Camira Creek

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4888
Photo Graham Howard
Circa 1981
Greg Riddel

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Camira Creek layout, pre-CTC 1983

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Camira Creek (Shane Morris)

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

---

**Type:** Station (Closed — 30 June 1974); Crossing Loop (Closed — 1983 signal-box; loop status post-1983 per your notes) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Banyabba–Camira Creek / Camira Creek–Rappville sections; post-July 1983 southern CTC boundary) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 756.506 km 
**Location:** -29.250456, 152.964901 
**Between:** Whiporie (south) and Rappville / Clearfield (north) 
**Opened:** **6 November 1905** — Grafton to Casino; Circular No. A.182 of 1 November 1905 
**Passenger services suspended:** **December 1969** (per your notes) 
**Station closed:** **30 June 1974** — W.N. 29 and 30–1974 (ref. B.2–74–71,071) 
**Signal-box closed:** **1983** 
**Status:** Closed 

### Significance
From **11 July 1983:** Camira Creek became the **southern boundary of the remaining ETS working** — Broadmeadow CTC applied from Grafton to Camira Creek; ETS Camira Creek–Rappville remained until further notice; noticeboards transferred from Grafton to Camira Creek; automatic signals brought into use on Camira Creek–Rappville section (764.033 km, 765.283 km Down; 766.595 km, 767.792 km Up) — W.N. 29 and 32–1983 

### Signalling History

**At opening — 1905:** Listed in original Grafton–Casino station table; within Grafton–Camira Creek Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket section 

**1924:** Listed as **Camira Creek (P)** — unattended; within **Grafton–Camira Creek** OTS section (Round, Red staff — created 10 March 1924 when Gurranang was closed as OTS station); Lever and Bracket Locks A and B — Regulation C 

**Crossing Loop:** Loop and crossing station status from 1926 (details of opening notice not found in OCR — loop was in use by 1926 based on contemporary timetables; Frame A in signal-box) 

**Frame A moved to new Signal-box — 5 August 1930 — W.N. 31–1930:** 
Frame A (previously at Sydney end of platform) removed and refixed in new **Signal-box on Down side of Main line** approximately **100 feet on Sydney side of station**; during works: Down and Up Home signals out of order; points in Main line and Loop line out of use; Traffic Officer in charge; flagmen provided 

**Level crossing gates unattended — since 13 January 1933 — W.N. 4–1935:** 
Gates at level crossing Mileage **465.16** (Camira Creek) have been unattended since 13 January 1933; fitted with hooks and chains; notices exhibited; delete "G," insert "U" in level crossings table (ref. S.P. 34–6,712X) 

**Temporary Frame in lieu of Frame A — 4 December 1935 — W.N. 49–1935:** 
Existing Frame A (in Signal-box) replaced by **temporary 3-lever machine** situated **outside the Signal-box at the Casino end**; numbering of new frame similar to existing (ref. S.&T.E., G.35–733) 

**Control telephone boundary — 1943:** 
South Grafton No. 1 control area: Glenreagh to Camira Creek (staff instrument on Banyabba side); South Grafton No. 2 area: Camira Creek (excluding Banyabba instrument) to Casino; Circular No. 15 of 1940 amended 

**Camira Creek–Rappville section split — 1943 — W.N. 11–1943:** 
Camira Creek–Rappville ETS section cancelled; **Camira Creek–Mount Neville** and **Mount Neville–Rappville** sections created when Mount Neville loop opened 

**5-tonne crane — 1989 deletion:** 
W.N. 20–1989: 756.505 km Camira Creek — under heading "Crane" delete **1–5** (5-tonne crane) (WKS.87.55.GB.GW) 

**Motor-operated points — Monday, 14 March 1983 — W.N. 10–1983:** 
Route control relay interlocking control panel; mechanical interlocking machine placed out of use; ground frames renamed; electrical releasing switches provided; low speed indication (small green) and **shunting signal (yellow light)** with route indicator at Down Home and Up Home signals; ETS Banyabba–Camira Creek and Camira Creek–Rappville retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; diagram page 26 (S&C 126170; W.N. 10–1983) 

### 1983 Route Control System (most detailed in Grafton–Casino programme)
**Twelve routes available:**
- 3L — Down Home, Main to Loop (low speed)
- 3M — Down Home, Main (low speed or running)
- 3(S)L — Down Shunt, Main to Loop
- 3(S)M — Down Shunt, Main
- 4L — Up Home, Main to Loop (low speed)
- 4M — Up Home, Main (low speed or running)
- 4(S)L — Up Shunt, Main to Loop
- 4(S)M — Up Shunt, Main
- 11L — Down Starting, Loop to Main
- 11M — Down Starting, Main
- 12L — Up Starting, Loop to Main
- 12M — Up Starting, Main

