Mooball

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Type : Station
Line : Murwillumbah Branch
Distance from Sydney : 913.896km
Opened : January 1895 (2nd site after Crabbes Creek)
Location : -28.441330, 153.489943
Closed : 30 June 1974
Status : Closed
Name meaning : Corruption of the Parish name Meeball that is an Aboriginal word for bowels
Notes : Platform was raised to a standard height in 1928. Down platform was 74.3 metres long. A cream shed existed at the station and was offered for sale in 1964. A sheep race existed at the site but was deleted from the records in 1964. This was abolished in 1965. WN 40/1973 lists the station for deletion - on the 8th May 1974 the siding was abolished and the interlockig equipment removed. WN 29, 30 and 40/1974 lists the deletion of the station.

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The Sydney-bound Gold Coast Motorail Express behind double 44s is not long into its journey south as it rolls over Burringbar Creek near Mooball late afternoon on 24 May 1974. (Philip Versigon)

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View over the old yards at Mooball (Tweed Daily)

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Marshall's Hill tunnel near Mooball on the Murwillumbah branch, 1995 excursion. (Paul G Hogan)

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Mooball looking towards Murwillumbah (Gary Holt, Feb 22)

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Level crossing at Mooball, the station (out of sight) was to the left (State Archives)

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Mooball, location of the one-time station on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail

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# Mooball (Casino–Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1895–1988

---

**Type:** Station 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 913.896 km 
**Mileage (Working TT):** 569m (approx.); Pottsville Road level crossing 913.987 km 
**Between:** Crabbe's Creek and Burringbar 
**Opened:** January 1895 (2nd site — relocated from original Mooball which became Crabbe's Creek) 
**Closed:** 30 June 1974 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Corruption of the Parish name "Meeball" — an Aboriginal word for "bowels" 

---

> **Notes:** Mooball was the second location to bear this name — the original "Mooball" opened 24 December 1894 was renamed Crabbe's Creek in January 1895, and this new location opened as Mooball in its place. The platform was moved 13.4 metres during its operational life. The Down platform was 74.3 metres long. A cream shed existed at the station and was offered for sale in 1964. The goods siding was abolished 8 May 1974, shortly before passenger closure on 30 June 1974. After closure the Pottsville Road level crossing (913.987 km) remained operational until at least 1988.

---

## 1895 — Opening

> Mooball opened at its second (and permanent) site in **January 1895**, following the renaming of the original Mooball to Crabbe's Creek.

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

---

## 1913 — Listed in Station Sequence

> Mooball listed in station sequence: Billinudgel, Crabbe's Creek, **Mooball**, Upper Burringbar, Dunbible, Stoker's Siding.

*(Source: 1913 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1924 — Listed in Timetable

### Station Sequence
> Station sequence: Crabbe's Creek (P), **Mooball (P)**, Burringbar, Upper Burringbar (P), Stoker's Siding (P), Dunbible (P), Murwillumbah.

*(Source: 1924 Working Timetable listing)*

---

## 1925 — Cream Traffic

### Cream Lifted at Mooball
> No. 35 is timed at Mixed speed and conveys traffic from Lismore for Bangalow, Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, Burringbar, and Murwillumbah; **lifts cream at Mooball** and all intermediate stations and sidings from Yelgun to Dunbible, inclusive, for Murwillumbah.

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

> **Note:** Mooball is singled out as a dedicated cream lift point, with the cream train specifically stopping there before continuing to lift from the other intermediate stations. This reflects a larger volume of cream production in the Mooball district relative to the smaller stops between Yelgun and Dunbible.

---

## 1926 — Timetable Times

### Down Train — Mullumbimby to Murwillumbah
> Crabbe's Creek dep. 12.38 p.m., **Mooball arr. 12.42 p.m. dep. 12.50 p.m.** (8 minutes dwell), Burringbar arr. 12.53 p.m. dep. 12.59 p.m.

