South Casino

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Type : Station
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 803.608km
Location : -28.872615, 153.038146
Opened : 6 November 1905
Closed : 6 July 1974
Status : Closed
Name meaning : After the city in Italy between Rome and Naples, named by Messrs Clay and Stapleton
Notes : This station served the residents on the souther side of the Richmond River, Casino station those on the northern side. The station was on the Down side and was 76.2 metres in length. Simpson's/Shell/Bennett's siding was within the station yards. The unfinished Bonalbo branch started 600 metres to the north of the station. A loop siding was added in 1910.

76.2-metre (250-foot) platform — Down side of line
Served residents on the southern side of the Richmond River (Casino station serving the northern side)
Platform demolished: W.N. 14–1974 — "The platform at South Casino (Maitland–South Brisbane) has been demolished and reference to this location should be deleted from the public and sheet timetables." (ref. A.1–74–35,081)

W.N. — 1909 (since 29 December 1908): Loop Siding at Mileage 64.36 (from Grafton) — Up side of line near South Casino; facing points and catch-points in siding worked by lever and bracket lock arrangement; bracket locks unlocked by key on Staff for Rappville–Casino section

South Casino — Since 29th December, 1908, a Loop Siding, situated at Mileage 64.36 (from Grafton), laid in on the Up side of the Line, near South Casino, has been in use. The Facing Points in the Main Line and Catch-points in the siding are worked by lever and bracket lock arrangement, the bracket locks being unlocked by a key on the Staff for the section Rappville–Casino. (W.N. — 1909)

South Casino — From 1st October 1955, South Casino (and Shannon Creek and Leeville) under the control of Rappville; "GL" in column "Goods and Livestock freight to be prepaid." (B.2–55–26,814.) (W.N. 41–1955)

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1932 Casino town map on the HLRV. Clearly seen is "South Casino Railway Station" and the beginning of the Casino to Bonalbo Branchline, the fenceline of the now Hurfords Sawmill still follows that curve.
Earlier maps, say, the 1915 edition, cite "Wooroowoolgan Railway Station," presumably of association with the land allocation of Wooroowoolgan Station, the homestead is just a little further up Sextonville Road from the Gayes Hill Estate turnoff.

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Note the crossed through name of "Wooroowoolgan"

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Railway cottage at South Casino (1964, SRA Archives, State Archives)

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# South Casino (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1905–1975

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**Type:** Station (Closed) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Leeville–Casino section; later Rappville–Casino / Leeville–Casino) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 803.608 km (Mileage **499m 27c** — per 1974 Local Appendix deletion; approx. Mileage **65 miles from Grafton**) 
**Location:** -28.872615, 153.038146 
**Between:** Shannon Brook / Tomki Shire Siding (south) and Casino (north); Bonalbo Construction Sidings at Mileage 499m 76c between South Casino and Casino 
**Opened:** **6 November 1905** — Grafton to Casino; Circular No. A.182 of 1 November 1905 
**Station closed:** **6 July 1974** (per your notes; W.N. 13–1974 and 14–1974) 
**Platform demolished:** W.N. 14–1974 (ref. A.1–74–35,081) 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Named after Casino, itself named after the Italian city between Rome and Naples, by Messrs Clay and Stapleton 

### Platform
**76.2-metre (250-foot)** platform — **Down side** of line 
Served residents on the southern side of the Richmond River (Casino station serving the northern side) 
**Platform demolished:** W.N. 14–1974 — "The platform at South Casino (Maitland–South Brisbane) has been demolished and reference to this location should be deleted from the public and sheet timetables." (ref. A.1–74–35,081) 

### Loop Siding (1909)
**W.N. — 1909 (since 29 December 1908):** Loop Siding at Mileage **64.36** (from Grafton) — **Up side** of line near South Casino; facing points and catch-points in siding worked by lever and bracket lock arrangement; bracket locks unlocked by key on Staff for **Rappville–Casino** section 

### Simpson's and Shell Siding (1930)
**W.N. 28–1930:** "Insert, immediately preceding 'Casino': **SIMPSON'S AND SHELL SIDING** — The Shell Company of Australia Limited, uses portion of Simpson's Siding at the Sydney end. Oil from the oil tank trucks placed in the Siding is discharged through a pipe to the Company's Bulk Oil Tank. During the time oil is being unloaded a Red flag must be exhibited at each end of the oil tank trucks on the side adjoining the Running lines, and the Guard or Shunter in charge must satisfy himself that the connecting hose between the oil tank truck and the pipe connected to the Company's Bulk Oil Tank is disconnected before any shunting operations are allowed in the Siding." 
**1930 Sidings Index:** "Shell (and Simpson's) Siding — North Coast — Grafton-Casino." 

