Push to save Kilkivan railway track

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Push to save Kilkivan railway track

RAIL Back On Track strongly supports the retention of the line to Kingaroy.  We must look forward to an energy poor future with vision today and retain our rail for future transport expansion.  Lets not continue to repeat the mistakes of the Government unduly influenced by the road lobby and short term bean counters.
Comments by Dulcie Hewitt and  Warren Truss are spot on.

Push to save Kilkivan railway track
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Glenis Green

January 22, 2008 11:00pm

IF the mayors of five South Burnett councils thought they could get away with quietly doing a deal to dig up a historical railway line, then they hadn't reckoned on Dulcie Hewitt.
The little grey-haired dynamo who heads up the Kilkivan Community Gardens and Railway Markets Project has not only blown the whistle on the deal ? she's mustered up a mini-army to fight it to the death.

Although no trains have used the line from Theebine to Kingaroy since October 2004, Ms Hewitt says plans to rip up the 112-year-old track and transform it into a cycling, horse-riding and walking track are premature and short-sighted.

She believes it should be kept and transformed into a western version of the successful Mary Valley Heritage "Rattler" Railway to preserve its historical value and to attract tourists to the scenic wine, olive and cheese-producing area.

She said that she only found out by chance before Christmas that the $19 million rail deal was being done between Kilkivan, Murgon, Wondai, Kingaroy and Nanango shire councils and the State Government.

The money that would have been spent on line maintenance, would instead go to the five councils for roadworks.

Kilkivan mayor Ron Dyne has said the Government intended to pull the track up anyway and $750,000 a year for each council was better than nothing.

Ms Hewitt, who has started a petition and called a community meeting in Kilkivan's civic hall for 7pm today to fight the plan, said the rail should be retained as both a tourist and commercial venture.

She has the backing of Wide Bay federal MP and Opposition transport spokesman Warren Truss, who said the State Government should provide enough funds to seal roads in the region without having to strip more money from the rail system.

"Abandoning the moth-balled railway line will be further evidence that the Queensland Government has given up on rail," Mr Truss said.

"Queensland's freight task is expected to double by 2025 and unless the rail system plays a more effective role in delivering freight around Queensland, the number of trucks on our roads will at least double over the next 20 years," Mr Truss said.

[ozbob]

Media Release 23 January 2008

Queensland:  Retain Rail to Kingaroy for the future!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has called for retention of the railway line to Kingaroy.

Robert Dow said:

?Increasing road congestion and higher fuel prices, as well as environmental concerns will continue to put increasing pressure on our transport systems in Queensland.?

?Short term ?bean counter? expedient moves to scrap railway lines will just exacerbate transport crises in the future.  Look at the impacts of the expensive loss of the original Gold coast railway right of way for example. The line beyond Kingaroy, to Nanango  was closed on 1 July 1964. Lets not repeat these disasters.?

?Local community concerns are strongly supported by us. Mr Warren Truss MP is right when he said that ?Queensland's freight task is expected to double by 2025 and unless the rail system plays a more effective role in delivering freight around Queensland, the number of trucks on our roads will at least double over the next 20 years.?  This will be a future financial and environmental disaster for Queensland unless we act with vision today!? said Robert Dow, spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

Contact:

Robert  Dow

Administration
admin@backontrack.org RAIL Back On Track
http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

There are some moves at looking at tourist and heritage operations on the line as well.

There is a meeting tonight in Kilkivan about the line's future. 

Hope it goes well.

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

See this is as well --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=395.0

[ozbob]

The meeting was held in Kilkivan last evening,  with unanimous support for retention of the railway line from those in attendance. 

Let's hope Government listens to the community concerns and acts for a truly sustainable future.

Well done Dulcie and all.

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

Railway station Murgon, 1983.  John Oxley Library

[ozbob]

Possibly the last train to run on this branch line ran yesterday to recover wagons.

For those interested see --> http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11340640.htm

[Huggies]

A few more trains will run in the next few weeks as most of the GHMB's will be going to Townsville for Mt Isa. traffic. I'm so glad me and a few mates chased the cattle trains when they last ran.

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail 21 August 2008 page 24

Locals fight for railway

[mufreight]

Perhaps the locals could carry through woth their proposal to acquire a railmotor to run a service but also as a community group they could also set up a community market or fair to operate on a regular basis (monthly) and thus draw others to use the service, if the line survives it would provide a destination for occasional railfan trips being as it is within a one day round trip distance from Brisbane which would be to the benefit of both the enthusiasts and the locals.
Just a thought.

