Grafton

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Grafton (undated)

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Grafton - undated

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Grafton, 1931 (not attributed)

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4454 hauling a southbound passenger train through Grafton station. This is the station on the north side of the river. Some years later, it was closed and South Grafton was renamed Grafton City. Date not recorded but likely to be mid 1960s.

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GRAFTON WHARF SIDING:
When the Tweed Railway was extended from (Old) Casino to Grafton in 1905, terminating on the north side of the Clarence River, a line was laid in from the station yard to service a wharf.
The opening of the first section from South Grafton (ie, from the other side of the Clarence River) south to Glenreagh ten years later in 1915, a similar line was constructed to service a wharf.
It would seem that rolling stock was not interchanged between the two lines until 1924 when two wharves for this specific purpose were built, lasting in use until the opening of the dual purpose Clarence River road/rail bridge in 1932.
While these latter wharves were demolished shortly afterwards, the respective rail tracks to the passenger wharves seem to have remained virtually intact as storage sidings.
Certainly this was the case on the northern side when I was able to photograph the siding from the passing 3813 tour train in January 1973, with a couple of bogie vans standing on the siding.

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Grafton station circa 1905 (State Archives)

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First train Grafton to Casino at Grafton (State Archives)

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NQCX 14492 with 2 x Milk 🥛 pots in Grafton yard.

April 93
Photo late Rodney Jame

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Grafton (undated) ARHS

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# Grafton (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1905–1989

---

**Type:** Station (Closed as booking station 2 June 1974; yards in use) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Grafton City–Grafton section; Grafton–Kyarran and Grafton–Casino sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 698.848 km 
**Location:** -29.683272, 152.924006 
**Between:** Grafton City / South Grafton (south, via Clarence River Bridge) and Kyarran / Casino (north) 
**Opened:** **6 November 1905** — Grafton to Casino (Grafton–Tweed Line); **Circular No. A.182 of 1st November 1905** 
**Closed as booking station:** **2 June 1974** (per your notes; W.N. 21–1974 — insert (P) from Saturday 1 June 1974) 
**Status:** Closed (booking station); yards in use 
**Name meaning:** Named after the Duke of Grafton 
**Note:** Separate from the original Grafton station on the north side of the Clarence River — this is the south side station (Grafton North in CTC era, now simply Grafton) 

### Platform
**Original:** 152.4 metres (500 feet) — Up side 
**Extended to:** 199.33 metres 

### Station Building and Facilities at Opening
- Timber station building 
- Goods shed 
- 20-tonne yard crane 
- Carriage shed 

### Infrastructure Timeline (from your notes)
| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **1 December 1906** | Cattle yards constructed |
| **20 August 1908** | Through-type engine shed built |
| **15 December 1979** | Burnt-out station demolished |

### Signalling and Yard History

**Circular No. A.182 of 1 November 1905** — Opening of Branch line from Grafton to Casino 
**Circular No. 181 of 1917** — Base diagram (amended 1935) 
**Circular No. 186–4 of 1932** — Grafton base diagram (amended 1943) 
**Circular No. 255–20 of 1942** — Amended 1943 
**Circular No. 285–25 of 4 December 1944** — Grafton yard base diagram (amended 1960, 1980) 

**1924 W.N. 31–1924:** New Up Inner Distant signal No. 4 — fixed green upper light; 580 feet on Grafton side of Up Home signal; worked by No. 2 Lever in Frame "b"; existing Up Distant (No. 1) becomes Up Outer Distant; Frames B and D released by Duplex Lock on **No. 4 Lever in Frame A** (previously No. 3 Lever); Regulation G 

**1924 W.N. 37–1924 (since 25 August 1924):** Two new Loop Sidings (each 388 feet in the clear) on Down side, 238 feet inside Up Home signal; dead-end Siding at Murwillumbah end of Loop Sidings; points in Main line worked by ball lever secured by Standard Clip and S.L. Lock 

