Ayr to Gatton by Rail 1946-1949 (Archie Matthews 1931 - 2017)

[Fares_Fair]

This is a brief story of rail travel in Queensland as it was just after World War II.
Archie Matthews would travel from Ayr in Far North Queensland to Gatton Agricultural College (now part of Queensland University)

He passed away in 2017.
I asked his wife, Jessica for the story of his rail sojourn.

Here it is:

Back in 1946 the main form of transport was rail.  Goods trains and passenger trains were hauled by steam locomotives which were coal fired.  On each locomotive there was a driver and fireman.  The fireman's job was to make sure the fire kept going to produce  enough steam to power the locomotive, so he had to keep shovelling coal.  Along the rail lines there were many water tanks where the locomotive's water tank was refilled.  Each train had a Guard Carriage, which was always the last carriage and the Guard was in charge of the train.  His job was rather difficult as he had no means of contacting the train driver.  Also on board the train were at least two (male) Conductors who collected tickets and made sure passengers behaved.

In late January, 1946, Archie, a youth of 14 ½ years boarded the Mail Train in Ayr in North Queensland to travel the long distance to Brisbane and then had to board another train to go to Gatton Agricultural College.  If the train was on time it left Ayr at 10 pm and if on time all the way, arrived in Brisbane 34 hours later at 8 am on the 2nd morning after leaving Ayr.  Archie didn't have the luxury of a sleeper, so had to sit on a bench seat for the whole distance or lie on the floor.   He made the journey from Ayr to Gatton College and return three times each year for four years. (Christmas, Easter and August). He  was one of many students who made the journey on the train from North Queensland to attend Colleges in the south. There was always books, packs of cards and board games at the ready to fill in the hours as they travelled.

Passengers would purchase newspapers at the Railway Stations, when they had finished reading them, there was always someone waiting along the track for a newspaper to be thrown to them.

A Dining Car was attached to the train between Mackay and Rockhampton.  That was the only time a meal could be purchased on the train.  Each passenger was issued with a meal ticket telling them which sitting they could go to the Dining Car. (There was most likely another Dining Car for the northern section between Townsville and Cairns).   Rockhampton Railway Station had a very good Dining Room where meals would be served.

Archie knew all the Railway Stations along the way where food could be purchased.  He particularly mentioned Bororen south of Rockhampton which was noted for very delicious meat pies and Gladstone which had very good fish.   The owners of the pie shop and fish shop always had their product ready when the train arrived and brought it to the Railway Station where passengers could make their purchase.  Another Station, Kolijo which is north of Mackay was noted for very delicious homemade scones with jam and cream.

To ensure there were no crashes only one train was allowed to travel on a section at one time.  Each train had to carry a Staff which allowed one train on a section.  A better description of this than I can give can be found on Google.


Jeff, I hope this is what you asked for.  It is what I recall Archie telling me of his journeys to and from Brisbane.  Needless to say he was never excited at the mention of steam trains, he used to say, "Always soot in my eyes and plenty of mozzies when the train stopped" ..


Here are some photos of railway memorabilia provided by Archie's son.

The first is the hoop where messages or whatever could be scooped up from the platform by a passing train driver.


Second is a fancy machine that was at each end of a section. Only one staff could be taken at a time meaning only one train on that section at any one time.


Third is similar to above however not a flash model.


I once went Mackay to Proserpine in the guard carriage with the bloke who lived over the back from us in Mackenzie Street. It was a real coincidence and he was the guard on the day. He was telling me how the guard is actually in charge of the train which he said was silly. If the track was rough the engine would hardly feel it and the carriages would be bouncing. He had no way of slowing the train. He spoke of the detonators he would have to place on the line if the train were to break down.   

All before mobile phones

I don't think the old steam trains changed very much over the years.   After our wedding in Mackay in 1955, Archie and I travelled in the Mail Train to Proserpine on our way to South Molle Island.  He told me then the trains hadn't changed since his days of travelling to Gatton.  I remember it took about 3 or 4 hours to travel to Proserpine.  We left the Mackay Station at around 8 pm, arriving in Proserpine after mid night.  We then had to walk, probably 500 mtrs, or more,  carrying our suitcases to the hotel.  Not the most romantic way to begin our honeymoon.   But that is what we did in those days.

EDIT: Last Paragraph added

[ozbob]

A little earlier but great atmosphere,  the mail train ...



Image shows the arrival of the mail train at Cardwell railway station in 1930.

http://www.bonzle.com/pictures-over-time/pictures-taken-in-1930/page-2/australian-cities-towns-and-villages/size-3/picture-5muiw2n1/cardwell/cardwell-railway-station-queensland-1930