### Bonalbo Construction Sidings (1943)
**W.N. 7–1942 (superseded by W.N. 15–1943):** Nos. 1 and 2 Bonalbo Construction Sidings at Mileage **499m 76c** — **Down side** of Main line between South Casino and Casino; brought into use for **storage purposes**; all classes of engines permitted; propelling from Casino with brake-van as leading vehicle; Guard must ride and give hand-signals; Driver must sound whistle freely; Westinghouse Air Brake complete and in operation throughout 

### Power's Codes (1955)
**W.N. 41–1955:** South Casino under control of Rappville; "GL" in column — Goods and Livestock freight to be prepaid 
**W.N. — 1955:** Power's codes — South Casino: **3425/2** (Ordinary); **3420-6** (Local) 

### ETS Section
Within **Leeville–Casino** Miniature ETS section (from 1927); also referred to as **Rappville–Casino** in earlier loop siding notices 

### Note on Mooroowoolgan
Your notes mention "Mooroowoolgan" in relation to South Casino — not to be confused with "Ooroowoolgan" (Boomooderie 1st site). South Casino had a location known as Mooroowoolgan in the vicinity (separate from Boomooderie).

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> **Notes:** South Casino opened 6 November 1905 serving residents on the southern side of the Richmond River. Loop siding at Mileage 64.36 from Grafton (Up side) since 29 December 1908, worked by lever and bracket lock keyed to Rappville–Casino staff. Shell Company used portion of Simpson's Siding for oil unloading (W.N. 28–1930 — Simpson's and Shell Siding). Bonalbo Construction Sidings Nos. 1 and 2 at Mileage 499m 76c (Down side, between South Casino and Casino) in use for storage from 1942–1943. South Casino under control of Rappville from 1955 alongside Leeville and Shannon Creek (W.N. 41–1955). Station closed 6 July 1974 (W.N. 13–1974 — border tables; W.N. 14–1974 — platform demolished, delete from all public timetables); accommodation particulars at 499m 27c deleted (W.N. 14–1974); Grades table deleted (W.N. 14–1974).

---

## 1905 — Opened 6 November 1905

### Opening — W.N. 14–1905
> **Grafton to Casino** — Original station list includes the area around present South Casino. *(W.N. 14–1905)*

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## 1909 — Loop Siding — Since 29 December 1908 — W.N. — 1909

### Loop Siding — W.N. — 1909
> **South Casino** — Since **29th December, 1908**, a Loop Siding, situated at Mileage **64.36** (from Grafton), laid in on the **Up side** of the Line, near South Casino, has been in use. The Facing Points in the Main Line and Catch-points in the siding are worked by lever and bracket lock arrangement, the bracket locks being unlocked by a key on the Staff for the section **Rappville–Casino**. *(W.N. — 1909)*

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## 1924 — Unattended Platform

### Unattended Platform — W.N. — 1924
> **South Casino (P)** — listed as unattended platform in Local Appendix accommodation table. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1926 — Telephone Circuit; Casino Municipality

### Telephone Circuit — 1926
> **No. 68 North Circuit** — South Casino listed between Coombell/Rappville and Casino. 
> **Casino Municipality — South Casino to North Casino**, inclusive. *(Source: 1926 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1930 — Simpson's and Shell Siding — W.N. 28–1930

### Simpson's and Shell Siding — W.N. 28–1930
> **Page 268 — Insert, immediately preceding "Casino":** **SIMPSON'S AND SHELL SIDING** — The Shell Company of Australia Limited, uses portion of **Simpson's Siding** at the Sydney end. Oil from the oil tank trucks placed in the Siding is discharged through a pipe to the Company's Bulk Oil Tank.
>
> During the time the oil is being unloaded a **Red flag** must be exhibited at each end of the oil tank trucks on the side adjoining the Running lines, and the Guard or Shunter in charge must satisfy himself that the connecting hose between the oil tank truck and the pipe connected to the Company's Bulk Oil Tank, is **disconnected** before any shunting operations are allowed in the Siding. *(W.N. 28–1930)*

> **1930 Sidings Index — New Sidings and Sidings Altered:** "**Shell (and Simpson's) Siding** — North Coast — Grafton-Casino." *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices — Sidings Index)*

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## 1943 — Bonalbo Construction Sidings — W.N. 15–1943

### Bonalbo Construction Sidings — W.N. 15–1943
> **Page 268 — Bonalbo Construction Sidings, Casino (North Coast)** — The following instructions supersede those contained in Weekly Notice No. 7 of 1942: **Nos. 1 and 2 Bonalbo Construction Sidings**, situated on the **Down side** of the Main line at Mileage **499m 76c**, between **South Casino** and Casino, have been brought into use for **storage purposes**. All classes of engines may be run on these sidings.
>
> **Propelling** — Vehicles may be propelled from Casino to Nos. 1 and 2 Bonalbo Construction Sidings as required. When propelling a brake-van must be provided as the **leading vehicle**, in which the Guard must ride and give the Driver such hand-signals as may be necessary. Clause (i) of Rule 202 must be adhered to.
>
> The Driver must keep a sharp look-out and be prepared to act promptly upon any hand-signal given by the Guard; he must also sound the engine whistle freely where his view of the line is obstructed. The **Westinghouse Air Brake**, complete, must be in operation and working throughout the train from the engine on each occasion that vehicles are being propelled. *(W.N. 15–1943)*

