Greenbank Loop

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Type : Loop
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 955.560km
Location : -27.723116, 152.985456
Opened : 2nd December 1942 as Greenbank Road
Closed : n/a
Status : Loop in use
Name meaning : Unknown
Notes : This was another wartime loop, a 538 metre loop, original loop was 412 metres in length. Name changed to Greenbank 14/4/1943. Greenbank Road opened on 2 December 1942 as an Automatic Crossing Loop, 1,380 feet in length in the clear on the Down side, at Mileage 593m 60c. **No goods or passenger traffic was to be dealt with** — the loop was solely for train crossing purposes. The loop was renamed **Greenbank** on 14 April 1943. Type B Electric Train Staffs on the Greenbank–Beaudesert Road section were replaced by Type C Staffs on 20 June 1945 (W.N. 26–1945). The Down and Up Landmarks were converted to reflectorised type on 2 June 1976 (W.N. 26–1976). In 1980 the existing Greenbank–Beaudesert Road and Beaudesert Road–Clapham sections were cancelled and replaced by Greenbank–Acacia Ridge (18.815 km) and Acacia Ridge–Clapham (4.440 km) when Beaudesert Road (Nyanda) was replaced by Acacia Ridge signal box. Circular No. 366–36 of 1942 was still being referenced in 1983 — 41 years after opening. The current 538-metre loop represents an extension of the original 421-metre structure.

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A late running 6AB6 rumbles through Greenbank behind 9322 and 9323. (Scott Sashmo)

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RM 402 in Greenbank loop, waiting to cross NL1 Brisbane Limited & Yeerongpilly driver Barry Rodda near hut. (Ronny Webb)

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The comms crew working whilst waiting.

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44234/442?? ready to do sling exchange with staff at Greenbank with RM 402. (Ronny Webb)

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Shane Morris : Greenbank, Queensland, 18th April, 2023.
I passed by on my way from Beaudesert to Toowoomba via Ipswich on my Northern Lights and Mayhem '23 tour.

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4444 on the Brisbane Limited, staff swap at Greenbank (J Green Collection)

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Ronny Webb photo's. 1) RM 402 in Greenbank loop, waiting to cross NL1 Brisbane Limited & Yeerongpilly driver Barry Rodda near hut.
2) The comms crew working whilst waiting.
3) 44234/442?? ready to do sling exchange with staff at Greenbank with RM 402.
No date supplied.



Gregory Wilson:
Late 86 early 87. June 1987 we made modifications to 402 which are externally visible but not in these photos.

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Opening notes

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A 44 and a 48 slowing up to go in to the south bound loop to pass a north bound goods train at greenbank QLD 1985 (Lance Coulston)

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# Greenbank (formerly Greenbank Road) — North Coast Line
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1942–1986

---

**Type:** Loop (Automatic Crossing Loop; Electric Train Staff Crossing Station) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Kagaru–Greenbank / Greenbank–Beaudesert Road / Greenbank–Acacia Ridge sections) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 955.560 km 
**Mileage (Working TT):** 593m 60c (opening notice 1942) 
**Between:** Kagaru and Beaudesert Road (later Kagaru and Acacia Ridge) 
**Opened as:** Greenbank Road — **2 December 1942** (W.N. 49–1942) — 1,380-foot (421-metre) Down side loop at 593m 60c 
**Renamed:** Greenbank — **14 April 1943** (W.N. — 1943) 
**Loop:** 538 metres (current); original 1,380 feet (421 metres) — your notes give 412 metres (1,350 feet) — minor discrepancy, possibly the clear length versus total length 
**Status:** Loop in use 
**Name meaning:** Unknown 
**Circular:** No. 366–36 of 1942 (Greenbank Road/Greenbank base diagram — referenced through to 1983) 

---

> **Notes:** Greenbank Road opened on 2 December 1942 as an Automatic Crossing Loop, 1,380 feet in length in the clear on the Down side, at Mileage 593m 60c. **No goods or passenger traffic was to be dealt with** — the loop was solely for train crossing purposes. The loop was renamed **Greenbank** on 14 April 1943. Type B Electric Train Staffs on the Greenbank–Beaudesert Road section were replaced by Type C Staffs on 20 June 1945 (W.N. 26–1945). The Down and Up Landmarks were converted to reflectorised type on 2 June 1976 (W.N. 26–1976). In 1980 the existing Greenbank–Beaudesert Road and Beaudesert Road–Clapham sections were cancelled and replaced by Greenbank–Acacia Ridge (18.815 km) and Acacia Ridge–Clapham (4.440 km) when Beaudesert Road (Nyanda) was replaced by Acacia Ridge signal box. Circular No. 366–36 of 1942 was still being referenced in 1983 — 41 years after opening. The current 538-metre loop represents an extension of the original 421-metre structure.