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

> **Note:** The 8-minute dwell at Mooball — greater than at most other intermediate stations — is consistent with its role as a cream loading point.

---

## 1928 — Standard Raised Platform Provided

### Platform Replaced — Standard Height, 250 Feet
> **Mooball (North Coast)** — A **standard raised Platform, 250 feet in length**, has been provided on the site previously occupied by the low-level platform. (V. 27–4337.)

*(W.N. 32–1928)*

> **Note:** This is a significant upgrade — replacing the original low-level platform with a standard-height platform of 250 feet (76.2 m). Your notes record the final Down platform length as 74.3 m, very close to the 250 feet (76.2 m) installed in 1928, suggesting the platform remained substantially the same size until closure.

---

## 1931 — Working Time Allowances

### Up Goods — 5 Minutes Allowed at Mooball
> No. 50 (Up goods) is allowed: ... **5 minutes Mooball**, 5 minutes Crabbe's Creek, 2 minutes Yelgun ...

*(Source: 1931 Weekly Notices)*

### Cream Train — 8 Minutes Allowed at Mooball
> No. 57 (cream train) is allowed: 5 minutes Yelgun, 4 minutes Crabbe's Creek, **8 minutes Mooball**, 5 minutes Upper Burringbar, 5 minutes Stoker's, 3 minutes Dunbible for work.

*(Source: 1931 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1932 — Listed in Station Sequence and Distance Table

### Station Sequence and Distance
> Station sequence: Crabbe's Creek (P), **Mooball (P)**, Burringbar.
> Distance table: C.S.R. Co.'s Siding — 567 [miles]; **Mooball — 570 [miles]**; Burringbar — 572 [miles].

*(Source: 1932 Working Timetable listing)*

---

## 1934 — Crane Listed as Nil

### Crane Facilities
> **Mooball** — Crane: **Nil** listed in accommodation table.

*(Source: 1934 Weekly Notices — station accommodation table)*

---

## 1936 — Speed Reference Section

> Crabbe's Creek–Mooball and **Mooball–Burringbar** listed as sectional running time references in Working Timetable.

*(W.N. 20–1936)*

---

## 1943 — Control Transferred to Billinudgel

### Control Transferred from Mullumbimby to Billinudgel
> **Crabbe's Creek, Mooball and Yelgun** — Controlling Station of unattended or Private Sidings and unattended Platforms — Delete "Mullumbimby," and insert "**Billinudgel**."

*(W.N. 21–1943)*

---

## 1947 — Metal Recoveries Pty. Ltd. — Listed as Consignee

### Metal Recoveries Pty. Ltd. at Mooball
> **Mooball** — Metal Recoveries Pty. Ltd. listed as a consignee/receiver.

*(W.N. 47–1947)*

> **Note:** Metal Recoveries Pty. Ltd. appears in the 1949 "Firms Having Credit Accounts with the Department" list at Mooball. This is an unusual consignee for a small rural station, possibly connected to wartime/postwar scrap metal collection from the farming district.

---

## 1959 — Load Restrictions; Section References

### Load Restrictions
> **Crabbe's Creek–Mooball** — no specific restriction listed. 
> **Mooball–Burringbar** — no specific restriction listed.

*(Source: 1959 Working Timetable — load restriction table)*

---

## 1961 — Metal Recoveries Deleted

### Metal Recoveries Pty. Ltd. — Deleted
> **Delete Mooball — Metal Recoveries Pty. Ltd.** (B. 2–61–21,300.)

*(W.N. 47–1961)*

---

## 1963 — Speed Board Sections

> **Mooball–Burringbar**: 568m 34c — 35/40 mph; 569m 13c — 15 mph; 569m 34c–569m 36c.

