Anniversary Steam Train

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Anniversary Steam Train

Thursday 31 July 2008

The Workshops Rail Museum will commemorate a significant milestone in Queensland's rail history with a special steam train event on Thursday 31 July.

On this date in 1865, four A Class locomotives steamed from the Ipswich Railway Workshops out to Bigges Camp, now Grandchester, marking the start of the railway in Queensland.

Governor Sir George Bowen officially opened the Queensland railway system, during which Lady Bowen used a special silver spade to symbolise the turning of the first sod for construction of the rail line that would continue on from that point.

To celebrate the opening, a public holiday was declared and the official ceremony was held with speeches and a banquet under a marquee at Bigges Camp.

In celebration of this historic event, passengers will board one of QR's restored heritage trains, departing from The Workshops Rail Museum's own platform for a one and a half hour round trip to Grandchester, retracing the same route taken in 1865.

The trip will be followed by a traditional roast lunch and dessert in the Museum's Trackside Caf?, and an opportunity to explore the Museum's exhibits, including the A10, No.6, the oldest operational steam train in Australia.

This special event is unique way to experience the excitement and sense of occasion that passengers would have felt on the same day 143 years ago, and is a wonderful opportunity to relive the romance and grandeur of steam train travel and appreciate the craftsmanship and engineering feats of the early rail workers.

More details including bookings --> http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/events/anniversary.asp