Gurranang

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Donald Bourke:

My father Carrie Bourke Dennis Landrigan and Harry Goodrich were the signal men there in the 70s. The loop was only good for 52 and 2. The platform had a small timber waiting room next to the box. Ash pit was straight opposite the box with the points to the siding of the main at the Sydney end of the platform and the other end at the down main starter. The up starter was a bracket post to go over the stock siding that at one time was there (never found out what track arrangements there were for this)
The end of platform had a dock for loading road trucks. Continuing in the down direction was the entry road to the station, mens toilet (prefab concrete) then the foundation of the demolished water tower, perway shed and lastly the foundation and drain for the water column near the starting signals. The foundation and drain were still in situ at the up end as well.

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Roughly where the Old Gurranang Railway Station was. (Richards Gwilym)

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Gurranang, 25/04/1969 - Down special

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Ganger's shed at Gurranang in 1997

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Gurranang Signal Box 1965. Taken from top of Up Starter. (Garry Dawson)

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Gurranang Signalmans cottage 1965 (Garry Dawson)

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Gurranang locking table

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Gurranang water supply

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8/11/1996 - Gurranang - the disused crossing loop can be seen (Tim Smith)

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Gurrangang signal box, 1/7/1982 (State Archives)

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Another of the latter day Type K signal boxes placed on the island platform. RT Taaffe

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Gurranang, 31 January 2026. Another location at which nothing of the signal box or crossing loop remains, apart from the CTC equipment building that was installed prior to the arrival of CTC. The crossing loop was decommissioned some years later. The name 'Gurranang' has even been deleted from ARTC's network diagram, although the other closed loops between Grafton and Casino (Camira Creek, Banyabba and Leeville) are still shown as names only. (Ken Date)

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Gurrangang in 1985 (Cheech Cat)

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# Gurranang (formerly Sportsman's Creek) (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1905–1983

---

**Type:** Station (Closed — 30 June 1972); Crossing Loop (Closed — 4 June 1995) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Kyarran–Gurranang / Gurranang–Banyabba sections from 1926) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 727.700 km (727.662 km per your notes; Mileage **18m 8c from Grafton** per 1910 renaming notice) 
**Location:** -29.463971, 152.995373 
**Between:** Kyarran/Dilkoon (south) and Banyabba/Lawrence Road (north) 
**Opened as SPORTSMAN'S CREEK:** **6 November 1905** — Grafton to Casino line; Circular No. A.182 of 1 November 1905; Tuesdays and Fridays only (Construction Branch) 
**Renamed GURRANANG:** **1 October 1910** (WN notice) / **29 September 1910** (per your notes) — W.N. — 1910 (ref. 10–31,846) 
**Platform:** **23.7 metres** (per your notes) 
**Closed as station:** **30 June 1972** (per your notes) 
**Signal-box closed:** **1983** 
**Loop closed:** **4 June 1995** (per your notes) 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word meaning "native bee" or sugar 

### Note on Renaming Date
Your notes give **29 September 1910**; the WN notice states "On **1st October, 1910**" the name will be altered. The 29 September date may be the date of the WN publication; the operative date is **1 October 1910**.

### Signalling History

**At opening 1905:** Listed in original Grafton–Casino station table (Construction Branch, Tuesdays and Fridays only) as Sportsman's Creek 

**1924 — W.N. 11–1924 (Monday, 10 March 1924):** 
Gurranang closed as an **Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket Station**; sections Grafton–Gurranang and Gurranang–Camira Creek cancelled; new section **Grafton–Camira Creek** (Shape: Round; Colour: Red) created; **Lever and Bracket Locks A and B** unlocked by key attached to Ordinary Train Staff for section Grafton–Camira Creek; Regulation C of General Appendix 