**1935 W.N. 13–1935 (25 March 1935):** 
1. New Up Home signal No. 23 — 1,000 feet on Grafton side of existing Up Home signals (Nos. 25 and 27) 
2. Existing Up Distant No. 28 dispensed with; new motor-worked Up Distant No. 28 — 2,404 feet on Grafton side of Up Home No. 23; fixed green upper light 
3. Frames C and D releasing altered — unlocked by Annett lock on **No. 21 lever in Signal-box** (previously other arrangement) 
4. Existing Up Home signals Nos. 25 and 27 renamed Up Second Home, Main to Loop and Up Second Home, Main respectively 
Circular No. 181 of 1917 amended (ref. S.&T.E., G.34–916) 

**1935 W.N. 11–1935:** Grafton (North Coast Line) — Delete [provision] (ref. G.C. 5–35–34,151) 

**1940 W.N. 7–1940:** New crossover (Main to Quarry Siding) at Grafton end of platform — Frame C on Down side; No. 2 Lever (crossover); No. 1 Lever (FPL) released by duplex lock on No. 5 Frame A; No. 3 Lever (catch-points in Quarry Siding) unlocked by key kept by Station Master (ref. C.T.M. 39–31,612; S.&T.E. 39–228,606) 

**1943 W.N. 3–1943:** Coal stage at Grafton removed — delete particulars (ref. C.M.E. 34–8,798–10) 

**1943 W.N. 11–1943:** New Frame C for Goods Siding at Grafton end — Loop to Goods Siding (Grafton end) worked by No. 2 Lever new Frame C; Frames B, C and D released by duplex lock on No. 3 Lever Frame A; Circulars No. 255–20 of 1942 and No. 52 of 1943 amended (ref. C.T.M. 42–21,173) 

**1943 W.N. 31–1943:** 
- Down Inner Distant No. 8 refixed **210 feet nearer to Sydney** — Tuesday, 3 August 1943 
- Down Home No. 7 refixed **210 feet nearer to Sydney** — Wednesday, 4 August 1943 
- **Circular No. 186–4 of 1932** amended 

**1943 W.N. 39–1943 (since 10 September 1943):** Loop slewed at South Brisbane end and extended **540 feet**, terminated in Dead-end; Main line relaid on Up side of previous Main line; Frame E refixed in corresponding position; new crossover 2E (200 feet) between Main and Loop, approximately 140 feet on South Brisbane side of 2G points; FPL (No. 1F, released by No. 5 Signal-box lever) at each end of 2E Crossover; Bolt lock between 2E and 2G points 

**1943 W.N. 41–1943 (since 2 October 1943):** New crossover (210 feet, Frame D), 200 feet on Sydney side of No. 2 Up Home signal; FPL (No. 1D, released by No. 5 Signal-box lever); catch-points (No. 3 Frame D) in extended loop opposite 2D points; connection No. 1 Ferry Loop–Wharf Siding by ball lever; Frame D: 3-lever Ground Frame adjacent to South Brisbane end of 2D crossover 

**1960 W.N. 16–1960:** Throw-over lever at No. 5 Up Reception/No. 1 Repair Siding replaced by ball lever (points set for No. 5 Up Reception Siding); ball lever at Nos. 1 and 2 Repair Sidings replaced by throw-over lever; **Circular No. 285–25 of 1944** amended (ref. A.1–60–46,501) 

**1974 W.N. 21–1974:** Grafton closed as booking station from **Saturday, 1 June 1974** — insert (P) in accommodation table (ref. C.1–73–9,506) 
**1974 W.N. 29–1974:** Grafton deleted from border tables and horses/vehicles loading table (ref. C.1–74) 
**1974 W.N. 30–1974:** **Grafton inserted as controlling station** for South Grafton Wharf (replacing South Grafton; ref. B.2–74–71,068) 

