Kagaru

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Water column at Kagaru, 20 July 2023. I visited and took a few photos on a few occasions in the 80s/90s. Always friendly blokes on duty. Kagaru isn't that far from Brisbane but it felt like it was out in the middle of nowhere. (Ken Date)

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Site of Kagaru, 20 July 2023. The signal box was located on the left where there is a 'gap' in the trackside grass. No sign of it today, all that really remains, apart from the aforementioned water columns (why are they still there?) is the driveway that led down to the site of the signal box. If you didn't know, you'd never know... (Ken Date)

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Kagaru - details on photo

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Kagaru - derailment - 1960s (Alison Carter)

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Kagaru - derailment - 1960s (Alison Carter)

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# Kagaru (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1986

---

**Type:** Station / Loop (Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station; Signal Box) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Tamrookum–Kagaru / Kagaru–Greenbank sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 938.386 km 
**Mileage (Working TT):** approximately 583m 
**Between:** Tamrookum/Bromelton and Greenbank 
**Opened as Loop:** 28 August 1930 
**Platform Added:** 21 March 1945 (12.49-metre island platform; new Main and Loop) — W.N. 11 and 12–1945 
**Accounting Station Closed:** 31 May 1975 (still attended for train working purposes) 
**Signal Box Status:** Unknown — see notes 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Aboriginal word for blue-winged kookaburra 
**Circular:** No. 88–8 of 1945 (Kagaru base diagram — referenced through to 1972) 
**Water Supply:** Two 9-inch columns, Down and Up Loop Lines, Brisbane and Sydney ends — water drawn from Teviot Creek 
**Control:** Stations from Kyogle to Kagaru inclusive under control of District Superintendent, South Grafton; stations beyond Kagaru (Clapham, Yeerongpilly, Brisbane) under Queensland Railways 

---

> **Notes:** Kagaru opened on 28 August 1930 as a crossing loop on the extension from Kyogle to Brisbane. Water was supplied from two 9-inch columns at the Brisbane and Sydney ends of the loop, drawn from nearby Teviot Creek. The 12.49-metre island platform was added on 21 March 1945 along with a new Main and Loop (W.N. 11 and 12–1945), with Circular No. 88–8 of 1945 issued as the base diagram. A Staff Exchanging Platform on the Up side of the Loop line was removed on 28 July 1950 (W.N. 35–1950). Ash pits in the main and loop lines were removed on 24 March 1961 (W.N. 21–1961). Kagaru served as the critical boundary between NSW control (South Grafton) and Queensland Railways control — stations beyond Kagaru were manned and controlled by Queensland Railways from opening. Kagaru was consistently a section boundary on the North Coast Line — Tamrookum–Kagaru, Kagaru–Clapham, and later Kagaru–Greenbank–Beaudesert Road.

---

## 1930 — Opening; Administrative Boundary; Automatic Staff Working; Water Columns; Telephone Circuit

### Line Extension Opened — 26 September 1930
> On **Friday, 26th September, 1930**, the Extension of line from Kyogle to Brisbane has been open for traffic.
>
> The stations on this line from **Kyogle to Kagaru, inclusive**, are under the control of the **District Superintendent, South Grafton**. The stations beyond Kagaru (viz., **Clapham, Yeerongpilly, and Brisbane**) are manned and controlled by the **Queensland Railways**.
>
> The complete Signalling and Interlocking arrangements are in accordance with the diagram attached to **Circular No. 390–19, dated 23rd September, 1930**.
>
> The line is of Main line standard, and is fenced throughout. *(W.N. 39–1930.)*

### Automatic Staff Working Provided — W.N. 39–1930
> Provision is made at The Risk, Border Loop, Glenapp, and **Kagaru** for working the Staff Instruments automatically during the time the stations are unattended. *(W.N. 39–1930.)*

### Water Columns — Two 9-inch Columns
> **Kagaru** — Down and Up Loop Lines: **Two 9-inch columns** — Brisbane and Sydney ends of Loop. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices — watering facilities table)*

### Telephone Circuit — Kagaru Station and Residence
> **Kagaru, Station and Residence** — listed on telephone circuit alongside Round Mountain (Residence), Bromelton Residence, Greenbank Road Gang and Crossing, Sheep Station Creek Gang, Beaudesert Road Crossing, Level Crossing Gatehouse, Clapham Signal-box, Yeerongpilly Signal-box, Brisbane Signal-box.

