Yeerongpilly

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On 26/1/1994 the late Cliff Olds photographed these locos at Yeerongpilly depot in Brisbane.

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44208 at Yeerongpilly depot being fueled in 80. (Philip Tatarinov)

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Pay bus at Yeerongpilly, undated (GW Lillico)

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4459 + 4455 nearing the end of the journey north with the Brisbane Limited passing Yeerongpilly. Unfortunately, date not recorded. (GRaham Watkins)

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# Yeerongpilly (North Coast Line — Border Loop to South Brisbane)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1986

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**Type:** Locomotive Depot / Signal Box 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Clapham–Yeerongpilly / Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 979.787 km 
**Mileage (Working TT):** Yeerongpilly Yard at 608m 69c (1930 telephone circuit) 
**Between:** Clapham and South Brisbane (Park Road) 
**Opened:** 26 September 1930 
**Signal Box Abolished:** 17–18 April 1982 (by Queensland Railways; replaced by Mayne Control Centre) 
**Status:** In use (as depot) 
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal — possibly from 'yurong' (rain) and 'pilly' (gully); meaning "by the water" or "place of the gully" 
**Sub-Depot:** Under control of Casino 
**Circular:** No. 390–19 of 1930 (Kyogle–Brisbane base diagram — Yeerongpilly referenced throughout through to 1983) 

---

> **Notes:** Yeerongpilly was opened on 26 September 1930 as the Queensland end of the NSW locomotive operations on the North Coast Line. The Locomotive Depot was a sub-depot under the control of Casino. Three 9-inch water columns were provided in the Loco Yard from opening. A respirator set (two respirators, two hoods, four gauntlets) was provided at Yeerongpilly Loco Depot for tunnel working between Glenapp and Border Loop from 1932. The signal box operated the Clapham–Yeerongpilly and Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane sections. Park Road Siding (under South Brisbane control) was established at Mileage 611m 41c between Yeerongpilly and South Brisbane in November 1942. The Intercolonial Boring Company Ltd. siding at Yeerongpilly was removed by 1961. The Tennyson–Yeerongpilly–Corinda Section siding (Brisbane City Council) was taken over by the Southern Electric Authority of Queensland on 1 January 1963. Yeerongpilly Loco Depot became the SRA of NSW Locomotive Depot from 1983 (Station Code 12255). The mechanical signal box was abolished by Queensland Railways on 17–18 April 1982; standard gauge signals transferred to Clapham signal-box and Mayne Control Centre control. The Yeerongpilly Loco and Wagon Repair Sidings continued to operate under yard conditions.

---

## 1930 — Opening; Locomotive Depot; Water Columns; Telephone Circuit; Section Boundaries

### Yeerongpilly Opened — 26 September 1930
> On Friday, 26th September, 1930, the extension of line from Kyogle to Brisbane opened for traffic. The stations beyond Kagaru (viz., **Clapham, Yeerongpilly and Brisbane**) are manned and controlled by the **Queensland Railways**. *(W.N. 39–1930)*

### Three 9-inch Water Columns — Loco Yard — 1930
> **Yeerongpilly** — In Loco Yard — **Three 9-inch columns** — In Loco Yard. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices — watering facilities table)*

### Yeerongpilly Yard — 608m 69c — Telephone Circuit
> **Yeerongpilly Yard** — 608m 69c — listed in telephone circuit alongside Clapham Signal-box, Clapham Goods Office, Yeerongpilly Signal-box, Yeerongpilly Loco. Office, South Brisbane Signal-box, South Brisbane Goods Office, South Brisbane Station-master, Roma Street Telegraph Office, Train Room — General Manager, Queensland Railways. *(Source: 1930 and 1931 Weekly Notices — telephone circuit directories)*

### Sections — 1930
> - **Clapham–Yeerongpilly**: Schedule B 
> - **Yeerongpilly–Brisbane**: Schedule C 
> *(Source: 1930 Working Timetable)*

### Wagon Weighbridge at Yeerongpilly — 1930
> Where there are no cart weighbridge facilities, produce must be weighed at Yeerongpilly over the **wagon weighbridge**, and a certificate in duplicate (Form 261A) attached to the invoice. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

### Locomotive Depot Listed
> **Yeerongpilly Loco. Depot** — listed as a Locomotive Depot in the Queensland section of the NSW Working Timetable from opening. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1932 — Tunnel Respirators at Yeerongpilly Loco Depot

