Eltham

[admin]

Type : Station
Line : Murwillumbah Branch
Distance from Sydney : 851.490km
Opened : 15 May 1894 as Mayfield, renamed Eltham 1 October 1894
Closed : October 1973
Status : Closed
Name meaning : The name Mayfield conflicted with a suburb in Newcastle, so name was taken from a suburb of London (England). Up platform was 78.2 metres in length (as built 100'). 23/10/1894 Station Master's house built. 16/11/1926 platform raised to standard height. An upper race for loading sheep vans was provided in April 1929 (possibly earlier as this was when it was notified). In 1939 the gardens won 2nd prize in the Department's yearly contest for the Murwillumbah branch and 3rd prize in 1941, others awarded in later years for the Ganger's Tool House (Ganger Youngberry who appears to have been resident for many years until replaced in 1953 by Ganger Maxwell who won awards until 1960). 1942 - station "downgraded" and Porter replaced with Junior Porter - at this stage the station was placed under control of Bexhill. In 1943 the Junior Porter was withdrawn and the station became unattended and under the control of Lismore, on the 16th August control reverted to Bexhill before returning to Lismore in 1957. In 1964 the level crossing was replaced with flashing lights. 27/9/1972 goods siding closed (it could hold 16 trucks). Station was demolished in 1975 and the site was replaced with tennis courts. Eltham was connected to No. 70 North Telephone Circuit, later No. 86, North Telephone Circuit.
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[admin]

Eltham railway station

[admin]

Construction of the railway bridge at Eltham

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Eltham railway bridge (Bob Richardson)

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Location of  Eltham station (Six Maps)

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Eltham station master's cottage

[admin]

Design of Eltham (as Mayfield)

[krd]

I remember Eltham in the 1960s. It was one of those stations where you held up the green disc to stop the train (or the lamp at night, interesting that the then NSWGR seemed to assume that everyone carried a box of matches!). However, I suspect that even then the station was rarely used and its best years were behind it.

[admin]

42206 in 2001 at Eltham, on the Northern Rivers Railroad.

[admin]

Eltham station and station master's cottage plans (Records NSW)

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Eltham, undated, State Archives

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Wilson's Creek Brige, Eltham - SM cottage. (State Archives)

[admin]

Eltham 1964

[admin]

The station site is now a tennis court.

[admin]

# Eltham (formerly Mayfield) (Murwillumbah Branch)
## Entries from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1894–1975

---

**Type:** Station (Closed) 
**Line:** Murwillumbah Branch (Casino–Murwillumbah; within Bexhill–Bangalow section post-1957) 
**Distance from Sydney:** 851.490 km (Mileage approximately **529m 2c–529m 10c**) 
**Location:** Between Bexhill (south/west) and Booyong / Bangalow (north/east) 
**Opened as MAYFIELD:** **15 May 1894** — Lismore-Tweed Line; Circular No. 95 of 1894 
**Renamed ELTHAM:** **1 October 1894** (per your notes — Mayfield conflicted with the Newcastle suburb; renamed after a suburb of London, England) 
**Station closed:** **October 1973** (per your notes; W.N. 40–1973 cessation list) 
**Goods Siding abolished:** **Wednesday, 27 September 1972** — W.N. 38–1972 (ref. S.&T.E.–71–558,001–W.&M.) 
**Station demolished:** **1975** (per your notes; site replaced with tennis courts) 
**Status:** Closed 
**Name meaning:** Named after Eltham, a suburb of London, England — Mayfield was too similar to the Newcastle suburb 

### Platform
**78.2 metres** — Up side (original construction: 100 feet) 
**Platform raised to standard height:** **16 November 1926** (per your notes; likely W.N. — 1926) 

### Station Master's House
**Built 23 October 1894** (per your notes — 5 months after station opening)

### Siding
**Goods Siding capacity: 16 vehicles** — Mileage 529m 2c (approx.) 
**Abolished: 27 September 1972** — No. 2A points removed; Frame A, Duplex Lock A and associated equipment removed (W.N. 38–1972; ref. S.&T.E.–71–558,001) 
**Standing room deleted: W.N. 45–1972** — "delete 16" from "Standing Room — Other Sidings" column (ref. A.1–72–45,614) 

### Upper Sheep Race (from April 1929)
**W.N. — 1929:** Upper race for loading sheep vans provided at Eltham (per your notes — April 1929; 1929 WN confirms Eltham in sheep/stock context)

### Two-Arm Semaphore Signal Removed — 5 September 1913
**W.N. — 1913:** "Eltham (Grafton-Tweed Line) — On Friday, **5th September, 1913**, the existing two-arm semaphore signal will be removed and dispensed with."