**1975 W.N. 42–1975 Power's codes (Grafton sidings):**
- **Schaeffers Siding, Grafton:** 3410–23 / 3420–73 
- **Taylor and Co. Siding, Grafton:** 3410–24 / 3420–74 
- **Sleighs Siding, Grafton:** 3410–25 / 3420–75 
- **Powells Siding, Grafton:** 3410–26 / 3420–76 

**1980 W.N. 2–1980 (since 14 January 1980):** Peters Siding — Frame B, Main line points and catchpoints removed; siding reverts to dead-end facing Down trains; **Circular No. 285–25 Grafton of 1944** and W.N. 28–1951 amended (S&C 139522) 

**1980 W.N. 2–1980:** Lunar white warning lights provided in Grafton Yard — 4 lights in 2 groups of 2 (one facing each direction): 
- **698.971 km** — between Nos. 1 and 2 Down Reception Sidings, on post 8 metres high approximately 37.5 metres on northern side of signal box 
- **699.214 km** — on post 8 metres high of outside telephone mast No. 12 
Circular No. 285–25, Grafton, of 1944 amended accordingly 

**1980 W.N. 7–1980:** Peters Siding (700.206 km) — direction points face corrected from "loop" to "down" (ref. A1 80 29203) 

**1983 W.N. 5 and 6–1983 (Monday, 7 February 1983):** Motor-operated points and colour light signals — route control relay interlocking; new **Down Starting signal No. 13** near BP siding at **700.537 km**; new **Up Home signal No. 2** at **701.741 km**; BP siding and Peters siding released by key from releasing switches controlled from Grafton control panel; releasing buttons Nos. 81–87 (Frames B, E, C/D, F, G, H and K/L); shunter's pushbuttons at Frames B, E and F; call indicators near Down Second Home and Up Third Home signals; **Grafton–Kyarran ETS retained**; automatic staff exchangers remain; signalman must confer with CTC Broadmeadow (Down trains) or Grafton City (Up trains) before clearing Starting signals; Down Starting No. 13 and Up Starting No. 14 excepted from stop-indication rule on releasing lock (S&C 126170; W.N. 5 and 6–1983) 

**Ground Frame Releasing Buttons — 1983:**
| Button | Release | Frame/Siding |
|--------|---------|--------------|
| No. 81 | Switch B | Frame B siding |
| No. 82 | Switch E | Frame E siding |
| No. 83 | Switch C/D | — |
| No. 84 | Switch F | Frame F (extended loop/Down Shunting Neck) |
| No. 85 | Switch G | — |
| No. 86 | Switch H | Peters Siding (Frame H) |
| No. 87 | Switch K/L | — |

**1983 W.N. 27–1983:** Grafton–Casino CTC introduction announced — Grafton–Kyarran, Kyarran–Gurranang, Gurranang–Banyabba, Banyabba–Camira Creek, Camira Creek–Rappville, Rappville–Leeville and Leeville–Casino ETS to be cancelled 

**1983 W.N. 29–1983 (since 11 July 1983):** Grafton–Camira Creek CTC confirmed — Grafton–Kyarran, Kyarran–Gurranang, Gurranang–Banyabba, Banyabba–Camira Creek cancelled; Camira Creek–Rappville remains ETS until further advised; noticeboards transferred from Grafton to Camira Creek 

**1983 (full CTC — W.N. 24–1983 superseded):** Since 6 June 1983 Coffs Harbour to Grafton (City–Grafton) CTC under Broadmeadow; Grafton City–Grafton ETS remains; Grafton–Kyarran ETS confirmed subsequently cancelled 11 July 1983 

**1988 W.N. —:** Grafton station controlled by Station Master Grafton from Monday 11 April 1988 (Account No. 014060, Grafton Area; previously controlled by Coffs Harbour Area) 