---

## 1942 — Loop Opened as Greenbank Road — 2 December 1942

### Loop Opened — W.N. 49–1942
> On **Wednesday, 2nd December, 1942**, a new Loop, **1,380 feet in length** in the clear, laid in on the **Down side** of the line at Mileage **593m 60c**, has been in use as an Automatic Crossing Loop, and is known as **Greenbank Road**.
>
> **Greenbank Road is used solely for the crossing of trains, and neither goods nor passenger traffic is to be dealt with.**
>
> The complete arrangements are as shown on the diagram attached to **Circular No. 366–36 of 1942**, and the following particulars are to be added. *(W.N. 49–1942.)*

### Signalling Arrangements
> **Down and Up Home signals** work automatically.
>
> **Frame "A"** — No. 1 lever unlocked by key from Releasing Switch "A" or by key from Releasing Lock "A.B."
>
> Releasing Switch "A" released by key on Electric Train Staff for section **Beaudesert Road–Greenbank Road** — door secured by S.L. lock.
>
> **Frame "B"** — No. 1 lever unlocked by key from Releasing Switch "B" or by key from Releasing Lock "A.B."
>
> Releasing Switch "B" released by key on Electric Train Staff for section **Greenbank Road–Kagaru** — door secured by S.L. lock.

*(W.N. 49–1942)*

### Staff Instruments and Staff Hut
> **Staff Instruments** for sections Kagaru–Greenbank Road and Greenbank Road–Beaudesert Road located in **Staff Hut** — door secured by S.L. lock; equipped for automatic working.
>
> **Divisible Electric Train Staff Working** must only be brought into operation on the sections Kagaru–Greenbank Road and Greenbank Road–Beaudesert Road when there is an Officer in charge at the station at each end of the section.
>
> During times Greenbank Road is unattended, Officers in charge at **Kagaru and Clapham** must see that Firemen of trains are provided with S.L. keys.
>
> No flare lamps in Staff Hut — risk of fire; enclosed lamps only.

*(W.N. 49–1942)*

### New Sections — Kagaru–Greenbank Road and Greenbank Road–Beaudesert Road
> The existing Electric Train Staff section **Kagaru–Beaudesert Road** was cancelled and new sections created:
> - **Kagaru–Greenbank Road**
> - **Greenbank Road–Beaudesert Road**

*(Source: 1942 Weekly Notices)*

### Flagmen Required During Alterations — W.N. — 1942
> During the time of the alterations to the points and signals at **Greenbank Road**, Thirroul and Loadstone, competent Flagmen equipped with the necessary Hand and Detonating signals must be placed at the sites. *(W.N. — 1942.)*

### Sectional Running Times — Kagaru–Greenbank Road–Beaudesert Road–Clapham
> | Section | Down (mins) | Up (mins) |
> |---------|-------------|-----------|
> | Kagaru–Greenbank Road | 15 | — |
> | Greenbank Road–Beaudesert Road | 18 | — |
> | Beaudesert Road–Clapham | 2 | — |
> | Clapham–Beaudesert Road | — | — |
> | Beaudesert Road–Greenbank Road | — | — |
> | Greenbank Road–Kagaru | — | — |

*(Source: 1942 Weekly Notices — sectional running times)*

### Telephone Circuit — Greenbank Road Staff Hut Listed
> **Greenbank Road Staff Hut** — listed in telephone circuit alongside Fairy Hill Signal-box, Beaudesert Road Signal-box, Kyogle Station-master's Office, The Risk Station-master's Office, Clapham Signal-box, Border Loop Signal-box, Yeerongpilly Signal-box.

