Ballast Siding/Gauld's Loop

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Type : Siding/Loop
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 614.165km
Opened : 17th July 1922 (siding) 1st July 1943 (loop)
Closed : 2nd April 1924 (siding) 7th August 1946 (loop) (abolished 14/10/1946)
Status : Closed
Name meaning : After the nearby Gauld's banana plantation
Notes: Temporary ballast siding used during construction of the line between Coffs Harbour and Glenreagh, it was later re-used during the war years as an interlocked passing loop. The loop was 1,400 feet in length on the Down side. A very short dead-end (runaway) siding was at the Up end of the loop. Opened: 17 July 1922 — temporary ballast siding, Mileage approximately 50.54 chains from Coffs Harbour (Mileage ~379m 30c from Sydney); Up side; Frames A and B; released by Coffs Harbour–Karangi Miniature ETS (Regulation E); opened simultaneously with Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh line. Abolished: 2 April 1924. Opened: Thursday, 1 July 1943 — 1,400-foot (426m) loop, Down side, Mileage 381m 50c; Coffs Harbour–Bartletts and Bartletts–Coramba sections cancelled; Coffs Harbour–Gauld's (Type B, 1–50) and Gauld's–Coramba (Type A, 1–50) created; Circular No. 137–17 of 1943; driver notices 3 days from opening (W.N. 23 and 26–1943; ref. C.T.M. 42–27,530)
Bartletts ETS station abolished same day: Frame A, Down and Up Home and Distant signals removed; Circular No. 225–16 of 1942 amended
Gauld's–Coramba cancelled; Landrigans opened: 16 December 1943 — Gauld's–Landrigans (Type C, 1–50 ordinary) and Landrigans–Coramba (Type A, 1–50 ordinary) created; Circular No. 283–430 of 1943
Sections at maximum extent: Coffs Harbour–Gauld's and Gauld's–Landrigans
Loop closed: Wednesday, 7 August 1946 — two notices (W.N. 31 and 32–1946; ref. S.&T.E. 46–284,641–S.); points spiked for Main line and XL locked; signals cross-boarded; Coffs Harbour–Gauld's and Gauld's–Landrigans cancelled; Coffs Harbour–Landrigans section created; Circular No. 137–17 of 1943 placed in "closed" state (clause a; closing lever No. 4 reversed; key to District S&T Officer South Grafton); driver notices 3 days
Signals and signalling equipment removed: 4 October 1946 (W.N. 42–1946; ref. S.&T.E. 46–286,851–S.) — points spiked in normal position and XL locked pending W&W removal
Loop line, points and crossings removed: 28 July 1947 — W.N. 35–1947 supersedes W.N. 42–1946; all Gauld's references deleted; Circular No. 137–17 of 1943 cancelled. Formal abolition 14 October 1946

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The staff instrument hut at Gauld's (State Archives)

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# Ballast Siding / Gauld's Loop (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1922–1947

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**Type:** Temporary Construction Siding (1922–1924); Wartime Centrally-Operated Crossing Loop (1943–1946) (Closed) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh section; Coffs Harbour–Bartletts / Coffs Harbour–Gauld's / Coffs Harbour–Landrigans sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 614.165 km (Mileage **381m 50c** — per 1943 loop opening notice) 
**Between:** Coffs Harbour and Karangi/Landrigans 
**Name:** Ballast Siding (1922–1924); Gauld's (1943–1946) — named after nearby Gauld's Banana Platform 

### Ballast Siding
**Opened:** **17 July 1922** — temporary ballast siding, Mileage approximately 50.54 chains from Coffs Harbour (Mileage ~379m 30c from Sydney); Up side; Frames A and B; released by Coffs Harbour–Karangi Miniature ETS (Regulation E); opened simultaneously with Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh line 
**Abolished:** **2 April 1924** (per your notes — formal notice not found in OCR of 1924 volume) 
**Purpose:** Construction siding during building of Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh line 