### Tunnel Respirators — W.N. 22–1932
> Three sets of respirators are now available at the Locomotive Depot at Casino, and a similar number at the **Locomotive Depot, Yeerongpilly**. Upon application to the Fitter in charge at either of these Depots, enginemen may obtain respirators for use when working trains through tunnels between **Glenapp and Border Loop**.
>
> Each set contains two (2) respirators, two (2) hoods, and four (4) gauntlets. Each respirator is fitted with a flexible tube connected to the air valve of the pipe line at the front of the boiler. Enginemen must insert a wet sponge cloth over the air inlet. *(W.N. 22–1932)*

---

## 1933 — Returning Light Engines Yeerongpilly to Border Loop

### Assistant Engine — Return to Yeerongpilly
> When maximum loads are exceeded, the assistant engine is to be **detached at Border Loop to return to Yeerongpilly** when not required for further assistance. *(Source: 1933 Working Timetable)*

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## 1934 — Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane Working; Assistant Engine

### Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane — No Signalman Hours
> **Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane** — trains must not proceed from Yeerongpilly to South Brisbane during the hours when there is **no Signalman on duty** without authorisation. *(Source: 1934 Weekly Notices)*

### Two Engines Coupled — Yeerongpilly to South Brisbane
> Between **Yeerongpilly and South Brisbane**, engines may be coupled and run tender-first at a speed not exceeding **20 miles per hour**, provided the leading engine is fitted with a bogie tender. *(Source: 1934 and 1944 Weekly Notices; confirmed 1958)*

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## 1935 — Yeerongpilly Station Master Included in KYOG Code

### Telegraph Code — "KYOG" — W.N. 49–1935
> **Station Master, Yeerongpilly**, is to be included in the code address **"KYOG"** for telegraph messages. *(W.N. 49–1935)*

### Down Home Signal — No. 62 — Referenced
> Down Home signal No. 62 at Yeerongpilly is the limit to which Down trains may proceed when shunting outside the home signal. *(Source: 1935 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1937 — Up Starting Signal No. 4 — Staff Instrument Reference; No. 88 Circuit

### Up Starting Signal No. 4 — Staff Instrument
> **Yeerongpilly** — No. 4 Up Starting Signal — Staff Instrument.
>
> Circular No. 390–19 of 1930, and diagram attached thereto, to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 44–1937)*

---

## 1942 — Park Road Siding Opened (Between Yeerongpilly and South Brisbane); Section References

### Park Road Siding — 12 November 1942
> On **12th November, 1942**, a loop siding known as **Park Road Siding** (under control of South Brisbane) was provided at **Mileage 611m 41c** between Yeerongpilly and South Brisbane.
>
> Frames "A" and "B" — No. 1 levers are unlocked by keys from Drawer Lock Key Releases "A" and "B," released by the Electric Train Staff for the section **Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane**.
>
> **Gates** — A level crossing is situated at the Yeerongpilly end of the loop and before opening the gates for the passage of a road vehicle, the Officer in charge must telephone the Signalman at **South Brisbane or Yeerongpilly** and satisfy himself that a Staff has not been issued for a Down or Up train to enter the section. *(W.N. 47–1942)*

### South Brisbane–Clapham: Yeerongpilly Signals Must be Clear
> The load from Clapham to South Brisbane may be increased to **920 tons** if signals are "Clear" from Clapham to Yeerongpilly. *(Source: 1942 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1943 — Water Columns Confirmed; Clapham–Yeerongpilly Goods Train Load

### Water Columns — 1943
> **Yeerongpilly** — In Loco. Yard — **Three 9-in. columns**. *(Source: 1943 Weekly Notices — watering facilities table)*

### Goods Train Load — Clapham to Yeerongpilly
> The goods train load from Clapham to South Brisbane may be increased to **520 tons** if signals are "Clear" from Clapham to Yeerongpilly. *(Source: 1943 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1944 — Down Home Signal No. 62 Relocated; Shunting Beyond Down Home

### Down Home Signal No. 62 Relocated — W.N. 28–1944
> **Yeerongpilly (North Coast) — Alteration to Location of Down Home Signal** — The Down Home signal, No. 62, has been refixed **62 feet nearer to Grafton** [i.e. nearer to Sydney/Clapham].
>
> Diagram attached to Circular No. 390–19 of 1930 to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 28–1944)*

