Queensland’s rail mag.
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Bowen Rail Company's first Abbot Point to Carmichael Mine test train BC04 descends Briaba Bank this afternoon with 4601 leading six PHAH wagons with 4603 on the rear (04/11/21). Overnight this train had run as BA01 to Abbot Point from the mine and performed testing at the port throughout the morning at the unloader.
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The last loaded coal train from Minerva Mine today on the Springsure Branch line south of Emerald. Ccoal train MF16 with locos 8330+8350 and mid train units 8346+8325 spotted at the mine today.
24/09/21
Welcome to July! This month’s photo takes us back to 6th October 1968 where we see AC16 Nº 223A returning from Acland on the former Cooyar branch with an excursion train.
The Cooyar branch line was originally opened in 1913. The branch line was built in multiple stages; one to Kulpi and another to Peranga - both in 1912 respectively - prior to the line opening through to Cooyar.
The Cooyar branch was originally intended to be built from Oakey to Kingaroy, but it fell through and instead the plans for the line were truncated to Cooyar.
The rail link was a life line for the small, isolated towns. The branch line serviced many small regional towns. These towns included Acland, Kulpi, Peranga, Narko, Nutgrove, Wurlitzer and Cooyar. The surrounding townships of Quinalow, Maclagan and Evergreen also heavily benefited from the line’s existence.
The line initially saw mixed goods trains, which during the early years ran up to four times per week, depending on demand. Later on, in 1929, the demand for passenger services was realised and a daily rail motor service from Cooyar to Toowoomba began operating.
The main commodity transported along the branch line was coal, between Acland and Oakey. The section between Acland and Oakey remained open the longest - up until 1969 - with the Acland to Cooyar section of the line closed five years earlier in 1964.
A similar branch line existed nearby which ran parallel to the Cooyar branch. The parallel branch line was the Kingsthorpe to Haden branch line. It existed for about the same time, opening in 1910 and closing in 1964. Both railway lines were inevitably closed due to the rise in competing road and motor vehicle transport and the increasingly uneconomical viability of the branch lines.
Date Taken: 06/10/1968
Image Supplied by: Mike Quirk
| Did you know that Martinus' ballast train can hold up to 80 tonnes of ballast in each wagon and will move a massive 600,000 tonnes of ballast by the time work is complete on the Carmichael Rail Network project?
Not sure what we mean by track ballast? Track ballast is the material that forms the track bed on which our concrete sleepers are laid. Ballast is a mixture of crushed rock with sharp edges, various sizes and irregular shapes.
Thanks to Martinus for this amazing photo of the ballast train on the CRN!
Every month, Queensland Railways Illustrated likes to showcase an image from Queensland which marks special importance, is interesting, or is just a great photo!
June’s photo takes us back to the early 1900s where we see Isis Mill 0-4-2 loco number 10, affectionately known as “Tassie B” by mill workers and drivers, working a loaded train just to the North of Isis Central.
Sharp Stewart & Company, Glasgow was tasked with building main line locomotives for Tasmania’s North East Dundas Tramway in the late 1890s. Two locomotives were constructed and shipped to Tasmania, dubbed the G class, and were appropriately numbered G1 and G2.
Locomotive G1 obliterated itself and its crew in a violent boiler explosion at Zeehan on the 15th of May 1899. Subsequently a replacement G1 was ordered and built by Sharp Stewart in 1900.
After several years working hard for Tasmanian Government Railways, the locomotives became unneeded and as a result were sold to Central Isis Sugar Mill, where they undertook a conversion and became 0-4-2 tender locomotives numbered 9 and 10.
The locomotives worked through many cane seasons before their eventual withdrawal from Isis Mill in 1962.
Date Taken: Unknown
Image supplied by: Lindsay Bridge
Heading south this afternoon on the Bruce Highway at Flaggy Rock, a completed locomotive underframe is being transported to Newcastle (28/05/21).
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Queensland Rail ICE units 152+158 work WW06 on the Kippa Ring line in an unusual movement this afternoon (02/04/21).
Another view of Martinus Rail's 4444 and 4571 near Malu (west of Toowoomba), on their way from Rocklea to the Carmichael mine site for use in construction of the rail link from the mine to the Aurizon Newlands System (14 March 2021).
Heading west on the Warrego Highway near Malu this morning, Martinus Rail 4444 will be used in construction work, completing the rail link from the new Bravus Carmichael coal mine to the Aurizon network near Newlands. The Clyde G22AR locomotive was built for the New Zealand Government Railways as a DA class unit and was later rebuilt by Clyde in South Australia.
QRI respects the efforts made by volunteers and people alike who work hard to keep memories of old gold rail days alive.
We are calling on all followers to consider donating to the ARHS group’s gofundme page for the transport and restoration of 2000 class railmotors 2033 and 2038.