**1924 — Unattended:** Listed as Gurranang (P) in accommodation table — unattended intermediate 

**1926 (Kyarran loop opened — 21 October 1926):** 
Grafton–Gurranang ETS section cancelled; **Kyarran–Gurranang** (Type C, 1–4 Key, 9–36 Ordinary) created; section previously Grafton–Gurranang now split 

**1926 (Banyabba ETS station opened — 3 March 1926):** 
Gurranang–Camira Creek ETS section cancelled; **Gurranang–Banyabba** (Type B, 1–36 Ordinary) and **Banyabba–Camira Creek** (Type C, 1–8 Key, 9–36 Ordinary) created; fitted for ordinary and automatic working 
At Banyabba: new Frame A at Murwillumbah end of platform; Down and Up Home signals from Nos. 7 and 2 Levers; Down and Up Landmarks in lieu of Distant signals; Duplex Locks at each end of siding released by key from Duplex Lock on No. 4 Lever Frame A 

**1926 Ballast train propelling permission — W.N. 35–1926:** 
Gurranang to Mileage 20.40 in section Gurranang–Banyabba; daylight; max 10 mph; brake-van leading; Driver must hold ETS 

**1935 — Signal-box unattended indicator — W.N. 31 and 34–1935 (from 22 August 1935):** 
Signalling arrangements permit trains to be worked through when Signal-box is unattended without clearing Main line Starting signals; **indicator (No. 6 lever)** on post of each Main line Starting signal below arm — displays letter **"U"** when unattended; before going off duty Officer in charge (or Guard on completion of work) pulls Nos. 8 and 13 levers, clears Home signal for next train due, then pulls No. 6 lever; when crossing is known, Home signals left at Stop and Nos. 8, 13 and 6 levers pulled; Driver may pass Main line Starting signal at Stop only when indicator shows "U" and in possession of ETS for forward section; Loop line Starting signals must still be cleared for a train leaving the loop; when attended, Starting and Distant signals cleared in usual way (ref. C.T.M. 35–92,514; S.&T.E., G.35–7321H) 

**1935 — Booking Station opened — 1 December 1935 — W.N. 48–1935:** 
"Since Sunday, 1st December, 1935, Bulliac, Melinga, Kundabung, **Gurranang** and Leeville have been opened as Booking Stations for goods and coaching traffic, with a Porter in charge at each place." Pages 146 and 147 of Passenger Fares and Coaching Rates Book and pages 188, 195, 197 and 199 of Merchandise and Livestock Rates Book updated. Existing Power's codes and distinguishing numbers apply. Parcels obliterating stamp allotted *(W.N. 48–1935)* 

**1943 — Down Home signals relocated — W.N. 52–1943 (since 6 January 1944):** 
Down Home signals Nos. 2 and 4 refixed **150 feet nearer to Grafton**; **Circular No. 382–40 of 1935** amended (ref. S.&T.E. 43–576,007–Se.84; C.T.M. 43–47,425) 

**1943 — Water columns:** 
Two water columns at Gurranang — one 9-inch column on Main line and Loop (300 feet from Sydney end of platform); one 9-inch column on loop (240 feet from South Brisbane end) — listed in water supply table W.N. 52–1943 

**1943 — Bank Engine Working — Gurranang to Mileage 458m 0c:** 
Bank engine provided Down direction from Gurranang to Mileage 458m 0c; Electric Train Staff (Gurranang–Banyabba) used for bank engine; Control South Grafton gave instructions to Officer in charge at Gurranang; Officers at Gurranang and Rappville conferred with Control (W.N. 32–1943; ref. 43–45,720) 
12-class engines permitted to assist Express/Passenger from South Grafton to Gurranang (engine first, bogie tender, leading); when assisting from Gurranang to Mileage 458m 0c only — rear of train (W.N. 46–1943; ref. C.T.M. 43–45,720) 

**1960 — Bank Engine Key removed — W.N. 7–1960 (since 2 February 1960):** 
Bank Engine Key at Gurranang removed; Bank Engine Working with Bank Engine Key Down direction Gurranang–Mileage 458m 0c discontinued (ref. S.&T.E. 59–502,206) 

