Braunstone

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# Braunstone (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1988

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**Type:** Station (Closed — 30 June 1974) / Crossing Loop (in use) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Kungala–Braunstone / Braunstone–Grafton City sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 683.269 km (per 1988 Working Timetable speedboard entry) 
**Location:** -29.802090, 152.959658 
**Between:** Kungala (south) and Grafton City / South Grafton (north) 
**Opened:** **Tuesday, 12 October 1915** — Glenreagh to South Grafton; Circular No. 245 of 1915 
**Station closed:** **30 June 1974** — deleted from border and other tables alongside Kungala (W.N. 36–1974; ref. C1–74–28602) 
**Status:** Station closed; loop in use 

### Signalling History

**At opening (1915):** Circular No. 245 of 1915 (alongside Glenreagh, Sherwood, Lanitza, South Grafton Stockyards and South Grafton) 

**1922 arrangement:** Braunstone and South Grafton Stockyards grouped together — No. 1 Lever in the Frames at these places unlocked by key on Miniature ETS for section **Lanitza–South Grafton**; Regulation B 

**Ballast train working — 1924:** Special permission for ballast train to be propelled (not hauled) during daylight at max 10 mph from Lanitza to Braunstone, or South Grafton to Braunstone — to avoid necessity of running through full section Lanitza–South Grafton with Electric Train Staff; brake-van must lead when propelling; Guard must ride in brake-van; Guard arranges with Station Master whether train will return or run through full section; if run full length must be hauled 

**Automatic working equipment removed — 26 April 1955:** Equipment at South Grafton to enable Braunstone–South Grafton and South Grafton–Grafton ETS instruments to be switched into automatic working removed (W.N. 18–1955; ref. S.&T.E. 55–677,052); Braunstone — delete (A.D.) and (A.U.) references 

**Down Distant signal post renewed — 14 January 1975:** Down Distant signal No. 20 out of use; post renewed (W.N. 2–1975; ref. S.&C. 75–780115) 

**Motor-operated points — Monday, 10 January 1983:** Route control relay interlocking control panel; mechanical interlocking machine placed out of use; ground frames renamed; electrical releasing switches provided; single light colour light signals; low speed indication (small green) and shunting signal (yellow) with route indicator at Down and Up Home signals; taking key from releasing lock causes all signals to show stop; ETS Kungala–Braunstone and Braunstone–Grafton City retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; diagram page 27 (W.N. 1 and 2–1983; S&C 126170; ref. MC 118480) 

**CTC relay room:** No. **43** (Braunstone) — 1983 
**Local control panel:** Retained at Braunstone — 1983 
**CTC — Glenreagh to Grafton City:** 6 June 1983 — Braunstone–Grafton City section; Broadmeadow CTC 

**Loop extended — 31 January 1988:** Advertised W.N. 2–1988 (date to be advised — 364 metres toward Sydney to give **803 metres** standing room); carried out W.N. 4–1988 (31 January 1988); Down Distant relocated 360 metres nearer Sydney; No. 3 Down Home relocated 361 metres nearer Sydney; Nos. 12M and 12L Up Starting signals relocated 363 metres nearer Sydney; adjacent telephone cabin similarly relocated (S.&C. 130926) 

### ETS Sections History
| Period | Sections |
|--------|---------|
| 1915 | Lanitza–South Grafton (Braunstone within) |
| By 1922 | Lanitza–South Grafton (Miniature ETS; Regulation B at Braunstone and South Grafton Stockyards) |
| Post-1943 | Kungala–Lanitza; Lanitza–Braunstone (or Lanitza–South Grafton); Braunstone–South Grafton |
| 1983 | **Kungala–Braunstone** and **Braunstone–Grafton City** (retained at CTC conversion) |
| 6 June 1983 | CTC Broadmeadow |

### 1988 Speedboard
> Speedboard at Mileage **683.270 km** — Kungala–Braunstone section; Down 70; Up 70; XPT Normal. *(Source: 1988 Weekly Notices — Working Timetable)*

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> **Notes:** Braunstone opened 12 October 1915 with the Glenreagh–South Grafton section; Circular No. 245 of 1915. Grouped with South Grafton Stockyards in the 1922 opening circular — both released by Lanitza–South Grafton Miniature ETS, Regulation B. Unusual 1924 ballast train propelling permission — to avoid running the full Lanitza–South Grafton section under staff authority, ballast trains were permitted to propel (brake-van leading, Guard riding) at up to 10 mph from Lanitza or South Grafton toward Braunstone. Automatic working equipment removed 26 April 1955 (W.N. 18–1955). Station closed 30 June 1974 alongside Kungala (W.N. 36–1974). Down Distant No. 20 post renewed 14 January 1975. CTC conversion 10 January 1983 (W.N. 1–1983); additional features: shunting signal (yellow light) at Home signals — not documented at Glenreagh, Nana Glen, Coramba or Kungala — and ground frames renamed at conversion. Loop extended 31 January 1988 — 364 metres toward Sydney to 803 metres (W.N. 2 and 4–1988; S.&C. 130926).