### Gauld's Loop
**Opened:** **Thursday, 1 July 1943** — 1,400-foot (426m) loop, Down side, Mileage **381m 50c**; Coffs Harbour–Bartletts and Bartletts–Coramba sections cancelled; **Coffs Harbour–Gauld's** (Type B, 1–50) and **Gauld's–Coramba** (Type A, 1–50) created; **Circular No. 137–17 of 1943**; driver notices 3 days from opening (W.N. 23 and 26–1943; ref. C.T.M. 42–27,530) 
**Bartletts ETS station abolished same day:** Frame A, Down and Up Home and Distant signals removed; Circular No. 225–16 of 1942 amended 
**Gauld's–Coramba cancelled; Landrigans opened:** **16 December 1943** — Gauld's–Landrigans (Type C, 1–50 ordinary) and Landrigans–Coramba (Type A, 1–50 ordinary) created; Circular No. 283–430 of 1943 
**Sections at maximum extent:** Coffs Harbour–Gauld's and Gauld's–Landrigans 
**Loop closed:** **Wednesday, 7 August 1946** — two notices (W.N. 31 and 32–1946; ref. S.&T.E. 46–284,641–S.); points spiked for Main line and XL locked; signals cross-boarded; Coffs Harbour–Gauld's and Gauld's–Landrigans cancelled; **Coffs Harbour–Landrigans** section created; Circular No. 137–17 of 1943 placed in "closed" state (clause a; closing lever No. 4 reversed; key to District S&T Officer South Grafton); driver notices 3 days 
**Signals and signalling equipment removed:** **4 October 1946** (W.N. 42–1946; ref. S.&T.E. 46–286,851–S.) — points spiked in normal position and XL locked pending W&W removal 
**Loop line, points and crossings removed:** **28 July 1947** — W.N. 35–1947 supersedes W.N. 42–1946; all Gauld's references deleted; **Circular No. 137–17 of 1943 cancelled** 
**Formal abolition (per your notes):** **14 October 1946** 

### Signalling at Gauld's (Open State)
- **Frame A:** Down and Up Home and Distant signals; Opening lever No. 6 (reversed when open; key to District S&T Officer South Grafton); Closing lever No. 4 (reversed when closed) 
- **Frames B and C:** No. 1 levers unlocked by either key from duplex lock on No. 5 lever in Frame A; when not in use, keys secured in duplex lock by clip and SL lock 
- **Closed state:** All signals left in clear; Frames B and C not in use 
- **Dead-end siding:** Short runaway siding at Up end of loop (per your notes) 
**Status:** Closed (fully demolished by 28 July 1947) 

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> **Notes:** The same location served two distinct purposes 19 years apart. The **Ballast Siding** (1922) was a temporary construction siding opened with the Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh line on 17 July 1922, used to supply ballast during construction. It had Frames A and B released by Coffs Harbour–Karangi Miniature ETS (Regulation E — same as other temporary ballast sidings on the section). Abolished April 1924 when construction was complete.
>
> The **Gauld's Loop** (1943) re-used the same location for a very different purpose — a WWII wartime centrally-operated crossing loop to increase capacity on the Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh section. The loop was designed with an open/closed operating capability (Circular No. 137–17 of 1943), allowing it to be staffed or unstaffed as traffic demanded. When closed, all signals were left in the clear position and Frames B and C placed out of use — an unusual arrangement reflecting the loop's temporary nature. Opening of Gauld's simultaneously abolished Bartletts as an ETS station. The section Gauld's–Coramba was subsequently split when Landrigans opened 16 December 1943, creating Gauld's–Landrigans and Landrigans–Coramba sections.
>
> The loop was closed 7 August 1946 — Circular No. 137–17 placed in "closed" state rather than cancelled, confirming it was still theoretically available for re-opening. Signals and equipment removed 4 October 1946; loop line and points physically removed 28 July 1947; Circular No. 137–17 then cancelled.

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## 1922 — Ballast Siding Opened — 17 July 1922; Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh Line Opening

### Ballast Siding Opened — 1922
> A temporary Ballast Siding laid in on the Up side at Mileage **50.54** [chains from Coffs Harbour], between Coffs Harbour and Karangi; Frames A and B — No. 1 Lever released by Miniature ETS for section Coramba–Coffs Harbour (Regulation E), or Coffs Harbour–Coramba (Staff Drawer Lock; Regulation E). Opened with Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh line, **17 July 1922**. *(Source: 1922 Weekly Notices — Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh opening circular; referenced in 1923 WN)*

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## 1924 — Ballast Siding Abolished — 2 April 1924

### Ballast Siding Abolished — 1924
> **Ballast Siding at Mileage 50.54 from Coffs Harbour abolished — 2 April 1924.** *(Source: your notes — formal WN abolition notice not found in OCR of 1924 volume)*

