Loadstone

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Type : Station/Loop
Distance from Sydney : 863.443km
Location : -28.401845, 152.977146
Opened : 28 September 1930
Closed : 1974 (station)
Status : In use
Name meaning : Corruption of lodestone
Notes : Loadstone has a 1555 metre Down side crossing loop. The original platform was 12' long on the Up side and had a timber waiting shed.  1,320' loop added 17/02/1942. 29/05/1942 an intermediate block post was provided (closed in 1943). 17/12/1942 - the main line was slewed to a new position and the goods siding altered to 300'. 17/2/1943 opened as an ETS and crossing station with a new crossing loop of 1,320' (another war-time lopp on the line). At this time a new signal box was constructed that also had a small 16' platform attached - this was the third Q type box provided on the line. Early in 1944 a 5 ton gantry crane was installed (removed in 1963). Closed as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station — 8 September 1962 — W.N. 38–1962. Same WN - The points at the Sydney and Brisbane ends of the Loop, worked from Nos. 9 and 12 levers respectively, will be **spiked for the Main Line and secured by standard clips and XL locks. The Loop Line will be placed out of use - the loop line points were removed in 1973. Station closed in 1974 and was deleted in 1975. 1988 — Reopened as Intermediate Block Post — 29 November 1988. The loop was renewed and opened 24/7/2009.

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Location of Loadstone loop (Six Maps)

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Station distances, 1930

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Mike Moy:

My Late Uncle, Eric Reynolds, was a 7th Class Signalman at Loadstone back in the late 50's. I used to go and stay in the quarters opposite the box during School Holidays. The place was manned on day work Monday to Friday IIRC. He often took the quad from Loadstone and followed No.2 on Friday night and the went up very early on Monday morning ahead of No. 1. It was a very interesting and rough ride in the dark.

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Supplied

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Construction at Loadstone, 1930 (State Archives)

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4460+48100+44216 339N Loadstone 05-08-87 (Leon Batman)

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Signal box opened when the wartime loop was converted to a centrally operated fully interlocked
type. It was closed as part of a rationalisation programme but remained in situ for many years.
The building was erected reverse to normal and a small station type building was attached.
Weatherboard cladding was added to the front wall to reduce impact damage.

The third of the Type Q signal boxes constructed north of Casino for war traffic. Loadstone was unusual, being constructed reverse to normal. By the time this photograph was taken in 1979 someone had greater need for a  window and the boards along the front and on the platform but the signal box nameboard was intact. RT Taaffe

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Loadstone signal box diagram

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Entrance to the yards of the one-time station at Loadstone (2024)

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# Loadstone (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1988

---

**Type:** Station / Loop (Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Kyogle–Border Loop section) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 863.443 km (864.600 km per 1988 block post notice) 
**Location:** -28.401845, 152.977146 
**Mileage (Working TT):** 537m 19c (Intermediate Block Post 1942); 537m 5c–537m 33c (goods siding area) 
**Between:** Treberth and Cougal 
**Opened:** 28 September 1930 
**Intermediate Block Post:** 29 May 1942 (W.N. 23–1942) 
**Opened as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station:** 17 February 1943 (W.N. 6 and 7–1943) — **1,320-foot loop added** 
**Closed as Crossing Station:** 8 September 1962 (W.N. 38–1962) 
**Station Closed:** 28 June 1975 (W.N. 26–1975) 
**Loop Points Removed:** 4–5 July 1973 (W.N. 27–1973) 
**Intermediate Block Post (second time):** 29 November 1988 (W.N. 46 and 47–1988) 
**Loop Extended:** 24 July 2009 (outside WN collection scope) — 1,555 metres, Down side 
**Status:** In use (loop) 
**Name meaning:** Corruption of "lodestone" 
**Circular:** No. 261–23 of 1944 (Loadstone diagram) 
**Station Codes:** 3480–10 and 3490–4 (from 1968) 

---

> **Notes:** The original platform was 4.62 metres long on the Up side with a timber waiting shed. A 1,320-foot (402-metre) Down side crossing loop was added on 17 February 1943 when Loadstone was upgraded from Intermediate Block Post to Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station. Loop points removed 4–5 July 1973 after closure as crossing station in 1962. A short Up side goods loop was removed in 1972 at the station site. A 5-ton gantry crane (19 feet 1 inch hook lift) was installed by early 1944. The goods siding was extended in December 1942 and altered again on 17 December 1942 when the main line was slewed to its permanent position. Signal box located **64 feet on the Sydney side of the signal box** (per 1948 table). Loadstone was reopened as an Intermediate Block Post in November 1988 in connection with Divisible Electric Train Staff working on the The Risk–Glenapp section. The loop was extended to 1,555 metres on 24 July 2009 (outside the Weekly Notices collection).

