Queensland Rail 150 years

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

27th February 2015

Congratulations Queensland Rail - 150 years strong! Triumphant return of special steam hauled train

Greetings,

The steam hauled passenger train had a triumphant return to Brisbane yesterday, after a journey of some 4500 km.

Much nostalgic joy as the train journeyed along the Queensland coast to Cairns and inland to Mareeba and return over the past weeks.

Congratulations and many thanks to all at Queensland Rail and volunteers that made this great journey possible.



Photograph DMG RAIL Back On Track Member 26th February 2015

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 14th January 2015

Congratulations Queensland Rail - 150 years strong!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has congratulated all who have been part of Queensland Government Railways and today's Queensland Rail on achieving 150 years of continuous operation.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Tomorrow (15 Jan 2015), a steam hauled passenger service sets out from Roma Street station for a commemorative journey to Cairns (1)."

"Since 1865, over 13,000 kilometres of railway have been built in Queensland."

"Rail was the transport mode that opened up Queensland and Australia."

"Congratulations to all involved in the 150 years of continuous operation of rail services in Queensland and best wishes for the celebrations."


Trainee soldiers at Roma Street Station, Brisbane, waiting to embark on a train to Caloundra Camp during World War II, 1940
http://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?docId=slq_digitool102308 accessed 21/4/2012

Reference:

1. http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Specials/Pages/150yearsofrailinQueensland.aspx

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Twitter

Jackie Trad ‏@jackietrad 11 hours ago

Congratulations @QueenslandRail for Bety's successful Mareeba journey celebrating 150 years of rail in Qld! #qldpol

   

[petey3801]

Link to my photos of the QR150 train: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pjreading/sets/72157650602765197/

[ozbob]

Link to my photos of the QR150 train: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pjreading/sets/72157650602765197/

Excellent!  Thanks for sharing them .. 

[red dragin]

Link to my photos of the QR150 train: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pjreading/sets/72157650602765197/

"Reflections" is simply stunning! 

[petey3801]

Thanks! Unfortunately there was a bloody great shadow halfway across the bridge, (which can be seen just encroaching on the front), so couldn't really get a good shot of the whole loco on the bridge, but still quite happy with the result!

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail 6 minutes ago

Tomorrow we begin our '150 days of rail' countdown to our 150th birthday on 31 July. Follow us to celebrate #Rail150

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail

150 days - Day 1: 1865, the 1st steam locomotives set out on their inaugural journey http://ow.ly/JQN0D  #Rail150

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail

150 days of rail - Day 2: In 1866 the railway from Ipswich west to Toowoomba opened http://ow.ly/JTjz4  #Rail150

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail @QueenslandRail

150 days of rail - Day 3: In 1867 section 5 of the line opened Helidon to Toowoomba http://ow.ly/JTjz4  #Rail150

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail

150 days of rail - Day 4: The 1st royal came to Qld in 1868 & took a special train trip Ipswich to Jondaryan #Rail150



Not quite a Royal Train of 1868, but, in 1972 the local community celebrated the centenary of the Jondaryan State School, with a special steam train from Toowoomba hauled by PB15 No.732. Photographer Eric Marggraf captured the excitement of the day out.

[ozbob]

All pictures can be seen from >> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AboutUs/History/Pages/default.aspx

[ozbob]

Media Release
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Tickets on sale for historic steam train journey to Longreach

Queensland Rail's steam train Bety will embark on her second trip to celebrate 150 years of rail in Queensland, this time to Western Queensland.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad said the special heritage steam train will travel from Brisbane to Longreach from 10 to 17 April and make a special return to Rockhampton.

"Bety is travelling all across the State this year, as part of Queensland Rail's yearlong celebrations to commemorate 150 years of rail in Queensland," Ms Trad said.

"This special steam train has already provided an economic boost to regions along the coast, with more than 12,000 people taking a ride on her first trip from Brisbane to Cairns.

"This time, similar to Bety's first trip, she will be stopping in towns and cities along the way, with many eager passengers keen to explore the local community and enjoy local accommodation and foods.

"I am encouraging people to get on board, especially as Queensland Rail returns to the Rockhampton region, which was hit hard by Cyclone Marcia.

"Earlier this year, as Bety made her way back down the coast, Cyclone Marcia devastated the Rockhampton region, which meant that some people missed out on taking a ride.

"We promised to send Bety back to Rockhampton and have scheduled her visit from 11 to 14 April, as she makes her way out to Longreach."

Queensland Rail Senior Manager Heritage Greg Fill said thousands of hours of painstaking work had gone into restoring Bety, to ensure she was in pristine condition for her journeys.

"Staff and volunteers have meticulously and tirelessly overhauled steam locomotive BB18 ¼ 1079 and nine wooden carriages that will make their way across Queensland this year," said Mr Fill.

Ms Trad said Queensland Rail was also offering B-Quick Fares until Saturday, discounted by as much as 40 per cent on all other Travel services, to support regional Queenslanders and local tourism operators recovering from Cyclone Marcia.