### Shunting Beyond Down Home Signal — 1944
> The Signalman at Clapham may give permission for a Staff to be issued for a Down train to approach from Yeerongpilly, provided the line is clear to the "Limit of Shunting" board.
>
> Trains may be permitted to occupy the section of line between the Down Home signal, No. 3, and the "Limit of Shunting" board for **shunting purposes only**, after a Staff has been issued for a Down train to approach from Yeerongpilly. *(Source: 1944 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1948 — Water Columns Confirmed — Hours of Attendance

### Water Columns — 1948
> **Yeerongpilly** — In Loco. Yard — **Three 9-inch columns**. *(Source: 1948 Weekly Notices)*

### Hours of Attendance — 1948
> **Yeerongpilly** — 10.0 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. *(Source: 1948 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1950 — Yeerongpilly–Clapham Special Instructions; Up Distant Signal Removal

### No. 63 Lever — Control Removed
> Since **17th July, 1950**, the control on the Clapham Down Starting signal, Loop line, and Distant signal (fixed below on the same post) by **No. 63 lever in Yeerongpilly Signal-box** has been removed.
>
> Circular No. 390–19 of 1930 is to be posted accordingly. *(Source: 1950 Weekly Notices)*

### Yeerongpilly–Clapham Special Shunting Instructions — 1950
> A Down train may be allowed to approach Yeerongpilly from Clapham on the standard gauge line **for shunting purposes only** while movements are taking place on the Corinda Branch line, provided the Driver is in possession of the Electric Train Staff for the section.
>
> When necessary for a Down train to proceed under these conditions, the Down Starting signals at Clapham must be kept at "Stop" and the Driver must be verbally instructed to proceed only as far as necessary to clear No. 8 points, but **must not proceed beyond the Down Home signal (62), Yeerongpilly**. *(Source: 1950 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1951 — Up Distant and Up Outer Home Signals Relocated

### Signals Relocated — W.N. 27 and 38–1951
> **Yeerongpilly (North Coast) — Alteration to Location of Up Distant and Up Outer Home Signals** — The Up Distant signal and the Up Outer Home signal, No. 51, will be out of use for the purpose of being moved:
> - Up Distant — **724 feet** nearer to Brisbane
> - Up Outer Home (No. 51) — **622 feet** nearer to Brisbane
>
> Diagram attached to Circular No. 390–19 of 1930 to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 27 and 38–1951)*

---

## 1952 — Down Home Signal No. 62 Relocated

### Down Home Signal Relocated — W.N. 39–1952
> **Yeerongpilly (North Coast) — Alteration to Location of Down Home Signal** — The Down Home Signal, No. 62, will be out of use for the purpose of being refixed **189 feet nearer to Sydney** [i.e. toward Clapham].
>
> Diagram attached to Circular No. 390–19 of 1930, to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 39–1952)*

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## 1958 — Up Outer Home and Up Home Signals Relocated

### Signals Relocated — W.N. 6–1958
> **Yeerongpilly (North Coast) — Relocation of Up Outer Home Signal and alterations** — On **23rd January, 1958**, alterations to the Up Outer Home and Up Home Signals were carried out:
>
> - **Up Outer Home Signal No. 68** — relocated **70 feet nearer to South Brisbane**, approximately 1,755 feet from the Signal-box
> - **Up Home Signal No. 69** — replaced by a higher post at the same site, approximately **122 feet on the South Brisbane side of the Signal-box**
>
> Diagram attached to Circular No. 390–19 of 1930, to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 6–1958)*

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## 1961 — Intercolonial Boring Company Ltd. Siding Removed

### Siding Removed — W.N. — 1961
> **Siding, Yeerongpilly — Intercolonial Boring Company Ltd.** — This siding, shown on page 19 of the Schedule of Haulage, Shunting and Royalty Charges (By-law 667) has been **removed**. *(Source: 1961 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1963 — Tennyson–Yeerongpilly–Corinda Siding Taken Over by Southern Electric Authority

### SEQ Takes Over Siding — W.N. 11–1963
> **Siding, Tennyson–Yeerongpilly–Corinda Section, Brisbane City Council** — This siding, referred to in W.N. 49/56 and By-law No. 723 dated 10th January, 1957, has been **taken over by the Southern Electric Authority of Queensland** on and from **1st January, 1963**. *(W.N. 11–1963)*

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## 1968 — Track Locking Replaces Facing Point Lock Bars