**1989 W.N. 21 and 22–1989 (27 May–4 June 1989):** Loop extended **473 metres toward Casino** — standing room **930 metres**; Peters siding removed (Frame H, Releasing Switch H); non-interlocked crossover Nos. 1 and 2 Up Reception removed; trailing crossover Extended Loop–Down Shunting Neck removed; 2E crossover and catchpoint removed; F catchpoint, Lever F and Releasing Switch F dispensed with; No. 2G relocated 300 metres; Pilot Staff Working Grafton City–Grafton and Grafton–Kyarran during works (midnight 26 May–6 pm 4 June 1989); revised signal routes (W.N. 22–1989) 

**1989 W.N. 39–1989:** Accommodation table updated — 698.848 km Grafton:
- Crossing loop: **Up 905 metres / Down 924 metres** (replaces 457 feet) 
- Frasers Siding renamed **BMG Siding** 
- **Golden Fleece Siding** deleted 
- **Peters Siding** (700.206 km) deleted 
- **BP Siding** (700.583 km) listed 

---

> **Notes:** Grafton opened 6 November 1905 as the original North Coast line terminus; Circular No. A.182 of 1 November 1905 (Grafton to Casino). One of the key operational hubs on the North Coast line — junction between the South Grafton–Grafton section (South Grafton/Grafton City direction via Clarence River Bridge) and the Grafton–Casino–South Brisbane direction. The station's 1924 Loop Siding provisions, 1935 signal upgrades and 1943 yard extensions reflect its role as the northernmost major yard on the North Coast. Coal stage removed 1943 (Circular C.M.E. 34–8,798–10). Closed as booking station 2 June 1974. Station building burnt out and demolished 15 December 1979. CTC conversion 7 February 1983; Grafton was one of three ETS-boundary stations in the final CTC programme (with Coffs Harbour and Grafton City). Grafton–Kyarran ETS cancelled 11 July 1983 when CTC extended to Camira Creek. Loop extended 473 metres in May–June 1989 to 930 metres (Up) / 924 metres (Down); Peters siding simultaneously removed.

---

## 1905 — Opened 6 November 1905; Circular No. A.182 of 1 November 1905

### Opening — 1905/1906
> **Circular No. A.182, dated 1st November, 1905**, regarding the opening of the Branch line from **Grafton to Casino** should be amended accordingly. *(W.N. — 1906; reference to Circular No. A.182)*

---

## 1924 — Loop Sidings; Up Inner Distant; Frames Altered

### New Loop Sidings — W.N. 37–1924 (Since 25 August 1924)
> **Pages 50 and 303 — Grafton (North Coast) — Provision of Additional Sidings in connection with Train Ferry** — Since **25th August, 1924**, two new Loop Sidings, each **388 feet** in length, laid in on the Down side of and connected to the Main line, 238 feet inside the Up Home signal, also a Dead-end Siding at the Murwillumbah end of the Loop Sidings have been in use.
>
> The Points in the Main line are worked by **ball lever**, secured by Standard Clip and S.L. Lock. *(W.N. 37–1924)*

### Up Inner Distant — W.N. 31–1924
> **Grafton (North Coast) — Provision of Up Inner Distant Signal** — A new Up Inner Distant Signal (No. 4), with fixed Green Upper light, fixed about **580 feet** on the Grafton side of the Up Home signal, and worked by No. 2 Lever in Frame "b," will be brought into use.
>
> The Up Distant Signal (No. 1) will become the Up Outer Distant Signal.
>
> The Up Home Signal, at present worked by No. 2 Lever in Frame "A," will be worked by No. 3 Lever, and the existing Duplex Lock on that Lever will be removed and refixed on **No. 4 Lever**.
>
> **Frames "B" and "D"** — No. 1 Lever in Frames "B" and "D," at present released by either key from the Duplex Lock on No. 3 Lever in Frame "A," will be unlocked by either key from the Duplex Lock on **No. 4 Lever in Frame "A"**, and must be operated in accordance with **Regulation "G"**. *(W.N. 31–1924)*

