Branch lines in SEQ

[ozbob]

Munbilla - Mount Edwards branch.

[#Metro]

How frequent were these services, and did they all originate from Roma Street, or it was it a connective network?

[ozbob]

How frequent were these services, and did they all originate from Roma Street, or it was it a connective network?

These branch lines were established mainly for goods traffic, and provided limited passenger services.   Passenger services were provided on mixed trains, and rail motors (from the 1920s), rarely passenger trains as such on the branch lines.  There were special passenger trains on the branches from time to time.   Mount Edwards line worked in with the Dugandan line.   Most connections were made at Ipswich (there was some through running to Brisbane).  Goods traffic on these lines could be heavy at times, with two or even three daily goods extras when loads required at harvest times etc.  It was generally possible to travel in the guards vans on an opportunity basis as well. From my readings there were 2 or 3 daily rail motor services with some even late evening.

The Mount Edwards branch was going to be part of the ' via recta = straight line ' connection from Ipswich to Warwick and on to Wallangarra.  It would have shortened the journey by around 95 km, and avoided the circuitous route and climb up through Toowoomba.  This fell apart when the standard gauge line was achieved from South Brisbane to Sydney along the coastal route (1930).

Frequency was never a strong point on the branch lines, but having the rail connection was important due to the difficulties with the roads early on.  As the road networks improved the importance of the railways declined and closures followed.

There are old railway timetables at the Queensland State Archives.  I have submitted a request for quote for a copy of a 1935 timetable for Queensland.

[ozbob]

Ipswich - Dugandan

[ozbob]

North Ipswich - Tivoli

[ozbob]

Laidley - Mulgowie (Laidley Valley)

[ozbob]

Rosewood - Marburg

[ozbob]

Brisbane Valley line
Wulkuraka - Yarraman

[ozbob]

Logan Village - Canungra

[ozbob]

Bethania - Beaudesert

[ozbob]

Bowen Hills (Mayne) - Dayboro

[ozbob]

Caboolture - Kilcoy

[ozbob]

How frequent were these services, and did they all originate from Roma Street, or it was it a connective network?

These branch lines were established mainly for goods traffic, and provided limited passenger services.   Passenger services were provided on mixed trains, and rail motors (from the 1920s), rarely passenger trains as such on the branch lines.  There were special passenger trains on the branches from time to time.   Mount Edwards line worked in with the Dugandan line.   Most connections were made at Ipswich (there was some through running to Brisbane).  Goods traffic on these lines could be heavy at times, with two or even three daily goods extras when loads required at harvest times etc.  It was generally possible to travel in the guards vans on an opportunity basis as well. From my readings there were 2 or 3 daily rail motor services with some even late evening.

The Mount Edwards branch was going to be part of the ' via recta = straight line ' connection from Ipswich to Warwick and on to Wallangarra.  It would have shortened the journey by around 95 km, and avoided the circuitous route and climb up through Toowoomba.  This fell apart when the standard gauge line was achieved from South Brisbane to Sydney along the coastal route (1930).

Frequency was never a strong point on the branch lines, but having the rail connection was important due to the difficulties with the roads early on.  As the road networks improved the importance of the railways declined and closures followed.

There are old railway timetables at the Queensland State Archives.  I have submitted a request for quote for a copy of a 1934 timetable for Queensland.

Here are the 1934 timetables for the Mount Edwards and Dugandan lines.