Grafton City (South Grafton)

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NT35, NT34 & NT31 at Grafton, early morning 9/11/2023

Due to vandalism near Maitland requiring signalling repairs this unusual grouping occurred.

(Dani Elle Summerill)

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Grafton turntable, September 2025 (Susan Plosen)

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Roy Elder :

Photo of my Dad at Grafton, said to be around 1973/74, but could be wrong. Photo most likely taken by Grafton driver Sid Hill.

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Later this month marks the 100 year anniversary of the arrival of the Induna to commence her duties of transporting rail rolling stock from South Grafton to Grafton prior to the opening of the Grafton Bridge.
The photo below was taken in White Bay, Sydney during the conversion of the Induna from a sea cargo ship to a ferry capable of transporting rail rolling stock.
On January 21st, 1926 the Induna left Sydney under tow of the tug St. Olaves and on January 27th 1926 relieved the Swallow of her duties at Grafton.
The tug returned to Sydney with the Swallow in tow for maintenance to be carried out.
She later returned to Grafton where the Swallow and the Induna then worked together till the opening of the "new" bridge in 1932. Some very good photos exist of them together.
After the opening of the bridge the Induna was retired to the southern bank close to where the hull lay today.
Due to fears that in the event of a flood the Induna may break away from its position on the river bank and wash down and damage the new bridge, she was sank into the bank by cutting large holes in the hull.
The Induna was then purchased by Norcombe Webber with the intention of selling what he could to recover his costs and to use it as a stage for loading and unloading timber at his mill. Later the hull was used for the purpose of burning the sawdust and scrape timber from sawmill situated on the river bank adjacent to where the Induna rests now.
In 1937 the steam engine was removed for use to drive a gold stamper to the west of Grafton but not the boiler. The boiler, being a marine boiler was not suited to land-based use and remains in the hull to this day.
In August 1957 a scrap monger obtained the rights to remove whatever materials he wanted and The Daily Examiner published a report and photo of his barge reducing the hull to what is visible today.
In 1975 Beadman Bros Engineering (Ted and Reg) were contracted by the Council of the City of Grafton and Burns Philip to remove the bow from the hull. The bow now forms the basis of a monument to her history in Sir Earl Page Park adjacent to Grafton Age Care, Bent Street.
From her building at Aberdeen in Scotland for service from Britain to East Africa until now she has had a very colourful history that still catches the interest of locals and visitors today.
Listed below are some of the highlights of tha history.
Built in Aberdeen, Scotland 1891.
During the Boer War Winston Churchill held captive in prison in Pastoria escaped from South Africa and the Boers on the Induna. 1899
Began shipping out of Sydney under the ownership of Burns, Philip & Co Ltd 1904 in the region of Norfolk Island, Gilbert Islands, Marshal Island and Rabaul.
Captured in Marshal Islands by the Germans in World War 1 for her coal.
Owned and operated by Patrick Steamship from 1920 to 1925 when she was sold to New South Wales Dept of Railways.
Converted from sea cargo freighter to rail ferry in White Bay 1925.
Rail ferry at Grafton 1926 until bridge opening 1932.

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Grafton signal box was a typical Type O2 design. The main change was the roof changed to hip in shape and was covered by terracotta tiles RT Taaffe

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South Grafton (Grafton) around the time the station opened. (RTC)

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By 1982 the signal box had been extended at the Sydney end to form the Station Master's office and another room for an unknown purpose. Unusually for a signal box on a platform a signal box name board had been added under the window. This was doubly unusual for a name board to be added to a signal box after it had been constructed. The station had been renamed Grafton City six years previously. RT Taaffe

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Later the nameboard was removed from the signal box. In this photograph the extension to the rear of the signal box and Station's Office that formed a parcels office can be observed. ARHS

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The rail yards at South Grafton in the early 1980s (David Noonan)

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South Grafton (Shane Morris)

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# Grafton / Grafton City / South Grafton (North Coast Line)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1989