---

## 1935 — New Up Home; Motor-Worked Up Distant; Frames C and D Altered — W.N. 13–1935

### Signal and Frame Alterations — W.N. 13–1935
> **Grafton (North Coast) — Alteration to Releasing of Ground Frames** — On **Monday, 25th March, 1935**:
>
> 1. New **Up Home signal (No. 23)**, situated 1,000 feet on the Grafton side of existing Up Home signals (Nos. 25 and 27).
> 2. Existing Up Distant (No. 28) dispensed with; new **motor-worked Up Distant (No. 28)**, situated 2,404 feet on Grafton side of new Up Home signal; fitted with fixed green upper light.
> 3. Releasing of **Frames "C" and "D"** altered — these frames will, in future, be unlocked by key from the Annett lock on **No. 21 lever** in the Signal-box.
> 4. Existing Up Home signals (Nos. 25 and 27) become **Up Second Home, Main to Loop** and **Up Second Home, Main** respectively.
>
> **Circular No. 181 of 1917** with diagram attached to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E., G.34–916.) *(W.N. 13–1935)*

---

## 1940 — Quarry Siding Crossover; Frame C — W.N. 7–1940

### Quarry Siding Crossover — W.N. 7–1940
> **Grafton (North Coast)** — A new crossover (Main line points facing to Down trains) provided between the Main line and the Quarry Siding at the Grafton end of the platform. Catch-points in the Quarry Siding 54 feet from the crossover points.
>
> **Signalling — Frame "C"** (Down side, Grafton end of platform): No. 2 lever works crossover; No. 1 lever (FPL No. 2 points) — released by either key from duplex lock on No. 5 lever in Frame "A"; No. 3 lever (catch-points in Quarry Siding) — unlocked by key kept by Station Master. (C.T.M. 39–31,612; S.&T.E. 39–228,606.) *(W.N. 7–1940)*

---

## 1943 — Coal Stage Removed; Frame C for Goods Siding; Signal Relocations; Loop Extensions

### Coal Stage Removed — W.N. 3–1943
> **Page 61 — Grafton (North Coast)** — The coal stage at Grafton has been removed. Delete particulars. (C.M.E. 34–8,798–10.) *(W.N. 3–1943)*

### New Frame C — Goods Siding — W.N. 11–1943
> **Grafton (North Coast)** — The connection, Loop to Goods Siding, at the Grafton end of the Goods Siding, will be worked from No. 2 lever in a new **Frame "C"**, situated adjacent to the points on the Up side of the Loop.
>
> Frames "B," "C" and "D" — No. 1 levers will be unlocked by either key from the duplex lock on **No. 3 lever in Frame "A"**.
>
> Circulars No. 255–20 of 1942 and No. 52 of 1943 to be amended accordingly. (C.T.M. 42–21,173.) *(W.N. 11–1943)*

### Down Inner Distant and Home Signals Relocated — W.N. 31–1943
> **Grafton (North Coast) — Alteration to Location of Down Inner Distant and Down Home Signals:**
>
> — **Tuesday, 3rd August, 1943:** Down Inner Distant signal No. 8 refixed **210 feet nearer to Sydney**. 
> — **Wednesday, 4th August, 1943:** Down Home signal No. 7 refixed **210 feet nearer to Sydney**.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 186–4 of 1932** to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 31–1943)*

