Bungabbee

[admin]

Type : Station
Line : Murwillumbah Branch
Distance from Sydney : 821.980km
Location : 153.1489°, -28.7811°
Opened : 10 October 1903
Closed : 20 October 1973
Status : Closed
Name meaning : Aboriginal word meaning big tree or plant that gives a yellow dye
Notes : A 40.2 metre platform existed on the Down side, later reduced to 17.6 metres. A 299.9 metre crossing loop was at the site and also a goods loop siding. The location closed as an Electric Train Staff and crossing station on 31st July 1973. Connected to Telephone Circuit No. 68 (North). Bungabbee Railway Station unusually still exists as an official place name per the NSW Geographical Names Board having been gazetted on 30-04-1971 - normally closed stations are removed. W.N. — 1924: Goods Shed listed — Casino–Bungabbee ETS section; Bungabbee listed with goods shed in accommodation table. Bungabbee opened 10 October 1903 — the southern boundary of the Lismore and Murwillumbah Land Districts (W.N. 45–1926). Bungabbee was the key operational boundary between the Casino and Lismore districts throughout its life, reflected in both the ETS section arrangement (Old Casino–Bungabbee / Bungabbee–Lismore) and the Signal Sectionmen district (Banyabba to Bungabbee — South Grafton district). Ground frames at both ends of the yard were significantly reorganised in September 1950 (W.N. 39–1950) — Sydney end from 2-lever Frame D/Bracket Lock B to new 3-lever Frame B (No. 5 Signal-box duplex lock release); Murwillumbah end Frame E renamed Frame D; Circular No. 368 of 1911 amended. Bungabbee–Lismore key staffs expanded from 1–4 to 1–6 in October 1945 (W.N. 42–1945). Closed as ETS and crossing station 31 July 1973 — Old Casino–Lismore section (29.210 km) created; loop and goods siding placed out of use; signal-box closed; signal arms removed. After closure, Bungabbee–Old Casino was inserted into the Steep Grades UP JOURNEY table (W.N. 26–1975).

[admin]

Bungabbee (Hi Res)

[admin]

Tour train at Bungabbee, 29/8/64 (SRA Archives)

[admin]

Plan of the station environs.

[admin]

Bungabbee, 1922

[admin]

Bungabbee, 1925

[admin]

New bridge span on siding at Bungabbee, August 1962

[admin]

# Bungabbee (Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1903–1975

---

**Type:** Station / Crossing Loop (Closed) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah; Grafton-Tweed Line) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 821.980 km (Mileage **510m 60c** — per 1973 Local Appendix deletion; also described as **821.972 km** in same notice) 
**Location:** -28.7811, 153.1489 
**Between:** Bentley (south) and Tuncester (north) 
**Opened:** **10 October 1903** (per your notes; not found in OCR — 1903 volume based on 1902 working book) 
**Closed as ETS and Crossing Station:** **Tuesday, 31 July 1973** — W.N. 29–1973 (ref. S.&T.E. 71–521,801) 
**Station formally closed:** **20 October 1973** (per your notes; W.N. 33 and 35–1973 deletions from all books) 
**Status:** Closed 

### Significance
Bungabbee was the **southern boundary of the Lismore and Murwillumbah Land Districts** — confirmed W.N. 45–1926: "The Land Districts of Lismore and Murwillumbah include stations and sidings **Bungabbee to Murwillumbah inclusive**." (ref. G.W. I–26–4,585) 
Bungabbee was also the key ETS section boundary between the Casino district and the Lismore/Murwillumbah district throughout its operating life.

### ETS Sections History
| Period | Sections |
|--------|---------|
| By 1924 | **Old Casino–Bungabbee** and **Bungabbee–Lismore** |
| **1935** | Circular No. 384–18 of 1930 governs Old Casino–Bungabbee section (frame at Casino triangle released by this staff) |
| **1945 W.N. 42–1945** | Bungabbee–Lismore — Staffs Nos. 5 and 6 fitted with keys; delete "1–4" under Key Staffs, insert "1–6" |
| **31 July 1973** | Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore cancelled; **Old Casino–Lismore** (29.210 km / 18m 12c) created |

### Signalling History

**Circular No. 368 of 1911** — base diagram (amended W.N. 39–1950) 

**W.N. 39–1950 (since 14 September 1950) — Ground Frame Alterations:** 
**Sydney end** — 2-lever Ground Frame D and Lever and Bracket Lock B (working Main–Loop and Loop–Goods Siding), plus bolt lock, removed; replaced by new **3-lever Ground Frame B** fixed on Up side adjacent to Main–Loop points:
- No. 1 lever: FPL for No. 2 points — released by either key from **duplex lock on No. 5 lever in Signal-box**
- No. 2 lever: Main–Loop points
- No. 3 lever: Loop–Goods Siding points 

**Murwillumbah end** — 2-lever Ground Frame E (Main–Loop at Murwillumbah end) replaced by new machine at same site, renamed **Frame D** 

Circular No. 368 of 1911 amended accordingly (S.&T.E. 50–519,831–W.&M.) 