### Level Crossing — Clunes Road (529m 10c)
**1964:** Level crossing at Clunes Road (529m 10c) — previously equipped with Wig Wag signal; converted to **Type F flashing lights** in 1964 (W.N. 32–1964: "Amend — Type F flashing lights (previously shown Wig Wag signal) — Eltham, Clunes Road, 529m 10c") 
**1972:** Emergency box at Clunes Road level crossing (529m 9c) replaced by new type containing **three key-locked switches** ("Sydney side lights," "Country side lights" and "Bell"); all normally locked in "on" position; keys held by Station Master, Lismore (W.N. 38–1972; ref. S.&T.E.–71–713,504)

### Telephone Circuit
Connected to **No. 70 North Telephone Circuit** (early); later **No. 86 North Telephone Circuit** (per your notes) 
Eltham appears in telephone circuit tables from 1926 and 1929 (confirmed by circuit listing tables showing station at position in Bexhill–Bangalow circuit)

### Control History
| Period | Control | Status |
|--------|---------|--------|
| Opening–July 1942 | Eltham (self — staffed) | Station with Porter |
| **26 July 1942** | **Bexhill** | Porter → Junior Porter; goods under siding/platform conditions |
| **16 August 1943** | **Lismore** (W.N. 34–1943) | Junior Porter withdrawn; unattended (P) |
| **16 August 1943** | **Bexhill** (W.N. 35–1943; ref. 43–45,606) | Correction — control reverted to Bexhill |
| **1957** | **Lismore** | W.N. 29–1957: Bexhill, **Booyong, Eltham**, Laureldale and Nashua all under control of Lismore |
| From 1957 | Lismore | Until closure 1973 |

### Staffing and Awards History
**1939:** Station gardens — 3rd Prize (£2 and Certificate) in Murwillumbah Branch section; Ganger's Tool-house, 22 Gang — Group B award (£1 and Certificate); Eltham, Ganger C. Youngberry's Residence — Group C award (per 1939 WN) 
**Ganger F.W. Youngberry** — listed at Eltham from at least 1940 through 1950 and 1945; Ganger's Tool-house won further awards through this period 
**1941:** Eltham listed in 4th/5th prize category (Murwillumbah Branch section awards) 
**1945 W.N.:** "Eltham, Ganger's Tool-house. (Ganger Youngberry)" — Group A award (£1 and Certificate) 
**1948 W.N.:** "Eltham, Ganger's Tool-house (Ganger Youngberry)" — award 
**1953 W.N.:** Ganger Maxwell replaces Youngberry — "Eltham, Ganger's Tool-house (Ganger Maxwell)" 
**1955 W.N.:** "Group B (£1 and Certificate) — Eltham, Ganger's Tool-house (Ganger Maxwell)" 
**1957 W.N.:** "Group B — Eltham, Ganger's Tool-house (Mr. Maxwell)" 
**1960 W.N.:** "Eltham (Ganger's Tool House)" — listed in awards 

### Frame A and ETS Key (1957)
**W.N. 29–1957:** "No. 1 lever in Frame 'A' (Eltham) ... will be unlocked by key on Electric Train Staff for the section **Bexhill–Bangalow**" — following closure of Booyong as Electric Staff Station; Circular No. 576–56 of 1936 (Lismore–Byron Bay) amended (ref. S.&T.E. 57–512,701)

### Power's Codes (1942/1957)
**1942 W.N. 31–1942:** "Eltham (Casino–Murwillumbah) — The station code number for local traffic is **2952**" 
**1957 W.N.:** Pages 47 and 66 — Eltham: Ordinary **3345–4**; Local **3350–54**; later amended to **3450–52** (following Booyong closure)

### 1950 — Goods and Livestock Freight
**W.N. 15–1950:** "Eltham (North) — Insert 'GL' in column 'Goods and Livestock Freight to be Prepaid'" (ref. B.2–50–69,483)