*(Source: 1963 Working Timetable — speed boards)*

---

## 1964 — Cream Shed Offered for Sale; Sheep Race Amended

### Cream Shed — Offered for Sale
> **Mooball — Proposed sale of cream shed** — Offers from the staff will be received at the office of the Chief Civil Engineer for the purchase of the above cream shed.
>
> The shed is constructed of **hardwood and corrugated iron**. The concrete block foundations must be demolished to at least one foot below ground level and the site left clean and tidy to the satisfaction of the Chief Civil Engineer. Purchase price must be paid in full before the commencement of demolition.

*(W.N. 34 and 38–1964 — published twice)*

> **Note:** The cream shed sale in 1964 is a significant marker — it confirms that cream traffic at Mooball had ceased by this point, and the railway was disposing of the infrastructure. The requirement to demolish the foundations is consistent with standard practice for station shed disposals of this period.

### Sheep Race Designation Amended
> **Mooball** — In column headed "Stock Races–Sheep," delete 4. (Facility since removed.)

*(Source: 1964 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1965 — Sheep Trucking Yards Abolished

### Sheep Trucking Yards Abolished
> **Mooball (Casino–Murwillumbah Branch)** — The sheep trucking yards at Mooball have been abolished. Delete "L" in column "Goods and Livestock Freight to be prepaid" and "S" in column "Sheep, Pig and Cattle Races." (B. 9–65–65,971.)

*(W.N. 39–1965)*

---

## 1966 — Frame B Relocated; Level Crossing Classification Changed

### Frame B Relocated — 20 September 1966
> **Mooball (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Relocation of Frame B** — Since **20th September, 1966**, Frame B operating the points and catchpoints at the Murwillumbah end of the Siding has been **relocated 20 feet nearer to Sydney**.
>
> Diagram attached to Circular No. 513–53, Byron Bay–Murwillumbah Intermediate Sidings, of 1936, to be amended accordingly.

*(W.N. 41–1966)*

### Level Crossing Classification Changed
> **Mooball, mileage 568m 74c** — In column headed "For notes, see page 123" delete "U" and insert "C."

*(W.N. 50–1966)*

---

## 1967 — Listed in Station Grading Table

> **Mooball** — listed with grade classification **G** in station grading table.

*(Source: 1967 Weekly Notices — station grading/staffing table)*

---

## 1973 — Local Appendix; Listed in Deletion Review

### Local Appendix — Page 69
> **Page 69 — Mooball** listed in Local Appendix, Northern Division.

*(W.N. 40–1973)*

### Listed in Deletion Review — Not Yet Deleted
> Mooball listed among platforms/stations under review for deletion — **retained at this point**.

*(W.N. 40–1973)*

---

## 1974 — Goods Siding Abolished; Station Closed; Deleted from Publications

### Goods Siding Abolished — 8 May 1974
> **Mooball (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Abolition of Goods Siding** — Since **8th May, 1974**, Nos. 2A and 2B points together with Frames A and B and associated interlocking equipment have been removed and the goods siding abolished.
>
> Circular No. 513–53, Byron Bay to Murwillumbah of 1936, to be amended accordingly.

*(W.N. 40–1974)*

### Deleted from Major Publications
> **Alphabetical List of Stations** — Delete Mooball and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 29 and 30–1974)*
>
> **List of Stations, Sidings, and Platforms — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete Mooball and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 29–1974)*
>
> **MOOBALL** — Delete station name and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 40–1974)*

*(W.N. 29, 30 and 40–1974)*

---

## 1975 — Final Deletion from All Publications

### Deleted from Remaining Publications
> **Pages 234 and 235** — Delete Mooball and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 10–1975)*
>
> **Intermediate Sidings — System of Working — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete Mooball and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 10–1975)*
>
> **Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided** — Delete Mooball and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 10–1975)*
>
> **Grades at Stations, Sidings, Platforms and Signal-boxes** — Delete Mooball and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 10–1975)*

