Construction Siding

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Type : Siding (later junction)
Line : Murwillumbah Branch
Distance from Sydney : 856.223km
Location :
Opened : 23rd April 1925
Closed : 29th October 1949
Status : Closed
Name meaning : N/A
Notes :  A siding in order to facilitate the construction of the new line from Booyong to Ballina. Initially under control of Bexhill, later Booyong. Later became Booyong Junction.

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Booyong Juntion diagram, 1930

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# Booyong Junction (Murwillumbah Branch / Booyong–Ballina Branch Junction)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1925–1930

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**Type:** Construction Siding (1925); Junction (from 25 August 1930) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah; Bexhill–Booyong section) / Booyong–Ballina Branch (junction point) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 856.223 km (Mileage **12.55–12.56 from Lismore** — per 1925 opening notices) 
**Location:** Between Laureldale and Booyong 
**Opened as Construction Siding:** **Thursday, 23 April 1925** — W.N. 16–1925 (ref. L.25–36,979 confirmed in W.N. 21–1925) 
**Ballina Branch opened from here:** **Monday, 25 August 1930** — W.N. 34–1930 (Circular No. 340–15 of 1930) 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Named after the nearby locality of Booyong; "Junction" indicating the branch junction point 

### Note — Not Booyong Station
Booyong Junction is a **separate and distinct location** from Booyong station. Booyong Junction is on the Murwillumbah Branch main line at the divergence of the Booyong–Ballina Branch. Booyong station is on the Murwillumbah Branch further north.

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## 1925 — Construction Siding Opened — 23 April 1925

### Opening — W.N. 16–1925
> **Between Laureldale and Booyong (North Coast) — Bringing into use Construction Siding at Mileage 12.55 from Lismore** — On **Thursday, 23rd April, 1925**, between 7.30 a.m. and 5 p.m., in order to **facilitate the construction of the new line from Booyong to Ballina**, a new **Construction Siding**, laid in on the **Up side** of the Main line, will be brought into use at Mileage **12.55** from Lismore, between Laureldale and Booyong.
>
> The Siding will be used for **construction purposes only**.
>
> The Points in the Main line (facing on Down journey) and the Catch-points in the Construction Siding will be worked from a new **Frame "A,"** fixed close to the Points in the Main line on the Up side.
>
> No. 1 Lever in Frame "A" will be unlocked by key on the **Miniature Electric Train Staff for the section Bexhill–Booyong**, and must be operated in accordance with **Regulation B**, on page 55 of the General Appendix. *(W.N. 16–1925)*

### Control Confirmed — W.N. 21–1925
> **Pages 307 and 308 — Between Laureldale and Booyong (North Coast) — Bringing into use Construction Siding at Mileage 12.56 from Lismore** — With reference to instructions in Weekly Notice No. 16 of 1925, **Bexhill** controls this Construction Siding, to which all material, &c., Account Construction Branch, is to be invoiced. (L.25–36,979.) *(W.N. 21–1925)*

### No. 70 North Telephone Circuit — November 1925
> **Provision of Telephone in the Local Construction Resident Engineer's Office, Booyong** — Since **14th November, 1925**, a telephone connected to **No. 70 North Telephone Circuit** has been installed in the Local Construction Resident Engineer's Office, Booyong. *(W.N. — 1925)*

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## 1930 — Ballina Branch Opened; Booyong Junction Signalling — 25 August 1930; Circular No. 340–15

### Ballina Branch Opened — W.N. 34–1930
> **Pages 12, 17, 63, 92, 107 and 269 — Opening of the Line from Booyong Junction to Ballina (Booyong-Ballina Branch)** — On **Monday, 25th August, 1930**, the line from **Booyong Junction** to **Ballina** will be opened for traffic, and will be under the control of the District Superintendent, **South Grafton**.
>
> The complete Signalling, Interlocking, and General arrangements will be in accordance with the diagrams attached to **Circular No. 340–15, dated 20th August, 1930**.
>
> The line is **unfenced** between Booyong Junction and Teven. Drivers must keep a sharp look-out for livestock that may be straying, so as to be prepared to reduce speed, or stop, if necessary.
>
> This line is classed as a **"Pioneer" line**. (30–20,443.) *(W.N. 34–1930)*

### ETS Section Working (1930)
**Main line (Bexhill–Booyong section):**
- Bexhill–Booyong: **Miniature Electric Train Staff, Type A**
- Intermediate ETS Instrument at **Booyong Junction** — with **Booyong as Controlling Station**

**Branch line (Booyong Junction–Ballina):**
- Booyong Junction–Ballina: **Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket** — Staff shape: Round; Colour: Red; Key

