Park Road

[admin]

Type : Siding
Line : North Coast Line
Distance from Sydney : 984.729km
Location : -27.499289, 153.029541
Opened : 12 November 1942
Closed : n/a
Status : In use
Name meaning : Named after the location
Notes : a standard gauge loop siding located adjacent to the Queenland station of the same name on Tweed line. The siding was 1,562' when constructed and held a loading bank. Park Road Siding was a standard gauge loop siding adjacent to the QR Park Road Station on the Tweed (Beenleigh) line. The NSW siding was 1,562 feet in length at opening with a 400-foot loading bank. The adjacent QR Park Road Station predated the NSW siding — "Mileage 611m 45c, adjacent to Park Road Station, on Queensland line" appears in the 1931 Weekly Notices. The siding opened on **12 November 1942**

[admin]

Location (Google Maps)

[admin]

# Park Road Siding (North Coast Line — Border Loop to South Brisbane)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1989

---

**Type:** Siding (Loop Siding — standard gauge, Queensland Railways territory) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane section; later Clapham–South Brisbane section) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 984.729 km (your notes); level crossing listed at **983.953 km** (1986) and **983.95 km** (1982) 
**Mileage (Working TT):** 611m 41c (corrected from 611m 42c in W.N. 48–1942) 
**Between:** Yeerongpilly and South Brisbane 
**Opened:** **12 November 1942** (W.N. 47–1942) — **not 1930** (QR Park Road Station adjacent to siding predates the NSW siding) 
**Circular:** No. 378–38 of 1942 (Park Road base diagram — referenced through to 1989) 
**Under control of:** South Brisbane (from opening in 1942) 
**Status:** Unknown (outside WN collection) 
**Name meaning:** Named after the adjacent Queensland Railways Park Road Station 

---

> **Notes:** Park Road Siding was a standard gauge loop siding adjacent to the QR Park Road Station on the Tweed (Beenleigh) line. The NSW siding was 1,562 feet in length at opening with a 400-foot loading bank. The adjacent QR Park Road Station predated the NSW siding — "Mileage 611m 45c, adjacent to Park Road Station, on Queensland line" appears in the 1931 Weekly Notices. The siding opened on **12 November 1942** — not 26 September 1930 as in your external records. The 1930 date refers to the opening of the Kyogle–Brisbane line, at which time QR's Park Road Station existed but no NSW siding was provided.
>
> The level crossing at Park Road (at the Clapham/Sydney end of the yard) was a persistent feature requiring special operational arrangements — mechanical Down and Up Home and Distant signals were provided for crossing protection only, not interlocked with siding points and not lit during darkness. Frames A, B and C controlled access. By 1987 the release was transferred from South Brisbane signal-box to Mayne Control Centre (No. 822 lever). Down and Up Distant signals replaced by reflectorised landmarks on 4 July 1989.

---

## 1930–1931 — QR Park Road Station Adjacent to Future Siding Location

### QR Park Road Station — 1931
> **Sundays — Mileage 611m 45c — Adjacent to Park Road Station, on Queensland line.** 
> *(Week-days — Mileage 611m 37c — Adjacent to Rocklea Station, on Queensland line.)*

*(Source: 1931 Weekly Notices — cheap fare stop reference)*

> **Note:** This 1931 reference confirms that the QR Park Road Station existed at approximately 611m 45c from 1930, but no NSW siding was yet provided. The NSW siding was not opened until 12 November 1942.