*(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices — telephone circuit listings)*

### Listed in Alphabetical Index
> **Kagaru** — North Coast — Border Loop–Brisbane. *(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

### Section Boundaries — 1930
> Sections from 1930: **Glenapp–Kagaru** and **Kagaru–Clapham**.

---

## 1931 — Brisbane Limited Express Calls; Fares; Gatekeepers and Fettlers' Wives

### Brisbane Limited Express — Calls at Kagaru
> **No. 3 Limited Express** (10.57 a.m. ex Grafton), on Fridays, calls at Kagaru to pick up [passengers].
>
> **No. 3 Express** (7.30 p.m. Sydney to Brisbane) calls at Kagaru when required to set down [passengers].
>
> **No. 2 Express** (9.45 a.m. Brisbane to Sydney) calls at Kagaru when required to set down [passengers].

*(Source: 1931 Weekly Notices)*

### Gatekeepers and Fettlers' Wives — Trains Call Between Kagaru and Glenapp
> Trains will call at **Glenapp and Kagaru**, and between Clapham and Kagaru, if required, to pick up/set down Gatekeepers and Fettlers' wives travelling to/from Brisbane.

*(Source: 1931 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1932 — Myrtle Creek to Kagaru — Casino District; Brisbane Limited Express Pay Wages

### Myrtle Creek to Kagaru — District Listing
> **Casino** — Myrtle Creek to Bungabbee and **Kagaru**. *(Source: 1932 Weekly Notices — District Superintendent listings)*

### Brisbane Limited Express — Pay Wages Between Bromelton and Glenapp — Alternate Wednesdays
> No. 2 Express calls (between Glenapp and Kagaru) on alternate Wednesdays for payment of wages. *(Source: 1932 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1933 — 3 Minutes Water at Kagaru; Pay Wages Calls

### 3 Minutes Additional — Water at Kagaru
> **3 minutes additional are to be allowed at Kagaru to take water.** *(W.N. — 1933.)*

### Pay Wages — No. 3 Express Calls Between Kagaru and Clapham
> On Wednesdays and Fridays, No. 3 Express calls at **593m 45c**, between Kagaru and Clapham, for payment of wages.

*(Source: 1933 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1935 — Circular No. 39–19 Amended; New Staff No. 37 — Kagaru–Clapham

### Signalling Alterations — Kagaru — W.N. 7–1935
> **Circular No. 39–19 of 1930 and diagram of Kagaru** attached thereto are to be amended accordingly. (C.T.M. 31–60,052; S. & T.E. GM–820.) *(W.N. 7–1935.)*

### New Electric Train Staff — Kagaru–Clapham — W.N. 41–1935
> On **Wednesday, 9th October, 1935**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., a new electric train staff (No. **37**) will be provided on the section **Kagaru–Clapham**, to replace staff No. 2, which was lost.
>
> The particulars relative to the staff numbers for this section are to be altered to read: **1 and 3–37**. *(W.N. 41–1935.)*

---

## 1941 — Tamrookum Opening — Glenapp–Kagaru Cancelled; Pilotman's Lock Transferred to Kagaru; Beaudesert Road Siding

### Tamrookum Opening — Glenapp–Kagaru Section Cancelled — W.N. 47–1941
> The existing Electric Train Staff section "**Glenapp–Kagaru**" will be cancelled, and the new sections to be brought into use will be:
> - **Glenapp–Tamrookum**: 13m 29c
> - **Tamrookum–Kagaru**: 18m 14c

*(W.N. 47–1941)*

### Pilotman's Lock Transferred to Kagaru — W.N. 47–1941
> On Tuesday, 25th November, 1941, the Pilotman's Lock at Glenapp, with the Pilotman's Key for Round Mountain, will be transferred to **Kagaru**, which will become the **controlling station** for the Intermediate Staff Instrument at Round Mountain. *(W.N. 47–1941.)*

### Beaudesert Road Intermediate Staff Instrument (Standard Gauge Line) — W.N. 20–1941
> **Intermediate Staff Instrument (Standard Gauge Line)** — An Intermediate Staff Instrument for the section **Clapham–Kagaru** is provided in Beaudesert Road Signal-box, the controlling station being Clapham.
>
> **Pilot Working** — A Pilotman's Lock is provided at Clapham, and a Pilotman's Duplex Lock at Beaudesert Road.

