Norco Siding

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Type : Siding
Line : Murwillumbah Branch
Distance from Sydney : 882.041km
Opened : 1st February 1896 as North Coast Co-operative Creamery siding, renamed in 1926
Closed : 7th or 8th August 1979
Status : Closed
Name meaning : After the business located at the siding
Notes : Two sidings that served the Norco creamery, the main being a 593' siding and the back siding being 1'712', their standard guage private tramway also joined the siding from their slaughter house and was in use from August 1913 until 18/9/1935. Renamed to NORCO LIMITED'S SIDING in 1926 along with the company sidings at Lismore, Binna Burra and Kyogle. In 1927 the dead end siding was converted to a loop siding and extended. Norco Ltd. 1949 - Norco Siding — Disconnected from Loop Siding and Abolished (This 1949 entry appears to refer to an intermediate change in the siding configuration rather than a full abolition — the siding continued in use beyond this date as evidenced by later notices. It likely refers to a specific connection or loop arrangement being removed while the main siding was retained was retained as a dead end siding. Of particular note is a 1959 reference that refers to it as such and names it as Norco No. 1 Siding and at a length of 519'). Norco Back Siding reduced to 270' in 1971 and converted to a departmental siding. Norco Siding abolished WN 27/1979

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Norco factory at Byron Bay

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Location of the siding (Six Maps)

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Norco factory siding, Byron Bay, 1940s

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Undated image - Norco factory at Byron Bay

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Undated image of the Norco siding at Byron Bay

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# Norco Siding, Byron Bay (Casino–Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1889–1989

---

**Type:** Siding (Private, later Departmental) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 882.041 km (Frame H noted at 882.192 km in 1977) 
**Opened:** 1 February 1896 as North Coast Co-operative Creamery Siding 
**Renamed:** 1926 — "Norco Siding" (W.N. — 1926) 
**Closed/Abolished:** 7–8 August 1979 (W.N. 32–1979) 
**Status:** Closed (site reused) 
**Name meaning:** After the business located at the siding — Norco (North Coast Co-operative) 
**Siding length:** 593 feet (later reduced to 270 feet by 1971) 
**Under control of:** Byron Bay 

---

> **Notes:** Originally opened as the North Coast Co-operative Creamery Siding on 1 February 1896, serving the creamery at Byron Bay. Renamed "Norco Siding" in 1926 when the company rebranded. A standard gauge private tramway connecting the siding to Norco's slaughterhouse was in use from August 1913 until 18 September 1935. The siding was converted from a dead-end to a loop siding in 1927. By 1971 the back siding had been shortened from 1,712 feet to 270 feet and converted to a departmental facility. Abolished on 7–8 August 1979 when Frames D and H and associated equipment were removed.

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## 1896 — Opening

> Siding opened on **1 February 1896** as the **North Coast Co-operative Creamery Siding**, serving the Norco creamery at Byron Bay.

*(No specific Weekly Notice entry found for the opening — date per external records. The siding predates the section of the line south of Byron Bay.)*

---

## 1911

### Seal Press Numbers — North Coast Creamery Co. Locations
> Seal Press numbers assigned: 
> North Coast Creamery Co., Lismore — **417** 
> North Coast Creamery Co., Murwillumbah — **418** 
> Tweed River Butter Co., Murwillumbah — **419**

*(Source: 1911 Weekly Notices — L. 11–2,550)*

> **Note:** The Byron Bay siding is not listed separately here — at this time the North Coast Co-operative Company's Byron Bay operation appears to have been recorded under the general Byron Bay station rather than as a separate siding entry.

---

## 1913 — Private Tramway Opened

> Norco's standard gauge **private tramway** connecting the siding to their slaughterhouse at Byron Bay commenced operation in **August 1913**.