---

## 1942 — Siding Opened — 12 November 1942; Working Instructions; Accommodation Details

### Park Road Siding Opened — W.N. 47–1942
> **Page 285 — Park Road Siding (North Coast)** — On **12th November, 1942**, a loop siding to be known as **Park Road Siding** (under control of **South Brisbane**) was provided at **Mileage 611m 41c** between Yeerongpilly and South Brisbane *(vide Circular No. 350 of 1942)*.
>
> **Frames "A" and "B"** — No. 1 levers are unlocked by keys from Drawer Lock Key Releases "A" and "B."
>
> **Drawer Lock Key Releases "A" and "B"** are 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)*

### Mileage Corrected — W.N. 48–1942
> **Page 285 — Park Road Siding** — The mileage given in W.N. 47–1942 as **611m 42c** should be altered to **611m 41c**. *(W.N. 48–1942)*

### Accommodation Details — W.N. 48–1942
> **Page 62 — Park Road Siding (North Coast)** — The following particulars are to be added:
>
> - Mile post mileage: **611m 41c**
> - Name: **Park Road Siding**
> - Standing Room — Other Sidings: **43 trucks**
> - Loading bank: **Yes — 400 feet in length**

*(W.N. 48–1942)*

### Listed in Alphabetical Index
> **\*Park Road Siding** — North Coast — Border Loop–South Brisbane. *(Source: 1942 Weekly Notices — alphabetical index, Page 55)*

---

## 1943 — Down and Up Home and Distant Signals; Frame C; Working Instructions

### Signals Provided — Frame C — W.N. — 1943
> **Park Road (North Coast) — Provision of Down and Up Home and Distant Signals and Two-lever Ground Frame** — On **Monday, 6th September, 1943**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the following signals will be brought into use:
>
> - **Down Home signal** (worked from No. 1 lever in a new **Frame C**) — situated approximately **500 feet on the Sydney side of the yard level crossing** at the Sydney end of the yard
> - **Down Distant signal** — situated **2,400 feet on the Sydney side of the Down Home signal**
> - **Up Home signal** (worked from No. 2 lever in Frame C) — situated on the Down side of the line, approximately **204 feet on the Brisbane side of the loading bank**
> - **Up Distant signal** — situated **2,802 feet on the Brisbane side of the Up Home signal**

*(Source: 1943 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1944 — Additional Signal and Frame Alterations

### Additional Signal — 1944
> **Park Road (North Coast) — Additional [signal and Frame alterations]** — Circular No. 390–19 of 1930 to be amended accordingly. *(Source: 1944 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1967 — Engine Load Tables — Park Road to Clapham

### Engine Loads — Park Road–Clapham — W.N. 16–1967
> Single engine loads increased between **Park Road and Clapham**:
>
> | Engine Class | Load (tons) | Running Time |
> |--------------|-------------|--------------|
> | 59 | 1,000 | — |
> | 40 | 900 | — |
> | 44 or 45 | 1,200 | — |
>
> **South Brisbane–Park Road**: 7a minutes 
> **Park Road–Clapham**: 12a minutes *(W.N. 16–1967)*

---

## 1969 — Engine Load Tables; Sectional Running Times

### Engine Load Tables — 1969
> - **South Brisbane–Park Road–Clapham**: 300 tons
> - **Clapham–Park Road–South Brisbane**: 300 tons

### Sectional Running Times — 1969
> - **South Brisbane–Park Road**: 12 minutes
> - **Yeerongpilly–Park Road**: 14 minutes 
> - **Park Road–Yeerongpilly**: 10 minutes 
> - **Park Road–South Brisbane**: 6 minutes

*(Source: 1969 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1972 — Special Staff Receptacles — Park Road Shunting Trip; Maximum Length

### Special Staff Receptacles — W.N. 30–1972
> **Park Road** — Special staff receptacle provisions apply 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)*

### Maximum Length — 1972
> - **Park Road–Clapham**: maximum length **45** vehicles
> - **South Brisbane–Park Road**: maximum length **35** vehicles
> - **Clapham–Park Road–South Brisbane**: maximum length **35** vehicles

*(Source: 1972 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1976–1977 — Park Road Frames A and B Listed

### Park Road Frames A and B — W.N. 51–1976 and W.N. 1–1977
> **Park Road Frame A** and **Park Road Frame B** listed in Intermediate Sidings — System of Working table.