*(W.N. 20–1941)*

---

## 1942 — Divisible Electric Train Staff — Kagaru–Clapham; Greenbank Road Opened; Rocklea Commonwealth Siding

### Divisible Electric Train Staff Working — Kagaru–Clapham
> **Divisible Electric Train Staff Working, Section Kagaru–Clapham** — commencing at once, the following arrangements are to apply:
>
> **Passenger Train Following Goods or Mixed** — A Goods or Mixed train must not be despatched in advance of a Passenger train unless running time prescribed for the section Kagaru–Clapham, plus time required for work at intermediate platforms or sidings, is sufficient to enable the Goods or Mixed train to arrive clear inside the Home signal at the station in advance **10 minutes before the Passenger train**. *(W.N. 35 and 38–1942.)*

> **Note:** The Divisible Staff Working instruction (W.N. 35–1942) was cancelled in W.N. 38 of 1942, then apparently the W.N. 38 instruction was itself cancelled in W.N. 45–1942 and W.N. 48–1942 — a series of revisions reflecting changing operational requirements.

### Greenbank Road Automatic Crossing Loop Opened — W.N. — 1942
> The existing Electric Train Staff section **Kagaru–Beaudesert Road** will be cancelled and the new sections will be:
> - **Kagaru–Greenbank Road**
> - **Greenbank Road–Beaudesert Road**
>
> **Greenbank Road** will be brought into use as an Automatic Crossing Loop.

*(Source: 1942 Weekly Notices)*

### Rocklea Commonwealth Siding — Grade Between Kagaru and Clapham
> **Add between Kagaru and Clapham:**
> Rocklea Commonwealth Siding — 1 in 1,100 P / 1 in 100 F / 1 in 80 R. *(W.N. 4–1942.)*

### Watering — Kagaru (When Required)
> **Tender tanks to be filled to capacity at Clapham prior to departure** and, when necessary, only sufficient water to be taken at Kagaru to reach Glenapp with safety. *(Source: 1942 Weekly Notices — watering instructions)*

---

## 1945 — Converting to Main Line and Loop Working — 21 March 1945; Circular No. 88-8

### Converting to Main Line and Loop — 21 March 1945 — W.N. 11 and 12–1945
> **Kagaru (North Coast) — Converting to Main Line and Loop Working** — On **Wednesday, 21st March, 1945**, commencing at 5.0 a.m. and continuing until the work is completed, the existing Down and Up Main line working at Kagaru will be dispensed with and working by means of **Main line and Loop** will be introduced.
>
> Additional Down and Up Home Starting signals will be brought into use, and **"U" indicators** will be provided on the Main line Starting signals.
>
> The complete arrangements will be in accordance with a **Circular and diagram to be issued prior to the work being carried out**. (S. & T.E. 43–764,303–W. & M.) *(W.N. 11 and 12–1945 — published twice)*

> **Note:** This is the conversion that added the island platform (12.49 metres) on 21 March 1945. The circular issued was **No. 88–8 of 1945**, which became the base diagram referenced in all subsequent Kagaru signalling entries through to 1972.

### Flagmen Required During Alterations
> During the time of the alterations to the points and signals at Junee, Junee South, Bathurst East, Glenreagh and **Kagaru** competent Flagmen equipped with the necessary Hand and Detonating signals must be placed at the sites. *(W.N. 11–1945.)*

---

## 1946 — "Tonnage Signal" Board Provided; Bromelton Closed

### Tonnage Signal Board — 30 January 1946
> **Kagaru — Provision of "Tonnage Signal" Board** — On **30th January, 1946**, a "Tonnage Signal" board inscribed **"Tonnage Signal — Train of over prescribed load to wait until signal is at full clear"** was provided on the Down side of the line **600 feet on the Casino side of the Down Home signals, Nos. 2 and 4**.
>
> Drivers of Down Goods trains finding the Down Home signals at "Stop" must bring their train to a stand at the "Tonnage Signal" board and must not restart until the Down Home signal has been cleared.
>
> Circular No. 88–8 of 1945 and diagram attached thereto to be amended accordingly. (S. & T.E. 45–600,264–W. & M.) *(W.N. — 1946.)*