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## 1915 — Opened 12 October 1915; Circular No. 245 of 1915

### Opening — W.N. — 1915
> **Opening of the Line from Glenreagh to South Grafton (North Coast)** — On **Tuesday, 12th October, 1915**, the line from Glenreagh to South Grafton will be opened for traffic, and the Signal and Interlocking arrangements at Glenreagh, Sherwood, Lanitza, **Braunstone**, South Grafton Stock-yards, and South Grafton will be in accordance with **Circular No. 245 of 1915**, and diagrams attached thereto. *(W.N. — 1915)*

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## 1922 — Signalling Arrangement; Section Lanitza–South Grafton; Regulation B

### Braunstone and South Grafton Stockyards — 1922
> **BRAUNSTONE AND SOUTH GRAFTON STOCKYARDS** — No. 1 Lever in the Frames at these places will be unlocked by the key on the **Miniature Electric Train Staff** for the section **Lanitza–South Grafton**, and must be operated in accordance with **Regulation "B"** on page 55 of the General Appendix. *(Source: 1922 Weekly Notices — Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh opening circular)*

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## 1924 — Ballast Train Propelling Permission — Lanitza–Braunstone and South Grafton–Braunstone

### Ballast Train Working — W.N. — 1924
> **Working of Ballast Trains between Lanitza and Braunstone, also South Grafton and Braunstone (North Coast)** — Commencing at once, in order to facilitate the working of the ballast train between Lanitza and Braunstone, also South Grafton and Braunstone, and avoid the necessity of the train having to run through the section Lanitza–South Grafton with the Electric Train Staff, permission is hereby given for the ballast train to be **propelled** during daylight, when required, at a speed not exceeding **10 miles per hour** from either Lanitza to Braunstone or South Grafton to Braunstone.
>
> In each case the train must be propelled out from either Lanitza or South Grafton, and return engine first.
>
> Before leaving Lanitza or South Grafton, the Guard must arrange with the Station Master as to whether the train is to return or run through the section; if it is required to run the entire length of the section, it must be **hauled** and not propelled.
>
> When propelling, the **Brake-van must be leading**, in which the Guard must ride, and give the Driver such Hand-signals as may be necessary. Clause (i) of Rule 202 must be observed. *(W.N. — 1924)*

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## 1955 — Automatic Working Equipment Removed at South Grafton — 26 April 1955

### Automatic Working Removed — W.N. 18–1955
> **South Grafton (North Coast) — Removal of Electric Train Staff Instruments** — Since **26th April, 1955**, the equipment at South Grafton to enable the Electric Train Staff Instruments for the sections **Braunstone–South Grafton** and **South Grafton–Grafton** to be switched into Automatic Working, has been removed.
>
> **Braunstone** — Delete **(A.D.)** and **(A.U.)**. (S.&T.E. 55–677,052.) *(W.N. 18–1955)*

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## 1974 — Station Closed — 30 June 1974; Border Tables Deleted

### Station Deleted — W.N. 36–1974
> **Page 173 — Border Stations and Platforms — Maitland–Queensland** — Delete Tamban, Warrell Creek, Kungala, **Braunstone**. (C1–74–28602.) *(W.N. 36–1974)*

> **Page 186 — Stations at Which Horses and Vehicles may be Loaded and Unloaded** — Delete Rossglen, Warrell Creek, Kungala, **Braunstone**. *(W.N. 36–1974)*

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## 1975 — Down Distant Signal Post Renewed — 14 January 1975

### Down Distant Post Renewed — W.N. 2–1975
> **Braunstone (North Coast) — Renewal of Post of Down Distant Signal, No. 20** — On **Tuesday, 14th January, 1975**, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., the Down Distant signal, **No. 20**, will be out of use for renewal of the signal post. (S.&C. 75–780115.) *(W.N. 2–1975)*