---

**Type:** Station (In use) 
**Line:** North Coast Line (Braunstone–Grafton City section; Grafton City–Grafton section) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 695.748 km 
**Location:** -29.703226, 152.942127 
**Between:** Braunstone (south) and Grafton via Clarence River Bridge (north) 
**Opened as SOUTH GRAFTON:** **Tuesday, 12 October 1915** — Glenreagh to South Grafton; Circular No. 245 of 1915 
**Renamed GRAFTON CITY:** **1 October 1976** (per your notes) — W.N. 46 and 47–1976; "Delete South Grafton wherever appearing and insert instead Grafton City" (ref. B2 76 51107) 
**Now known as GRAFTON** (current) 
**Status:** In use 
**Name meaning:** Named after the Duke of Grafton 

### Platform
**Original:** 91.4 metres (300 feet) 
**1st extension (1951):** Increased to 192.9 metres — platform decking replaced with concrete at same time 
**2nd extension:** Increased to 230 metres 

### Station Building
Standard **A5 type** timber station building 

### Refreshment Room
**Opened: 3 December 1923** — Railway Refreshment Room (per your notes) 
**Referenced in 1930 WNs:** Coaches and train workings via South Grafton mention Refreshment Room arrangements for Brisbane Express from 28 September 1930 

### Water Facilities
**1933:** 45 kl water tank provided (per your notes) 
**31 July 1935:** Pillar water tank constructed (per your notes) 
**1966:** Water facilities removed (per your notes) 

### 5-Tonne Crane
**1957:** 5-tonne crane relocated from Moree (per your notes) 

### Depot (South Grafton Depot)
**Opened August 1915** — six-pit roundhouse; 15.24-metre turntable (later replaced with 18.2-metre turntable from Hamilton); 180 kl water tank (1944); coal hoist (1949) 
**1958:** Reduced to sub-depot under Casino control 
**1960:** Diesel facilities installed 

### Signalling History

**At opening (1915):** Circular No. 245 of 1915 (alongside Glenreagh, Sherwood, Lanitza, Braunstone and South Grafton Stockyards) 

**1922 arrangement:**
- **Frame A:** All points within small circles and all signals worked from Frame A 
- **Frames B, C and D:** No. 1 Lever in Frames B and C, and Nos. 1 and 4 Levers in Frame D — unlocked by key from **No. 14 Lever in Frame A**; Regulation G 
- **Bolt Locks:** Between Frames A and B; between Frames A and D — prevent points being improperly set 

**Sections:** 
- **Lanitza–South Grafton** (Miniature ETS; Regulation B at Braunstone and South Grafton Stockyards) 
- **South Grafton–Grafton** (Miniature ETS; Intermediate Staff Instrument at Clarence River Bridge) 

**Up Second Home Loop Signal No. 24 — 18 January 1943:** 
New signal No. 24, Up Second Home Loop, on Up side of Loop line opposite Sydney end of No. 2C Crossover; Up Starting Loop to Main No. 24 renumbered No. 23; **Circular No. 186–6 of 1932** (South Grafton to Grafton) amended (W.N. 3–1943; ref. S.&I. 42–8,929) 

**New six-lever Frame A — April 1943:** 
Existing Frame A replaced by six-lever machine at South Grafton end of platform; lever connections: No. 1 (Down Distant), No. 2 (Down Home), No. 3 (Duplex Lock for Frames B, C, D and E), No. 4 (Space), No. 5 (—), No. 7 (Up Home) (W.N. 16–1943 approx) 

**Down Starting and Up Home signals relocated — 12 July 1943:** 
Down Starting No. 6 and Up Home signals (No. 27 Up Home Main and No. 25 Up Home Main to Loop) refixed 250 feet toward Casino side of No. 15 points (Up Main to Loop); Circular No. 186–6 of 1932 amended (W.N. 28–1943; refs S.&T.E. 43–9,517 and S.&I.) 