**1935 — Casino Triangle** — frame at Casino triangle released by ETS for section Old Casino–Bungabbee (Circular No. 384–18 of 1930; ref. 35–90,008) 

**1943 — Signal Sectionmen District boundary** — "Signal Sectionmen South Grafton: Banyabba to Bungabbee and Greenbank Road, exclusive of Casino" 

**Closure — W.N. 29–1973 (31 July 1973):** 
- Main line points at each end of Loop spiked; standard clips and XL locks; Loop line and Goods Siding placed out of use pending removal
- Signal-box on platform placed out of use; Down and Up Home signal arms and Distant signal arms removed pending complete removal
- Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore ETS sections cancelled; **Old Casino–Lismore** created (29.210 km / 18m 12c)
- Driver notices: Station Master Casino (Down) and Lismore (Up) — 3 days including day of closure (S.&T.E. 71–521,801–W.&M.)

### Goods Facilities
**W.N. — 1924:** Goods Shed listed — Casino–Bungabbee ETS section; Bungabbee listed with goods shed in accommodation table 
**W.N. 33–1973:** Bungabbee insert (P) after station name in List of Stations (page 188) and List of Stations on all Lines (page 260) — ref. B.2–73–40,429 

### Deletion History
**W.N. 29–1973:** ETS sections Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore cancelled; Old Casino–Lismore created 
**W.N. 30–1973:** ETS section table (page 15) — delete Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore; insert Old Casino–Lismore (29.210 km, 18m 12c, Miniature Electric Train Staff) (ref. S.&T.E. 72–530,604) 
**W.N. 33–1973:** Insert (P) in List of Stations (page 188); List of all Lines (page 260); Alphabetical List — delete "*r" insert "*S" in reference column (ref. B.2–73–40,429) 
**W.N. 35–1973:** Alphabetical list of stations — delete Bungabbee (ref. A.1–73–60,408); Accommodation Provided (page 87) — delete **821.972 km (510m 60c) Bungabbee** and relevant particulars; Grades table (page 104) — delete Bungabbee (ref. A.1–73–60,408) 
**W.N. 38–1973:** Railways of Australia Intersystem Parcels Rates Book (page 61) — delete Bungabbee; Alphabetical List of Stations (page 226) — delete Bungabbee (ref. B.2–73–40,429) 
**W.N. 29–1974:** Horses/vehicles loading table — Casino–Murwillumbah Line: delete Old Casino, Bentley, **Bungabbee**, Tuncester, North Lismore, Bexhill, Eltham, Booyong and Stockers (C.1–74) 
**W.N. 26–1975:** Steep Grades UP JOURNEY — delete Naughton's Gap–North Casino, insert **Bungabee–Old Casino** (A1 73 77203) 

---

> **Notes:** Bungabbee opened 10 October 1903 — the southern boundary of the Lismore and Murwillumbah Land Districts (W.N. 45–1926). Bungabbee was the key operational boundary between the Casino and Lismore districts throughout its life, reflected in both the ETS section arrangement (Old Casino–Bungabbee / Bungabbee–Lismore) and the Signal Sectionmen district (Banyabba to Bungabbee — South Grafton district). Ground frames at both ends of the yard were significantly reorganised in September 1950 (W.N. 39–1950) — Sydney end from 2-lever Frame D/Bracket Lock B to new 3-lever Frame B (No. 5 Signal-box duplex lock release); Murwillumbah end Frame E renamed Frame D; Circular No. 368 of 1911 amended. Bungabbee–Lismore key staffs expanded from 1–4 to 1–6 in October 1945 (W.N. 42–1945). Closed as ETS and crossing station 31 July 1973 — Old Casino–Lismore section (29.210 km) created; loop and goods siding placed out of use; signal-box closed; signal arms removed. After closure, Bungabbee–Old Casino was inserted into the Steep Grades UP JOURNEY table (W.N. 26–1975), confirming the grade north of Bungabbee toward Old Casino is more severe than the previously listed Naughton's Gap–North Casino section.

