections removed; Mileage 507m 36c; pages 33, 63, 75, 269, 189, 235 and 16 amended (W.N. 13–1937; ref. C.T.M. 36–34,566) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1907–1937.* 
*Note: The Casino Council's Quarry Siding had one of the most complex operational histories for a private siding on the Murwillumbah branch — three separate operational phases (1907–1930, October 1934–March 1937) with an intermediate closure in 1933. The reopening in October 1934 (W.N. 42–1934) explicitly cancels W.N. 51–1933, making this the only Murwillumbah branch siding where a prior closure notice is formally cancelled by name in the WN. The severe grade characteristics (1 in 500 falling then 1 in 80 rising) with the specific engine class prohibitions (60-class past loading bank) and speed restrictions (23/32-class 30 mph) reflect the exceptional operational constraints of this siding throughout its life.*
#40
Old Casino Junction to Tuncester / Re: Naughtons Gap
Last post by admin - August 03, 2026, 06:22:51 PM
# Naughton's Gap (Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1907–1975

---

**Type:** Station / Platform (Closed) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah; Grafton-Murwillumbah Line) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 815.700 km 
**Location:** -28.797785, 153.093123 
**Between:** North Casino / Old Casino (south) and Bentley (north) 
**Opened:** **19 October 1903** (per your notes; no WN opening notice found in OCR — 1903 volume based on 1902 working book) 
**Closed:** **30 June 1975** (per your notes; W.N. 26–1975 deletions) 
**Status:** Closed 

### Note on Opening
The Murwillumbah branch opening on 19 October 1903 predates reliable OCR coverage of branch opening notices in the 1903 WN volume (which is based on a South Coast Working Book dated October 1902). No formal WN opening notice has been located.

### Casino Council's Quarry Siding — Mileage 73.20 (Between Naughton's Gap and Bentley)
**W.N. — 1907 (ref. 07–4754):** 
Casino Council's Quarry Siding at Mileage **73.20**, between Naughton's Gap and Bentley (Grafton–Murwillumbah Line):
- Grade: 1 in 500 **falling** from the Main line for **130 feet**, then **rises 1 in 80** to stop block
- Approached on Main Line on **Up journey** on a rising grade of 1 in 50
- Must be worked during **daylight** and **only by trains on the Down journey**
- Loaded trucks for Casino: to be attached to Down trains and left at **Bungubbee** — lifted by Up trains
- Empty wagons from Lismore: to be taken on to Casino and returned to siding by Down trains
- **Standing room: 16 wagons**
- Owing to heavy grade, **20 sprags** to be provided and distributed 10 yards apart (ref. 07–4754)

### Unattended Platform (1924)
**W.N. — 1924:** "**Naughton's Gap (P)**" — unattended platform; listed between North Casino (P) and Bentley (P) in Local Appendix accommodation table

### Motor Working (1930)
**W.N. — 1930:** Naughton's Gap listed as a stop on the Casino–Murwillumbah motor service timetable; 1 minute allowed (approximately)

### Steep Grades (pre-1975)
**W.N. 26–1975:** Steep Grades table — **UP journey:** delete "Naughton's Gap–North Casino" and insert "Bungabee–Old Casino" — confirming Naughton's Gap–North Casino was listed as a steep grade section requiring special working on the Up journey

### Deletions — W.N. 26–1975
**W.N. 26–1975 (ref. A1 73 77203):**
- Grades table (page 104) — delete all reference to Naughton's Gap; Bentley, Fernside, Woodlawn College, Bexhill, Eltham, Booyong, Talofa and St Helena
- Steep Grades (page 115) — UP journey: delete Naughton's Gap–North Casino, insert Bungabee–Old Casino
- Sidings — delete Old Quarry Siding and Booyong from Governor-General's Car restricted list