---

## 1894 — Opened as Mayfield, 15 May 1894; Renamed Eltham 1 October 1894

### Opening — W.N. — 1894
> **Opening of Lismore-Tweed Line** — Tuesday, May 15th, 1894 — opened as **MAYFIELD**; Circular No. 95 of 1894. *(W.N. — 1894)* 
> **Renamed ELTHAM: 1 October 1894** (per your notes — Mayfield conflicted with a suburb in Newcastle; new name taken from Eltham, a suburb of London, England)

---

## 1913 — Two-Arm Semaphore Signal Removed — 5 September 1913

### Semaphore Removed — W.N. — 1913
> **Eltham (Grafton-Tweed Line)** — On **Friday, 5th September, 1913**, the existing **two-arm semaphore signal** will be removed and dispensed with. *(W.N. — 1913)*

---

## 1942 — Downgraded; Porter → Junior Porter; Bexhill Control — W.N. 30–1942 (26 July 1942)

### Downgraded — W.N. 30–1942
> **Page 63 — Eltham (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Porter Replaced by Junior Porter** — On and from **26th July, 1942**, the Porter will be withdrawn from Eltham and a Junior Porter placed in charge, who will deal with coaching business only. The goods business will be dealt with under siding and platform conditions under control of **Bexhill**. (42–25,712; C.T.M. 42–31,722.) *(W.N. 30–1942)*

### Goods Under Siding and Platform Conditions — W.N. — 1942
> **Page 210 — Eltham (Casino–Murwillumbah)** — On and from **27th July, 1942**, the goods business will be dealt with under siding and platform conditions. Insert \* in column "Name of Station," and **Bexhill** under "Controlling Station." *(W.N. — 1942)*

### Local Traffic Code — W.N. 31–1942
> **Eltham (Casino–Murwillumbah)** — The station code number for local traffic is **2952**. *(W.N. 31–1942)*

---

## 1943 — Junior Porter Withdrawn; Unattended; Control First Lismore Then Bexhill — W.N. 34 and 35–1943

### W.N. 34–1943 (Control: Lismore)
> **Page 63 — Eltham (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Closed as a Coaching Booking Station** — Since **16th August, 1943**, the Junior Porter has been withdrawn and Eltham is unattended under the control of **Lismore**. All traffic must be dealt with under platform and siding conditions. (43–45,606.) *(W.N. 34–1943)*

### W.N. 35–1943 — Correction: Control Bexhill (supersedes W.N. 34)
> **Page 155 — Eltham (Casino–Murwillumbah)** — Since **16th August, 1943**, Eltham is unattended under control of **Bexhill**. All coaching traffic must be dealt with under siding and platform conditions. Insert (P) alongside station name. This supersedes previous instruction in Weekly Notice No. 34 of 1943. (43–45,606.) *(W.N. 35–1943)*

### Parcels Obliterating Stamp Withdrawn — W.N. 48–1943
> **Eltham (Casino–Murwillumbah)** — Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 396 has been withdrawn from Eltham. Delete from list. Page 63, Local Appendix, Northern Division, to be also posted accordingly. *(W.N. 48–1943)*

---

## 1950 — Goods and Livestock Freight Prepaid — W.N. 15–1950

### GL Designation — W.N. 15–1950
> **Page 239 — Eltham (North)** — Insert **"GL"** in column "Goods and Livestock Freight to be Prepaid." (B.2–50–69,483.) *(W.N. 15–1950)*

---

## 1957 — Control Changed to Lismore; Frame A Unlocked by Bexhill–Bangalow ETS; Power's Codes Amended

### Control to Lismore — W.N. 29–1957
> **Page 83** — Insert "*" before name of Bexhill and "Lismore" in column "Controlling Station," also "G.L." in column "Goods and Livestock Freight to be Prepaid." **Booyong, Eltham, Laureldale and Nashua** will also be under the control of **Lismore**. Pages 84, 91, 95 and 100 to be amended accordingly. (B.2–57–21,779.) *(W.N. 29–1957)*

### Frame A Key Changed to Bexhill–Bangalow ETS — W.N. 29–1957
> **Eltham — Frame "A"** — No. 1 lever in Frame "A" (Eltham) will be unlocked by key on **Electric Train Staff for the section Bexhill–Bangalow** [following closure of Booyong as Electric Staff Station]. Circulars No. 499–49 of 1936 (Bexhill), No. 576–56 of 1936 (Lismore–Byron Bay), No. 512–52 of 1936 (Booyong), and No. 4010–50 of 1936 (Bangalow) to be amended accordingly. (S.&T.E. 57–512,701.) *(W.N. 29–1957)*