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## 1943 — Loop Opened — 1 July 1943; Frames A, B, C; Circular No. 137–17; Bartletts Abolished

### Loop Opened — W.N. 23 and 26–1943
> **Gauld's (North Coast) — Bringing Into Use as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — On **Thursday, 1st July, 1943**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., a new loop, **1,400 feet** in length in the clear, will be provided on the **Down side** of the line, and **Gauld's (381m 50c)** will be brought into use as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station.
>
> The existing Electric Train Staff sections **Coff's Harbour–Bartletts** and **Bartletts–Coramba** will be cancelled, and the new sections to be brought into use will be:
> - **Coff's Harbour–Gauld's**: Electric Train Staff; Type **B**; Staff Nos. 1–50
> - **Gauld's–Coramba**: Electric Train Staff; Type **A**; Staffs Nos. 1–50
>
> The complete arrangements will be in accordance with **Circular No. 137–17 of 1943** and diagram attached thereto.
>
> **Driver Notices** — The Station-master at Coff's Harbour (Down journey) and South Grafton (Up journey) must furnish the Driver of each train passing over Coff's Harbour–Gauld's and Gauld's–Coramba with a printed notice informing him that Gauld's is open as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station, and obtain his receipt. This must be done for a period of **three days** including the day of opening. (C.T.M. 42–27,530; S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 23 and 26–1943)*

### Bartletts Abolished Same Day — W.N. 26–1943
> **Bartletts (North Coast) — Abolition of Staff Station** — On Thursday, 1st July, 1943, consequent on the opening of Gauld's, **Bartletts** will be closed as an Electric Train Staff Station. Frame A and the Down and Up Home and Distant signals will be removed. **Circular No. 225–16 of 1942** and diagram attached thereto to be amended accordingly. (C.T.M. 42–27,530; S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 26–1943)*

### Open/Closed Working — W.N. 26–1943
> **Page 267 — Gauld's — Signalling Arrangements:**
>
> **(a) When Gauld's is "Closed" as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop:**
> Frame A — Down and Up Home and Distant signals left in **clear** positions. Closing lever (No. 4) left in reverse position; key kept by District Assistant Engineer, Signal and Telegraph Branch, South Grafton. Frames B and C — not in use.
>
> **(b) When Gauld's is "Open" as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop:**
> Frame A — Down and Up Home and Distant signals worked from Frame A. Opening lever (No. 6) left in reverse position; key kept by District Assistant Engineer, S&T Branch, South Grafton. Frames B and C — No. 1 levers unlocked by either key from the **duplex lock on No. 5 lever in Frame A**. When not in use, keys secured in duplex lock by clip and SL lock. (C.T.M. 42–27,530; S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 26–1943)*

### Accommodation Table Updated — W.N. 26–1943
> **Page 267 — Gauld's** — Signalling arrangements provided to enable Gauld's to be "opened" or "closed" as required as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop. Staff Instruments equipped for both ordinary and automatic working. *(W.N. 26–1943)*

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## 1943 — Gauld's–Coramba Split; Landrigans Opened — 16 December 1943

### Gauld's–Coramba Cancelled; Landrigans Opened — W.N. 49 and 50–1943
> On **Thursday, 16th December, 1943**, a new Centrally-operated Electric Train Staff and Crossing Loop to be known as **Landrigan's** will be brought into use between Gauld's and Coramba at Mileage **385m 5c**.
>
> The existing Electric Train Staff section **Gauld's–Coramba** will be cancelled, and two new sections brought into use:
> - **Gauld's–Landrigan's**: Electric Train Staff; Type **C**; Staffs Nos. 1–50 ordinary
> - **Landrigan's–Coramba**: Electric Train Staff; Type **A**; Staffs Nos. 1–50 ordinary
>
> Complete arrangements in accordance with **Circular No. 283–430 of 1943**. (S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 49 and 50–1943)*

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## 1946 — Loop Closed — 7 August 1946; Signals and Equipment Removed — 4 October 1946