---

> **Notes:** Naughton's Gap opened 19 October 1903 on the Murwillumbah branch. The opening notice was not captured in the OCR of the 1903 WN volume. A Casino Council's quarry siding at Mileage 73.20 between Naughton's Gap and Bentley was documented in 1907 (ref. 07–4754) — a complex siding with a severe reverse grade (1 in 500 falling then 1 in 80 rising) requiring 20 sprags, daylight working, Down trains only, and a specific arrangement for empty wagon supply via Casino. The station was listed as an unattended platform (P) in 1924. Naughton's Gap–North Casino was listed as a steep grade section on the Up journey requiring special brake application procedures. Station closed 30 June 1975; all Grades table and steep grade references deleted W.N. 26–1975.

---

## 1907 — Casino Council's Quarry Siding — Mileage 73.20 — W.N. — 1907

### Quarry Siding — W.N. — 1907
> **Casino Council's Quarry Siding at Mileage 73.20, between Naughton's Gap and Bentley — Grafton to Murwillumbah Line** — This siding is on a grade of **1 in 500, falling** from the Main line for a distance of **130 feet**, and then **rises to the stop block on a grade of 1 in 80**, and is approached on the Main Line on the **Up journey** by a rising grade of 1 in 50. It must be worked during **daylight**, and **only by trains on the Down journey**.
>
> Loaded trucks for Casino are to be attached to Down trains and left at **Bungubbee**, from where they will be lifted by Up trains. When necessary to supply empty wagons from Lismore, they should be taken on to Casino and returned to the siding by Down trains.
>
> There is standing room for **16 wagons** in this siding. Owing to the heavy grade, **20 sprags** should be provided and distributed 10 yards apart. (07–4754.) *(W.N. — 1907)*

---

## 1924 — Unattended Platform

### Unattended Platform — W.N. — 1924
> **Naughton's Gap (P)** — unattended platform; Murwillumbah Branch. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1975 — Grades and Steep Grades Deleted — W.N. 26–1975

### Grades Table Deleted — W.N. 26–1975
> **Page 104 — Grades at Stations, Sidings, Platforms and Signal-boxes — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — 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)*

### Steep Grades Amended — W.N. 26–1975
> **Page 115 — Steep Grades where Trains must Stop to Apply and Release Brakes — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch:** 
> **UP JOURNEY** — Delete **Naughton's Gap–North Casino**, insert **Bungabee–Old Casino**. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975)*

### Sidings List — 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 |
|------|-------|
| **19 October 1903** | **Opened** — Murwillumbah branch; no WN opening notice found in OCR |
| W.N. — 1907 | **Casino Council's Quarry Siding (Mileage 73.20)** — between Naughton's Gap and Bentley; grade 1 in 500 falling 130 feet then 1 in 80 rising; daylight Down trains only; 16 wagons standing; 20 sprags required; loaded trucks left at Bungubbee (ref. 07–4754) |
| By 1924 | **Naughton's Gap (P)** — unattended platform |
| W.N. — 1930 | Listed in Casino–Murwillumbah motor service timetable |
| Pre-1975 | Listed in Steep Grades table — Naughton's Gap–North Casino (Up journey) |
| **30 June 1975** | **Station closed** |
| **W.N. 26–1975** | Deleted from Grades (page 104), Steep Grades (page 115 — Up journey), and Old Quarry Siding from Governor-General's Car list (ref. A1 73 77203) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1907–1975.* 
*Note: The Casino Council's Quarry Siding at Mileage 73.20 (between Naughton's Gap and Bentley) has one of the most complex working restrictions in the Murwillumbah branch collection — a combination of severe reverse grades (1 in 500 falling then 1 in 80 rising), daylight/Down trains only restriction, mandatory sprag provision (20 sprags at 10-yard intervals), and a specific empty wagon routing via Casino rather than direct from Lismore. The steep grade reference (Naughton's Gap–North Casino on the Up journey) reflects the significant climb from the Casino plain to the range, which remained a critical operating constraint until the branch's closure.*