*(No Weekly Notice entry found for the opening — date per external records.)*

---

## 1920

### Seal Press Allocation — North Coast Co-operative Co., Byron Bay
> Seal Press No. G21 allocated to the **North Coast Co-operative Co., Byron Bay**. 
> *(Seal Press G20 allocated to the Tweed River Butter Company, Murwillumbah.)*

*(W.N. — 1920 — L. 30–22,770)*

---

## 1925

### Cream Traffic — North Coast Co-operative Company's Tram Line
> No. 38 (Down goods/mixed) lifts cream at Mooball and deals with cream traffic in **North Coast Co-operative Company's Tram line** at Byron Bay.

*(Source: 1925 Weekly Notices — repeated in multiple issues throughout the year)*

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## 1926 — Renaming to "Norco Siding"

### North Coast Co-operative Company's Sidings Renamed "Norco"
> **Alteration to Name of North Coast Co-operative Company's Sidings** — Commencing at once, the names of the North Coast Co-operative Company's Sidings at Lismore, Binna Burra, and Byron Bay are altered to **NORCO LIMITED'S SIDING** at those locations respectively. Also at Kyogle.
>
> Pages 51, 52, 63, 64, 306, 309, and 311 to be amended accordingly.
>
> **Norco Siding** — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch — At Binna Burra [and Byron Bay].

*(W.N. — 1926)*

---

## 1927

### Connection Between Norco Siding and Loop Line — Alteration
> Since [date], the connection between the Casino end of Norco Siding and the Loop line has been [altered].

*(W.N. — 1927)*

### Norco Dead-End Siding Extended and Converted to Loop Siding
> **Extension of Norco Siding — Murwillumbah (Grafton–Murwillumbah Branch)** — The Norco dead-end Siding has been **extended and converted into a Loop Siding**.

*(W.N. — 1927)*

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## 1928

### Reference to Norco Siding in Working Arrangements
> Reference to the Main line about opposite Norco Siding — working instructions for shunting movements at Byron Bay.

*(Source: 1928 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1929

### Traffic for Norco Ltd. — Storage Shed, Navigation Shed and Stockyards
> **Traffic for Norco Ltd. Storage Shed, Navigation Shed, and Stockyards** on the Byron Bay Wharf area:
>
> Traffic may be shunted or otherwise conveyed between Byron Bay Railway Yards and Sidings connected therewith and the new Jetty, Norco Ltd. Storage Shed, Navigation Sheds, and Stockyards.
>
> Distances listed: 
> Norco Ltd. Storage Shed — [mileage listed]
>
> Working between the Main line and Loop line (South end), and between the Loop line and Norco Ltd.'s [Siding].

*(W.N. 26–1929)*

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## 1930

### Norco Ltd. — Listed in Working Timetable
> Norco Ltd. listed in Byron Bay station yard sequence in the Working Timetable.

*(Source: 1930 Working Timetable)*

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## 1932

### Norco Ltd.'s Sidings — Byron Bay — Mileage Listing
> Norco Ltd.'s Sidings (Byron Bay) — Mileage 549 from Sydney. 
> Byron Bay — 550 
> Armstrong Sheds; Navigation Sheds and Stockyards — 550 
> Byron Bay Jetty — 551

*(Source: 1932 Working Timetable mileage listing)*

### Norco Ltd. Storage Shed Renamed "Armstrong Sheds"
> **Norco Ltd. Storage Shed at Byron Bay**, shown in Weekly Notice No. 26 of 1929, is now known as **ARMSTRONG SHEDS**, and should have been shown as such in Circular 186–6 of 4th May, 1932, and Weekly Notice No. 19 of 1932. 
> Page 20 of the Addenda to the Merchandise and Live-stock Rates Book to be amended accordingly. (B. 1–32–1,511.)

*(W.N. 20–1932)*

> **Note:** The renaming of the Norco Storage Shed to "Armstrong Sheds" in 1932 reflects a change in tenancy or ownership of the wharf storage facility — distinct from the Norco Siding itself which retained its name.