*(W.N. 52–1942)*

---

## 1943 — Renamed Greenbank — 14 April 1943

### Name Altered — W.N. — 1943
> **Pages 17, 62, 92 and 285 — Greenbank Road (North Coast) — Name Altered to Greenbank** — Since **14th April, 1943**, the name of Greenbank Road has been altered to **Greenbank** and pages in the following publications are to be amended accordingly:
>
> - Page 31 — After: Greenbank Road — To: Greenbank
> - Working Timetable and Local Appendix — all references to "Greenbank Road" to read "Greenbank"

*(Source: 1943 Weekly Notices)*

### Sections Renamed — Kagaru–Greenbank and Greenbank–Beaudesert Road
> Section references amended from **Kagaru–Greenbank Road** to **Kagaru–Greenbank**; **Greenbank Road–Beaudesert Road** to **Greenbank–Beaudesert Road**.

*(Source: 1943 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1944 — Load Tables — Greenbank Road–Border Loop (Residual Reference)

### Engine Load Tables
> **Clapham–Greenbank Road**: 295 tons; **Greenbank Road–Border Loop**: 315 tons (Load in tons per engine class).

*(Source: 1944 Weekly Notices — engine load tables, still using old "Greenbank Road" name in some entries)*

---

## 1945 — Type B Staffs Replaced by Type C; No Reserved Seat Fee for Local Travel

### Type B to Type C Staffs — 20 June 1945 — W.N. 26–1945
> On **20th June, 1945**, the Type B Staffs on the section **Greenbank–Beaudesert Road** were removed from the instruments and replaced by **Type C Staffs**.
>
> Delete "B" and insert "C" under the heading "Distinguishing Letter on Staffs." (S. & T.E. — .) *(W.N. 26–1945.)*

### No Reserved Seat Booking Fee — Greenbank Listed
> The seat booking fee of 1s. 3d. will not be imposed for travel by the Brisbane Limited Express, Brisbane Express and divisions thereof between South Brisbane and **Beaudesert Road, Greenbank, Kagaru, Bromelton, Tamrookum, Glenapp and Border Loop**. *(W.N. 17–1945.)*

---

## 1950 — Hours of Attendance Amended

### Hours of Attendance — W.N. 23–1950
> **Greenbank** — Delete (AU-AD); insert **(AU)**.
>
> **Beaudesert Road** — Add (AU).
>
> **Clapham** — Delete (AU). *(W.N. 23–1950.)*

---

## 1957 — Guard/Fireman Recording Requirement Dispensed With; Divisible Staff Dispensed With; Running Times

### Guard/Fireman Recording Dispensed With — W.N. 15–1957
> **Stations and Sidings — Greenbank** — It will not be necessary for the Guard or Fireman to record the arrival and departure times of trains and light engines in a book provided for the purpose when Greenbank is unattended.
>
> Circular No. 366–36 of 23rd November, 1942, to be amended accordingly. (A. 1–57–35,053.) *(W.N. 15–1957.)*

### 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**.
>
> | Section | Type | Staff Nos. |
> |---------|------|-----------|
> | Kagaru–Greenbank | "A" | 1–50; Key Staffs 1–60 |
> | Greenbank–Beaudesert Road | "C" | 1–50; Key Staffs 1–50 |

*(W.N. 34–1957)*

### Running Times — 1957 (Down Journey, No. 3 Brisbane Express)
> **Kagaru–Greenbank**: 19 minutes 
> **Greenbank–Beaudesert Road**: 23 minutes 
> **Beaudesert Road–Clapham**: 3a minutes *(includes 5 minutes water)* 
> **Clapham–South Brisbane**: 15a minutes

*(Source: 1957 Working Timetable — Down journey running times)*

---

## 1963 — Type "F" Flashing Light Signals at Beaudesert Road Level Crossing; CSR Cooper's Plains Siding; Staff Hut C-Siding

### Type "F" Signals — Beaudesert Road Level Crossing — 20 May 1963
> **Greenbank–Beaudesert Road (North Coast) — Provision of Type "F" Flashing Light Highway Signals at Beaudesert Road Level Crossing, Mileage 604m 7c** — On **Monday, 20th May, 1963**, the manually operated swing gates at Beaudesert Road level crossing, Acacia Ridge, mileage 604m 7c, were removed and Type "F" flashing light highway signals, automatically controlled by track circuit, were brought into use. *(W.N. 25–1963.)*