**1974 — Deleted from tables — W.N. 29–1974:** 
Gurranang deleted from List of Stations distances table (ref. B.2–74–71,071); deleted from border stations and horses/vehicles loading tables (ref. C.1–74) 

**1983 — Motor-operated points — Monday, 21 February 1983 — W.N. 8–1983:** 
Route control relay interlocking control panel; mechanical interlocking machine placed out of use; colour light signals; low speed indication at Down and Up Home signals; ETS Kyarran–Gurranang and Gurranang–Banyabba retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; diagram page 19 (S&C 126170) 
Note: OCR at line 13272 reads "Monday, 28th February, 1982" — almost certainly OCR error; W.N. 8–1983 places this as **21 February 1983** 

**1983 — CTC — 11 July 1983:** 
Kyarran–Gurranang and Gurranang–Banyabba ETS sections cancelled — Broadmeadow CTC (W.N. 29–1983; S&C 121220) 

**1983 — Signal-box closed** (per your notes) 

**1995 — Loop closed — 4 June 1995** (per your notes; outside WN collection) 

### ETS Sections History
| Period | Sections |
|--------|---------|
| 1905 (opening) | (Construction Branch — no ETS) |
| By 1910 | Grafton–Gurranang; Gurranang–Camira Creek (Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket) |
| **10 March 1924** | Gurranang–Camira Creek cancelled; **Grafton–Camira Creek** created (Round, Red) |
| **3 March 1926** | Gurranang–Camira Creek cancelled; **Gurranang–Banyabba** (Type B) and **Banyabba–Camira Creek** (Type C) created |
| **21 October 1926** | Grafton–Gurranang cancelled; **Kyarran–Gurranang** (Type C, 1–4 Key, 9–36 Ordinary) created |
| **21 February 1983** | CTC conversion; ETS retained during transition |
| **11 July 1983** | Both sections cancelled — Broadmeadow CTC |

### Water Supply (1943)
- **Main line and Loop:** One 9-inch column, 300 feet from Sydney end of platform 
- **Loop:** One 9-inch column, 240 feet from South Brisbane end 

---

> **Notes:** Opened as Sportsman's Creek on 6 November 1905 under Construction Branch control; renamed Gurranang 1 October 1910 (ref. 10–31,846). Closed as Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket Station 10 March 1924 — sections Grafton–Gurranang and Gurranang–Camira Creek cancelled; Grafton–Camira Creek created. Banyabba ETS station opened 3 March 1926 — Gurranang–Camira Creek split into Gurranang–Banyabba and Banyabba–Camira Creek. Kyarran loop opened 21 October 1926 — Grafton–Gurranang split into Grafton–Kyarran and Kyarran–Gurranang. Signal-box unattended indicator (No. 6 lever, letter "U") from 22 August 1935 — one of the earliest documented unattended indicator systems in the North Coast collection, with a uniquely detailed operating procedure. Booking station from 1 December 1935. Down Home signals relocated 150 feet toward Grafton (January 1944; Circular No. 382–40 of 1935). Bank engine key removed 2 February 1960. Station closed 30 June 1972. CTC conversion 21 February 1983; signal-box closed 1983; loop closed 4 June 1995.

---

## 1905 — Opened as Sportsman's Creek — 6 November 1905

### Opening — W.N. — 1905
> **Conveyance of Traffic over the Extension from Grafton to Casino** — Commencing on Monday, 3rd April, 1905 [*note: formal regular service opened 6 November 1905 per your notes*]: Grafton — Solferino Road — Warragai Creek — **Sportsmen's Creek** — Lawrence Road — Banyabba — Camira Creek — Kytle Creek — Deep Creek Platform — Wooroowoolgan — Casino. *(W.N. — 1905)*