**Clarence River Bridge — 4 September 1943:** 
Bascule span — Intermediate Staff Instrument at bridge for section **South Grafton–Grafton**; Lever E bolts lifting rails; telephone at bridge; Pilotman's duplex lock at South Grafton and Pilotman's releasing lock at Grafton; complex ordinary and automatic working instructions; Bridge Operator (Way and Works Branch, South Grafton); "3 pause 1 pause 3" signal for Intermediate Staff required at bridge (W.N. 37–1943) 

**Pilot Working — 1960 amendment:** 
Pilotman's Releasing Lock and Key in Signal-box at Grafton; Duplex Lock with Key for Lever E in Signal-box at South Grafton; removal of Pilotman's Key disconnects staff instruments; Circular No. 186–6 amended (W.N. 27–1960; ref. A.1–60–53,116) 

**Automatic working equipment removed — 26 April 1955:** 
Equipment at South Grafton to switch Braunstone–South Grafton and South Grafton–Grafton ETS instruments to automatic working removed (W.N. 18–1955; ref. S.&T.E. 55–677,052) 

**Renamed Grafton City — W.N. 46 and 47–1976:** 
Delete South Grafton wherever appearing and insert Grafton City — pages 183–216 and 229–239; all publications (ref. B2 76 51107) 

**Motor-operated points — Monday, 24 January 1983:** 
Route control relay interlocking control panel; mechanical interlocking machine placed out of use; ground frames renamed; Upper Quadrant Down Outer Home and Down Distant removed; new **Down Home signal No. 1** (Sydney side of Ampol and Dairy Co. Abattoirs sidings) and **Up Starting signal No. 14** (Sydney side of Dairy Co. Abattoirs siding); low speed indication and **shunting signal (yellow)** at Down Second Home and Up Home signals; Ampol, Dairy Co. Abattoirs and Caltex/Stock sidings released by key from releasing switches controlled from releasing buttons in Grafton City control panel (Nos. 81, 82, 83, 84); ETS Braunstone–Grafton City and Grafton City–Grafton retained; automatic staff exchangers remain; shunter's pushbuttons at Ground Frames F and G; Down Home No. 1 or Up Outer Home No. 2 cannot display higher than yellow if associated Second Home or Up Home at stop or low speed; diagram centre pages (W.N. 3 and 4–1983; S&C 126170) 

**CTC — 6 June 1983:** 
Broadmeadow CTC — Braunstone–Grafton City section; Grafton City–Grafton section remains ETS Type B, Nos. 1–50, 1–40 key staffs; Grafton City remains in local control until further advised; signalman must confer with Broadmeadow CTC (Up trains) or Grafton (Down trains) before clearing any Starting signal; automatic staff exchanging apparatus remains at Grafton City (W.N. 24–1983) 

**Dairy Co. Abattoirs siding removed — 31 January 1988:** 
Points, Frame C, Releasing Switch C removed; Releasing Lock C renamed **Releasing Lock B** (key from Releasing Lock B unlocks No. 1 lever Frame B for Ampol Siding failure); Up siding renamed **Carriage siding** and extended toward Casino (approximately 220 metres); buffer stop and white over red buffer stop lights; Circular No. 186–6 (of 1932) and diagram in W.N. 4–1983 to be amended (W.N. 12–1988; S&C 263942 and 251196) 

**Ampol siding removed — 23 May 1989** (see Ampol Siding entry) 

**35-tonne Ransomes Rapier diesel crane moved from Casino to South Grafton — W.N. 7–1989** (note: still described as "South Grafton" in loco department records despite station renamed Grafton City in 1976) 

### Ground Frame Releasing Buttons (1983 CTC)
| Button | Release | Siding |
|--------|---------|--------|
| No. 81 | Releasing Switch F | Goods siding (Frame F) |
| No. 82 | Releasing Switch G | Goods siding (Frame G) |
| No. 83 | Releasing Switch B/C | Ampol and Dairy Co. Abattoirs sidings |
| No. 84 | Releasing Switch D/E | Caltex/Stockyards siding |