### Bromelton Closed — Tamrookum–Kagaru Restored
> Tamrookum–Kagaru section restored following Bromelton closure. Kagaru resumed responsibility for Tamrookum–Kagaru section. *(W.N. 33–1946.)*

---

## 1950 — Staff Exchanging Platform Removed

### Staff Exchanging Platform Removed — 28 July 1950
> **Kagaru (North Coast) — Removal of Staff Exchanging Platform, Loop Line** — Since **28th July, 1950**, the **Staff Exchanging Platform on the Up side of the Loop line** has been removed.
>
> Diagram attached to Circular No. 88–8 of 1945 to be amended accordingly. (S. & T.E. 50.) *(W.N. 35–1950.)*

---

## 1951 — Platform Length Inserted in Accommodation Table (Twice)

### Platform Length — 40 Feet Inserted — W.N. 33–1951 and W.N. 40–1951
> **Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Kagaru** — Insert **40** in column headed "Length of Passenger Platform." (V. 50–6,501.) *(W.N. 33–1951.)*
>
> *(Also published as W.N. 40–1951 with slightly different reference number V. 50–6,051.)*

> **Note:** The platform length of **40 feet (12.19 metres)** is consistent with your external records of 12.49 metres. The minor discrepancy likely reflects measurement differences — 40 feet = 12.19m, while 12.49m ≈ 41 feet. The platform was inserted in two separate Weekly Notices (33 and 40 of 1951), suggesting a correction or duplicated entry.

---

## 1957 — Divisible Staff Working Dispensed With — Kagaru–Greenbank; Staff Key Staffs

### Divisible Staff Working Dispensed With — 27 August 1957 — W.N. 34–1957
> On **Tuesday, 27th August, 1957**, Divisible Electric Train Staff working on the sections **Kagaru–Greenbank** and **Greenbank–Beaudesert Road** will be dispensed with.
>
> Divisible Staffs Nos. 9–14 on each of the sections will be replaced by **ordinary Electric Train Staffs each fitted with key**. *(W.N. 34–1957.)*

---

## 1958 — Pilotman's Key at Kagaru Signal-box — Bromelton Sidings

### Pilotman's Key in Kagaru Signal-box — W.N. — 1958
> A Pilotman's Key will be provided in a **glass-fronted lock in Kagaru Signal-box** for the purpose of releasing the points at Bromelton Meat Siding and Tancred's Meat Siding when the staff for the section Tamrookum–Kagaru is not available.
>
> When the failure has been rectified and Pilot Working is about to be cancelled, the Pilotman must deliver the Pilotman's Key to the **Officer-in-charge at Kagaru**. *(W.N. — 1958.)*

---

## 1961 — Ash Pits Removed — 24 March 1961

### Ash Pits Removed — W.N. 21–1961
> **Kagaru (North Coast)** — The ash pits in the **main and loop lines were removed on the 24th March, 1961**.
>
> Diagram attached to Circular No. 88–8, of 23rd March, 1945, to be amended accordingly. (A. 1–61–70,301.) *(W.N. 21–1961.)*

---

## 1969–1970 — Portable Telephone Circuit — Tamrookum–Kagaru and Kagaru–Mileage 604m

### Portable Telephone Circuit — Tamrookum–Kagaru — W.N. — 1969
> **Portable telephone circuits for use of the Way and Works Staff** have been provided between Tamrookum and Kagaru. *(Source: 1969 Weekly Notices)*

### Portable Telephone Circuit — Kagaru–Mileage 604m 0c — W.N. 1–1970
> **Way and Works Branch Telephones** — A telephone circuit for use of Way and Works Branch Staff has been provided on the section **Kagaru–Mileage 604m 0c** with connections at:
>
> - Kagaru — Telephone
> - 583m 40c — Plug box
> - 584m 00c — Plug box
> - 584m 20c — Plug box
> - 584m 45c — Plug box
> - 585m 05c — Plug box
> - 585m 40c — Plug box
> - 586m 00c — Plug box
> - 586m 40c — Plug box
> - 587m 00c — Plug box
> - 587m 40c — Plug box

*(W.N. 1–1970)*

### Proceed Orders — Kagaru–Greenbank Authorised — W.N. 7–1970
> **Proceed Orders — Sections of the line on which the issue of Proceed Orders is authorised** — Insert: **Kagaru–Greenbank**. *(W.N. 7–1970.)*