---

## 1910 — Renamed Gurranang — 1 October 1910; Mileage 18m 8c from Grafton

### Renamed Gurranang — W.N. — 1910
> **Name of Sportsman's Creek to be altered to "Gurranang"** — On **1st October, 1910**, the name of **Sportsman's Creek Platform**, situate at **18m 8c from Grafton**, between Dilkoon and Lawrence Road, will be altered to **"Gurranang."** (10–31,846.) *(W.N. — 1910)*

---

## 1924 — Closed as Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket Station — 10 March 1924; Grafton–Camira Creek Section Created

### Closed as OTS Station — W.N. 11–1924
> **Gurranang (North) — Closing as an Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket Station** — On **Monday, 10th March, 1924**, between 7.30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Gurranang will be closed as an Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket Station. The existing Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket sections **Grafton–Gurranang** and **Gurranang–Camira Creek** will be cancelled, and the new Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket section will be:
>
> - **Grafton–Camira Creek:** Shape of Staff — **Round**; Colour — **Red**
>
> **Signalling and Interlocking Arrangements** — Lever and Bracket Locks "A" and "B" will be unlocked by Key attached to the Ordinary Train Staff for the section Grafton–Camira Creek, and must be operated in accordance with **Regulation "C"** on page 55 of the General Appendix. *(W.N. 11–1924)*

---

## 1926 — Gurranang–Banyabba Section Created — 3 March 1926; Kyarran Loop Splits Grafton–Gurranang — 21 October 1926

### Banyabba ETS Station — W.N. — 1926
> **Banyabba (North Coast) — Opening as an Electric Train Staff Station** — On **Wednesday, 3rd March, 1926**, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Banyabba will be opened as an Electric Train Staff Station.
>
> Banyabba is not a Crossing Station, and trains must not be arranged to cross or pass at this station.
>
> **System of Working** — The existing Miniature Electric Train Staff section **Gurranang–Camira Creek** will be cancelled, and the new sections brought into use:
> - **Gurranang–Banyabba:** Miniature Electric Train Staff, Type **"B"**; Staffs Nos. 1 to 36 Ordinary
> - **Banyabba–Camira Creek:** Miniature Electric Train Staff, Type **"C"**; Staffs Nos. 1 to 8 Key, 9 to 36 Ordinary
>
> Instruments equipped for Ordinary and Automatic working. *(W.N. — 1926)*

### Kyarran Loop — W.N. — 1926 (21 October 1926)
> The existing Electric Train Staff section **Grafton–Gurranang** will be cancelled, and new sections brought into use: **Grafton–Kyarran** (Type A) and **Kyarran–Gurranang** (Type C, 1–4 Key, 9–36 Ordinary). *(W.N. — 1926)*

### Ballast Train Propelling — W.N. 35–1926
> **Propelling of Ballast Train from Gurranang to Mileage 20.40, in section Gurranang–Banyabba (North Coast)** — Permission is hereby given for the Ballast train to be propelled as required during **daylight** from Gurranang to Mileage **20.40**, in the section Gurranang–Banyabba, at a speed not exceeding **10 miles per hour**. Brake-van must be leading; Guard must ride; Clause (i) Rule 202; Driver must hold ETS. *(W.N. 35–1926)*