### Sections History
| Period | Sections |
|--------|---------|
| 1915 | Lanitza–South Grafton; South Grafton–Grafton |
| By 1922 | Lanitza–South Grafton (Miniature ETS); South Grafton–Grafton (Intermediate Staff at bridge) |
| By 1943 | Braunstone–South Grafton; South Grafton–Grafton |
| 26 April 1955 | Automatic working equipment removed — Braunstone–South Grafton and South Grafton–Grafton |
| 1 October 1976 | Renamed Grafton City — sections become Braunstone–Grafton City; Grafton City–Grafton |
| 24 January 1983 | CTC conversion; ETS retained on both sections |
| 6 June 1983 | Broadmeadow CTC — Braunstone–Grafton City; Grafton City–Grafton ETS Type B retained |

### Engine Classes and Load Notes
**N class engines — 1923:** Load South Grafton–Lanitza (Up) 510 tons (W.N. — 1923; ref. 33–30,416) 
**12-class engines — 1943:** Permitted to assist Express/Passenger on South Grafton–Gurranang/Banyabba/Casino section; bogie tender required; engine first (leading) when assisting double-headed; from Gurranang to 458m 0c only — must assist in rear and couple to brake-van with Westinghouse brake connected (W.N. 46–1943; ref. C.T.M. 43–45,720) 
**Speed loads — 1960:** South Grafton to Taree — maximum 26 bogie vehicles; delete 23 bogie vehicles (W.N. 37–1960) 

---

> **Notes:** South Grafton opened 12 October 1915 as the southern terminus of the North Coast line; Circular No. 245 of 1915. Frame A controlled all signals; Frames B, C and D released by No. 14 Lever in Frame A (Regulation G); Bolt Locks between Frames A and B, and A and D. The loop at opening was 457 metres (centrally interlocked). Railway Refreshment Room opened 3 December 1923. Station became the key operational junction for Sydney–Brisbane Express services from 28 September 1930.
>
> The Clarence River Bridge (South Grafton–Grafton section) created a uniquely complex safeworking arrangement: an Intermediate Staff Instrument at the bridge itself, Lever E to bolt lifting rails, Pilotman's duplex lock at South Grafton and releasing lock at Grafton, special "3 pause 1 pause 3" signal, and separate ordinary and automatic working procedures (W.N. 37–1943; extensively amended W.N. 27–1960). Automatic working equipment removed 26 April 1955. Renamed Grafton City W.N. 46 and 47–1976.
>
> CTC conversion 24 January 1983 (W.N. 3 and 4–1983) — the most complex CTC conversion in the Glenreagh–Grafton programme: three associated sidings (Ampol, Dairy Co. Abattoirs, Caltex/Stock) each with their own releasing buttons and switches; shunter's pushbuttons at Frames F and G; signal interlocking rules preventing higher than yellow aspect when second home/up home at stop; and the Grafton City–Grafton section retained as ETS (never converted to CTC) due to the Clarence River Bridge intermediate instrument arrangement. Dairy Co. Abattoirs siding removed 31 January 1988; Ampol siding removed 23 May 1989.

---

## 1915 — Opened as South Grafton — 12 October 1915; Circular No. 245 of 1915

### Opening — W.N. — 1915
> **Opening of the Line from Glenreagh to South Grafton (North Coast)** — On **Tuesday, 12th October, 1915**, the line from Glenreagh to South Grafton will be opened for traffic, and the Signal and Interlocking arrangements at Glenreagh, Sherwood, Lanitza, Braunstone, South Grafton Stock-yards, and **South Grafton** will be in accordance with **Circular No. 245 of 1915**, and diagrams attached thereto. *(W.N. — 1915)*

### 1922 Signalling — Frame A; Frames B, C and D; Bolt Locks; Regulation G
> **SOUTH GRAFTON** —
>
> **Frame "A"** — The points shown within small circles and all signals will be worked from Frame "A."
>
> **Frames "B," "C," and "D"** — No. 1 Lever in Frames "B" and "C" and Nos. 1 and 4 Levers in Frame "D" will be unlocked by key from **No. 14 Lever in Frame "A,"** and must be operated in accordance with **Regulation G** of Weekly Notice No. 37 of 1920.
>
> **Bolt Locks** — Bolt Locks will be provided between Frames "A" and "B" and "A" and "D," in order to prevent the points being improperly set. *(Source: 1922 Weekly Notices — Coffs Harbour–Glenreagh opening circular)*