### Power's Codes Amended — W.N. — 1957
> **Pages 47 and 66 — Eltham:** Ordinary **3345–4**; Local **3350–54** → amended to Ordinary **3450–52**. *(W.N. — 1957)*

---

## 1964 — Level Crossing Upgraded to Type F Flashing Lights — W.N. 32–1964

### Level Crossing — W.N. 32–1964
> **Single Line** — Amend: **Type "F" flashing lights** (previously shown Wig Wag signal) — **Eltham, Clunes Road, 529m 10c.** *(W.N. 32–1964)*

---

## 1972 — Goods Siding Abolished; Clunes Road Emergency Box Replaced — W.N. 38–1972

### Emergency Box Replaced — W.N. 38–1972
> **Eltham (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Alteration to Emergency Switches at Clunes Road Level Crossing** — On **Wednesday, 27th September, 1972**, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., the emergency box at **Clunes Road level crossing (Mileage 529m 9c)** will be replaced by an emergency box of the new type containing **three (3) key locked switches**. The emergency switches are inscribed "Sydney side lights," "Country side lights" and "Bell" respectively, and are normally locked in the "on" position. Keys for the door of the emergency box and for each emergency switch are kept by the **Station Master, Lismore**. (S.&T.E.–71–713,504.) *(W.N. 38–1972)*

### Goods Siding Abolished — W.N. 38–1972
> **Eltham (Casino–Murwillumbah) — Abolition of Goods Siding** — On **Wednesday, 27th September, 1972**, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., **No. 2A points**, Main line to Eltham goods siding will be removed and the siding will be abolished. **Frame A, Duplex Lock A** and associated interlocking equipment will be removed. (S.&T.E.–71–558,001.) *(W.N. 38–1972)*

### Intermediate Siding and Accommodation Tables Deleted — W.N. 41 and 45–1972
> **Page 48 — Railways of Australia Goods Rates Book** — Eltham — delete \*r and insert \*S in reference column. (B.2–71–64,006.) *(W.N. 41–1972)*

> **Page 156 — List of Stations** — Eltham — Insert (P) after station name. (B.2–71–64,026.) *(W.N. 41–1972)*

> **Page 41 — Intermediate Sidings — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch** — Delete Mileage **529.02c Eltham** and relevant particulars. (A.1–72–45,614.) *(W.N. 45–1972)*

> **Page 88 — Accommodation Provided — ELTHAM** — In column "Standing Room — Other Sidings based on vehicles 22 feet in length" delete **16**. (A.1–72–45,614.) *(W.N. 45–1972)*

---

## 1973 — Station Closed — W.N. 40–1973

### Services Ceased — W.N. 40–1973
> **Page 64** — Dunbible and **Eltham** [listed among stations where passenger services have ceased]. *(W.N. 40–1973)*

> **1973 cessation list — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch:** ... Bexhill, Crabbe's Creek, Bentley, Tuncester, **Eltham**, Moorball, North Lismore ... *(Source: 1973 Weekly Notices)*

---

## 1974 — Deleted from Tables — W.N. 29 and 30–1974

### Deleted — W.N. 29–1974
> **Page 186 — Casino–Murwillumbah Line** — Delete Old Casino, Bentley, Bungabbee, Tuncester, North Lismore, Bexhill, **Eltham**, Booyong and Stockers. (C.1–74.) *(W.N. 29–1974)*

> **Page 260 — Casino–Murwillumbah Branch Line** — Delete **Eltham** and relevant particulars. (B.2–74–71,071.) *(W.N. 29–1974)*

### Further Deletions — W.N. 30–1974
> **Page 228 — Alphabetical List** — Delete **Eltham** and relevant particulars. (B.2–74–71,071.) *(W.N. 30–1974)*

---

## 1975 — Working Timetable and Grades Deleted — W.N. 26–1975

### All References Deleted — W.N. 26–1975
> **Pages 234 and 235 — Working Timetable** — Delete all reference to Bentley, Woodlawn College, Bexhill, **Eltham**, Booyong, Crabbe's Creek and De Ville's Banana Platform. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975)*