---

## 1935 — Signal-Box Unattended Indicator — From 22 August 1935; Circular No. 382–40

### Unattended Indicator — W.N. 31 and 34–1935
> **Page 203 — Gurranang — Working When Signal-box is Unattended** — The signalling arrangements permit of trains being worked through when the Signal-box is unattended, without clearing the Main line Starting signals.
>
> To enable Drivers to determine whether the Signal-box is attended or unattended, an **indicator**, worked by **No. 6 lever**, is provided on the post of each Main line Starting signal, immediately below the arm.
>
> The Officer in charge, before going off duty, or, when the Signal-box is unattended, the Guard of a train, after completing his work, must pull **Nos. 8 and 13 levers**, clear the Home signal applicable to the next train due to arrive, and then pull over **No. 6 lever**, which will cause the indicators to display the letter **"U"** (unattended).
>
> When the Guard is aware that a crossing is to be made, the Home signals must be left at Stop, and Nos. 8, 13 and 6 levers pulled over.
>
> When the station is unattended, the Driver of a train, after satisfying himself that the indicator is displaying the letter **"U"**, and provided he is in possession of the electric train staff for the forward section, may pass the Main line Starting signal at Stop, on being instructed to do so by the Guard, in accordance with amended Rule No. 64.
>
> The object of providing the indicator is to maintain the mechanical locking, which would otherwise be done by clearing the Starting signal, and thus ensure that the points are lying in the correct position. Drivers must, when the Signal-box is unattended, be particularly careful not to pass the Main line Starting signal at Stop unless the indicator displays the letter "U."
>
> **The indicator does not give authority for the Loop line Starting signals to be passed at Stop.** These signals are to be cleared for a train leaving the loop.
>
> When the station is attended, the Starting and Distant signals must be cleared in the usual way. (C.T.M. 35–92,514; S.&T.E., G.35–7321H.) *(W.N. 31 and 34–1935; from 22 August 1935)*

### Booking Station — W.N. 48–1935
> **Gurranang and Leeville (North Coast Line) — Opening as Booking Stations for Goods and Coaching Traffic** — Since **Sunday, 1st December, 1935**, Bulliac, Melinga, Kundabung, **Gurranang** and Leeville have been opened as Booking Stations for goods and coaching traffic, with a **Porter in charge** at each place. *(W.N. 48–1935)*

---

## 1943 — Bank Engine Working; Down Home Signals Relocated; Water Columns

### Bank Engine Working — W.N. 32–1943
> **Gurranang–Banyabba (North Coast) — Bank Engine Working Down Direction** — "Control," South Grafton, will give necessary instructions to the Officer in charge at Gurranang and Rappville for Bank engine to be provided for Down trains needing assistance from Gurranang to Mileage **458m 0c**, and from Rappville to Mileage **484m 10c**. (43–45,720.) *(W.N. 32–1943)*

### Down Home Signals Relocated — W.N. 52–1943 (since 6 January 1944)
> **Gurranang (North Coast) — Alteration to Location of Down Home Signals** — On **Thursday, 6th January, 1944**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the Down Home signals, **Nos. 2 and 4**, will be refixed **150 feet nearer to Grafton**.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 382–40 of 1935** to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E. 43–576,007; C.T.M. 43–47,425.) *(W.N. 52–1943)*

### Water Columns — 1943
> **Gurranang** — Main line and Loop: One **9-inch column**, 300 feet from Sydney end of platform; Loop: One **9-inch column**, 240 feet from South Brisbane end. *(Source: 1943 Weekly Notices — Water Supply table)*

---

## 1960 — Bank Engine Key Removed — W.N. 7–1960 (since 2 February 1960)

### Bank Engine Key Removed — W.N. 7–1960
> **Gurranang–Banyabba (North Coast) — Removal of Bank Engine Key** — Since the **2nd February, 1960**, the Bank Engine Key at Gurranang has been removed, and Bank Engine Working with Bank Engine Key in the Down direction between Gurranang and Mileage **458m 0c** has been discontinued. (S.&T.E. 59–502,206.) *(W.N. 7–1960)*

---

## 1974 — Deleted from Tables — W.N. 29–1974

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

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

---

## 1983 — Motor-Operated Points — 21 February 1983; CTC — 11 July 1983

### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 8–1983
> **Gurranang (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 21st February, 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 Gurranang crossing loop will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main line and loop signals will be replaced by colour light signals.
>
> A **low speed indication** (small green light) with route indicator, cleared by an approaching train, will be provided beneath the main head of the Down Home signal and the Up Home signal.
>
> ETS working will remain in use on the sections **Kyarran–Gurranang** and **Gurranang–Banyabba**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Gurranang will remain available.
>
> **Call indicators** — near Starting signals at each end; flashing blue light and hooter.
>
> A diagram showing the new signalling arrangements at Gurranang appears on **page 19** of W.N. 8–1983. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 8–1983)*