"I would encourage locals and visitors to take a ride on Bety or book a seat on another Queensland Rail Travel service and support regional communities as they recover from the recent weather event," Ms Trad said.

Tickets for Bety's Longreach trip are on sale now.  To purchase a ticket or B-Quick Fare visit the Queensland Rail Travel website: www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail 8 minutes ago

Join us at Roma St station platform 10 from 8am today to wave off steam train Bety: http://ow.ly/Lpmuy  #Rail150

[bcasey]

Saw it pull into the station just as my train arrived, very cool to see it in person.

[ozbob]

>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/47626638@N02/17096158881/  Cooroy yesterday ..

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail

I posted 9 photos on Facebook in the album "#Rail150 Steam train journey Rockhampton to Emerald" http://fb.me/1whP1Q8Ku

[ozbob]

ABC News --> 1956 locomotive 'Bety' celebrates Queensland Rail's 150th birthday with a regional ride

[ozbob]

Twitter

Nine News Australia ‏@9NewsAUS

VIDEO: Queensland steam train retracing the steps of 'the original Anzacs' http://bit.ly/1DyZNaq

[ozbob]

Twitter

QantasFoundersMuseum ‏@qfom 13m

The #Q150 @QueenslandRail Troop Train rolling past the Qantas Founders Museum. #Anzac100 #Qantas #qldhistory

[ozbob]

Troop train a 'wonderful' experience

>> http://media.brisbanetimes.com.au/video-news/video-qld-news/troop-train-a-wonderful-experience-6468129.html

[Stillwater]

Troop train in Cooroy today.  Marvellous parade through the main street, lunch at the RSL Club.  Crowd estimates were 4000 people -- the biggest encountered at any town so far on the journey according to two people on board.

[red dragin]

QR 150 to Charleville

http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/SPECIALS/Pages/150yearsofrailinQueensland_Charleville.aspx

Booking page not working at the moment 

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail

Tickets are on sale for our #Rail150 Bety trip from Brisbane to Charleville next month. To book call 1800 872 467. http://ow.ly/MsL5U

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail

Join us @ Roma Street, plat 3, from 7.10-7.40am today to see off our steam train AC16 http://ow.ly/NtCZy  #Rail150

[ozbob]

Twitter

Shane Barnes ‏@barnesshane 2 minutes ago

@QueenslandRail

[red dragin]

Would have loved to have made the trip up the range today - good to see the Yank out again.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail 8s

Our steam train departed Charleville this morning for its return trip. See it at Mitchell 2:05pm & Roma 4:25pm today.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail 3 minutes ago

Our steam train arrived in Roma this afternoon. Join us at the station to see it depart 7.35am  tomorrow #Rail150

[ozbob]

Queensland Rail 150th Anniversary Steam Train - Western Line

[dancingmongoose]

Nine News
This 150-year-old train is preparing to steam from Ipswich to Grandchester, along the first section of track ever laid in QLD, to celebrate 150 years of Queensland Rail. Details TONIGHT at 6.00pm.
https://www.facebook.com/9News/videos/vb.107637365950776/947194675328370/?type=2&theater

[ozbob]

John Oxley Library

Podcast: The vital track: 150 years of railways in Queensland (A night in the JOL)

>> http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2015/06/25/podcast-the-vital-track-150-years-of-railways-in-queensland-a-night-in-the-jol/

[ozbob]

Grandchester Steamfest 2015

>> http://www.steamfest.org.au/



"Grandchester Steamfest 2015″
YOU'RE INVITED TO COME ALONG AND ENJOY YOURSELF

WHEN: 9:00 am to 4:00pm Sunday 26th July 2015

WHERE: Recreation Reserve, School Road, Grandchester, Qld.

COST: Free Entry

To celebrate 150 years since the running of the first train in Queensland the Grandchester Community Steamfest Inc Committee is presenting a festival – Grandchester Steamfest 2015.  The festival will be held in the Grandchester Recreation Reserve, School Road, Grandchester Queensland 4340 on Sunday the 26th July 2015.

As part of the festival Sunshine Express Rail Tours will be running a Queensland Rail heritage steam train from Roma Street Station in Brisbane to Grandchester and return.  This train will stop at Ipswich to pick up passengers who wish to travel to Grandchester.  This steam train is for the public to travel to Grandchester Steamfest 2015.

Queensland Rail will transport dignitaries to the festival by steam train from Ipswich.  This steam train is very special as it is a Class A10 locomotive which is the same as the locomotives that made the original journey on the 31st July 1865. As part of the official celebrations, Queensland Rail will be having a re-enactment of the 1865 opening of the railway line and an unveiling of a commemorative plaque.  This function will take place at the Grandchester Railway Station.

The National Trust of Queensland, who is the custodian of the heritage listed Station, will have the Station open to the public.