### Type "F" Signals — Queensland Railways Equipment — W.N. 46–1963
> **Greenbank–Beaudesert Road — Type "F" Flashing Light Highway Signals at Beaudesert Road Level Crossing** — On **20th May, 1963**, Type "F" flashing light highway signals were installed by the **Queensland Railways** at Beaudesert Road level crossing, Acacia Ridge.
>
> **Failure of Electric Train Staff Instruments** — In the event of a failure, the **Queensland Railways Signal Electrician as well as the N.S.W. Signal Electrician** must attend as the failure may be caused by a fault of the level crossing equipment. *(W.N. 46–1963.)*

> **Note:** The joint NSW/QR responsibility for the level crossing signals reflects the unique administrative situation at Beaudesert Road (Acacia Ridge) — the crossing was in Queensland but the section was under NSW management.

---

## 1969 — Signalman's Designation Inserted; Level Crossing Indicator; Staff Instruments Freed from Level Crossing

### Signalman Designation Inserted — W.N. 49–1969
> **Stations and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Greenbank** — In the column headed "Designation of employee in charge" insert **"Sig"**. *(W.N. 49–1969.)*

### Level Crossing Indicator — Interlocking Removed — 1969
> Consequent on the provision of the level crossing indicator unit, the interlocking between the electric train staff instruments for the section **Greenbank–Beaudesert Road** and the level crossing controlling equipment will be removed and level crossing equipment failures will not affect the normal operation of the instruments. *(Source: 1969 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1970 — Portable Telephone Circuit — Kagaru to Greenbank to Mileage 604m; Proceed Orders

### Portable Telephone Circuit — Kagaru to 604m 0c via Greenbank — W.N. 1–1970
> Telephone at **Greenbank** (wall telephone) with plug-in boxes at intervals along the section:
>
> 583m 40c — 584m 00c — 584m 20c — 584m 45c — 585m 05c — 585m 40c — 586m 00c — 586m 40c — 587m 00c — 587m 40c — 598m 00c — 598m 40c — 598m 60c (and continuing to 604m 0c).
>
> *(Source: W.N. 1–1970 — Way and Works portable telephone circuit)*

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

### Hours of Attendance — Greenbank (A.U.) — W.N. — 1970
> **Greenbank (A.U.)** — Mondays: **9 a.m. to 2 p.m.** *(Source: 1970 Weekly Notices — hours of attendance)*

---

## 1976 — Landmarks Converted to Reflectorised Type — 2 June 1976

### Reflectorised Landmarks — W.N. 26–1976
> **Greenbank (Border Loop–South Brisbane) — Provision of Reflectorised Landmarks** — Since **2nd June, 1976**, the Down and Up Landmarks have been converted to the reflectorised type.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 366–36 Greenbank, of 1942**, to be amended accordingly. (S & C.) *(W.N. 26–1976.)*

---

## 1980 — Beaudesert Road (Nyanda) Replaced by Acacia Ridge; Greenbank–Acacia Ridge Section Created

### Greenbank–Acacia Ridge Section Created — W.N. 21–1980
> The existing staff sections **Greenbank–Beaudesert Road** and **Beaudesert Road–Clapham** will be cancelled and the new miniature electric train staff sections will be:
> - **Greenbank–Acacia Ridge**: 18.815 km, Type C, Nos. 1–50, Key Staffs 1–50
> - **Acacia Ridge–Clapham**: 4.440 km
>
> Consequently, **Releasing Switch A at Greenbank** will be unlocked by key on staff for the section **Greenbank–Acacia Ridge**.
>
> **Beaudesert Road (Nyanda)** will be closed as an Electric Train Staff station; **Acacia Ridge** will be opened in lieu.
>
> Drivers' Notices advising of the altered section arrangements must be issued for three days.
>
> **Circular No. 366–36, Greenbank, of 1942** and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. (M.C. 112165.) *(W.N. 21–1980.)*

### Pilotman's Key — Greenbank–Acacia Ridge Section
> The Pilotman's Key for the section **Greenbank–Acacia Ridge** is kept in the Pilotman's lock in Acacia Ridge signal-box and will be available to operate Frame B during Pilot Working. *(Source: 1980 Weekly Notices)*