---

## 1907 — Position Confirmed (Casino Council Quarry Siding — Loaded Trucks Left at Bungabbee)

> **Casino Council's Quarry Siding (between Naughton's Gap and Bentley):** Loaded trucks for Casino are to be attached to Down trains and **left at Bungubbee** [Bungabbee], from where they will be lifted by Up trains. *(W.N. 5–1907; ref. 07–4754)*

---

## 1924 — Goods Shed; ETS Sections; Unattended

### Local Appendix — W.N. — 1924
> **Bungabbee (P)** — unattended platform with goods shed; **Casino–Bungabbee** and **Bungabbee–Lismore** ETS sections. *(Source: 1924 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1926 — Land Districts Boundary — W.N. 45–1926

### Land Districts Boundary — W.N. 45–1926
> **Land Districts of Lismore and Murwillumbah** — The Land Districts of Lismore and Murwillumbah include stations and sidings **Bungabbee to Murwillumbah inclusive**. All concerned to give this matter close attention. (G.W. I–26–4,585.) *(W.N. 45–1926)*

---

## 1935 — Casino Triangle Frame Released by Old Casino–Bungabbee ETS — W.N. 31–1935

### Triangle Frame — W.N. 31–1935
> **Casino (North Coast) — Alterations to Arrangements in Connection with New Station** — Traffic requiring to be stored in [the Casino] Triangle is to be placed therein via the points at the north or Murwillumbah end. The frame controlling these points is operated by the **Electric Train Staff for the section Old Casino–Bungabbee**. Circular No. 384–18 of 1930, and diagram attached thereto, to be posted accordingly. (35–90,008.) *(W.N. 31–1935)*

---

## 1943 — Signal Sectionmen District Boundary

### Sectionmen District — W.N. — 1943
> **Signal Sectionmen — South Grafton District:** Banyabba to **Bungabbee** and Greenbank Road, exclusive of Casino [and Lismore District]. *(Source: 1943 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1945 — Bungabbee–Lismore Key Staffs Extended — W.N. 42–1945

### Key Staffs Extended — W.N. 42–1945
> **Page 49 — Electric Train Staff Sections — Bungabbee–Lismore** — On **9th October, 1945**, Electric Train Staffs, Nos. 5 and 6, for the section **Bungabbee–Lismore** were fitted with keys. Delete "1–4" under the heading "Key Staffs" and insert "1–6." (S.&T.E.) *(W.N. 42–1945)*

---

## 1950 — Ground Frame Alterations — Since 14 September 1950 — W.N. 39–1950; Circular No. 368 of 1911

### Ground Frame Alterations — W.N. 39–1950
> **Bungabbee (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Alteration to Ground Frames at Each End of the Yard** — Since **14th September, 1950**, alterations to the working of the points at the Sydney end of the yard have been brought into use as follows:
>
> The two-lever Ground Frame "D" and Lever and Bracket Lock "B," operating the points, Main line–Loop line, and Loop line–Goods Siding, respectively; and the bolt lock at the Sydney end of the yard have been removed and replaced by a new **three-lever Ground Frame "B,"** fixed on the Up side of the Main line, adjacent to the points Main–Loop line.
>
> Frame "B" — No. 1 Lever: F.P.L. for No. 2 points; No. 2 Lever: Points, Main–Loop; No. 3 Lever: Points, Loop–Goods Siding.
>
> Frame "B" — No. 1 Lever is unlocked by either key from the **duplex lock on No. 5 Lever in the Signal-box**.
>
> Frame "D" — The two-lever Ground Frame "E," operating the points, Main–Loop line at the Murwillumbah end of the yard, has been replaced by a new machine at the same site and re-named **Frame "D."**
>
> **Circular No. 368 of 1911**, and diagram attached, to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E. 50–519,831–W.&M.) *(W.N. 39–1950)*

---

## 1973 — Closed as ETS and Crossing Station — 31 July 1973; Old Casino–Lismore Section Created

### Closure — W.N. 29–1973
> **Bungabbee (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Closing as an Electric Train Staff and Crossing Station** — On **Tuesday, 31st July, 1973**, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., Bungabbee will be closed as an electric train staff and crossing station.
>
> The electric train staff sections **Old Casino–Bungabbee** and **Bungabbee–Lismore** will be cancelled and the electric train staff section **Old Casino–Lismore** will be brought into use.
>
> **Particulars of Old Casino–Lismore:**
> - Method of working: **Miniature Electric Train Staff**
> - Length of section: **29.210 km (18m 12c)**
> - From: Old Casino → To: Lismore
>
> **Signalling Alterations** — The Main line points at each end of the Loop line will be secured in their normal positions by standard clips and X.L. locks and the Loop line and Goods Siding will be placed **out of use pending removal**. The signal-box on the platform will be placed out of use and the arms of the Down and Up Home signals and Distant signals will be removed pending complete removal of these facilities.
>
> **Driver's Notices** — The station masters at Casino (for Down trains) and Lismore (for Up trains) must arrange for the driver of each Down and Up train to be issued with a notice advising him of the closure for a period of **three (3) days** including the day on which the alterations are carried out.
>
> (S.&T.E. 71–521,801–W.&M.) *(W.N. 29–1973)*

