Billinudgel

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Billinudgel, late 1940s

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Billinudgel ststion plan

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Billinudgel (undated) (State Archives)

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South from Billinudgel towad Haynes Hill tunnel, Museums of History NSW

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NSW 44209+44236 N4 GCM Billinudgel 14-11-1989 (Bob Richardson)

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this pic from the mid 1980s is rather poor, spoiled by the nemesis of every photographer, a bank of cloud (in this case, to the west) arriving at an inappropriate time. Still, it does show Billinudgel station in the background, at which, from memory, the North Coast Overnight Express pulled up. At least I'd enjoyed a nice beer in the old pub there! (Chris Sim)

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Gold Coast Motorail heads south from Billinudgel in charge of 44209 and a sibling. (Chris Sim)

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David Brill 1/7/2024

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# Billinudgel and Billinudgel Block Post (Casino–Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1894–1989

**Type:** Station (with Block Post function); later Platform
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah)
**Between:** Mullumbimby and Yelgun
**Mileage (Working TT):** 562m 31c (yard); level crossing 905.083 km
**Distance from Sydney:** 905.083–905.095 km (level crossing)
**Opened:** 1894 (with the Casino–Murwillumbah line)
**Block Post function:** Introduced 11 March 1936 (Divisible Electric Train Staff working, Mullumbimby–Burringbar section)
**Closed as staffed station:** By 1981 (deleted from duty hours listings, W.N. 5–1981)
**Block Post role formally ended:** 25 March 1986 (cancellation of Mullumbimby–Burringbar section)
**Status:** Closed
**Station Code:** Originally 493; permanently 748 from 1940
**Under control of:** Mullumbimby (from W.N. 13–1986)

---

> **Notes:** Billinudgel had two distinct operational identities — as a station serving the local community, and as the **Billinudgel Block Post** (telephone block post) on the Divisible Electric Train Staff section Mullumbimby–Burringbar from 1936 onwards. The Block Post function required a qualified Porter in charge to be on duty whenever Divisible Staff working was in operation, giving Billinudgel an operational importance well above its size. The Block Post role continued until the Mullumbimby–Burringbar section was cancelled on 25 March 1986.

---

## 1894 — Opening

> Billinudgel opened with the Casino–Murwillumbah line in **1894**.

---

## 1913 — Intermediate Station; Train Staff Section

> Billinudgel listed as an intermediate station in the section Mullumbimby–Burringbar. Ground frames at adjacent sidings unlocked by **Ordinary Train Staff for the section Mullumbimby–Burringbar**.

---

## 1915 — Station Code No. 493

> **Billinudgel — Station Code 493** listed in distance and station code tables.

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## 1922 — Yelgun Platform Opened

### Yelgun Platform Opened Under Control of Mullumbimby
> On Sunday, **15th October, 1922**, a new platform **250 feet in length** at Mileage 44.75, between **Billinudgel and Crabbe's Creek**, known as **YELGUN**, brought into use. Yelgun placed under control of Mullumbimby (not Billinudgel).

*(Source: 1922 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1923 — Siding Extended; Opened as Booking Station

### Siding Extended at Lismore End — 17 August 1923
> **Billinudgel (Grafton–Tweed Line)** — On Friday, **17th August, 1923**, the Siding extended at the **Lismore end** and connected to the Main line. Points worked from new Frame "B." Key for unlocking the Facing-point Lock Lever attached to **Miniature Electric Train Staff for the section Mullumbimby–Burringbar**.

*(W.N. 36–1923)*

### Opened as Booking Station — 18 October 1923
> Since **18th October, 1923**, an adult Porter is in charge at Billinudgel and the station opened as a **Booking Station for Coaching and Goods traffic**. Mullumbimby continues to control Yelgun, Crabbe's Creek and Mooball Sidings. (S. 23–1,077.)

*(W.N. 46–1923)*

> **Note:** The siding extension in August 1923 was preparatory work for the upgrade to Booking Station in October 1923.

---

## 1926 — Timetable Times; Private Level Crossing Closed

### Down Timetable
> Mullumbimby dep. 12.7 p.m., **Billinudgel arr. 12.17 p.m. dep. 12.24 p.m.** (7 minutes dwell), Crabbe's Creek arr. 12.34 p.m.

*(Source: 1926 Working Timetable — repeated in multiple issues)*

### Private Level Crossing — Mileage 127.50 — Closed
> Since **23rd February, 1926**, the private level crossing at Mileage 127.50, between Mullumbimby and Billinudgel, has been closed. (V. 25–17,373.)