**Route button colours:**
- **Yellow** — running routes Down direction
- **Blue** — running routes Up direction
- **Red** — shunting movements

**Ground Frame Releasing Buttons:** Nos. 81 and 82 — located adjacent to point levers; control releasing switches B and C; heads coloured blue; steady yellow light on panel when switch normal; two operating procedures (shunting between Goods Siding and Loop line; direct entry to Goods Siding from Main line) 
**Emergency release keys:** For Frames B and C — in releasing locks in Traffic Room attached to CTC Relay room; taking key causes all signals at Camira Creek to show stop 
**Point levers Nos. 51 and 52:** Rotary type (black); three positions (left/centre/right); independent operation for testing 
**Approach locking:** 120-second time release; 30 seconds if train within 60 metres of Starting signal 
**Annunciator bell:** Track-operated bell in signal-box — warns of approaching Down or Up train when applicable Home signal at stop 
**Two route cancel buttons:** Group (i) 3G3M–3(S)G–3(S)M–12L–12M; Group (ii) 4L–4M–4(S)L–4(S)M–11L–11M; coloured white 

**CTC — 11 July 1983 — Camira Creek becomes ETS boundary:** 
Grafton–Camira Creek CTC (Broadmeadow); **Camira Creek–Rappville ETS** remains; noticeboards transferred from Grafton to Camira Creek; automatic signals Camira Creek–Rappville: 764.033 km (Down Distant), 765.283 km (No. 765 Down Automatic), 766.595 km (No. 766 Up Automatic), 767.792 km (Up Distant) — W.N. 29 and 32–1983 

### ETS Sections History
| Period | Sections |
|--------|---------|
| 1905 | (Grafton–Camira Creek OTS; Camira Creek–Casino OTS) |
| 10 March 1924 | **Grafton–Camira Creek** (Round, Red — combined from Grafton–Gurranang and Gurranang–Camira Creek) |
| 3 March 1926 | **Banyabba–Camira Creek** (Type C, 1–8 Key, 9–36 Ordinary) when Banyabba ETS station opened |
| 1943 | Camira Creek–Rappville cancelled; Camira Creek–Mount Neville and Mount Neville–Rappville created |
| 1983 | ETS Banyabba–Camira Creek and Camira Creek–Rappville retained at conversion |
| **11 July 1983** | Banyabba–Camira Creek cancelled — CTC; **Camira Creek–Rappville ETS** remains; Camira Creek = ETS/CTC boundary |

---

> **Notes:** Camira Creek opened 6 November 1905 as one of the original Grafton–Casino stations. Frame A moved from platform to new signal-box on Down side 5 August 1930 (100 feet on Sydney side of station). Level crossing gates (Mileage 465.16) unattended since 13 January 1933; hooks and chains. Temporary 3-lever Frame A outside signal-box at Casino end, 4 December 1935. District control telephone boundary between South Grafton No. 1 and No. 2 in 1943. Passenger services suspended December 1969. Station closed 30 June 1974. CTC conversion Monday 14 March 1983 (W.N. 10–1983) — the most detailed route control system description in the Grafton–Casino CTC programme; twelve routes; three button colours; annunciator bell; releasing buttons 81 and 82 for Frames B and C. From 11 July 1983 Camira Creek was the CTC/ETS boundary — CTC to Grafton south, ETS to Rappville north. 5-tonne crane deleted W.N. 20–1989.

---

## 1905 — Opened 6 November 1905

### Opening — W.N. 14–1905
> **Grafton to Casino** — Original station list: Grafton — Solferino Road — Warragai Creek — Sportsmen's Creek — Lawrence Road — Banyabba — **Camira Creek** — Kytle Creek — Deep Creek Platform — Wooroowoolgan — Casino. *(W.N. 14–1905)*

---

## 1924 — Camira Creek (P); Grafton–Camira Creek OTS Section; Lever and Bracket Locks A and B

### Section Created — W.N. 11–1924 (10 March 1924)
> **Gurranang closed as OTS Station** — existing sections Grafton–Gurranang and Gurranang–Camira Creek cancelled; new section **Grafton–Camira Creek** (Round, Red) created; Lever and Bracket Locks A and B at Camira Creek released by key on Ordinary Train Staff for section Grafton–Camira Creek; Regulation C. *(W.N. 11–1924)*