---

## 1923 — Railway Refreshment Room; N-Class Engine Loads

### Refreshment Room — 3 December 1923
> **Railway Refreshment Room, South Grafton** — opened **3rd December, 1923**. *(Source: your notes)*

### N-Class Engine Loads — W.N. — 1923
> **Loads for N Class Engines Working Up Goods Trains South Grafton to Lanitza (North Coast)** — The load for N class engines working Goods trains on the Up journey for the section **South Grafton–Lanitza** is **510 tons**. Circular No. 388 and Weekly Notice No. 40 of 1923 to be corrected accordingly. (33–30,416.) *(W.N. — 1923)*

---

## 1930 — Brisbane Express from 28 September 1930; Circular No. 384.18 of 1930; Reservation Control

### Brisbane Express — W.N. 38–1930
> Since **Sunday, 28th September, 1930**, through service Sydney to Brisbane via Kyogle introduced. Station Master and Booking Clerk, South Grafton, will control sleeping berth and seat allotments for Down and Up Express trains from/to South Grafton; **Circular No. 384.18 of 1930**. *(W.N. 38–1930)*

---

## 1943 — Multiple Signal Alterations; Clarence River Bridge Working; New Frame A

### Up Second Home Signal — W.N. 3–1943
> **South Grafton (North Coast) — Provision of Up Second Home Signal, Loop Line** — On **Monday, 18th January, 1943**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., a new signal, **No. 24**, Up Second Home Loop, situated on the Up side of the Loop line, opposite the Sydney end of No. 2C Crossover, will be brought into use.
>
> The Up Starting signal, Loop to Main, No. 24, will be re-numbered **No. 23**.
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 186–6 of 1932**, South Grafton to Grafton, to be amended accordingly. (S.&I. 42–8,929.) *(W.N. 3–1943)*

### New Six-Lever Frame A — W.N. 16–1943 (approx)
> **South Grafton (North Coast)** — The existing Frame A will be replaced by a **six-lever machine**, situated at the **South Grafton end of the platform**. The connections to the new frame:
> - No. 1 — Down Distant
> - No. 2 — Down Home
> - No. 3 (Duplex Lock) — Keys for Frames B, C, D and E
> - No. 4 — Space
> - No. 7 — Up Home
>
> *(W.N. 16–1943 approx)*

### Down Starting and Up Home Signals Relocated — W.N. 28–1943
> **South Grafton (North Coast) — Alteration to Location of Down Starting and Up Home Signals** — On **Monday, 12th July, 1943**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the Down Starting signal, **No. 6**, and the Up Home signals (**No. 27** Up Home, Main, and **No. 25** Up Home, Main to Loop) will be refixed in corresponding positions, **250 feet** on the Casino side of No. 15 points (Up Main–Loop).
>
> Diagram attached to **Circular No. 186–6 of 1932** is to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E. 43–9,517.) *(W.N. 28–1943)*

### Clarence River Bridge Bascule Span Working — W.N. 37–1943; Since 4 September 1943
> **Clarence River Bridge — Working of Bascule Span** — Since **Saturday, 4th September, 1943**, the Bascule span on the Clarence River Bridge will be operated by a mechanic (Bridge Operator) attached to the Way and Works Branch at South Grafton.
>
> **Equipment:**
> 1. Intermediate Staff Instrument at bridge for section **South Grafton–Grafton**
> 2. Lever E at bridge — bolts lifting rails
> 3. Telephone at bridge connected to South Grafton and Grafton
> 4. Pilotman's releasing lock at Grafton; Pilotman's duplex lock at South Grafton (for Pilot Working only)
> 5. Warning gongs — 35 yards from southern gate, 50 yards from northern gate
>
> **Ordinary Working:** Bridge Operator telephones Signalman at South Grafton for permission. Signalman sends "Intermediate Staff Required at Bridge" signal (**3 pause 1 pause 3**) to Grafton; Grafton acknowledges. Signalman notifies Bridge Operator by one long ring; Intermediate Staff raised into bridge instrument. Signalmen must satisfy themselves that Starting signals for section South Grafton–Grafton are at Stop before giving permission.
>
> **Automatic Working (South Grafton unattended):** Bridge Operator satisfies himself Down Starting signal at South Grafton is at Stop; telephones Grafton for permission.
>
> **Pilot Working:** Pilotman obtains key from releasing lock at Grafton; unlocks bottom lock of duplex lock at South Grafton; removes top key; uses key to unlock Lever E to release lifting rails. Removal of keys disconnects Staff Instruments. On cancellation — Pilotman restores keys; Railway Electrician reconnects instruments; glass front in lock face at Grafton restored.
>
> Cancels instructions in **Circular No. 136–6** (previous bridge working). *(W.N. 37–1943)*