*(W.N. 11–1926)*

---

## 1930 — Telephone Circuit; Second Level Crossing Removed

> Billinudgel listed on telephone circuit No. 41 North.
> Private level crossing at Mileage 127.35 between Mullumbimby and Billinudgel removed. *(W.N. 12–1930)*

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## 1931 — Working Allowances

> Up goods and Down mixed: **12 minutes** allowed at Billinudgel.
> Gradient reference: **Mullumbimby–Billinudgel**: Morrison's Hill — **560m 51c**.

---

## 1934 — Siding Accommodation Deleted; Switched Station

> Siding accommodation particulars deleted (W.N. 1–1934).
> Billinudgel listed as **switched station** — attended intermittently, cannot be called when unattended. *(W.N. 5–1934)*

---

## 1935 — Livestock Races Added

> **Billinudgel** — Delete † from station name column. Insert † in "Sheep, Pig and Cattle Races" column after S.C. — livestock handling facilities provided. (34–69,330.) *(W.N. 5–1935)*

---

## 1936 — Divisible Electric Train Staff; Block Post Role Formalised

### Divisible Electric Train Staff — Billinudgel Block Post — 11 March 1936
> Divisible Electric Train Staff working introduced on section **Mullumbimby–Burringbar** on 11th March 1936. Billinudgel's Block Post duties:
> - Divisible staff working must not operate unless a **competent qualified employee is in attendance at Billinudgel**.
> - Porter must **not permit departure** of a train with the "Staff" portion until the preceding train (with "Ticket" portion) has arrived complete at Mullumbimby or Burringbar.
> - Porter must **satisfy himself each train is complete** and tail lamp/disc is exhibited.
> - Porter must **promptly advise Signalmen** at Mullumbimby and Burringbar of arrival and departure times of each train.
> - Porter must **promptly answer the telephone** and carry out any directions from the Signalmen.
> - All telephone advices **to be recorded**.

*(W.N. 11–1936)*

> 16 additional Electric Train Staffs provided on Mullumbimby–Burringbar section, 7th April 1936. *(W.N. 16–1936)*

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## 1938 — Station Stamp Destroyed; Relief Stamp 748

> **Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 493** destroyed. **Relief Stamp No. 748** temporarily in use. *(W.N. 30–1938)*

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## 1939 — Yard Level Crossing Classification Changed

> **Billinudgel Yard**, 562m 31c — Delete "Y," insert "U" in level crossing notes column. *(W.N. 26–1939)*

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## 1940 — Level Crossing Instructions; Station Code Confirmed as 748

> Level crossing instructions issued — barrier rails to be placed by Officer in charge 8.40 a.m.–4.30 p.m., not on Sundays.
> **Station code permanently changed: Delete 493, insert 748.** *(W.N. 11–1940)*

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## 1943 — Block Post Confirmed in Telephone Block Instructions

> **Mullumbimby–Burringbar** — telephone block post, **Billinudgel**. Working per Divisible Electric Train Staff regulations. (42–31,722.) *(W.N. 36–1943)*

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## 1949–1950 — Northern Limit of NSW Railway Electrical System

> North Coast line — **Billinudgel and Cougal** — listed as northern extent of NSW Government Railway interconnected electrical system.

*(Source: 1949 and 1950 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1956 — EST Vacancy Advertised Twice

> **Billinudgel — EST** — staff vacancy advertised twice, confirming staffed Electric Train Staff station status.

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## 1959 — Load Restriction

> **Billinudgel–Crabbe's Creek** — load restriction code **b28a** applies.

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## 1962–1963 — Speed Boards; Bridge Restriction Deleted

> Speed boards: Mullumbimby–Billinudgel 558m 19c–561m 57c; Billinudgel–Yelgun 564m 20c–564m 76c.
> Yelgun bridge speed restriction (10 mph at 564m 04c) deleted. *(W.N. 1–1963)*

---

## 1966 — Livestock Races Designation Deleted

> **Billinudgel** — Delete SC and † from Sheep, Pig and Cattle Races column — livestock traffic ceased. *(W.N. 39–1966)*

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## 1970–1971 — Wendell West / Princess Properties

> Wendell West renamed **Princess Properties** — Railway Station: Billinudgel. *(W.N. 37–38–1971)*

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## 1977 — Catchpoint Relocated; Type "F" Signals Provided