---

## 1933

### Catch-Points at Sydney End of Norco Siding — Alteration
> On Tuesday, 14th November, 1933, the catch-points situated at the **Sydney end of Norco Siding** [were altered].

*(W.N. — 1933)*

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## 1934

### Norco Co-operative Ltd. — Commonwealth Dairy Produce Act Licence
> The following hold Owners' Licences under the Commonwealth Dairy Produce Act to deliver butter or cheese for carriage from New South Wales to other States: 
> **Norco Co-operative Ltd. of Byron Bay and Sydney.**

*(W.N. — 1934)*

> *(Repeated in 1935 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1935 — Private Tramway Closed

> Norco's standard gauge private tramway connecting the siding to the slaughterhouse at Byron Bay ceased operation on **18 September 1935**.

*(No Weekly Notice entry found for the closure — date per external records.)*

---

## 1936

### Norco Siding — Outside Boundary
> Reference to Norco Siding outside boundary [of Byron Bay station yard].

*(W.N. — 1936)*

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## 1937

### Connection to Norco Siding — Alteration
> On **18th October, 1937**, the connection leading from the Main line to Norco Siding [was altered].

*(W.N. — 1937)*

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## 1944

### Seal Press No. 314 — Norco Siding
> Seal Press No. 314, Norco Siding, [transferred/renewed].

*(W.N. — 1944 — two entries)*

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## 1946

### Speed Restriction — Murwillumbah (Norco Siding)–Condong Mill
> Insert **10 km** in column headed "No." opposite section **Murwillumbah (Norco Siding)–Condong Mill**. (C.T.M. 46–77,071; C.C.E. 46–949,008.)

*(W.N. 40–1946)*

---

## 1949

### Norco Siding — Disconnected from Loop Siding and Abolished
> **Norco Siding** — Since [date], [catch] point [removed], and Norco Siding disconnected from the Loop Siding and abolished.

*(W.N. — 1949)*

> **Note:** This 1949 entry appears to refer to an intermediate change in the siding configuration rather than a full abolition — the siding continued in use beyond this date as evidenced by later notices. It likely refers to a specific connection or loop arrangement being removed while the main siding was retained.

### Butter Rates — Norco Co-op. Ltd., Byron Bay
> **List of Commodities Carried at Average Weights:** 
> Butter (Account Norco Co-op. Ltd.) in Bulk, Packed in Composite Boxes with Cardboard Sides and Wooden Cleated Ends, ex Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Lismore and Kyogle — **37 boxes to the ton**.

*(W.N. 31–1949)*

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## 1958

### Speed Restriction — Old Casino–Murwillumbah (Norco Sidings)
> Type 41, 53, 55 and 59 applicable to the section **Old Casino–Murwillumbah (Norco Sidings)** — insert 25 [mph]. 
> (Norco Sidings) — Delete (mm) — Substitute (00). 
> (Norco Sidings)–Condong Mill — [amended].

*(W.N. — 1958)*

---

## 1959

### Norco No. 1 Siding — Description Updated
> **Lismore–Norco Sidings** — Amend as follows: 
> **Norco No. 1 Siding** — A dead-end siding, **519 feet in length** in the clear, and runs [from the Main line at Byron Bay].

*(W.N. — 1959)*

> **Note:** The 1959 description gives the siding length as 519 feet — slightly less than the 593 feet noted at opening. The siding appears to have been modified over the years.

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## 1965

### Junction Between No. 2 Storage Siding and No. 1 Norco Siding
> The junction between No. 2 Storage Siding and No. 1 Norco Siding has been [altered].

*(W.N. — 1965)*

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## 1971 — Siding Shortened

### Norco Back Siding Shortened — Now a Departmental Facility
> **Byron Bay (Casino–Murwillumbah)** — The **Norco Back Siding, Byron Bay** has been shortened from **1,712 feet to 270 feet**, and is now a **Departmental facility**. 
> Diagram attached to Circular 548–31, Byron Bay, dated 18th December, 1934, is to be amended accordingly. (A. 1–71–20,430.)