---

## 1975 — Accounting Station Closed; Kagaru Still Attended

### Withdrawal of Accounts — 31 May 1975
> **Withdrawal of Accounts from Kagaru** — It is hereby notified that Kagaru will be **closed as an accounting station** as from completion of business on the **31st May, 1975**. **Kagaru will still be attended for train working purposes.** *(Source: 1975 Weekly Notices.)*

> **Note:** Kagaru closed as an accounting station on the same date as Glenapp (31 May 1975) — both stations announced in the same Weekly Notice, confirming this was a single administrative decision covering both Queensland section crossing loops simultaneously.

---

## 1986 — Standard Gauge Line

### Standard Gauge Line — 1986
> **Kagaru — Standard Gauge Line** — listed in freight rate tables alongside Dulbolla, Glenapp, Greenbank, Tamrookum, Park Road and other Queensland stations. *(Source: 1986 Weekly Notices — two entries)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **28 August 1930** | **Loop opened** — automatic staff working; two 9-inch water columns (Brisbane and Sydney ends of Loop, from Teviot Creek); Kagaru Station and Residence; Glenapp–Kagaru and Kagaru–Clapham sections |
| 1930 | Administrative boundary: Kyogle to Kagaru = NSW (South Grafton); beyond Kagaru = Queensland Railways |
| W.N. 39–1930 | Automatic Staff Working provided at The Risk, Border Loop, Glenapp and Kagaru |
| 1931 | No. 3 Limited Express calls at Kagaru; No. 2 and 3 Express call when required |
| 1933 | 3 minutes additional allowed at Kagaru for water |
| W.N. 7–1935 | Signalling alterations — Circular No. 39–19 of 1930 amended |
| W.N. 41–1935 | New Electric Train Staff No. 37 — Kagaru–Clapham (to replace lost No. 2) |
| W.N. 47–1941 | Glenapp–Kagaru cancelled — new sections Glenapp–Tamrookum and Tamrookum–Kagaru; Pilotman's Lock transferred to Kagaru (controlling Round Mountain) |
| W.N. 20–1941 | Beaudesert Road Intermediate Staff Instrument (Standard Gauge Line) — Clapham–Kagaru section |
| W.N. 35–1942 | Divisible Electric Train Staff Working — Kagaru–Clapham introduced |
| W.N. — 1942 | Greenbank Road Automatic Crossing Loop opened — Kagaru–Beaudesert Road section split into Kagaru–Greenbank Road and Greenbank Road–Beaudesert Road |
| **21 March 1945** | **Converting to Main Line and Loop** — 12.49-metre island platform added; new Main and Loop; "U" indicators on Main line Starting signals; **Circular No. 88–8 of 1945** issued (W.N. 11 and 12–1945) |
| 30 January 1946 | **Tonnage Signal Board** provided — 600 feet on Casino side of Down Home signals |
| W.N. 33–1946 | Bromelton closed; Tamrookum–Kagaru section restored |
| **28 July 1950** | **Staff Exchanging Platform removed** — Up side of Loop line (W.N. 35–1950) |
| W.N. 33 and 40–1951 | Platform length **40 feet** inserted in accommodation table |
| W.N. 34–1957 | Divisible Staff Working on Kagaru–Greenbank and Greenbank–Beaudesert Road dispensed with; ordinary key staffs provided |
| W.N. — 1958 | Pilotman's Key provided in Kagaru Signal-box — for Bromelton Meat Siding and Tancred's Meat Siding |
| **24 March 1961** | **Ash pits removed** — main and loop lines (W.N. 21–1961) |
| W.N. 1–1970 | Portable telephone circuit — Kagaru to Mileage 604m 0c — wall telephone at Kagaru; plug-in boxes at intervals |
| W.N. 7–1970 | Proceed Orders authorised on Kagaru–Greenbank section |
| **31 May 1975** | **Accounting station closed** — Kagaru still attended for train working purposes |
| 1986 | Kagaru Standard Gauge Line listed in freight rate tables |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1986.* 
*Note: Kagaru was the critical administrative boundary between NSW control (District Superintendent, South Grafton) and Queensland Railways control from opening in 1930. The Circular No. 88–8 of 1945 (Kagaru base diagram) was referenced from 1945 through to at least 1972.*