---

## 1930 — Opening; Listed in Alphabetical Index

### Opening — 28 September 1930
> Loadstone opened on **28 September 1930** with the North Coast Line extension through the Kyogle Range.

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

### Listed as Unattended Station
> **Loadstone\*** — listed with asterisk (unattended) in 1930 station sequence alongside \*Cougal and \*Border Loop.

*(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1932 — Listed in Station Sequence

### Station Sequence
> Mount Lion (P) — **Loadstone (P)** — Cougal (P) — Queensland Border.

*(Source: 1932 Working Timetable listing)*

---

## 1934 — Section Boundaries; Listed as "Nil" for Cranes

### Section Boundaries
> **Down**: Mt. Lion–Loadstone; Loadstone–Cougal. 
> **Up**: Cougal–Loadstone; Loadstone–Mt. Lion.
>
> Running times: Mt. Lion–Loadstone — **17 minutes**; Loadstone–Mt. Lion — **16 minutes**.

*(Source: 1934 Working Timetable — engine load tables and running times)*

### Cranes — Nil
> **Loadstone and Cougal** — Cranes: **Nil** listed in accommodation table.

*(Source: 1934 Weekly Notices — accommodation table)*

---

## 1937 — Section Running Times

### Running Times
> **The Risk–Loadstone** and **Loadstone–Border Loop** listed in section running time tables.

*(Source: 1937 Working Timetable)*

---

## 1939 — Telephone Provided for Way and Works Branch; Then Removed

### Telephone Provided — W.N. 33–1939
> On **15th July, 1939**, a mining type telephone, connected to **No. 90 Telephone Circuit, North**, was provided for the Way and Works Branch at **Mileage 537m 45c** (Loadstone).
>
> The code call is **four short rings (\*\*\*\*)**.
>
> The telephone will be switched out when not in use, and cannot be called.

*(W.N. 33–1939)*

### Telephone Removed — W.N. 50–1939
> On **14th November, 1939**, the telephone previously connected to No. 90 Telephone Circuit, North, and located at Mileage 537m 45c, was **removed**.

*(W.N. 50–1939)*

> **Note:** The telephone was provided on 15 July 1939 and removed less than four months later on 14 November 1939 — suggesting it was provided for a specific Way and Works purpose (possibly associated with track maintenance or construction) and removed once that work was complete.

---

## 1942 — Divisible Electric Train Staff Introduced; Intermediate Block Post at Loadstone; Goods Siding Extended and Altered

### Intermediate Block Post — Loadstone — 29 May 1942 — W.N. 23–1942
> Since Friday, **29th May, 1942**, an **Intermediate Block Post** has been provided at **Loadstone (537m 19c)** on the section The Risk–Border Loop.
>
> Block Posts provided at Loadstone on the section The Risk–Border Loop, and at Lantana (543m 10c) on the section Border Loop–Glenapp.

*(W.N. 23–1942)*

### Goods Siding Extended — Stage 1 — 2 December 1942
> **Loadstone (North Coast) — Stage 1 — Extension of Goods Siding** — On Wednesday, **2nd December, 1942**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the connection between the Main line and Goods Siding, at the Casino end, will be removed and replaced by a new connection situated about **590 feet nearer to Casino**, and the Goods Siding extended to a length of **910 feet** (approximately) in the clear.
>
> **Interlocking Arrangements** — The points in the Main line and the derail in the siding at the Casino end will be worked from No. 2 lever in a new Frame "E," fixed adjacent to the points on the Up side of the line.
>
> No. 1 lever (F.P.L. No. 2 points) will be unlocked by key from **Drawer Lock Key Release "E."**
>
> Drawer Lock Key Release "E" will be released by the **Miniature Electric Train Staff for the section The Risk–Border Loop**.

*(W.N. 49–1942)*

### Main Line Slewed; Goods Siding Altered — 17 December 1942
> **Loadstone (North Coast) — Alteration to Main Line and Goods Siding Connections** — On **17th December, 1942**, the Main line between Mileage **537m 5c and 537m 33c** was slewed to its new permanent position and the Goods Siding altered to connect with the Main line in its altered position.
>
> The Goods Siding is now **300 feet in length** in the clear.
>
> **Signalling Arrangements** — The points in the Main line leading to the Goods Siding at the South Brisbane and Casino ends are worked from No. 2 levers, Frames "C" and "D" respectively.
>
> No. 1 levers are unlocked by keys from **Drawer Lock Key Releases "C" and "D"** respectively.
>
> Drawer Lock Key Releases "C" and "D" are released by the **Electric Train Staff for the section The Risk–Border Loop**.