### CTC — 11 July 1983
> Since **11th July, 1983**, electric train staff working on the sections Grafton–Kyarran, **Kyarran–Gurranang**, **Gurranang–Banyabba**, Banyabba–Camira Creek were cancelled and Centralised Traffic Control working, remotely controlled from **Broadmeadow C.T.C. Centre**, was introduced in lieu between Grafton and Camira Creek. (S&C 121220.) *(W.N. 29–1983)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| Pre-1905 | Search of 1901–1904 WN volumes — no pre-opening references found in OCR |
| **6 November 1905** | **Opened as Sportsman's Creek** — Grafton to Casino line; Construction Branch; Circular No. A.182 of 1 November 1905 |
| **1 October 1910** | **Renamed GURRANANG** — from Sportsman's Creek; Mileage 18m 8c from Grafton, between Dilkoon and Lawrence Road (W.N. — 1910; ref. 10–31,846) |
| **10 March 1924** | **Closed as Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket Station** — Grafton–Gurranang and Gurranang–Camira Creek cancelled; **Grafton–Camira Creek** (Round, Red) created; Lever and Bracket Locks A and B — Regulation C (W.N. 11–1924) |
| **3 March 1926** | Gurranang–Camira Creek cancelled; **Gurranang–Banyabba** (Type B) and **Banyabba–Camira Creek** (Type C) created (W.N. — 1926) |
| **21 October 1926** | Grafton–Gurranang cancelled; **Kyarran–Gurranang** (Type C) created |
| W.N. 35–1926 | Ballast train propelling — Gurranang to Mileage 20.40; max 10 mph daylight |
| **22 August 1935** | Signal-box unattended indicator (No. 6 lever, letter "U"); Nos. 8 and 13 levers; Circular No. 382–40 of 1935 (W.N. 31 and 34–1935) |
| **1 December 1935** | **Opened as Booking Station** — Porter in charge (W.N. 48–1935) |
| **6 January 1944** | Down Home signals Nos. 2 and 4 refixed **150 feet nearer to Grafton**; Circular No. 382–40 amended (W.N. 52–1943) |
| **2 February 1960** | Bank Engine Key removed; Bank Engine Working Down direction Gurranang–458m 0c discontinued (W.N. 7–1960) |
| **30 June 1972** | **Station closed** |
| **W.N. 29–1974** | Deleted from distances, border stations and horses/vehicles loading tables |
| **21 February 1983** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — ETS Kyarran–Gurranang and Gurranang–Banyabba retained; diagram page 19 (W.N. 8–1983; S&C 126170) |
| **11 July 1983** | **Kyarran–Gurranang and Gurranang–Banyabba ETS cancelled** — Broadmeadow CTC (W.N. 29–1983) |
| **1983** | **Signal-box closed** |
| **4 June 1995** | **Loop closed** (outside WN collection) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1905–1983.* 
*Note: Gurranang has one of the most complex section histories on the Grafton–Casino line — five different section arrangements between 1905 and 1926, reflecting the progressive development of intermediate loops (Banyabba March 1926, Kyarran October 1926) that transformed the original single-staff working into a multi-section system. The 1935 signal-box unattended indicator (letter "U", No. 6 lever) is one of the earliest and most detailed documented in the North Coast collection — the explicit note that "the indicator does not give authority for Loop line Starting signals to be passed at Stop" is a unique safety qualification not found in other unattended indicator entries. The bank engine working instructions (1943–1960) and the removal of the bank engine key (2 February 1960) confirm that the gradient between Gurranang and Mileage 458m 0c was a significant operating constraint for over 17 years of wartime and post-war heavy freight working.*