### Loop Closed — W.N. 31 and 32–1946
> **Gaulds (North Coast) — Closing as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — On **Wednesday, 7th August, 1946**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., Gaulds will be closed as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station.
>
> The points at each end of the loop will lie for the **Main line**, and the Down and Up Home and Distant signals will be left in the **clear** position. Closing lever (No. 4) will be left in the reverse position, and the key kept by the District Signal and Telegraph Branch Officer, South Grafton. The complete signalling arrangements will then be in accordance with clause (a) "when Gauld's is Closed" as shown in **Circular No. 137–17 of 1943**.
>
> The existing Electric Train Staff sections **Coff's Harbour–Gaulds** and **Gaulds–Landrigans** will be cancelled, and Electric Train Staff working will be brought into use over the section **Coff's Harbour–Landrigans**. Driver notices for **three days** from closing. (S.&T.E. 46–284,641–S.) *(W.N. 31 and 32–1946)*

### Signals and Equipment Removed — W.N. 42–1946
> **Pages 17 and 267 — Gaulds (North Coast) — Abolition of Crossing Loop** — On **4th October, 1946**, the signals and signalling equipment at Gaulds were removed and the Crossing Loop abolished. The points in the Main line were spiked in the normal position and secured by clip and XL lock, pending their removal by the Way and Works Branch. (S.&T.E. 46–286,851–S.) *(W.N. 42–1946)*

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## 1947 — Loop Line and Points Removed — 28 July 1947; Circular No. 137–17 Cancelled

### Physical Removal and Final Deletion — W.N. 35–1947
> **Pages 17 and 267 — Gaulds (North Coast) — Abolition of Crossing Loop** — The instructions relative to the abolition of Gaulds Crossing Loop in Weekly Notice No. 42 of 1946 are superseded by the following:
>
> On the **28th July, 1947**, the Loop line and the points and crossings in the Main line at each end of the Loop were removed.
>
> **Delete** — All references to Gaulds.
>
> **Cancellation of Instructions** — **Circular No. 137–17 of 1943** and diagram attached. (S.&T.E. 46–286,851–S.) *(W.N. 35–1947)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **17 July 1922** | **Ballast Siding opened** — temporary, Up side, approx. Mileage 379m 30c; Frames A and B; Regulation E; with opening of Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh line |
| **2 April 1924** | **Ballast Siding abolished** |
| **1 July 1943** | **Gauld's Loop opened** — 1,400 feet, Down side, Mileage 381m 50c; Coffs Harbour–Bartletts and Bartletts–Coramba cancelled; Coffs Harbour–Gauld's (Type B) and Gauld's–Coramba (Type A) created; Frames A, B, C; open/closed capability; Circular No. 137–17 of 1943 (W.N. 23 and 26–1943; ref. C.T.M. 42–27,530) |
| **1 July 1943** | Bartletts ETS station simultaneously abolished — Circular No. 225–16 of 1942 amended |
| **16 December 1943** | Gauld's–Coramba cancelled; Landrigans opened (Mileage 385m 5c); Gauld's–Landrigans (Type C) and Landrigans–Coramba (Type A) created; Circular No. 283–430 of 1943 (W.N. 49 and 50–1943) |
| **7 August 1946** | **Loop closed** — points spiked, signals cross-boarded; Coffs Harbour–Gaulds and Gaulds–Landrigans cancelled; Coffs Harbour–Landrigans created; Circular No. 137–17 placed in "closed" state (W.N. 31 and 32–1946) |
| **4 October 1946** | Signals and signalling equipment removed; points spiked pending W&W removal (W.N. 42–1946) |
| **14 October 1946** | Formal abolition date (per your notes) |
| **28 July 1947** | Loop line, points and crossings physically removed; all Gaulds references deleted; **Circular No. 137–17 of 1943 cancelled** (W.N. 35–1947) |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1922–1947.* 
*Note: The "open/closed" operating capability built into Circular No. 137–17 of 1943 is unique in the collection — the signals at Gauld's were designed to be left in the clear position when the loop was unstaffed, allowing trains to pass through without stopping. This reflects the wartime reality that a manning signalman could not always be guaranteed, but the loop still needed to be available for crossing when staff were present. The duplex lock arrangement on Frame A (No. 5 lever controlling both Frames B and C via duplex key) is an elegant compact solution for a temporary loop with a small frame. When the loop closed on 7 August 1946, Circular No. 137–17 was placed in its "closed" state rather than cancelled — confirming the railway retained the option to reopen it. That option was not exercised; the physical removal in July 1947 and cancellation of the circular ended the story.*