---

## 1955 — Automatic Working Equipment Removed — 26 April 1955

### Automatic Working Removed — W.N. 18–1955
> **South Grafton (North Coast) — Removal of Facilities for Automatic Working of Electric Train Staff Instruments** — Since **26th April, 1955**, the equipment at South Grafton to enable the Electric Train Staff Instruments for the sections **Braunstone–South Grafton** and **South Grafton–Grafton** to be switched into Automatic Working, has been removed. (S.&T.E. 55–677,052.) *(W.N. 18–1955)*

---

## 1960 — Pilot Working Instructions Revised — W.N. 27–1960

### Pilot Working — W.N. 27–1960
> **Clarence River Bridge — Pilot Working** — A Pilotman's Releasing Lock and Key is provided in the Signal-box at Grafton. When Pilot Working is being instituted on the section South Grafton–Grafton, the Pilotman must obtain the Pilotman's Key from the Releasing Lock and retain it in his possession during the time trains are being worked through the section.
>
> **Operation of Bascule Span during Pilot Working** — A Duplex Lock with Key for unlocking Lever E at the bridge is provided in the Signal-box at South Grafton. When it is required to open the Bascule Span during Pilot Working, the Pilotman must insert and turn the Pilotman's Key in the bottom lock of the duplex lock; remove the Bridge Key from the top lock; unlock Lever E. Upon completion, Lever E restored, Bridge Key returned, Pilotman's Key regained.
>
> **Cancellation** — Pilotman restores Pilotman's Key to Releasing Lock at Grafton; Signal Electrician reconnects Staff Instruments; glass front in lock face at Grafton restored by Signal Electrician; Station-master at Grafton responsible for this. (A.1–60–53,116.) *(W.N. 27–1960)*

---

## 1976 — Renamed Grafton City — W.N. 46 and 47–1976

### Renamed Grafton City — W.N. 46–1976
> **Pages 183–216 — List of Stations, etc. (continued)** — Delete **South Grafton** wherever appearing and insert **Grafton City**. (B2 76 51107.) *(W.N. 46–1976)*

> **Page 234** — Delete: South Grafton and relevant particulars. 
> **Page 239 — List of Stations, Sidings, and Platforms on all Lines and Branches** — Delete South Grafton wherever appearing and insert instead **Grafton City**. (B2 76 51107.) *(W.N. 46–1976)*

> Further pages amended (W.N. 47–1976) — all publications updated. *(W.N. 47–1976)*