*(W.N. 51–1976 and W.N. 1–1977)*

---

## 1981 — Down Distant Signal Relocated

### Down Distant Signal Relocated — W.N. 13–1981
> **Park Road (Border Loop–South Brisbane) — Relocation of Down Distant Signal** — On **13th March 1981**, the Down Distant signal was relocated **five metres nearer to Sydney**.
>
> **Circular No. 378–38, Park Road of 1942** and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 13–1981)*

---

## 1982 — Single Line Track Block Working; Frames B and C Released from South Brisbane; Level Crossing — 983.95 km; Working Instructions

### Single Line Track Block Working — Park Road Sidings — W.N. 32 and 35–1982
> **Park Road Sidings** — Consequent on Single Line Track Block Working being brought into use on **29th July, 1982**, between Clapham and South Brisbane:
>
> No. 1 lever in **Frame B and Frame C** will be electrically released direct from **South Brisbane signal-box, No. 6 lever**, as prescribed in Regulation 52(j). The sidings must be shunted with a portion of the train left on the Main line.
>
> In addition to the signal-box release, the shunting portion of the train or light locomotive must be positioned on the **South Brisbane side of Frame B points** or the **Sydney side of Frame C points** respectively and **within 15 metres** of same before the release will be effective. *(W.N. 32 and 35–1982)*

### Park Road Level Crossing Signals — 983.95 km — 1982
> **Park Road Level Crossing Signals** — There will be no alteration to the working of the Mechanical Down and Up Home and Distant Signals at Park Road level crossing **983.95 km**.
>
> Down and Up Home signals and Down and Up Distant signals (arm fixed at caution) are provided for the protection of the **yard level crossing on the standard gauge line only** at Park Road sidings.
>
> **Enginemen are reminded that the Down and Up Home signals at Park Road are level crossing signals and are NOT interlocked with the siding points nor controlled by track circuit. The signals are not lit during darkness.**
>
> When it is necessary to open the gate (Down side) for road vehicles to use the yard level crossing, the employee-in-charge at Park Road must first **telephone Clapham and South Brisbane signal-boxes** and ascertain the whereabouts of any train in the section Clapham–South Brisbane and obtain permission to open the gate.
>
> Upon receiving permission, the employee at Park Road will place the Down and Up Home signals to stop and open the boundary gate and direct road vehicles as required. When the level crossing is again clear, the employee at Park Road will close the boundary gate and return Down and Up Home signals to clear. *(W.N. 32–1982)*

---

## 1983 — Park Road Points Released by Electric Release

### Electric Release — W.N. 25–1983
> **Park Road** — In column headed "Points Unlocked by": Delete "Staff"; Insert "**Electric Release**." 
>
> In column headed "Electric Train Staff or Train Staff and Ticket etc.": Delete "Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane"; Insert "**South Brisbane**." *(W.N. 25–1983)*

---

## 1986 — Park Road Standard Gauge Line Listed; Level Crossing at 983.953 km

### Standard Gauge Line — 1986
> **Park Road — Standard Gauge Line** — listed in freight rate tables alongside Acacia Ridge, Kagaru, Greenbank, Tamrookum and other Queensland standard gauge stations. *(Source: 1986 Weekly Notices)*

### Level Crossing at 983.953 km — 1986
> **Park Road Level Crossing Signals** — There will be no alteration to the working of the Mechanical Down and Up Home and Distant signals at Park Road Level Crossing **983.953 km**. *(Source: 1986 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1987 — Working Instructions Updated; Mayne Control Centre Releases Frames

### Mayne Control Centre Releases Frames B and C — W.N. — 1987
> **Park Road Siding** (updated instructions):
>
> **Gates** — A level crossing is situated at the Clapham end of the Loop. Before opening gates for the passage of road vehicles, the Officer in charge must telephone the **Mayne Control Centre** and satisfy himself that there are no trains in the section.
>
> **Sidings** — No. 1 lever in Frame "B" and Frame "C" will be automatically released from **Mayne Control Centre by No. 822 lever**. The Shunter or Guard/Observer is to contact Mayne Control Centre by telephone to obtain the release.
>
> The train or light locomotive must be positioned on the **Sydney side of Frame "C" points** or the **Roma Street side of Frame "B" points** respectively and within **15 metres** of the points before the release will be effective.
>
> When manipulating No. 1 lever of the ground frames the **push button under the white release light must be depressed**. If the whole of the train is placed in these sidings, the points must not be returned to normal until the shunting is completed and the train has been returned to the Main Line — otherwise the points will be locked and the services of the Electrician will be required. *(Source: 1987 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1989 — Down and Up Distant Signals Replaced by Reflectorised Landmarks