### Flagmen Required During Alterations
> During the time of alteration of the points and signals at Acacia Ridge, Beaudesert Road, Salisbury, Clapham, **Greenbank**, Jerrawa, Rhodes and Wimbledon, Flagmen must be placed at the sites. *(W.N. 21–1980.)*

---

## 1983 — Greenbank–Beaudesert Road References Deleted; Greenbank–Acacia Ridge Confirmed; Acacia Ridge Control Panel

### Greenbank–Beaudesert Road Deleted — W.N. 25–1983
> **Delete:** All reference to Greenbank–Beaudesert Road entry.
>
> **Insert:** Greenbank–Acacia Ridge / Acacia Ridge Frame B / Acacia Ridge. (A1 82 60027.) *(W.N. 25–1983.)*

### Electric Train Staff Working — Acacia Ridge–Greenbank Confirmed
> Electric Train Staff working will remain in use on the section **Acacia Ridge–Greenbank** and the working will be subject to the Electric Train Staff regulations. *(Source: 1983 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1986 — Standard Gauge Line; Speed Boards Updated; Section Reference Amended

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

### Speed Boards — Greenbank–Beaudesert Road Section Updated — W.N. 37–1986
> **In section "Greenbank–Beaudesert Road"** — Insert: 963.453 → 90; Insert: 967.000 → 100; Amend: 975.990 → 975.990. *(W.N. 37–1986.)*

### Section Reference Amended — W.N. 37–1986
> **Fairy Hill–Greenbank** — Delete "Old" and insert in lieu: **Casino to Greenbank**. *(W.N. 37–1986.)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **2 December 1942** | **Opened as Greenbank Road** — 1,380-foot (421-metre) Down side loop at 593m 60c; no goods or passenger traffic; sections Kagaru–Greenbank Road and Greenbank Road–Beaudesert Road created; Circular No. 366–36 of 1942 issued (W.N. 49–1942) |
| W.N. 49–1942 | Type B staffs, telephone in Staff Hut, Divisible Staff Working; Kagaru and Clapham responsible when unattended |
| **14 April 1943** | **Renamed Greenbank** (from Greenbank Road) — sections renamed accordingly |
| W.N. 26–1945 | Type B Staffs on Greenbank–Beaudesert Road replaced by Type C Staffs |
| W.N. 17–1945 | No reserved seat booking fee for local travel Sydney–Greenbank |
| W.N. 23–1950 | Hours of attendance — Greenbank: AU only |
| W.N. 15–1957 | Recording requirement for Guard/Fireman dispensed with at unattended Greenbank |
| **27 August 1957** | Divisible Staff Working on Kagaru–Greenbank and Greenbank–Beaudesert Road dispensed with — ordinary key staffs provided (W.N. 34–1957) |
| 20 May 1963 | Type "F" flashing light signals at Beaudesert Road level crossing (604m 7c) — jointly maintained by NSW and QR (W.N. 25 and 46–1963) |
| W.N. 49–1969 | Signalman designation ("Sig") inserted in accommodation table |
| 1969 | Level crossing interlocking removed from section staff instruments |
| W.N. 1–1970 | Portable telephone circuit — wall telephone at Greenbank; plug-in boxes to 604m 0c |
| W.N. 7–1970 | Proceed Orders authorised — Kagaru–Greenbank |
| **2 June 1976** | **Down and Up Landmarks converted to reflectorised type** — Circular No. 366–36 amended (W.N. 26–1976) |
| **W.N. 21–1980** | **Greenbank–Beaudesert Road and Beaudesert Road–Clapham sections cancelled** — new sections Greenbank–Acacia Ridge (18.815 km) and Acacia Ridge–Clapham (4.440 km); Releasing Switch A unlocked by Greenbank–Acacia Ridge staff; Circular No. 366–36 amended |
| W.N. 25–1983 | Greenbank–Beaudesert Road references deleted; Greenbank–Acacia Ridge confirmed |
| 1986 | Greenbank Standard Gauge Line listed; speed boards updated; section reference amended to Casino to Greenbank |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1942–1986.* 
*Note: Circular No. 366–36 of 1942 (Greenbank Road/Greenbank base diagram) was referenced from 1942 through to 1983 — 41 years. The loop was the only facility at this location — no goods or passenger traffic was ever dealt with at Greenbank Road/Greenbank.*