*(W.N. 52–1942)*

---

## 1943 — Opened as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station; 1,320-Foot Loop; Signalling Arrangements

### Opened as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station — 17 February 1943 — W.N. 6 and 7–1943
> On Wednesday, **17th February, 1943**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., a new Loop, **1,320 feet in length in the clear**, will be provided on the **Down side** of the line, and Loadstone will be brought into use as an **Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station**.
>
> The existing Electric Train Staff section "**The Risk–Border Loop**" will be cancelled, and the new sections to be brought into use will be:
> - **The Risk–Loadstone**: Electric Train Staff, type A; Staffs Nos. 1–8 key, 9–50 ordinary.
> - **Loadstone–Border Loop**: Electric Train Staff, type C; Staffs Nos. 1–8 key, 9–50 ordinary.
>
> **Loadstone will be closed permanently as an Intermediate Block Post.**
>
> The complete arrangements will be in accordance with **Circular No. 32–2 of 1943**, clause (b), and diagram attached thereto.
>
> **Drivers' Notices** — Station Masters at Casino (Down journey) and South Brisbane (Up Express, Mail and Passenger) and Clapham (all other Up trains) must furnish the Driver of each train with a printed notice informing him that Loadstone is open as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station — for **three days** including the day of opening.

*(W.N. 6 and 7–1943)*

### Signalling Arrangements — Open and Closed Modes
> **Signalling arrangements are provided to enable Loadstone to be "opened" or "closed" as required as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station.**
>
> **(a) When Loadstone is "Open":** 
> 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, Signal and Telegraph Branch, South Grafton**. 
> Frames "B", "C", "D" and "E" — 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 S.L. lock.
>
> **(b) When Loadstone is "Closed":** 
> 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 "E" — not in use. 
> Frames "C" and "D" — No. 1 levers unlocked by keys from Drawer Lock Releases "C" and "D" released by **Miniature Electric Train Staff for the section The Risk–Border Loop** (when closed).

*(Source: 1943 Weekly Notices — General Appendix amendment)*

### Platform Length Corrected — 16 Feet — W.N. 36–1943
> **Loadstone (North Coast)** — Delete "12 feet" under heading "Length of Passenger Platform" and insert "**16 feet**." (43–51,056.) *(W.N. 36–1943.)*

> **Note:** Your external records give the original platform as 4.62 metres (approximately 15 feet 2 inches). The 1943 correction to "16 feet" from an earlier "12 feet" entry suggests the platform dimensions had been incorrectly listed from opening.

---

## 1944 — 5-Ton Gantry Crane Provided; Circular No. 261–23 Issued

### 5-Ton Gantry Crane — W.N. 9–1944
> **Loadstone (North Coast)** — A **5-ton gantry crane**, with a maximum hook lift of **19 feet 1 inch** above rail level, has been provided at Loadstone.
>
> Insert particulars under heading "Cranes." (G.C. 5–44–75,744.) *(W.N. 9–1944.)*

### Circular No. 261–23 of 1944 Issued
> **Circular No. 261–23, Loadstone, of 1944** — issued as base diagram for Loadstone. Referenced in every subsequent signalling entry through to 1988.

---

## 1948 — Signal Box Position; Frame Release Updated

### Signal Box Position
> **Loadstone** — Signal box: **Opposite Signal-box; 64 feet on Sydney side of Signal-box**.

*(Source: 1948 Weekly Notices — signal box positions table)*

### Frame Release Updated — W.N. 20–1948
> **No. 1 lever in Frame [B or C]** is unlocked by key on the Electric Train Staff for the section **Loadstone–Border Loop**. *(W.N. 20–1948.)*

---

## 1950 — Portable Telephone Circuit

### Portable Telephone Circuit — Loadstone Signal Box Wall Telephone
> **Loadstone Signal-box** — Wall telephone. 
> 537m 40c — Plug-in box. 
> 538m 02c — Plug-in box. 
> 538m 35c — Plug-in box. 
> 538m 64c — Plug-in box. 
> 539m 38c — Plug-in box. 
> 540m 01c — Plug-in box.