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## 1983 — Motor-Operated Points — 10 January 1983; Shunting Signal; Ground Frames Renamed

### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 1 and 2–1983
> **Braunstone (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 10th January, 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 Braunstone crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals will be replaced by colour light signals.
>
> The foregoing points and signals will be worked from a **route control relay interlocking control panel** located in the signal-box. The existing mechanical interlocking machine will be placed out of use. The local ground frames will be **renamed** and electrical releasing switches for unlocking the ground frames will be provided.
>
> **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.
>
> **The taking of the key from a releasing lock will cause all signals at Braunstone to show the "stop" indication.**
>
> ETS working will remain in use on the sections **Kungala–Braunstone** and **Braunstone–Grafton City**; automatic staff exchanging equipment will remain available.
>
> A diagram showing the new signalling arrangements at Braunstone appears on **page 27** of W.N. 1–1983. (S&C 126170; ref. MC 118480.) *(W.N. 1 and 2–1983)*

### CTC Sections — 1983
> **CTC Sections:** Coffs Harbour–Landrigans, Landrigans–Coramba, Coramba–Nana Glen, Nana Glen–Glenreagh, Glenreagh–Kungala, **Kungala–Braunstone**, **Braunstone–Grafton City**. CTC relay room **No. 43** (Braunstone); local control panel retained. *(Source: 1983 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1988 — Loop Extended 364 Metres — 31 January 1988 (Advertised W.N. 2–1988)

### Loop Extension — W.N. 2 and 4–1988
> **Braunstone (North Coast) — Extension of Crossing Loop** — On a date to be advised, the crossing loop will be extended **364 metres toward Sydney** to provide standing room of approximately **803 metres**.
>
> **Signalling alterations:**
> - Down Distant signal relocated **360 metres nearer to Sydney**
> - No. 3 Down Home signal relocated **361 metres nearer to Sydney**
> - Nos. 12M and 12L Up Starting signals relocated **363 metres nearer to Sydney**; adjacent telephone cabin similarly relocated
>
> *(W.N. 2–1988 — date to be advised)*

> **Work advertised in W.N. 2–1988 will be carried out on Sunday, 31st January, 1988**, between 6 a.m. and 12 midnight. (S.&C. 130926.) *(W.N. 4–1988)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **12 October 1915** | **Opened** — Glenreagh–South Grafton; Circular No. 245 of 1915 |
| By 1922 | Frames released by Lanitza–South Grafton Miniature ETS; Regulation B; grouped with South Grafton Stockyards |
| W.N. — 1924 | Ballast train propelling permission — max 10 mph; brake-van leading; Guard rides; no propelling for full-length section run |
| **26 April 1955** | Automatic working equipment removed at South Grafton — Braunstone–South Grafton and South Grafton–Grafton ETS; delete (A.D.) and (A.U.) at Braunstone (W.N. 18–1955) |
| **30 June 1974** | **Station closed** — deleted from border tables alongside Kungala (W.N. 36–1974) |
| **14 January 1975** | Down Distant signal No. 20 post renewed (W.N. 2–1975) |
| **10 January 1983** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — route control relay interlocking; ground frames renamed; low speed and shunting signals at Home signals; taking key causes all signals to show stop; ETS Kungala–Braunstone and Braunstone–Grafton City retained; diagram page 27 (W.N. 1 and 2–1983; S&C 126170) |
| **6 June 1983** | **CTC Glenreagh to Grafton City** — Broadmeadow CTC; relay room No. 43; local control panel retained |
| **31 January 1988** | **Loop extended 364 metres toward Sydney** — 803 metres standing room; Down Distant, No. 3 Down Home, Nos. 12M/12L Up Starting all relocated; telephone cabin relocated (W.N. 2 and 4–1988; S.&C. 130926) |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1988.* 
*Note: Braunstone is the only loop in the Glenreagh–Grafton section where the 1983 CTC conversion explicitly included a **shunting signal** (yellow light) in addition to the standard low speed indication at the Home signals — a feature not documented at Glenreagh, Coramba, Nana Glen or Kungala. This suggests Braunstone had goods siding shunting movements that required a dedicated shunting signal authority distinct from the loop entry authority. The 1924 ballast train propelling instruction is unique in the collection — the only documented permission for propelling movements (brake-van leading) on a single-line section without full staff authority, reflecting the operational difficulty of running light ballast trains over the full Lanitza–South Grafton section in the early years.*