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## 1950 — Casino Municipality ETS Section

### Casino Municipality — W.N. — 1950
> **Casino Municipality — South Casino, Casino and Old Casino.** *(Source: 1950 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1955 — Control Transferred to Rappville; Power's Codes — W.N. 41–1955

### Control Transferred — W.N. 41–1955
> **South Casino** — From 1st October 1955, **South Casino** (and Shannon Creek and Leeville) under the control of **Rappville**; "GL" in column "Goods and Livestock freight to be prepaid." (B.2–55–26,814.) *(W.N. 41–1955)*

### Power's Codes — W.N. — 1955
> **South Casino:** Ordinary **3425/2**; Local **3420-6**. *(W.N. — 1955)*

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## 1974 — Station Closed and Platform Demolished — W.N. 13 and 14–1974

### Border Tables Deleted — W.N. 13–1974
> **Page 174 — Stations and Platforms, etc., Maitland–Queensland Border** — Delete **South Casino** and relevant distances. (C.1–74–28,588.) *(W.N. 13–1974)*

### Platform Demolished and All References Deleted — W.N. 14–1974
> The platform at **South Casino** (Maitland–South Brisbane) has been **demolished** and reference to this location should be deleted from the public and sheet timetables. (A.1–74–35,081.) *(W.N. 14–1974)*

> **Page 79** — Delete **South Casino** and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 14–1974)*

> **Page 84 — Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation provided — Maitland–South Brisbane** — Delete **M. 499. 27c. South Casino** and relevant particulars. (A.1–74–35,011.) *(W.N. 14–1974)*

> **Page 103 — Grades at Stations, Sidings, Platforms and Signal-Boxes — Maitland–South Brisbane** — Delete **South Casino** and relevant particulars. (A.1–74–35,011.) *(W.N. 14–1974)*

> **Working Timetable — Pages 208 to 220 inclusive** — Delete **South Casino** and relevant particulars. *(W.N. 14–1974)*

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## 1975 — Freight Accounting References — W.N. — 1975

### Power's Codes Table — 1975
> **South Casino** — listed in freight accounting table; **3425/2** (Ordinary); **3420-6** (Local) — still in Power's codes table in 1975 (freight accounting reference not yet deleted). *(Source: 1975 Weekly Notices)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| Pre-1905 | Search of 1902–1904 WN volumes — no pre-opening references found in OCR |
| **6 November 1905** | **Opened** — Grafton to Casino; Circular No. A.182 of 1 November 1905; 76.2-metre Down side platform; served southern side of Richmond River |
| **29 December 1908** | Loop siding at Mileage 64.36 (Up side) — lever and bracket lock, Rappville–Casino staff; documented W.N. — 1909 |
| By 1924 | **South Casino (P)** — unattended platform |
| **W.N. 28–1930** | **Simpson's and Shell Siding** — Shell Company uses Sydney end of Simpson's Siding for oil unloading; red flag during unloading; hose to be disconnected before shunting |
| **W.N. 7–1942 / 15–1943** | **Bonalbo Construction Sidings Nos. 1 and 2** — Mileage 499m 76c, Down side between South Casino and Casino; storage purposes; propelling from Casino; Westinghouse Air Brake |
| **W.N. 41–1955** | South Casino under control of Rappville; goods and livestock freight prepaid; GL designation |
| **6 July 1974** | **Station closed** |
| **W.N. 13–1974** | Deleted from border stations table (ref. C.1–74–28,588) |
| **W.N. 14–1974** | **Platform demolished**; deleted from all public timetables, accommodation table (499m 27c), grades table, Working Timetable pages 208–220 |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1905–1975.* 
*Note: South Casino's loop siding (since 29 December 1908 — documented in 1909 WN) predates the Tomki Shire Siding (also 29 December 1908) opening by the same notice. The Simpson's Siding at South Casino had multiple names across its life — Simpson's Siding (freight), Shell Siding (oil company use from 1930), Simpson's and Shell Siding (combined), and later Bennett's Siding and Shell/South Casino Siding (per your notes). The Bonalbo Construction Sidings entry is historically significant — the unfinished Bonalbo branch, starting 600 metres north of South Casino, was authorised as part of the western expansion of the North Coast network but never completed; the Construction Sidings represent the physical trace of this unbuilt line. The platform demolition notice (W.N. 14–1974) is notable for its directness: "has been demolished" — past tense, suggesting the demolition preceded the WN notice.*