### Loop Extended and Crossovers — W.N. 39 and 41–1943
> **Grafton (North Coast) — Alterations to Connections at South Brisbane End of Yard:**
>
> **Since 10th September, 1943:** Loop line slewed at South Brisbane end and extended **540 feet**, terminated in a Dead-end. Main line relaid on Up side of previous Main line from clearance point to 200 feet on Sydney side of No. 2 Up Home signal. Frame E refixed in corresponding position. New crossover **2E** (200 feet) between Main and Loop, approximately 140 feet on South Brisbane side of 2G points; FPL (No. 1F, released by No. 5 Signal-box lever) at each end of 2E Crossover; bolt lock between 2E and 2G points.
>
> **Since 2nd October, 1943:** New crossover (210 feet) between Main and Loop lines, 200 feet on Sydney side of No. 2 Up Home signal, brought into use. FPL (No. 1D, released by No. 5 Signal-box lever). Catch-points (No. 3 Frame D) in extended loop opposite 2D points. Connection No. 1 Ferry Loop–Wharf Siding worked by ball lever. New **Frame D** (3-lever) fixed adjacent to South Brisbane end of 2D crossover. *(W.N. 39 and 41–1943)*

---

## 1960 — Ball Lever/Throw-Over Alterations — W.N. 16–1960

### Lever Alterations — W.N. 16–1960
> **Grafton** — The throw-over lever at the points leading to No. 5 Up Reception siding and No. 1 Repair siding has been replaced by a **ball lever** and the points set to lie for No. 5 Up Reception Siding.
>
> The ball lever at the points leading to Nos. 1 and 2 Repair Sidings has been replaced by a **throw-over lever**.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 285–25 of 4th December, 1944** to be amended accordingly. (A.1–60–46,501.) *(W.N. 16–1960)*

---

## 1974 — Booking Station Closed — 1 June 1974; Controlling Station for South Grafton Wharf

### Booking Station Closed — W.N. 21–1974
> **Page 174 — Stations and Platforms, etc. — Maitland–Queensland Border** — **Grafton** will be closed as a booking station from **Saturday, 1st June, 1974**; insert **(P)**. (C.1–73–9,506.) *(W.N. 21–1974)*

### All Tables Deleted — W.N. 29–1974
> **Page 174** — Delete Grafton and relevant distances. **Page 186** — Delete Grafton from Stations at Which Horses and Vehicles may be Loaded and Unloaded. (C.1–74.) *(W.N. 29–1974)*

### Controlling Station — W.N. 30–1974
> **Page 209 — List of Stations — South Grafton Wharf** — Delete South Grafton in controlling station column and insert **Grafton** as controlling station. (B.2–74–71,068.) *(W.N. 30–1974)*

---

## 1980 — Peters Siding Frame B Removed; Warning Lights in Yard — W.N. 2–1980

### Peters Siding — W.N. 2–1980
> **Grafton (North Coast) — Peters Siding — Removal of Frame B Connection** — On **Monday, 14th January, 1980**, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., **Frame B** and associated equipment, together with the Main line points and catchpoints will be removed and the siding will revert to a dead-end facility, facing to Down trains.
>
> **Circular No. 285–25, Grafton of 1944** and diagram attached, together with diagram published in Weekly Notice No. 28 of 1951 to be amended accordingly. (S&C 139522.) *(W.N. 2–1980)*

### Warning Lights in Yard — W.N. 2–1980
> **Grafton (North Coast) — Provision of Warning Lights** — On **Monday, 14th January, 1980**, between 8.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., **lunar white warning lights** will be provided in Grafton Yard for the purpose of assisting shunters and other employees to determine the approach of trains in each direction on the Main line.
>
> **Four (4) warning lights** in two groups of two (one light facing each direction):
> - **(i) 698.971 km** — between Nos. 1 and 2 Down Reception Sidings on post 8 metres high, approximately 37.5 metres on northern side of signal box 
> - **(ii) 699.214 km** — on post 8 metres high of outside telephone mast No. 12
>
> Circular No. 285–25, Grafton of 1944 and diagram to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 2–1980)*