### Catchpoint Relocated — 9 March 1977
> Existing catchpoint (No. 2A) at Sydney end of goods siding relocated **15 metres toward Murwillumbah**. New Lever C provided with front and rear Annett locks. **Duplex Lock C** provided; top lock unlocked by **key on Electric Train Staff for section Mullumbimby–Burringbar**. Standing room in siding reduced accordingly. *(W.N. 9–1977 and W.N. 25–1977)*

### Type "F" Flashing Light Signals — Billinudgel Level Crossing
> Type "F" flashing light highway signals and warning bell announced for Billinudgel level crossing **(905.095 km)**. *(W.N. 31–1977)*
>
> Since **8th September, 1977**, signals operational at **905.095 km**. *(W.N. 36–1977)*
>
> Level crossing listed in publications as **Billinudgel Yard — 905.083 km**. *(W.N. 40–1977)*
>
> Daily test: Perway Ganger. Test recorded by: Station Master, Byron Bay.

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## 1980 — Prepaid Only; Platform (P) Inserted; Parcels Under Lismore

> All traffic to Billinudgel **PREPAID — NO TO PAY TRAFFIC**. *(W.N. 17–1980)*
> **Billinudgel — Insert (P)** — reclassified as platform only. *(W.N. 18–1980)*
> Parcels centralised at Lismore. *(W.N. 18–1980)*

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## 1981 — Deleted from Duty Hours — Effectively Closed as Staffed Station

> **Delete Billinudgel and all information** from Officers on Duty listing. *(W.N. 5–1981)*

> **Note:** This effectively ends Billinudgel's life as a staffed station, and suspends the Block Post function.

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## 1984 — Mooball Level Crossing Added After Billinudgel in Table

> Mooball Type "F" signals (913.987 km) inserted after Billinudgel (905.083 km) in level crossing table.

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## 1986 — Control to Mullumbimby; Block Post Role Formally Ended

> "Siding Under Control of" — Delete: Billinudgel. Insert: **Mullumbimby**. *(W.N. 13–1986)*
>
> Electric Train Staff section at Billinudgel — Delete "Burringbar," insert "Murwillumbah" — reflecting cancellation of Mullumbimby–Burringbar section on 25 March 1986. **Block Post role formally ended.**

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## 1987–1988 — Level Crossing Testing — Track Supervisor/Contractor

> Billinudgel Yard 905.083 km — testing responsibility transferred from Station Master, Byron Bay to **Track Supervisor** (Mon/Wed/Fri) and **Contractor** (Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun). *(W.N. 40–1987 and W.N. 29–1988)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| 1894 | Opened with the Casino–Murwillumbah line |
| 17 August 1923 | Siding extended at Lismore end — new Frame "B" provided (W.N. 36–1923) |
| 18 October 1923 | **Opened as Booking Station** — adult Porter in charge (W.N. 46–1923) |
| 23 February 1926 | Private level crossing at Mileage 127.50 closed |
| W.N. 12–1930 | Second private level crossing (127.35) removed |
| W.N. 1–1934 | Siding accommodation deleted |
| 1934 | Listed as switched (intermittently attended) station |
| W.N. 5–1935 | Livestock races (SC†) added |
| 11 March 1936 | **Divisible Electric Train Staff introduced — Billinudgel Block Post formalised** (W.N. 11–1936) |
| 7 April 1936 | 16 additional Electric Train Staffs on Mullumbimby–Burringbar section |
| W.N. 30–1938 | Station stamp No. 493 destroyed; Relief Stamp 748 in use |
| W.N. 26–1939 | Yard level crossing changed from "Y" to "U" |
| W.N. 11–1940 | Station code confirmed: Delete 493, insert 748 |
| W.N. 39–1966 | Livestock races designation deleted |
| 9 March 1977 | Siding catchpoint relocated 15m toward Murwillumbah; Duplex Lock C provided (W.N. 9–1977) |
| 8 September 1977 | **Type "F" flashing light signals** operational at 905.083–905.095 km (W.N. 36–1977) |
| W.N. 18–1980 | Prepaid only; Platform (P) inserted; parcels under Lismore |
| W.N. 5–1981 | **Deleted from duty hours — effectively closed as staffed station** |
| W.N. 13–1986 | Control transferred to Mullumbimby |
| 25 March 1986 | **Mullumbimby–Burringbar section cancelled — Block Post role formally ended** |
| W.N. 40–1987 | Level crossing testing transferred to Track Supervisor/Contractor |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1894–1989.*
*Note: Billinudgel served a dual function — as a community station and as