### Landmarks Replace Distant Signals — W.N. 38–1989
> **Park Road (Border Loop–South Brisbane) — Replacing Down and Up Distant Signals with Landmarks** — Since **4th July, 1989**, the existing mechanical Down and Up Distant signals have been replaced by **reflectorised landmarks** at approximately the same location.
>
> **Circular No. 378–38 (1942) Park Road**, and diagram published in Weekly Notice No. 29–1982, to be amended accordingly. *(W.N. 38–1989)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| 26 September 1930 | **QR Park Road Station** opened adjacent to future siding location (611m 45c per 1931 reference) — no NSW siding at this date |
| **12 November 1942** | **NSW standard gauge loop siding opened** — 611m 41c (corrected from 42c in W.N. 48–1942); 1,562 feet (your notes) / 43 trucks standing room; **400-foot loading bank**; under control of **South Brisbane**; Frames A and B; Drawer Lock Key Releases A and B by Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane staff; level crossing at Yeerongpilly end — Circular No. 378–38 of 1942 issued (W.N. 47 and 48–1942) |
| **6 September 1943** | Down and Up Home and Distant signals provided — **Frame C** (two-lever); Down Home 500 feet Sydney side of yard level crossing; Up Home 204 feet Brisbane side of loading bank; Down Distant 2,400 feet; Up Distant 2,802 feet from Up Home (W.N. — 1943) |
| W.N. 16–1967 | Engine loads — Park Road–Clapham: 59 class 1,000 tons, 40 class 900 tons, 44/45 class 1,200 tons; South Brisbane–Park Road 7a minutes, Park Road–Clapham 12a minutes |
| 1972 | Max length: Park Road–Clapham 45 vehicles; South Brisbane–Park Road 35 vehicles |
| W.N. 51–1976 | Park Road Frame A and Frame B listed in Intermediate Sidings table |
| W.N. 49–1976 | Pilotman's Lock at Yeerongpilly signal-box for operating Frames A and B during Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane staff failure |
| **13 March 1981** | Down Distant signal relocated **five metres nearer to Sydney** — Circular No. 378–38 amended (W.N. 13–1981) |
| **29 July 1982** | Single Line Track Block Working — Clapham–South Brisbane; **Frames B and C released from South Brisbane signal-box No. 6 lever**; level crossing at **983.95 km** — mechanical signals, not interlocked with points, not lit during darkness; special procedure for gate opening (W.N. 32 and 35–1982) |
| W.N. 25–1983 | Points unlocked by **electric release** (replacing staff); section changed from Yeerongpilly–South Brisbane to **South Brisbane** |
| 1986 | Park Road Standard Gauge Line listed; level crossing confirmed at **983.953 km** |
| W.N. — 1987 | Frames B and C released by **Mayne Control Centre No. 822 lever** (replacing South Brisbane No. 6 lever); gate procedure now through Mayne Control Centre |
| **4 July 1989** | Down and Up Distant signals replaced by **reflectorised landmarks** — Circular No. 378–38 amended (W.N. 38–1989) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1989.* 
*Note: The NSW standard gauge siding at Park Road opened on **12 November 1942**, not 26 September 1930 as in external records. The 1930 date refers to the opening of the Kyogle–Brisbane line and the adjacent QR Park Road Station, but no NSW siding was provided until 1942. Circular No. 378–38 of 1942 (Park Road base diagram) was referenced from 1942 through to 1989 — 47 years.*