The rail motors will be transported from Perry’s K**b to Kunkala, where they will be refurbished to operating condition and eventually run on the Rosewood heritage railway line.
Over $2500 has been raised so far, and the goal is $25,000, so there is still a long way to go.
https://www.facebook.com/arhsqld/posts/10164908493350471
The Australian Railway Historical Society - QLD Division operates the R… Steve Lamprecht needs your support for 2000 Class Railmotors Relocation - Restoration
Coming soon.
It’s pedal to the metal for Bundaberg bike riders and jobs, with the government today announcing funding for the Bundaberg to Gin Gin Rail Trail, transforming the region’s old rail line into a bustling bikeway.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey joined Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey and local bike riders to make the announcement and said more than $9.5 million would be locked in to match council funding and create 229 jobs and the first two stages of 2.5m-wide trail as the region bounces back from COVID-19.
“For every dollar we invest in bike-riding, that means $5 returned in economic benefit to our region – dollars crucial as we turn the tide on COVID-19,” Mr Bailey said.
“When we talk rail trails, we’re talking jobs in construction, jobs in tourism and new opportunities for local businesses.
“Post-construction, we are also talking more recreation options, and opportunities for locals to get out and about and enjoy their community.
The project will deliver a Rail Trail in the existing Bundaberg North to Gin Gin rail corridor connecting Bundaberg to Gin Gin, linking the existing Gorge Rail Trail and Watawa Trail.
The trail will be 2.5 metres-wide, with access to car parking areas, and will also include the refurbishment of the Splitters Creek Bridge plus the reinstatement of new pre-fabricated bridges where existing bridges/culverts were constructed in the flood openings.
“Global economies have done it tough due to COVID-19, and Queensland hasn’t been immune.
“Thanks to the efforts of Queenslanders in keeping our health response strong however, we’ve been able to continue delivering Queensland’s plan for economic recovery.
“And for roads and transport that means getting on with a record $23 billion pipeline of projects just like this, which will support 21,500 jobs.”
Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey thanked the Government for investing in rail trails and supporting the Bundaberg-Gin Gin project.
“The rail trail will contribute to improved health, tourism growth and community connections,” he said.
“North Bundaberg and Gin Gin in particular will see increased business activity and have new recreational opportunities.
“A feasibility study last year estimated potential economic benefits of nearly $3 million per year.”
(Image taken by Ellis678 - Wikipedia sourced).
Here at QRI we appreciate the contributions made to rail preservation by all groups in the state.
We're asking all our followers to please sign this petition. It is a great cause and it helps preserve our state's rich rail heritage.
It is no secret that a large number of our followers love our extensive collection of early diesel era photos and when you support something like this it only further fuels the chances you may be able to show your family these incredible pieces of machinery in real life.. in the condition they ran when you saw them.
Your signature might just help everyone for years to come.
Queensland's Heritage Railways Need Your Help for Government Funding!
Our is an awesome excuse to dig into the archives and find something special! So how about a cattle special.
Heading for Wandoan, empty livestock train 6L42 passes through Guluguba with 2413+2197F leading 13 KOJX and PCYK wagons in October 1993.
Tunnel boring machines arrive in Qld to dig Cross River Rail tunnels!
Two massive Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) have arrived in Queensland to be fitted out and deployed to dig Cross River Rail’s twin tunnels under the river in early 2021.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was another significant milestone in the progress of this transformational project.
“Both of these TBMs weigh 1350 tonnes which is about as heavy as four Boeing 747s.
“They are the same machines that dug the Sydney Metro. Now they’ll get a full refit and refurbishment at Herrenknecht’s north-side facility, to prepare them to dig Brisbane’s first underground.
“More than a dozen people have started working on the refit of the Cross River Rail TBMs, and that will increase to up to 35 people during peak activity – local jobs at a local factory.”
“We’re also ready to give the machines new names for their new task.”
State Development Minister Kate Jones said the TBMs will be launched from the Woolloongabba Station site and will each dig a tunnel under the Brisbane River to the Albert Street Station.
They will then continue to the new Roma Street Station before emerging at the project’s northern portal at Normanby.
“Herrenknecht are specialist TBM manufacturers with a long track record in Brisbane, having worked on the Clem Jones Tunnel and Legacy Way,” Ms Jones said.
“Cross River Rail will transform the way we travel and it will also leave behind a legacy of skilled workers trained by world-leaders in specialist trades.”
Today the Minister inspected work at the Herrenknecht base at Pinkenba.
Herrenknecht is a German company with a regional HQ in Brisbane and an additional port facility located in Melbourne. Herrenknecht also has a presence in Sydney as and when it is assisting with Sydney based projects
Currently, 16 workers are refitting the Tunnel Boring Machines at Pinkenba (including 14 locals and two specialists from Germany).
An additional 15 to 20 workers are expected to be working on the TBM’S over the next 9 months, all of whom will be locals.