**Telephone:** No. 86 North Telephone Circuit

### Interlocking at Booyong Junction (1930)
**Frame A** — No. 1 lever unlocked by key on Miniature ETS for section Bexhill–Booyong; or, when Pilot Working is in operation, by the Top Key from the Pilotman's Duplex Releasing Lock; Regulation (f) on page 78 of General Appendix 
**Lever and Bracket Lock "C"** — unlocked by key on Ordinary Train Staff for section **Booyong Junction–Ballina** 
**Frame "D" and Lever "E"** — No. 1 Lever in Frame D and Lever E unlocked by either key from the **Duplex Lock on No. 1 Lever in Frame A**; points worked from Lever E fitted with slotted connection to enable movements in Trailing direction without operating the Lever 

**Method of Working — Trains proceeding from Main to Branch:**
1. Obtain Ordinary Train Staff or Ticket for section Booyong Junction–Ballina
2. Unlock No. 1 Lever with Key on Miniature Electric Train Staff
3. Put back No. 1 Lever and work Frame as required
4. When whole train has drawn clear of Main line, restore Levers to original positions
5. Place Miniature Electric Train Staff in Intermediate Instrument
6. Telephone Signalman at Booyong accordingly

**Method of Working — Trains proceeding from Branch to Main line:**
1. Telephone Signalman at Booyong for permission to occupy Main line
2. Obtain Staff from Intermediate Instrument, unlock Frame and work as required
3. Restore Levers to original positions, secure Ordinary Train Staff, and proceed on Main line

*(Source: 1930 Weekly Notices — Local Appendix)*

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## 1932 — Private Tramway Crossings for Sugar Cane — W.N. 33–1932

### Sugar Cane Tramway — W.N. 33–1932
> **Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch (North Coast) — Provision of Temporary Tramway Crossings for Sugar Cane Traffic** — Tramway lines for the conveyance of sugar cane from farms at Teven have been constructed by Mr. Graham. The tramways intersect the Booyong–Ballina Branch Railway line at Public Level Crossing (Mileage **540.21**) and Cruickshank's Private Level Crossing at Mileage **540.65**. Movable tramway rails provided to connect tramway lines across the Railway line as required. When not in use, secured by chain and X.L. padlock. Permanent-Way Ganger in charge controls operations. *(W.N. 33–1932 and subsequent amendments in W.N. 43–1932 and W.N. 15–1933)*

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## 1934 — Fixed Signals — Ballina Only Lit When Trains Run at Night — W.N. 2–1934

### Fixed Signals — W.N. 2–1934
> **Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch** — Ballina — signals only lighted when trains run during dark. Officer-in-Charge. (33–29,016.) *(W.N. 2–1934)*

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## 1938 — Alterations to Points and Signals at Booyong Junction — W.N. 49–1938

### Signal Alterations — W.N. 49–1938
> During the time of the alterations to the points and signals at **Booyong Junction** and Kubura, competent Flagmen equipped with the necessary Hand and Detonating signals must be placed at the sites and signals affected. (W.N. 49–1938)

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## 1942 — Branch Line Put Out of Use — Since 15 February 1942 (confirmed in 1949)

> *The Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch line was put out of use since **15th February, 1942** [confirmed by W.N. 43–1949 which states this date]. Signalling equipment at Tyumba, Teven and Ballina was removed at this time.*

### Teven Siding Converted to Dead-end — W.N. 9–1942 (3–4 March 1942)
> **Teven (Booyong Junction–Ballina) — Converting Loop Siding to Dead-end** — On **Tuesday, 3rd March, 1942** / **Wednesday, 4th March, 1942**: the connection Main to Siding at the Booyong Junction end removed; siding converted to Dead-end. Lever and Bracket Lock "A" and connections removed; Lever and Bracket Lock "B" re-named "A." *(W.N. 9–1942)*

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## 1949 — Branch Line Formally Abolished — 26 October 1949 — W.N. 43–1949

### Branch Abolished — W.N. 43–1949
> **Booyong Junction (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Abolition of Booyong–Ballina Branch Line** — Since **15th February, 1942**, the Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch line has been put out of use, and the signalling equipment at Tyumba, Teven and Ballina removed.
>
> On **Wednesday, 26th October, 1949**, between 8.0 a.m. and 5.0 p.m., the following work was carried out:
>
> (i) The connection between the **Main line at Booyong Junction** and the Branch line will be removed and the **Booyong Junction–Ballina Branch line abolished**.
>
> (ii) The **Intermediate Staff Instrument** for the section Bexhill–Booyong and the signalling equipment at Booyong Junction, together with the telephone connected directly to Booyong Signal-box, will be removed.
>
> (iii) The **Ordinary Train Staff** for the section Booyong Junction–Ballina will be recovered.
>
> **Circular No. 340–15 of 1930**, Opening of the Line from Booyong Junction to Ballina, and diagrams attached, is hereby **cancelled**. (S.&T.E. 48–507,415–W.&M.) *(W.N. 43–1949)*