[kw]

If any members here are interested, here is a video of when I trainchased a QR Heritage tour in the late 90's along the Kingaroy branch.

Part 1 -

Part 2 -

- Kent Wagner

[kw]

Rail branch future on the line
By Scott Lamond from Kilkivan , QLD
Wednesday, 13/08/2008

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2008/s2333469.htm

[mufreight]

Comment has been made that the Government would consider leaving the line open if an accredited operator can be found to operate the line.
The Government has some presently inoperable 1700 class locos sitting at Redbank and no doubt also a few 2000 class rail motors that coulr be returned to operable condition, round that out with a number of surplus container flats and hand the line over to the local community, the cost would be considered as a historical grant.
The local group would then be burdened with the responsibility to maintain and operate the line thus keeping it avaliable for the operation of as required freight for traffic such as the peanut traffic, the line would be avaliable for passanger traffic with a weekend railmotor service and as such would also offer an alternative branch line for railfan tours operating from Brisbane.
If this works then it has cost the Government little and retains this heritage line, if it fails then the locos and rollingstock return to the government and there then becomes no question that it had to go but at least a credible attempt has been made.
Local stewardship of the line might se it able to recover the peanut traffic back to rail to the advantage of QR for the haul from Theebine to Brisbane and no doubt there may be other traffic that could be handled in the same manner when avaliable.
Not enough to make a profit for the line but with lower operating costs and volunteer support possibly enough to save / preserve it.

[ozbob]

From the Gympie Times click here!

Work has begun on restoring Dickabram Bridge

Work has begun on restoring Dickabram Bridge

Craig Warhurst | 26th December 2008

THE ageing hardwood timbers of the historic Dickabram Bridge are being slowly and painstakingly replaced in an aim to breathe new life into the 122-year-old landmark.

Built in 1886, the bridge has long been the vital crossing across the Mary River near Miva but for now the bridge is closed to both trains and cars while a group of 12 Queensland Railway bridge builders set about renovating the regions most precious bridge.

The dedicated team of tradesmen has been battling heat, high above the Mary River, while carefully dismantling the timber and steel bridge.

The heritage listed bridge is one of only two remaining train and car bridges of it type left in Australia.

The construction crew is removing rotten timbers and replacing them with new hardwood beams in an effort to restore the old bridge to its former glory while making it safe for traffic.

Jason Steele is one of those men and he said working on the bridge was complicated, because of the design of the structure.

?The bridge is heritage listed so we have to replace everything exactly as it was, nothing is to change,? Mr Steele said.

?Sometimes we have to remove large sections of bridge to replace a rotten section.?

Walking along the rustic timber decking that makes up the road surface of the bridge, large gaps between boards frame glimpses of the Mary River 70 metres below.

?The other morning the boys saw some huge lungfish swimming around down there,? Mr Steele said.

They were around three foot long.?

The job is a huge one for the bridge builders and they aren't expected to finish until well into the new year.

Before then the construction crew is planning to erect scaffolding under the bridge to help with the replacement of some larger sections of timber.

That's when construction gang is going to really get into action.

[ozbob]

Minister for Main Roads
The Honourable Craig Wallace
24/04/2009

Dickabram Bridge reopens

The historic Dickabram Bridge, west of Gympie, has reopened to motorists after months of rehabilitation works to improve the conditions of the bridge.

Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said preservation of historical assets was a top priority for the department.

"Dickabram Bridge is heritage listed and is the oldest remaining large metal truss bridge constructed by Queensland Railways," Mr Wallace said.

"Commissioned in 1886, the bridge is unique as it carries a roadway as well as a railway, making it both locally and historically significant.

"Maintenance work was needed to sustain the life of the bridge, including replacing several major timber components such as decking and handrails.

"The work will reduce future maintenance costs and ensure long-term durability of the bridge."

Mr Wallace thanked the community for their continued patience and support since works began in December last year.

"Motorists travelling along Miva Road have been very responsible, which made the work a lot easier and allowed the workers to get the job done safely," he said.

"A lot of credit can be given to motorists for obeying road signs, slowing down throughout the worksite, and driving carefully to the conditions.

"Careful planning and scheduling of works was also a major factor for ensuring road safety during the repairs."

Mr Wallace said short delays were scheduled during business hours and some weekend closures were utilised to minimise the impact of the works on peak travelling hours.

"Further maintenance is scheduled from May 11 to June 15, to help preserve the life of the bridge," he said.

"The bridge will remain open to motorists during this time, however their may be short delays between 8am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, while the works are carried out."