### ETS Section Table Updated — W.N. 30–1973
> **Page 15 — Block, Automatic Signalling, Electric Train Staff and Train Staff and Ticket Sections — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Sections **Old Casino–Bungabbee** and **Bungabbee–Lismore** to be deleted and the following particulars substituted:
>
> **Old Casino–Lismore:** 29.210 km (18m 12c), Miniature Electric Train Staff. (S.&T.E. 72–530,604–W.&M.) *(W.N. 30–1973)*

### Accommodation Deleted — W.N. 35–1973
> **Page 87 — Stations, Platforms, and Sidings — Accommodation Provided — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete **821.972 km (510m 60c) Bungabbee** and relevant particulars. (A.1–73–60,408.) *(W.N. 35–1973)*

> **Page 104 — Grades at Stations, Sidings, Platforms, and Signal-boxes — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete Bungabbee and relevant particulars. (A.1–73–60,408.) *(W.N. 35–1973)*

---

## 1975 — Steep Grades Amended — W.N. 26–1975

### Steep Grades Amended — W.N. 26–1975
> **Page 115 — Steep Grades — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch — UP JOURNEY** — Delete "Naughton's Gap–North Casino," insert **"Bungabee–Old Casino."** (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **10 October 1903** | **Opened** — Murwillumbah branch; no WN opening notice found in OCR |
| By 1907 | Confirmed operational — Bungabbee used as intermediate depot for quarry siding loaded trucks (W.N. 5–1907) |
| By 1924 | **Bungabbee (P)** — unattended platform with goods shed; Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore ETS sections |
| **W.N. 45–1926** | Land Districts boundary — **Bungabbee to Murwillumbah inclusive** = Lismore and Murwillumbah Land Districts (ref. G.W. I–26–4,585) |
| **W.N. 31–1935** | Casino Triangle frame released by Old Casino–Bungabbee ETS key; Circular No. 384–18 of 1930 |
| **W.N. — 1943** | Signal Sectionmen district boundary — Banyabba to Bungabbee (South Grafton) |
| **9 October 1945** | **Bungabbee–Lismore key staffs extended** — Staffs 5 and 6 fitted with keys; key staffs 1–4 → 1–6 (W.N. 42–1945) |
| **14 September 1950** | **Ground frame alterations** — Sydney end: 2-lever Frame D/Bracket Lock B → 3-lever Frame B (No. 5 Signal-box duplex lock); Murwillumbah end: Frame E renamed Frame D; Circular No. 368 of 1911 amended (W.N. 39–1950; ref. S.&T.E. 50–519,831) |
| **31 July 1973** | **Closed as ETS and Crossing Station** — Old Casino–Bungabbee and Bungabbee–Lismore cancelled; **Old Casino–Lismore (29.210 km)** created; loop spiked; signal-box closed; signal arms removed; Driver notices 3 days (W.N. 29–1973; ref. S.&T.E. 71–521,801) |
| **W.N. 30–1973** | ETS section table updated — Old Casino–Lismore inserted (ref. S.&T.E. 72–530,604) |
| **W.N. 33–1973** | Insert (P); reference column "*r" → "*S" |
| **W.N. 35–1973** | Accommodation (821.972 km / 510m 60c) and Grades deleted (ref. A.1–73–60,408) |
| **W.N. 38–1973** | Parcels Rates Book and Alphabetical List deleted (ref. B.2–73–40,429) |
| **20 October 1973** | **Station formally closed** (per your notes) |
| **W.N. 29–1974** | Deleted from horses/vehicles loading table (C.1–74) |
| **W.N. 26–1975** | Steep Grades UP JOURNEY — Naughton's Gap–North Casino replaced by **Bungabee–Old Casino** (A1 73 77203) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1903–1975.* 
*Note: Bungabbee's role as the permanent boundary between the Casino/South Grafton and Lismore/Murwillumbah administrative districts — confirmed by both the 1926 Land Districts notice and the 1943 Signal Sectionmen boundary — made it operationally disproportionate to its size as an unattended platform. The Old Casino–Lismore section (29.210 km) created on 31 July 1973 is one of the longest Miniature ETS sections on the Murwillumbah branch, reflecting the concentration of the remaining traffic between Casino and Lismore without intermediate staff exchange. The 1950 ground frame reorganisation (Circular No. 368 of 1911 base diagram, amended nearly 40 years later) is the longest-lived base circular in the Murwillumbah branch collection.*