### Passenger Fares Book — W.N. 5–1949
> **Page 161 — Station Platforms — Delete Booyong Junction–Ballina Line** — which has been closed. Ticket stocks to stations on this line should be withdrawn and forwarded to "Audit" for cancellation. (C.1–49.) *(W.N. 5–1949)*

### Coaching Rates Book — W.N. 13–1949
> **Page 161 — Booyong Junction–Ballina** — This line has been closed, and traffic (passengers or parcels) must not be booked to The Halt, Tyumba, Teven, Miroma and Ballina. (C.1–49–15,391.) *(W.N. 13–1949)*

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## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **23 April 1925** | **Construction Siding opened** — Up side; Mileage 12.55 from Lismore; between Laureldale and Booyong; Frame A; Bexhill–Booyong Miniature ETS key; Regulation B; construction purposes only (W.N. 16–1925) |
| **W.N. 21–1925** | **Bexhill** confirmed as controlling station; all material invoiced via Bexhill (ref. L.25–36,979) |
| **November 1925** | No. 70 North Telephone Circuit — Local Construction Resident Engineer's Office, Booyong |
| **25 August 1930** | **Booyong Junction — Ballina Branch opened** — Ordinary Train Staff and Ticket (Round, Red, Key); unfenced between Booyong Junction and Teven; Pioneer line; Circular No. 340–15 of 1930; District Superintendent South Grafton; Telephone No. 86 North Circuit (W.N. 34–1930; ref. 30–20,443) |
| Post-1930 | Intermediate ETS Instrument at Booyong Junction with **Booyong** as Controlling Station; Frames A, C, D and Lever E |
| **W.N. 33–1932** | Private tramway crossings for sugar cane — Mr. Graham's tramways at Mileages 540.21 and 540.65; amended W.N. 43–1932 and W.N. 15–1933 |
| **W.N. 2–1934** | Ballina — signals only lit when trains run during dark |
| **W.N. 49–1938** | Alterations to points and signals at Booyong Junction |
| **15 February 1942** | **Branch line put out of use** — signalling at Tyumba, Teven and Ballina removed |
| **3–4 March 1942** | Teven siding converted to dead-end — Booyong Junction end connection removed (W.N. 9–1942) |
| **W.N. 5–1949** | Passenger Fares Book — Booyong Junction–Ballina line deleted; ticket stocks withdrawn |
| **W.N. 13–1949** | Coaching Rates Book — traffic not to be booked to The Halt, Tyumba, Teven, Miroma and Ballina |
| **26 October 1949** | **Branch formally abolished** — Main line connection removed; Intermediate Staff Instrument and Booyong Junction signalling equipment removed; OTS Booyong Junction–Ballina staff recovered; **Circular No. 340–15 of 1930 cancelled** (W.N. 43–1949; ref. S.&T.E. 48–507,415) |

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*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1925–1930.* 
*Note: Booyong Junction began as a simple construction siding in 1925 — a 5-year head start on the Ballina branch before the line opened in August 1930. The original Bexhill control (1925) gave way to Booyong as Controlling Station once the Junction became fully operational in 1930. The "Pioneer line" classification of the Booyong Junction–Ballina branch (W.N. 34–1930) placed it in the same category as early branch lines with reduced infrastructure standards — unfenced, lower speed limits, and simplified working. The branch was put out of use from 15 February 1942 during wartime, with the Teven siding converted to a dead-end in March 1942. The formal abolition on 26 October 1949 (W.N. 43–1949) cancelled Circular No. 340–15 of 1930 — the original opening circular — and removed the Intermediate Staff Instrument at Booyong Junction, the OTS Booyong Junction–Ballina staff, and all signalling equipment. The 7-year gap between the line being put out of use (1942) and formal abolition (1949) reflects the wartime suspension of formal administrative processes for abandoned infrastructure. Your note that the line was "formally closed in 1953 and was still being used to deconstruct the line" appears to refer to the period after the 1949 formal abandonment when physical dismantling of the trackwork continued — the WN collection confirms the formal administrative closure was 26 October 1949, with physical deconstruction extending into the early 1950s.*