*(W.N. 21–1950)*

---

## 1955 — Signal Posts Renewed

### Up Distant Signal — Post Renewed — W.N. 26–1955
> **Loadstone (North Coast) — Renewing Post of Up Distant Signal** — On Thursday, **30th June, 1955**, between 7.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., the **Up Distant signal, No. 20**, will be out of use for the purpose of renewing the post. *(W.N. 26–1955.)*

### Up Starting Signals — Posts Renewed — W.N. 34–1955
> **Loadstone (North Coast) — Renewing Posts of Up Starting Signals, Main and Loop to Main** — On Wednesday, **24th August**, and Thursday, **25th August, 1955**, between 7.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. each day, the **Up Starting Signals, Main line, No. 18**, and **Loop to Main, No. 16**, respectively, will be out of use for the purpose of renewing the posts. *(W.N. 34–1955.)*

---

## 1956 — Staff Vacancy — Loadstone EST (House)

### Staff Vacancy
> **Loadstone — House — E.S.** (Electric Staff) — Staff vacancy advertised twice in 1956.

*(Source: 1956 Weekly Notices — staff vacancies)*

> **Note:** Two vacancies advertised in the same year may indicate difficulty filling the remote position, or a second vacancy arising while the first was being filled.

---

## 1962 — Closed as Crossing Station; Loop Placed Out of Use; Crane Deleted

### Closed as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station — 8 September 1962 — W.N. 38–1962
> On **8th September, 1962**, between 8 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., **Loadstone will be closed** as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station.
>
> The Electric Train Staff sections **The Risk–Loadstone** and **Loadstone–Border Loop** will be cancelled and the Electric Train Staff section **The Risk–Border Loop** will be brought into use.
>
> **Loadstone** — The arms will be removed from all signals. 
> **Loop Line Points** — The points at the Sydney and Brisbane ends of the Loop, worked from Nos. 9 and 12 levers respectively, will be **spiked for the Main Line and secured by standard clips and XL locks. The Loop Line will be placed out of use.**
>
> **Frames B and C (Goods Siding)** — No. 1 lever (F.P.L.) in Frames B and C will be unlocked by key on the miniature electric train staff for the section **The Risk–Border Loop**.
>
> The following Circulars and diagrams to be amended: 
> Circular No. 116–10, **The Risk**, of 1944. 
> Circular No. **261–23, Loadstone**, of 1944. 
> Circular No. 212–20, Border Loop, of 1944. (S. & T.E. 62–615,201–W. & M.) *(W.N. 38–1962.)*

### Crane Deleted — W.N. 47–1963
> **Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Loadstone and The Risk** — In column headed "Crane, No.–Capacity" — delete **1–5** [5-ton crane]. (V. 63–2,029–12.) *(W.N. 47–1963.)*

---

## 1963 — Designation of Employee Amended

### Accommodation Table Amended — W.N. 25–1963
> **Stations, Platforms and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Loadstone** — In column headed "Designation of Employee in Charge" — delete "**Sig**." *(W.N. 25–1963.)*

---

## 1970 — Confirmed Under Control of Kyogle

### Kyogle as Controlling Station
> **Kyogle is the Controlling Station for the undermentioned platforms:** Cougal, **Loadstone**, Mount Lion, Treberth. *(W.N. 21–1970.)*

---

## 1972 — Up Side Goods Loop Removed

> A short Up side goods loop was removed at the Loadstone station site in **1972** per external records. No specific Weekly Notice entry found for this removal.

---

## 1973 — Loop Points Removed

### Loop Points Removed — W.N. 27–1973
> **Loadstone (North Coast) — Removal of Loop Points** — Since **4th and 5th July, 1973**, the points at the Sydney and Brisbane ends, respectively, of the **disused crossing loop** have been removed.
>
> Diagram attached to Circular No. 261–23, Loadstone, of 1944, to be amended accordingly. (S. & T.E. 72–617,402–W. & M.) *(W.N. 27–1973.)*

> **Note:** The loop points had been spiked out of use since September 1962 — the physical removal of the points came nearly eleven years later, in July 1973.