---

## 1983 — Motor-Operated Points — 7 February 1983; Grafton–Kyarran ETS Retained; CTC — 11 July 1983

### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 5 and 6–1983
> **Grafton (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 7th February, 1983**, commencing at 7.30 a.m. and continuing until completion, the Main line to loop points at each end of Grafton crossing station will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and Loop signals replaced by colour light signals.
>
> **New Down Starting signal (No. 13)** — near BP siding at **700.537 km**. 
> **New Up Home signal (No. 2)** — at **701.741 km**.
>
> The BP siding and Peters siding will be released by key from new releasing switches controlled from releasing buttons in the **Grafton control panel** (Nos. 81–87 for Frames B, E, C/D, F, G, H and K/L).
>
> **Shunter's pushbuttons** at Ground Frames B, E and F.
>
> **Call indicators** near Down Second Home and Up Third Home signals at each end of the loop.
>
> **ETS Grafton City–Grafton and Grafton–Kyarran retained**; automatic staff exchangers remain at Grafton.
>
> Releasing locks B, E, C/D or G — taking key causes **all signals at Grafton to show stop**, except Nos. 13 and 14. Releasing locks H or K/L — taking key causes all signals to show stop, except No. 14.
>
> (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 5 and 6–1983)*

### Grafton–Casino CTC — W.N. 27–1983 (Announced); W.N. 29–1983 (Confirmed Since 11 July 1983)
> Since **11th July, 1983**, electric train staff working on the sections **Grafton–Kyarran, Kyarran–Gurranang, Gurranang–Banyabba, Banyabba–Camira Creek** were cancelled and Centralised Traffic Control working, remotely controlled from **Broadmeadow C.T.C. Centre**, introduced in lieu between Grafton and Camira Creek. Electric Train Staff working remains in use between **Camira Creek and Rappville** until further advised. Special noticeboards relating to C.T.C. and electric train staff working that were at Grafton have been transferred to Camira Creek. *(W.N. 29–1983; S&C 121220)*

---

## 1989 — Loop Extended 473 Metres; Peters Siding Removed; Accommodation Table Updated

### Loop Extension — W.N. 21 and 22–1989 (27 May–4 June 1989)
> **Grafton (North) — Extension of Loop Line** — Commencing at 12.01 a.m. on **Saturday, 27th May, 1989**, and continuing until 6.00 p.m. on **Sunday, 4th June, 1989**, the Loop line will be extended **473 metres toward Casino** to provide standing room of **930 metres**.
>
> **Works carried out:**
> - No. 2H points (Main to Peters siding), Frame H, Releasing Switch H and associated equipment removed
> - Non-interlocked crossover between Nos. 1 and 2 Up Reception sidings removed
> - Trailing crossover (Extended Loop to Down Shunting Neck) removed
> - 2E crossover, Loop to No. 1 Down Reception siding, and 2E catchpoint removed
> - F catchpoint, Lever F and Releasing Switch F dispensed with
> - No. 2G points (Main to No. 1 Up Reception siding) relocated **300 metres**
>
> **Note:** Pilot Staff Working introduced between **Grafton City–Grafton** and **Grafton–Kyarran** from midnight 26th May to 6.00 p.m. 4th June 1989.
>
> Revised signal routes published W.N. 22–1989 (Nos. 1M, 2M, 3L, 3M, 3SL etc.). Diagram in centre pages W.N. 23–1989. *(W.N. 21 and 22–1989)*