---

## 1983 — Motor-Operated Points — 24 January 1983; CTC — 6 June 1983

### Motor-Operated Points — W.N. 3 and 4–1983
> **Grafton City (North Coast) — Conversion to Power Operation of Points and Signals** — On **Monday, 24th January, 1983**, commencing at 7.30 a.m. and continuing until completion, as a preliminary to the introduction of centralised traffic control signalling on the North Coast line, the Main line to loop points at each end of Grafton City crossing station will be converted to motor operation and the mechanical Main Line and Loop signals will be replaced by colour light signals.
>
> The **Upper Quadrant Down Outer Home** and **Down Distant** signals will be removed.
>
> A new **Down Home signal (No. 1)** and **Up Starting signal (No. 14)** will be provided on the Sydney side of the Ampol and Dairy Company Abattoirs sidings respectively.
>
> The **Ampol siding, Dairy Company Abattoir's siding and Caltex Stockyards siding** will be released by key from new releasing switches provided adjacent to the respective ground frames. The releasing switches will be controlled from releasing buttons in the **Grafton City control panel**.
>
> **Low speed indication** (small green light) and a **shunting signal** (yellow light), with route indicator applicable to both, and cleared by an approaching train, will be provided beneath the main head of the Down Second Home signal and the Up Home signal.
>
> The Down Home signal No. 1 or Up Outer Home signal No. 2 cannot display a higher running indication than **yellow** if the Down Second Home or Up Home signal respectively is at stop or displaying a low speed indication.
>
> **Ground frame releasing buttons** Nos. 81, 82, 83 and 84 — heads coloured blue; located adjacent to point levers:
> - No. 81 — Releasing Switch F
> - No. 82 — Releasing Switch G
> - No. 83 — Releasing Switch B/C (Ampol and Dairy Co. Abattoirs)
> - No. 84 — Releasing Switch D/E (Caltex/Stock)
>
> **Shunter's pushbuttons** provided adjacent to Ground Frames F and G; red and green repeater lights.
>
> ETS working will remain in use on sections **Braunstone–Grafton City** and **Grafton City–Grafton**; automatic staff exchanging equipment at Grafton City remains available.
>
> Diagram appearing in **centre pages** of W.N. 4–1983. (S&C 126170.) *(W.N. 3 and 4–1983)*

### CTC — 6 June 1983; Grafton City–Grafton ETS Retained — W.N. 24–1983
> **System of Working:** Braunstone–Grafton City — CTC. **Grafton City–Grafton — Electric Train Staff, Type B, Nos. 1–50, Nos. 1–40 key staffs**.
>
> **Grafton City will remain in local control until further advised.** Before clearing any Starting signal at Grafton City, the signalman must confer with the CTC signalman Broadmeadow (Up trains) or the signalman Grafton (Down trains). Signalman at Grafton must confer with signalman Grafton City before clearing Up Starting signal.
>
> Contact operated by ETS for Grafton City–Grafton section provided in Station Master's office; must be operated by signalman before Down Starting signal No. 13 Grafton City can be cleared.
>
> Automatic staff exchanging apparatus remains at Grafton City. *(W.N. 24–1983; S&C 126170)*

---

## 1988 — Dairy Co. Abattoirs Siding Removed; Carriage Siding Extended — W.N. 12–1988

### Dairy Co. Abattoirs Siding Removed — W.N. 12–1988
> **Grafton City (North Coast) — Removal of Dairy Co. Abbatoirs Siding** — Since **31st January, 1988**, the points, Main line to Dairy Co. Abbatoirs siding, worked from Frame C, have been removed together with the siding, Frame C, Releasing Switch C and associated equipment.
>
> **Releasing Lock C** has been renamed **Releasing Lock B**. The key from Releasing Lock B unlocks No. 1 lever in Frame B in case of failure of Releasing Switch B (Ampol Siding).
>
> **Up Siding alteration** — The non-interlocked points Goods siding to Up siding (between Loop line and Goods siding) have been removed. The Up siding has been renamed the **Carriage siding** and extended toward Casino (standing room approximately **220 metres**). Buffer stop and white over red buffer stop lights provided.
>
> Instructions in W.N. Nos. 4 and 24 of 1983 and diagram in W.N. No. 4 of 1983 to be amended accordingly. (S.&C. 263942 and 251196.) *(W.N. 12–1988)*