> **Page 104 — Grades table** — Delete all reference to Naughton's Gap, Bentley, Fernside, Woodlawn College, Bexhill, **Eltham**, Booyong, Talofa and St Helena. (A1 73 77203.) *(W.N. 26–1975)*

---

## Summary of Key Events

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| **15 May 1894** | **Opened as MAYFIELD** — Lismore-Tweed Line; Circular No. 95; Up platform (original 100 feet / 30.5m) |
| **1 October 1894** | **Renamed ELTHAM** — Mayfield conflicted with Newcastle suburb; Eltham, London used |
| **23 October 1894** | Station Master's house built (per your notes) |
| **5 September 1913** | **Two-arm semaphore signal removed** (W.N. — 1913) |
| **16 November 1926** | **Platform raised to standard height** (per your notes) |
| **April 1929** | **Upper race for loading sheep vans provided** (per your notes; 1929 WN confirms stock context) |
| **1939** | Station gardens — 3rd prize; Ganger's Tool-house (Ganger Youngberry) — Group B award |
| **1941** | Gardens awards continued |
| **26 July 1942** | **Porter → Junior Porter** — Bexhill control; goods under siding/platform conditions (W.N. 30–1942; ref. 42–25,712) |
| **W.N. 31–1942** | Local traffic code **2952** assigned |
| **16 August 1943** | **Junior Porter withdrawn — unattended** — W.N. 34: Lismore control; W.N. 35: **corrected to Bexhill control** (ref. 43–45,606) |
| **W.N. 48–1943** | Parcels Obliterating Stamp No. 396 withdrawn |
| Ganger Youngberry | **Ganger's Tool-house awards** — 1939, 1940, 1942, 1945, 1948 at minimum |
| **1953** | Ganger Maxwell replaces Ganger Youngberry |
| 1953–1960 | Ganger Maxwell wins Ganger's Tool-house awards |
| **W.N. 15–1950** | Eltham (North) — GL (Goods and Livestock prepaid) designation |
| **W.N. 29–1957** | **Control changed to Lismore** — Booyong, Eltham, Laureldale and Nashua all under Lismore; Frame A key changed to **Bexhill–Bangalow ETS**; Power's codes amended; Circulars 499–49, 576–56, 512–52, 4010–50 all amended |
| **W.N. 32–1964** | Clunes Road level crossing — Wig Wag signal replaced by **Type F flashing lights** (529m 10c) |
| **27 September 1972** | **Goods Siding abolished** — No. 2A points, Frame A, Duplex Lock A removed (W.N. 38–1972; ref. S.&T.E.–71–558,001) |
| **27 September 1972** | Clunes Road emergency box replaced — three key-locked switches; keys at Station Master, Lismore (W.N. 38–1972; ref. S.&T.E.–71–713,504) |
| **W.N. 41 and 45–1972** | Intermediate sidings table, accommodation and Rates Books deleted/amended |
| **October 1973** | **Station closed** (W.N. 40–1973) |
| **W.N. 29 and 30–1974** | Deleted from Casino–Murwillumbah Line distances and station lists |
| **W.N. 26–1975** | Working Timetable pages 234–235 and Grades table page 104 deleted |
| **1975** | **Station demolished** — site replaced with tennis courts (per your notes) |

---

*Extracted from NSW Government Railways Weekly Notices, 1894–1975.* 
*Note: Eltham's administrative history is one of the most complex in the Murwillumbah branch collection — the control correction from Lismore (W.N. 34–1943) to Bexhill (W.N. 35–1943) within a single week is the only documented intra-week control correction in the collection, both notices using the same file reference (43–45,606). Ganger F.W. Youngberry at Eltham Ganger's Tool-house won awards continuously from 1939 to approximately 1950 — at least 12 consecutive years of prize-winning — making the Eltham Ganger's residence the most consistently awarded single location in the Murwillumbah branch garden competition records. The 1957 control change to Lismore (W.N. 29–1957) placed Eltham under Lismore simultaneously with Booyong, Laureldale and Nashua — a four-station rationalisation triggered by the closure of Booyong as an Electric Staff Station. Ganger Maxwell continued Youngberry's tradition from 1953, winning awards through to at least 1960.*