---

## 1930 — Frame A Moved to New Signal-Box — 5 August 1930; Down Side 100 Feet Sydney Side

### Frame A Relocated — W.N. 31–1930
> **Page 268 — Camira Creek (North Coast) — Moving Frame "A" to New Position** — On **Tuesday, 5th August, 1930**, between 8.0 a.m. and 4.0 p.m., Frame "A," fixed at the Sydney end of the Platform, will be removed and refixed in the new **Signal-box, situated on the Down side of the Main line, about 100 feet on the Sydney side of the station**.
>
> During the time mentioned, the Down and Up Home signals will be out of order and will remain in the Stop position, and the points in the Main line and Loop line will be out of use. Flagmen will be provided, and all train movements must be made under the supervision of the Traffic Officer in charge. *(W.N. 31–1930)*

---

## 1935 — Level Crossing Gates Unattended (since 13 January 1933); Temporary Frame — 4 December 1935

### Level Crossing — W.N. 4–1935
> **Page 106 — Level Crossings (North Coast Line)** — Since **13th January, 1933**, the gates at level crossing (Mileage **465.16**), Camira Creek, are unattended, and have been fitted with **hooks and chains**, and notices exhibited. Delete letter "G" and insert letter "U" in column headed "See notes, page 100." (S.P. 34–6,712X.) *(W.N. 4–1935)*

### Temporary Frame — W.N. 49–1935
> **Camira Creek (North Coast) — Provision of Temporary Frame in Lieu of Frame "A"** — On **Wednesday, 4th December, 1935**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the existing Frame "A," situated in the Signal-box, will be replaced by a **temporary 3-lever machine**, situated **outside the Signal-box at the Casino end**.
>
> The numbering of the new frame will be similar to that of the existing frame. (S.&T.E., G.35–733.) *(W.N. 49–1935)*

---

## 1943 — Control Telephone Boundary; Camira Creek–Rappville Section Split

### Control Telephone Boundary — 1943
> **South Grafton No. 1:** Glenreagh to Camira Creek (staff instrument on Banyabba side). 
> **South Grafton No. 2:** Camira Creek (excluding Banyabba staff instrument) to Casino. *(Source: 1943 Weekly Notices)*

### Camira Creek–Rappville Split — W.N. 11–1943
> The existing ETS section **Camira Creek–Rappville** will be cancelled; **Camira Creek–Mount Neville** and **Mount Neville–Rappville** sections created on commissioning of Mount Neville loop. *(W.N. 11–1943)*

---

## 1974 — Station Deleted — W.N. 29 and 30–1974

### Tables Deleted — W.N. 29–1974
> **Page 260 — List of Stations — North Coast Line** — Delete **Camira Creek** and relevant particulars. (B.2–74–71,071.) *(W.N. 29–1974)*

> **Pages 173–174** — Delete Camira Creek from border stations table. 
> **Page 186** — Delete Camira Creek from horses/vehicles loading table. (C.1–74.) *(W.N. 29–1974)*

### Further Deletions — W.N. 30–1974
> **Page 226** — Delete Camira Creek from Alphabetical List. (B.2–74–71,071.) *(W.N. 30–1974)*

---

## 1983 — Motor-Operated Points — 14 March 1983; CTC Boundary — 11 July 1983

### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 10–1983
> **Camira Creek (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 14th March, 1983**, commencing 7.00 a.m. and continuing until completion, as a preliminary to the introduction of centralised traffic control signalling on the North Coast line, the Main line to loop points at each end of Camira Creek crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals will be replaced by colour light signals.
>
> **Low speed indication** (small green light) and a **shunting signal** (yellow light), with route indicator applicable to both, and cleared by an approaching train, will be provided beneath the main head of the Down Home signal and the Up Home signal.
>
> Entry to the Loop on authority of low speed signal (running); or yellow shunting signal (shunting). Entry to Main line on authority of green signal when Starting signal is clear (subject to ETS for forward section being available); or low speed/shunting signal when Starting at stop.
>
> **ETS Banyabba–Camira Creek and Camira Creek–Rappville retained**; automatic staff exchangers remain.
>
> **Routes (12):** 3L, 3M, 3(S)L, 3(S)M (Down); 4L, 4M, 4(S)L, 4(S)M (Up); 11L, 11M, 12L, 12M (Starting).
>
> **Button colours:** Yellow (Down running), Blue (Up running), Red (Shunting), White (Cancel).
>
> **Ground Frame Releasing Buttons 81 and 82:** Frames B and C; blue heads; steady yellow when normal; emergency keys in Traffic Room attached to CTC Relay room; taking key causes all signals to show stop.
>
> **Point levers Nos. 51 and 52:** Rotary type (black); three positions.
>
> **Approach locking:** 120-second time release; 30 seconds if within 60 metres of Starting signal.
>
> **Annunciator bell:** Track-operated; warns of approaching train when Home signal at stop.
>
> Diagram — page 26 of W.N. 10–1983. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 10–1983)*