---

## 1974 — Deleted from Coaching Rates Publications

### Deleted — W.N. 29–1974
> **Passenger Fares and Coaching Rates Book** — Delete: ... Wiangaree, The Risk, Mt Lion, **Loadstone**. *(W.N. 29–1974.)*

---

## 1975 — Closed; Deleted from All Publications — W.N. 26–1975

### Final Deletion
> **Table 45** — Delete all reference to Repton, Ampdale, Coombell, Wiangaree and **Loadstone**. *(W.N. 26–1975.)*
>
> **Working Timetable — Northern** — Delete all reference to Lawrence Road, Ampdale, Coombell, Wiangaree and **Loadstone** (Pages 203 to 215). *(W.N. 26–1975.)*
>
> **Stations, Sidings and Platforms — Accommodation Provided** — Delete all reference to Kilgra, Wiangaree, Mt Lion, **Loadstone**, Flannagan's and Dulbolla. *(W.N. 26–1975.)*
>
> **Grades at Stations, Sidings, Platforms and Signal-boxes** — Delete all reference to ... Kilgra, Wiangaree, Mt Lion, **Loadstone**, Flanagan's and Dulbolla. *(W.N. 26–1975.)*

*(W.N. 26–1975)*

---

## 1988 — Reopened as Intermediate Block Post — 29 November 1988

### Intermediate Block Post — Second Time — W.N. 46 and 47–1988
> **Loadstone** (approximately **864.600 km**) will be brought into use as an **Intermediate Block Post** in connection with **Divisible Electric Train Staff Working** on the section **The Risk–Glenapp** on Tuesday, **29th November, 1988**.
>
> A telephone will be provided.
>
> Length of section: **34.661 km** (The Risk–Glenapp).
>
> Circular No. **261–23, Loadstone**, of 1944, and Circular No. 116–10, The Risk, of 1944, and Circular No. 125–14, Glenapp, of 1945, to be amended accordingly. (S&C 271133.) *(W.N. 46 and 47–1988.)*

> **Note:** Loadstone returned as an Intermediate Block Post for the second time, 46 years after its first incarnation in 1942. The distance given (864.600 km) is slightly different from the 863.443 km in your external records — possibly reflecting a mileage point rather than the station location itself.

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| 28 September 1930 | **Opened** — unattended station; 4.62-metre Up side platform with timber waiting shed |
| 1932 | Listed as platform (P) between Mount Lion and Cougal |
| 1934 | Running times: Mt. Lion–Loadstone 17 minutes; Loadstone–Mt. Lion 16 minutes |
| W.N. 33–1939 | Telephone provided for Way and Works Branch at 537m 45c — 4 short rings |
| W.N. 50–1939 | Telephone removed (14 November 1939 — less than 4 months after installation) |
| **29 May 1942** | **Intermediate Block Post** established at Loadstone (537m 19c) (W.N. 23–1942) |
| 2 December 1942 | Goods Siding extended — new connection 590 feet toward Casino; 910 feet in clear (W.N. 49–1942) |
| 17 December 1942 | Main line slewed (537m 5c–537m 33c); Goods Siding altered — 300 feet in clear (W.N. 52–1942) |
| **17 February 1943** | **Opened as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — 1,320-foot Down side loop; new sections The Risk–Loadstone and Loadstone–Border Loop (W.N. 6 and 7–1943) |
| W.N. 36–1943 | Platform length corrected to 16 feet (from erroneous 12 feet) |
| W.N. 9–1944 | **5-ton gantry crane** (19 feet 1 inch hook lift) provided |
| 1944 | Circular No. 261–23 (Loadstone base diagram) issued |
| W.N. 26–1955 | Up Distant signal post renewed |
| W.N. 34–1955 | Up Starting Signals (Main and Loop to Main) posts renewed |
| 1956 | EST (House) staff vacancy advertised twice |
| **8 September 1962** | **Closed as Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — loop spiked out of use; The Risk–Border Loop section re-created (W.N. 38–1962) |
| W.N. 47–1963 | 5-ton crane deleted |
| W.N. 25–1963 | "Sig" designation of employee deleted |
| 1972 | Up side goods loop removed at station site (per external records) |
| **4–5 July 1973** | **Loop points physically removed** (W.N. 27–1973) |
| W.N. 29–1974 | Deleted from Coaching Rates publications |
| **28 June 1975** | **Station closed** — deleted from all publications (W.N. 26–1975) |
| **29 November 1988** | **Intermediate Block Post re-established** (second time) — Divisible Electric Train Staff working on The Risk–Glenapp section; Loadstone at 864.600 km; telephone provided (W.N. 46 and 47–1988) |
| 24 July 2009 | Loop extended to 1,555 metres (outside WN collection scope) |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1930–1988.* 
*Note: Circular No. 261–23 of 1944 (Loadstone base diagram) was referenced in signalling entries for 44 years, from 1943 through to 1988 — including after station closure in 1975.*