### Track Locking — W.N. 45–1968
> **Yeerongpilly (North Coast) — Provision of Track Locking in Lieu of Nos. 73 and 75 Facing Point Lock Bars** — On **Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th November, 1968**, between 8.0 a.m. and 4.0 p.m.:
>
> - Lock bar for No. 76 points (Main Line to Coal Stage Road) dispensed with
> - Control of facing point lock transferred from No. 75 lever to **No. 73 lever**
> - Reverse electric lock controlled by track circuit provided on No. 73 lever
> - No. 75 lever becomes spare
>
> Circular No. 390–19 of 1930 and diagram of Yeerongpilly attached to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 45–1968)*

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## 1972 — Propelling Vehicles Yeerongpilly–Clapham; Park Road Shunting

### Propelling — Yeerongpilly–Clapham — W.N. 18–1972
> **Yeerongpilly–Clapham** — A train conveying any number of vehicles up to the prescribed length load for the section and class of engine may be propelled in either direction between Yeerongpilly and Clapham, providing:
>
> - A brake-van is marshalled leading
> - The air brake is complete throughout the train
> - The guard rides in the leading vehicle and exhibits required hand signals to the driver
>
> Speed must not exceed **10 miles per hour**.
>
> The Electric Staff for the Yeerongpilly–Clapham section must be delivered to the Driver before any portion of the train proceeds onto the single line outside the **Down Home signal at Yeerongpilly** or **Up Home signal at Clapham**.
>
> When length precludes Guard's hand signals being seen by enginemen, a second Guard/Suffet must be provided to relay signals. *(W.N. 18–1972)*

### Park Road — Special Staff Receptacles — W.N. 30–1972
> **Park Road** — Special staff receptacle instructions: "when the next train to be worked through the section will proceed from Yeerongpilly to South Brisbane, or **for a shunting trip from Yeerongpilly to Park Road and return**." *(W.N. 30–1972)*

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## 1976 — Pilotman's Lock Provided at Yeerongpilly Signal-box

### Pilotman's Lock — W.N. 49–1976
> **Yeerongpilly (Border–South Brisbane) — Provision of Pilotman's Lock** — On **Wednesday, 8th December, 1976**, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., a Pilotman's Lock will be provided in **Yeerongpilly signal-box** and will be equipped with a Pilotman's Key for use to operate Frames A and B at **Park Road Siding** during Pilot Working in the event of a failure of the electric train staff instruments for the section **Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane**.
>
> Circular No. 390–19, of 1930, to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 49–1976)*

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## 1982 — Yeerongpilly Mechanical Signal-Box Abolished — 17–18 April 1982

### Signal-Box Abolished — W.N. 16–1982
> **Clapham–South Brisbane (Border Loop–South Brisbane) — Abolition of Yeerongpilly Mechanical Signal-Box and Alterations to Electric Train Staff Sections** — Commencing at **12.01 a.m. on Saturday, 17th April, 1982**, and continuing until completion on Sunday, 18th April, 1982, **Yeerongpilly mechanical signal-box will be abolished by Queensland Railways** and the mechanical points formerly worked from this signal-box will be converted to motor operation from **Mayne Control Centre**. Colour light signals with single light indications will be provided.
>
> These signals will be dual controlled from **Clapham signal-box** and from Mayne Control Centre.
>
> No. 39 lever in Clapham signal-box (controlling lever for Yeerongpilly S.G. signals) must be placed normal before any point connections crossing or joining the standard gauge line at Yeerongpilly can be motor-operated from Mayne Control Centre.
>
> **Yeerongpilly Loco and Wagon Repair Sidings** are worked under yard conditions from Clapham signal-box and Mayne Control Centre.
>
> The electric train staff sections **Clapham–Yeerongpilly** and **Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane** have been cancelled and the new section is **Clapham–South Brisbane**. *(W.N. 16 and 17–1982)*

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## 1983 — All Yeerongpilly Section References Deleted; SRA Locomotive Depot Station Code

### Yeerongpilly–Clapham and Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane Deleted — W.N. 25–1983
> Delete: all reference to **Clapham–Yeerongpilly** section. 
> Delete: all reference to **Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane** section and applicable safeworking. 
> Insert: **Clapham–South Brisbane** section. Length — 9.174 km. System of working — Single Line Track Block. *(W.N. 25–1983)*

