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The railway to Sandgate was opened by the Governor, Sir Arthur Kennedy on 10 May 1882. Public trains began operation on the following day, but at that stage, there were no stops between Nundah and Nudgee. It was not until 1912 that suburban development resulted in the establishment of a stopping place at the Tufnell Road level crossing.
The new station consisting of twin platforms was named Banyo, an aboriginal name meaning ridge. This was despite the level crossing area being known locally as Clapham Junction.
A station mistress was appointed to perform duties at the station as well as operate the manual level crossing gates. She was required to sell the hand written tickets and ensure that the platforms were illuminated at night by kerosene lantern, until the departure of the last train.
If passengers wished to board the train from Banyo station, it was necessary for them to be seen by the approaching train crew. At night, this involved lighting newspaper or swinging a lantern to attract attention. Passengers who wished to alight at Banyo were required to inform the guard so that he could signal the engine crew to stop.
Since those early times, both platforms have been raised and substantially lengthened. Boom gates were installed at the level crossing in 1958.
Railway workshops were established at Northgate in 1915. Land was acquired in 1949 for additional space at Banyo to facilitate the expansion of the engineering branch. In 1950, plans were drawn up for the complete relocation of the Northgate workshops to Banyo. There were resumptions of land, and filling and levelling of the site commenced. The tendering process began in 1954 and by 1956, the first four buildings were under construction. This was over 80% completed by 1960.
The workshop's main role was the maintenance of the railway system and track side equipment. A bridge shop, a concrete unit shop, an electrical workshop, an interlocking signalling shop, a carpentry shop and a machine shop were provided.
The Signal and Telegraph section was based here for many years.
One of the most significant sections of the workshops was the flash butt rail welding shop. Here, five rails were electrically welded together into 360 feet lengths. The process resulted in the smoother running of trains, less noise and the elimination of maintenance of joints.
The welded rails were transported around the State on specially designed wagons.
In 1985, after a series of extensions and improvements were carried out at Banyo, the Northgate workshops were closed and demolished. Today, Australia Post occupies the former site.
In September, 1995, after a major reorganisation of the Queensland Rail operations across the State, the Banyo workshops ceased operation and the site was vacated. The exception was the flash butt rail welding depot which has continued to operate.
The Queensland Rail Heritage group presently occupy the old plant shop section of the workshops. The site is used to store the historical and excursion fleet as well as providing a location for various volunteer projects managed by the Heritage division.
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