*(W.N. 10–1975)*

---

## 1984 — Type "F" Flashing Light Signals Announced — Pottsville Road Level Crossing

### Type "F" Signals — Pottsville Road Level Crossing (913.987 km)
> **Mooball (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Provision of Type "F" Flashing Light Highway Signals at Pottsville Road Level Crossing, 913.987 km** — On a date to be advised, Type "F" flashing light highway signals and a warning bell will be brought into use at **Pottsville Road level crossing, 913.987 km**.
>
> The highway signals and bell are automatically controlled by **track circuit** for Down and Up trains.
>
> **Testing** — A test must be carried out each day by the **Track Supervisor**. The result must be recorded by the **Station Master, Murwillumbah** in the train register book.
>
> **Telephone** — A telephone is provided on the wall of the signalling hut at the level crossing, connected to **No. 286 channel**.

*(W.N. 37–1984)*

---

## 1985 — Type "F" Signals Operational — 14 March 1985

### Type "F" Signals Brought Into Use
> **Mooball (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Bringing Into Use Type "F" Flashing Light Highway Signals at Pottsville Road Level Crossing (913.987 km)** — Since **14th March, 1985**, Type "F" flashing light highway signals and warning bells have been brought into use at Pottsville Road level crossing (913.987 km).
>
> Full particulars were published in Weekly Notice No. 37 of 1984.

*(W.N. 13–1985)*

---

## 1988 — Level Crossing Testing Responsibility Amended

### Pottsville Road Level Crossing — Testing Updated
> **Mooball 913.987 km** — Delete particulars under headings "Daily Tests Carried Out By, Daily Tests Recorded By, Emergency Keys Held By" and insert in lieu:
>
> Daily Tests Carried Out By: **Track Supervisor** (Mon, Wed); **Contractor** (Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun) 
> Daily Tests Recorded By: [Track Supervisor] 
> Emergency Keys Held By: **Station Master, Lismore; Station Master, Byron Bay; Station Master, Mullumbimby**

*(W.N. 29–1988)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| January 1895 | Opened at 2nd site (original Mooball renamed Crabbe's Creek January 1895) |
| 1913 | Listed in station sequence between Crabbe's Creek and Upper Burringbar |
| 1925 | Named as specific cream lift point for No. 35 mixed train |
| 1926 | Down timetable: arr. 12.42 p.m., dep. 12.50 p.m. — 8-minute dwell |
| W.N. 32–1928 | **Standard raised platform (250 feet) provided** — replacing low-level platform |
| 1931 | 5 minutes allowed for goods work; 8 minutes for cream train |
| 1932 | Listed at distance 570 miles in station table |
| W.N. 21–1943 | Control transferred from Mullumbimby to Billinudgel |
| W.N. 47–1947 | Metal Recoveries Pty. Ltd. listed as consignee |
| W.N. 47–1961 | Metal Recoveries Pty. Ltd. deleted |
| W.N. 34 and 38–1964 | Cream shed offered for sale — confirming end of cream traffic |
| W.N. 39–1965 | Sheep trucking yards abolished |
| 20 September 1966 | Frame B relocated 20 feet toward Sydney (W.N. 41–1966) |
| W.N. 50–1966 | Level crossing classification changed from "U" to "C" |
| 8 May 1974 | **Goods siding abolished** — Frames A and B removed (W.N. 40–1974) |
| 30 June 1974 | **Station closed** — deleted from publications (W.N. 29, 30, 40–1974) |
| W.N. 10–1975 | Final deletion from all remaining publications |
| 14 March 1985 | Type "F" flashing light highway signals operational at Pottsville Road level crossing (913.987 km) |
| W.N. 29–1988 | Level crossing testing responsibility updated — Track Supervisor/Contractor; keys at Lismore, Byron Bay and Mullumbimby |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1895–1988.* 
*Note: After station closure in 1974, the Pottsville Road level crossing (913.987 km) at Mooball continued to appear in railway publications through to 1988, with formal Type "F" signal protection installed in 1985.*