### Yeerongpilly SRA Locomotive Depot — Station Code Amended — W.N. 22–1983
> **Yeerongpilly — SRA Locomotive Depot, Standard Gauge Line** — Amend Station Code to read **12255**. *(W.N. 22–1983)*

### Special Instructions — Down Trains and Corinda Branch — 1983
> No. 12 Independent Disc ex Yard must not be cleared for a Down train to depart Clapham until the Corinda Branch Line train has passed clear of the standard gauge line, **except that a light locomotive only**, proceeding from the Loop Line, Down Freight or Sidings to **Yeerongpilly Locomotive Depot**, may be permitted to depart Clapham, providing the line is clear to Down Home Signal No. YY7 at Clapham. *(Source: 1983 Weekly Notices)*

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## 1986 — Yeerongpilly Listed in Standard Gauge Line

### Standard Gauge — 1986
> **Yeerongpilly — State Rail Authority of New South Wales** — listed in standard gauge line freight rate tables alongside Clapham–Standard Gauge Line, Acacia Ridge and other Queensland standard gauge locations. *(Source: 1986 Weekly Notices — two entries)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **26 September 1930** | **Opened** — Locomotive Depot (sub-depot under Casino); Signal Box; three 9-inch water columns in Loco Yard; Yeerongpilly Yard at 608m 69c; sections Clapham–Yeerongpilly and Yeerongpilly–Brisbane; wagon weighbridge provided |
| W.N. 22–1932 | Tunnel respirators (three sets) provided at Yeerongpilly Loco Depot for Glenapp–Border Loop tunnels |
| 1933 | Assistant engines detached at Border Loop to return to Yeerongpilly |
| 1934 | Two engines coupled — Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane, max 20 mph, bogie tender required on leading engine |
| W.N. 49–1935 | Station Master Yeerongpilly included in "KYOG" telegraph code address |
| W.N. 44–1937 | No. 4 Up Starting Signal — Staff Instrument reference; Circular No. 390–19 amended |
| W.N. 47–1942 | **Park Road Siding** (611m 41c) opened between Yeerongpilly and South Brisbane; level crossing at Yeerongpilly end |
| W.N. 28–1944 | Down Home signal No. 62 relocated 62 feet nearer to Grafton |
| 1950 | No. 63 lever control on Clapham signals removed; special shunting instructions — Down trains not to pass beyond No. 62 signal |
| W.N. 27 and 38–1951 | Up Distant moved 724 feet; Up Outer Home No. 51 moved 622 feet nearer to Brisbane |
| W.N. 39–1952 | Down Home No. 62 relocated 189 feet nearer to Sydney |
| W.N. 6–1958 | Up Outer Home No. 68 relocated 70 feet nearer South Brisbane (1,755 feet from signal-box); Up Home No. 69 replaced |
| W.N. — 1961 | Intercolonial Boring Company Ltd. siding at Yeerongpilly removed |
| W.N. 11–1963 | Tennyson–Yeerongpilly–Corinda Section siding taken over by **Southern Electric Authority of Queensland** (from 1 January 1963) |
| W.N. 45–1968 | Track locking replaces facing point lock bars at No. 76 points; No. 75 lever becomes spare |
| W.N. 18–1972 | Propelling — Yeerongpilly–Clapham — up to prescribed load; max 10 mph; Guard leads; air brake required |
| W.N. 49–1976 | Pilotman's Lock provided in Yeerongpilly signal-box for Park Road Siding — section Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane |
| **17–18 April 1982** | **Yeerongpilly mechanical signal-box abolished** by Queensland Railways; motor-operated points from Mayne Control Centre; Clapham signal-box controls Yeerongpilly SG area; Clapham–Yeerongpilly and Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane sections cancelled; **Clapham–South Brisbane** created (9.174 km) |
| W.N. 25–1983 | All Yeerongpilly section references deleted |
| W.N. 22–1983 | Yeerongpilly SRA Locomotive Depot — Station Code **12255** |
| 1986 | Yeerongpilly — State Rail Authority of NSW — listed in standard gauge line freight rate tables |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1986.* 
*Note: Yeerongpilly Locomotive Depot operated as a sub-depot under Casino for the entire life of NSW operations on the Kyogle–Brisbane line. Circular No. 390–19 of 1930 (Kyogle–Brisbane base diagram) was referenced at Yeerongpilly from 1930 through to 1983 — 53 years. The mechanical signal box, operated by Queensland Railways, was abolished in April 1982, transferring NSW standard gauge signal control to Clapham signal-box.*