### Accommodation Table Updated — W.N. 39–1989
> **Page 77 — Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — 698.848 km Grafton:** 
> — Crossing Loop: delete "457" and insert **"Up 905 metres / Down 924 metres"** (delete footnote) 
> — Amend "Frasers Siding" to read **"BMG Siding"** 
> — Delete **Golden Fleece Siding** and relevant particulars 
> — **700.206 Peters Siding** — deleted 
> — **700.583 BP Siding** — listed 
>
> (A1.89.36506.) *(W.N. 39–1989)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **6 November 1905** | **Opened** — Grafton to Casino (Grafton–Tweed Line); Circular No. A.182 of 1 November 1905; 152.4-metre Up platform; timber station building; goods shed; 20-tonne yard crane; carriage shed |
| **1 December 1906** | Cattle yards constructed |
| **20 August 1908** | Through-type engine shed built |
| W.N. 31–1924 | Up Inner Distant No. 4 added; Frames B and D released by No. 4 Lever Frame A |
| W.N. 37–1924 | Two Loop Sidings (388 feet each) and dead-end siding — since 25 August 1924; ball levers |
| **25 March 1935** | New Up Home No. 23; new motor-worked Up Distant No. 28; Frames C and D releasing altered to Annett lock No. 21 Signal-box; Up Home Nos. 25 and 27 become Second Homes; Circular No. 181 of 1917 amended (W.N. 13–1935) |
| W.N. 7–1940 | Quarry Siding crossover at Grafton end of platform; new Frame C |
| W.N. 3–1943 | **Coal stage removed** |
| W.N. 11–1943 | New Frame C for Goods Siding (Grafton end); Frames B, C, D released by No. 3 Frame A |
| 3–4 August 1943 | Down Inner Distant No. 8 and Down Home No. 7 each refixed **210 feet nearer to Sydney** (W.N. 31–1943) |
| 10 September 1943 | Loop extended **540 feet** at South Brisbane end; new crossover 2E; bolt lock 2E/2G; Frame E refixed (W.N. 39–1943) |
| 2 October 1943 | New 3-lever Frame D at South Brisbane end; crossover 2D; catch-points; Ferry Loop–Wharf Siding ball lever (W.N. 41–1943) |
| W.N. 16–1960 | Ball/throw-over lever changes at Repair Sidings; Circular No. 285–25 of 1944 amended |
| **1 June 1974** | **Closed as booking station** — insert (P) (W.N. 21–1974) |
| W.N. 30–1974 | Grafton becomes controlling station for South Grafton Wharf |
| **15 December 1979** | **Burnt-out station building demolished** |
| **14 January 1980** | Peters Siding Frame B removed — siding reverts to dead-end; lunar white warning lights provided in yard (W.N. 2–1980) |
| **7 February 1983** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — Down Starting No. 13 (700.537 km); Up Home No. 2 (701.741 km); releasing buttons 81–87; shunter's pushbuttons Frames B, E, F; ETS Grafton City–Grafton and Grafton–Kyarran retained; automatic staff exchangers (W.N. 5 and 6–1983; S&C 126170) |
| **6 June 1983** | CTC Coffs Harbour–Grafton (City–Grafton); Grafton–Kyarran ETS still in use |
| **11 July 1983** | **Grafton–Camira Creek CTC** — Grafton–Kyarran, Kyarran–Gurranang, Gurranang–Banyabba, Banyabba–Camira Creek ETS cancelled (W.N. 29–1983) |
| **11 April 1988** | Grafton station controlled by Station Master Grafton, Grafton Area (Account No. 014060) |
| **27 May–4 June 1989** | **Loop extended 473 metres toward Casino** — standing room 930 metres (Up); Peters siding removed; multiple crossovers and frames removed; Pilot Staff Working during works (W.N. 21 and 22–1989) |
| W.N. 39–1989 | Accommodation table updated — Up 905m / Down 924m; Frasers Siding renamed BMG Siding; Golden Fleece Siding deleted; Peters Siding deleted; BP Siding listed |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1905–1989.* 
*Note: Grafton is one of the most operationally complex stations in the entire North Coast collection — a major yard, the northern endpoint of the Clarence River Bridge ETS section, and the southernmost point of the Grafton–Casino section. The station's CTC conversion (7 February 1983) was one week after Braunstone (10 January) and two weeks after Grafton City (24 January), making this a three-week burst of CTC conversions in January–February 1983. The loop extension of May–June 1989 (473 metres to 930 metres) was the largest single extension in the 1988–1989 programme, carried out over a 9-day window requiring Pilot Staff Working on two adjacent sections simultaneously.*