Tunnel Boring Machine fast facts:
•Two TBMs have been delivered in pieces to the Herrenknecht facility
•The TBMs were previously used on the Sydney Metro project
•They will be refitted and refurbished to suit the Cross River Rail project
•At the peak of refurbishment, work will be done 24/7
•Each TBM weighs 1350 tonnes and is 165 metres long
•The front of the TBM is called the ‘cutterhead’ which acts as a drill that can tunnel through rock harder than concrete.
•The cutter head measures 7.2 metres in diameter
•TBMs will work at a rate of 30 metres per day and will line each tunnel with curved concrete segments as they go.
•The TBMs will generate 290,000 cubic metres of spoil as they make way for the twin Cross River Rail tunnels.
•Saint Barbara is the patron saint of tunnellers and miners and traditionally a shrine to St Barbara is established at worksites prior to commencement of tunnelling works.
Throwback Thursday!
The 13 2600 class GE U22C locomotives were built in 1983 and 1984 for the Newlands coal project in which the Collinsville branch was upgraded and extended 73 kilometres to Newlands. The 2600 class design was based on the GE Universal series, and they were a significant change from the Clyde-built GL26C and GL22C locomotives that QR had ordered for its heavy haul rail projects since 1970.
In this image from 1999, 2612+2608+2208 lift a loaded coal train up the grade after crossing the Bowen River bridge on the Havilah to Birralee section on the journey from Newlands to Abbot Point.
Photo by David Rowe
The Mount Isa Rail line will get a $6 million upgrade to bolster flood resilience on the critical freight route.
⬇️Full article available below ⬇️
29th July, 2020
The cane season is in full swing so you can expect a run down of the season in the next issue of QRI!
Invicta Com-Eng 0-6-0 DH "Barratta" (AH4098 of 1965) at McLain Road Junction yesterday morning with 97 loaded 4.5 tonne bins (17 July 2020).
An online publication we've been working with has published an article on the 2100 series! So be sure to give it a read and like their page 👍
https://www.facebook.com/australianrailwaysonline/
The Queensland Railways 2100 series consisted of the 2100, 2130, 2141, 2150 and 2170 classes, equalling a combined fleet of 102 units. These units boasted a 16 cylinder Clyde/EMD roots blown engine,...
It's Thursday and that means it's time for another throwback!
Approaching the Drummond Range summit at Hannam's Gap on 16 October 2003, empty cattle train 6WC8 was led by 2333+1738D. The train's first vehicle was one of just two KWJX completed with a timber body on a former QLX wagon frame.
Remember to like and follow our page for more classic shots!
Throwback Thursday! On the Yaraka branch, once-a-week goods train 6Y02 heads west near Konupa behind 1727 with a typical consist including TLV1843, HSA, QLX, WSE, WHA, QLDP, R and a TCWA camp wagon (8 September 1993).
Like and follow our page for more photos from a gone by era!
The new Morven Livestock rail hub is nearing completion with the first trains expected to roll out towards the end of 2020. This development indicates there is still a strong interest in developing the transportation of livestock in Queensland by rail, athough its construction has raised concerns for the future of the Quilpie branch and cattle siding. Currently the South Western livestock contract with the Department of Transport and Main Roads is unfilled and in the tendering phase. More will be told in the next edition of Queensland Railways Illustrated.
QRI Export Edition 1 is now available!
In this inaugural edition of our mini-mag we take a look at the ex QR 2250 class and their new role in operations for One Rail Australia on the Whyalla Tramway in SA.
Click below to view the release on Issuu. It will be available on our website as a PDF shortly.
https://issuu.com/queenslandrailwaysillustrated/docs/qri_export_-_issue_1
What sets Queensland Railways Illustrated apart from other publications is our commitment to bringing coverage to the readers from the furthest extents of the Queensland railway network.
On the Rimbanda to Morella section of the Central Western Line this morning Aurizon's 2358+1730 work Winton to Dinmore cattle train 65C5 with 19 wagons having spent the early morning loading in Winton (12/06/20). Photo by Editor Sam Crawford.
This weekend we're releasing the first of our mini-mags under the title of "QRI Export" where we take a look at former Queensland diesels in use across Australia and the world.
These issues will range in 6 to 10 pages and take a brief look into the history of the class and how they ended up where they are now.
The first issue will be looking at the recent arrival of the 2250 class in South Australia for use on the Whyalla tramway and the connection this unique operation has with Queensland. We hope you enjoy it and we look forward to hearing your feedback!
One from the North West, 2846 works extra Phosphate Hill Fertiliser service 9T36 with 23 empty VFMQ wagons over the Cloncurry River this Mothers Day. 10/05/20
Don’t forget we’re always chasing photo submissions for our next emag.
Issue 2 of Queensland Railways Ilustrated is now available.
Click on the link to download or visit us at qrimag.weebly.com
Full issue - https://cntr.click/jM8bj0Q
We hope you enjoy!
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