Bulimba Powerhouse Railway

[ozbob]

Bulimba Powerhouse Railway

[ozbob]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/28013836@N05/25538963197

"An industrial branch line was built from Murarrie on the Queensland Railways Cleveland line in 1925 to the Bulimba "A" powerhouse for the delivery of coal. In 1929, it was converted to a 500 volt overhead system, the first electrification in Brisbane. A siding into Borthwicks Meatworks was also wired for cattle trains.

In 1955, the branch was extended by about another mile to the new Bulimba "B" powerhouse. Tramway type catenary (including use of trolley poles) was used (all operated by the power company not Queensland Railways). In 1966, coal transport was transferred to barge. A small steeple cab loco and a converted former mine loco operated the line. The overhead was removed in 1969 although the line was extended another mile to the fertilizer works of Austral Pacific. The line fell out of use some years ago and has been mostly lifted, the fertilizer all going by road now of course. The two Gateway Bridges (not their official name) but which form part of the Gateway Motorway can be seen in the distance. The importance of this road link between northside and southside Brisbane and also the Port can be gauged by the fact that the two bridges consist of 12 lanes in total. The Motorway also forms the main Australian east coast artery, the bridges in effect linking the Bruce Highway north (to Cairns) and the Pacific Highway south (to Sydney) and eventually Melbourne some 3000 kilometres I believe.

Both power stations have now closed, one has disappeared and the other is a cardboard recycling/packaging plant. Both locos are extant."