*(W.N. 30–1971)*

> **Note:** This is a dramatic reduction in siding length — from 1,712 feet to 270 feet — reflecting the significant decline in Norco's rail traffic at Byron Bay by 1971. The conversion to a Departmental facility suggests Norco had ceased to operate it as a private siding.

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## 1977 — Frame H Releasing Altered

### Altered Releasing of Frame H (Norco Siding)
> **Byron Bay (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Altered Releasing of Frame H (Norco Siding):** 
> On Tuesday, **15th November, 1977**, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., the releasing of No. 1 facing point lock lever in Frame H (Norco Siding) will be altered from a key from No. 12 lever in the signal-box to **key on the ordinary train staff for the section Bangalow–Byron Bay**. No. 12 lever in the signal-box will become spare.
>
> The Norco Siding will therefore be considered as an **intermediate siding at 882.192 km** in the section Bangalow–Byron Bay. 
> Circular No. 548–31, Byron Bay, of 1934, to be amended accordingly. 
> (S&C 124718.)

*(W.N. 45–1977)*

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## 1979 — Abolition

### Norco Siding Deleted from Publications
> **Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete Norco Siding, Byron Bay, and relevant particulars.

*(W.N. 27–1979)*

> Delete — Norco, Byron Bay — all reference.

*(W.N. 30–1979)*

### Norco Siding Abolished — 7–8 August 1979
> **Byron Bay (North Coast) — Abolition of Dock Siding and Norco Siding:** 
> Since **7th and 8th August, 1979**, Frames D and H, respectively, and associated equipment have been removed and the **Dock and Norco sidings abolished**. 
> Circular and diagram No. 548–31, Byron Bay of 1934, to be amended accordingly. 
> (W 125050.)

*(W.N. 32–1979)*

> Delete — Norco, Byron Bay — all reference from all publications.

*(W.N. 35–1979)*

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## 1981

### Cape Byron Imports and Wholesale — Old Norco Building
> Cape Byron Imports and Wholesale, **Old Norco Building**, Byron Bay 2481.

*(Source: 1981 Weekly Notices — consignee listing)*

> **Note:** By 1981 the former Norco building at Byron Bay had been taken over by Cape Byron Imports and Wholesale — indicating the site was reused for commercial purposes after the siding's abolition.

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| 1 February 1896 | Siding opened as North Coast Co-operative Creamery Siding |
| August 1913 | Standard gauge private tramway to slaughterhouse opened |
| 1920 | Seal Press G21 allocated to North Coast Co-operative Co., Byron Bay |
| 1925 | Cream traffic lifted from North Coast Co-operative Tram line at Byron Bay |
| 1926 | Siding renamed "Norco Limited's Siding" (W.N. — 1926) |
| 1927 | Dead-end siding extended and converted to Loop Siding |
| 1929 | Traffic arrangements for Norco Storage Shed, Navigation Shed and Stockyards documented |
| 1932 | Norco Storage Shed renamed "Armstrong Sheds" (separate from siding) |
| 18 September 1935 | Private tramway to slaughterhouse closed |
| 1937 | Connection to Norco Siding altered (18 October 1937) |
| 1959 | Norco No. 1 Siding described as 519 feet dead-end |
| W.N. 30–1971 | Norco Back Siding shortened from 1,712 feet to 270 feet; converted to Departmental facility |
| 15 November 1977 | Frame H releasing altered to train staff key; siding reclassified as intermediate at 882.192 km |
| 7–8 August 1979 | **Norco Siding and Dock Siding abolished; Frames D and H removed** (W.N. 32–1979) |
| 1981 | Former Norco building at Byron Bay reused by Cape Byron Imports and Wholesale |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1889–1989.*