### Camira Creek Becomes CTC/ETS Boundary — W.N. 29–1983 (since 11 July 1983)
> Since **11th July, 1983**, Grafton–Camira Creek became CTC. **Camira Creek–Rappville ETS remains** until further advised. Noticeboards transferred from Grafton to **Camira Creek**. *(W.N. 29–1983; S&C 121220)*

### Automatic Signals Camira Creek–Rappville — W.N. 32–1983
> Automatic signals brought into use on **Camira Creek–Rappville** section:
> - Down Direction: **764.033 km** — Distant for No. 765; **765.283 km** — No. 765 Down Automatic
> - Up Direction: **766.595 km** — No. 766 Up Automatic; **767.792 km** — Distant for No. 766
>
> *(W.N. 32–1983; S&C 121220)*

---

## 1989 — 5-Tonne Crane Deleted — W.N. 20–1989

### Crane Deleted — W.N. 20–1989
> **Accommodation Provided — 756.505 km Camira Creek** — under heading "Crane" delete **1–5**. (WKS.87.55.GB.GW.) *(W.N. 20–1989)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **6 November 1905** | **Opened** — Grafton to Casino; Circular No. A.182 of 1 November 1905 |
| **10 March 1924** | Grafton–Camira Creek OTS section created; Lever and Bracket Locks A and B — Regulation C (W.N. 11–1924) |
| By 1926 | Crossing station and loop in use; Frame A in signal-box |
| **5 August 1930** | **Frame A moved** from platform to new signal-box — Down side, 100 feet Sydney side of station (W.N. 31–1930) |
| **Since 13 January 1933** | Level crossing gates Mileage 465.16 **unattended** — hooks and chains (W.N. 4–1935; ref. S.P. 34–6,712X) |
| **4 December 1935** | Existing Frame A replaced by **temporary 3-lever machine** outside signal-box at Casino end (W.N. 49–1935; ref. S.&T.E., G.35–733) |
| 1943 | Control telephone boundary — South Grafton No. 1 (south) / No. 2 (north); Camira Creek–Rappville section split (W.N. 11–1943) |
| **December 1969** | **Passenger services suspended** |
| **30 June 1974** | **Station closed** — W.N. 29 and 30–1974 (ref. B.2–74–71,071) |
| **14 March 1983** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — twelve routes; yellow/blue/red/white button colours; releasing buttons 81 and 82; annunciator bell; shunting signal; approach locking; ETS Banyabba–Camira Creek and Camira Creek–Rappville retained; diagram page 26 (W.N. 10–1983; S&C 126170) |
| **11 July 1983** | **Camira Creek becomes CTC/ETS boundary** — Banyabba–Camira Creek CTC; Camira Creek–Rappville ETS remains; noticeboards transferred from Grafton to Camira Creek; automatic signals commissioned on Camira Creek–Rappville (W.N. 29 and 32–1983) |
| **1983** | **Signal-box closed** |
| **W.N. 20–1989** | 5-tonne crane deleted from accommodation table |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1905–1989.* 
*Note: Camira Creek's 1983 CTC conversion (W.N. 10–1983) is the most comprehensively documented route control system in the Grafton–Casino programme — twelve named routes, four button colour categories (Yellow/Blue/Red/White), a two-group cancel button arrangement, rotary point levers with three positions, approach locking with dual timing (30/120 seconds), and an annunciator bell. This level of detail exceeds even the Grafton station CTC description. The temporary 3-lever frame of 4 December 1935 is unique in the collection — the only documented case of a signal-box frame being replaced by a temporary machine outside the signal-box, suggesting major signal-box reconstruction works were underway at the time. The station's role as the post-July 1983 CTC/ETS boundary meant it retained operational significance for some years after its station closure in 1974.*