The Grandchester Railway Station and the Recreation Reserve, which is where the festival is, will be connected by a temporary pedestrian bridge across Western Creek.
At the festival the public can expect to enjoy the following:-

* Static and Working Displays of Old Machinery *

* Vintage Cars, Trucks and Tractors *

* Light Horse Troop Display *

* Traditional Trades and Skills such as:–

Blacksmith, Wheelwright, Heavy Horse Work, Shearer, Wool Spinning and Quilting *

* Colonial Camp with People in Period Dress who will have a Fashion Parade and organise Traditional Children's Games *

* Children's Rides, Animal Nursery *

* Model Live Steam Train Rides for All Ages *

* All day Music by Stone The Crows Bush Band *

* A Marquee Showcasing Local Poets and a Country Singer *

* Craft Stalls, & Food Stalls *

* There'll be more to see & do for all the Family.*

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Breakdown means Ipswich punters miss out on celebration

AN EVENT marking the first Queensland railway trip from Ipswich to Grandchester will be missing a key element - an opportunity for the average Joe to enjoy a railway trip from Ipswich to Grandchester.

Known as Steamfest, the celebration of the 150th anniversary of that first journey from Ipswich to Bigges Camp was originally planned to include three steam locomotives.

One of those locos, an A10, will actually re-enact the original trip from Ipswich, but will be carrying two carriages full of dignitaries and descendants of important figures in the state's rail history.

The other two would have carried members of the public from Ipswich and Brisbane to the event at Grandchester.

Unfortunately for organisers of the event, the legendary loco Betty has run out of steam, leaving only one remaining loco available for the public.

Additional carriages have been added to the loco leaving Brisbane, but Grandchester Community Steamfest organiser Bruce Wallace said many people were still missing out on tickets to the July 26 event.

"We've known about this for 150 years," Mr Wallace said.

"Joe Public in Ipswich is really hard pressed to get on a train. I've fielded a lot of calls and I get quite embarrassed and have to tell them, no."

Queensland Rail has been unable to fix the broken train in time and cannot find a replacement.

Mr Wallace and Lockyer MP Ian Rickuss have approached QR to provide a replacement diesel loco, but the rail authority is unable to come to the party.

While there is a diesel loco, there are apparently no passenger carriages around to hook up to it.

A spokeswoman confirmed that four extra carriages had been added to the Brisbane steam train but two of those additional carriages will be filled with Workshops Rail Museum delegates.

Queensland Rail was not responsible for the sale of tickets to the event - it only supplied the trains and organised the A10 as a private event separate to Steamfest.

"As part of this celebration, the Australian Railway Historical Society (ARHS) has chartered Queensland Rail's only available steam train to transport people to the event," QR said in a statement.

"Queensland Rail has provided additional carriages for this steam train, which provides the same capacity as the original two planned charter services."

Mr Wallace said all 407 seats on the train were sold out.

"The average person who wanted to travel by train from Ipswich to Grandchester now can't unless they got in very early when the extra carriages were added," Mr Wallace said

"People seem to have lost sight of the point that the first railway line was between Ipswich and Grandchester."

Mr Rickuss went so far as to promise to buy 20 tickets if another train could be found.

"Ipswich used to employ 4000 people who worked at the workshops and virtually none of them are going to be able to travel by train to Grandchester," Mr Rickuss said.

"They've said the train they were going to use broke down but we've had bloody arguments with them right from day one about this. I cannot believe that Queensland Rail is that arrogant or uncaring that the thousands of workers who worked for Queensland Rail and love the rail are virtually being ignored."

[red dragin]

That's both BB18 1/4's out of action now.

Pity that the Toowoomba & Swanbank loco's aren't mainline approved.

[nathandavid88]

Did the around the state trip earlier in the year wear them out? It was a fairly big trip for steam locos. I'm guessing that means that the Roma Street to Grandchester train will be pulled by The Yank?

Have to say, I'm very glad I got in and got my tickets nice and early.

[petey3801]

I think it may actually be 1079 doing the run. As far as I am aware, 1089 and the Yank are both cactus at the moment, along with the Bomber. I certainly could be wrong though!

[ozbob]

Queensland State Archives

Celebrating 150 years of railways in Queensland
31 July 2015 marks the 150th birthday of the opening of the first railway line in Queensland between Ipswich and Bigges Camp (Grandchester).

>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/queenslandstatearchives/sets/72157654974926176

[ozbob]

John Oxley Library

Railways in Queensland – History in Pictures

>> http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2015/07/16/railways-in-queensland-history-in-pictures/

[ozbob]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1027536430598050



Queensland Rail

On Friday 31 July, Queensland Rail turns 150 and as part of our celebrations we're giving one lucky customer free Citytrain travel for a year*!

To be a finalist, unravel the daily clues on our Facebook and Twitter, locate our train conductor at Citytrain stations across the network and collect one of nine golden train tickets.

The winner will be announced at our birthday celebrations at Central station on Friday 31 July 2015.

*Conditions apply, for more information visit www.queenslandrail.com.au/competition #rail150 #findtheconductor