---

## 1989 — 35-Tonne Diesel Crane Relocated from Casino — W.N. 7–1989

### Diesel Crane from Casino — W.N. 7–1989
> The **35-tonne Ransomes Rapier diesel crane** has been moved from Casino to **South Grafton**. Delete 35-tonne Diesel crane from "Cranes" column at Casino; insert in "Cranes" column at South Grafton "35-tonne Diesel." (BAC:PH:VL.) *(W.N. 7–1989)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **12 October 1915** | **Opened as South Grafton** — terminus; Frame A (all signals); Frames B, C, D (No. 14 Lever release; Regulation G); Bolt Locks; 457-metre loop; 91.4-metre platform; A5 building; Circular No. 245 of 1915 |
| **August 1915** | **South Grafton Depot opened** — six-pit roundhouse; 15.24-metre turntable; |
| **3 December 1923** | **Railway Refreshment Room opened** |
| **28 September 1930** | Through Sydney–Brisbane Express service commenced via South Grafton — reservation control; Circular No. 384.18 of 1930 |
| **1933** | 45 kl water tank provided |
| **31 July 1935** | Pillar water tank constructed |
| **1944** | 180 kl water tank (depot) |
| **18 January 1943** | Up Second Home Loop signal No. 24 added; Up Starting No. 24 renumbered No. 23; Circular No. 186–6 amended (W.N. 3–1943) |
| **April 1943** | New six-lever Frame A at South Grafton end of platform |
| **12 July 1943** | Down Starting No. 6 and Up Home signals (Nos. 27 and 25) refixed 250 feet toward Casino (W.N. 28–1943) |
| **4 September 1943** | Clarence River Bridge bascule span — Bridge Operator (Way and Works); Intermediate Staff Instrument; Lever E; "3 pause 1 pause 3" signal; complex pilot working arrangements (W.N. 37–1943) |
| **1949** | Coal hoist installed (depot) |
| **1951** | Platform concrete decking; 1st platform extension to 192.9 metres |
| **1957** | 5-tonne crane relocated from Moree |
| **1958** | Depot reduced to sub-depot under Casino control |
| **1960** | Diesel facilities installed |
| **26 April 1955** | Automatic working equipment removed — Braunstone–South Grafton and South Grafton–Grafton ETS (W.N. 18–1955) |
| **27 October 1960** | Pilot Working instructions revised — Duplex Lock at South Grafton; Releasing Lock at Grafton (W.N. 27–1960) |
| **1966** | Water facilities removed |
| **2nd extension** | Platform extended to 230 metres |
| **1 October 1976** | **Renamed GRAFTON CITY** — all publications; W.N. 46 and 47–1976 (ref. B2 76 51107) |
| **24 January 1983** | **Motor-operated points and colour light signals** — route control relay interlocking; Upper Quadrant Down Outer Home and Down Distant removed; Down Home No. 1 and Up Starting No. 14 new; releasing buttons 81–84; shunting signals; ETS Braunstone–Grafton City and Grafton City–Grafton retained; diagram centre pages (W.N. 3 and 4–1983; S&C 126170) |
| **6 June 1983** | **CTC Braunstone–Grafton City** — Broadmeadow CTC; Grafton City–Grafton ETS Type B retained; local control |
| **31 January 1988** | Dairy Co. Abattoirs siding removed; Up siding renamed Carriage siding and extended to 220 metres; Releasing Lock C renamed B (W.N. 12–1988) |
| **23 May 1989** | Ampol siding removed (see Ampol Siding entry) |
| **W.N. 7–1989** | 35-tonne diesel crane relocated from Casino to South Grafton |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1915–1989.* 
*Note: Grafton City (South Grafton) is one of the most complex stations in the North Coast collection — terminus (1915–1930), through station, major junction for Brisbane Express, district headquarters, and the only station in the Glenreagh–Grafton CTC programme where one adjacent section (Grafton City–Grafton) was retained as ETS rather than converted to CTC. This was necessitated by the Clarence River Bridge Intermediate Staff Instrument arrangement — the bascule span required an intermediate instrument in the bridge itself that was incompatible with CTC remote control. The Pilot Working duplex lock at South Grafton and releasing lock at Grafton (established 1943, revised 1960) remained in use throughout the CTC era. The renaming from South Grafton to Grafton City (1976) and subsequently to simply Grafton reflects 107 years of administrative evolution — the station's WN record spans three names across 74 years of the collection.*