STEAM IN QUEENSLAND

[disco man]

I have only just stumbled on to this part of the forum and i see you guys are a tight group so i hope you don't me joining in. My old man was a bridge carpenter for Queensland rail in the 1960s and i guess that's where my love of steam loco's comes from.

Last week i found a DVD at lifeline called STEAM IN QUEENSLAND and what a find it was!!! very good watch as i am to young to have enjoyed the steam era this DVD was brilliant for me and brought back many memories for the old boy.

The only working steam train run i have seen was a Cairns to Kuranda run in 1991 and that made a huge impression on me and i was so excited when it chugged past,the smell and sound to a kid seeing it for the first time was awesome.

The DVD starts with the B.15 their uses and power outputs then moving on to the PB16,what i found interesting was the speed it got with only 4 feet wheels. Then it moves on to the C-17 and AC-16 which seem to be a big step up in size and power and they look like very impressive locos.Was it true the AC-16 was called the Mcarthures? the DVD was saying the tenders had a problem with rolling over on coil springs forcing a change back to leaves. It amazed me that they were still in use in India in the 80s that i think is testament to incredible build quality.

A couple of locos featured that i would love to see the B 181/4 and PB 181/4 very nice looking machines. The only thing i have traveled on from the DVD is a 2000 class rail motor in the mid 80s in Brisbane.A very impressive sight for me was two locos working together what a sight that must have been up close,a strange sight from the DVD was a diesel and steam loco working together the diesel looks like soulless machine compared to the steam loco.

I am a novice in knowledge but have passion for steam locos and am keen to learn off you blokes and will probably ask some dumb things so bear with me please. First thing i would like to know is what are the major differences between American and British locos is it the valve gear or is it more complex than that?

When i was living in Canada i went a rail museum can't remember which one but i was absolutely blown away by the size of the locos used over there incredible to see.Hope you blokes don't mind me sticking around:)

[robbotd5]

Your a welcome addition Disco man. The more of us steam nuts the better!!.
To try to answer your question regarding the differences between Brittish and American steam locomotives, well, it's mainly in the naming of things. The valve gear varies from mainly Stephensons inside link to Walschaerts. The yanks call the reversing lever the "Johnson bar" the regulator the "throttle" ect. But it's mainly in the looks.
Regards
Robbo

[Bigbjorn]

See if you can find a copy of the academic quality book "Triumph of the Narrow Gauge", the history of Qld. Rail.

[drivesafe]

Hi disco man and whether you are a dedicated rail enthusiast or just an admirer of trains in general, this section is open to all.

[Pickles2]

Steam?....love it.
I lived in Toowoomba in the sixties & well remember the green BB18 1/4.
Pickles.

[Ausfree]

You're more than welcome Disco man, I'm just an old bloke with fond memories of the steam era. Up to my early 20's I remember riding on the local steam services in the Newcastle area. Particularly the old Belmont line, which I rode on regularly!!!:D:D

[disco man]

Thanks for the welcome guys!!! bloody brilliant. I forgot to mention the other awesome locos featured in the DVD, D-17,DD-17,A-10 and a very interesting very early steam engine called MARY ANN. Once again thanks for the warm welcome guys.


Did Australia ever use anything of the same size and power of the Big Boys?

[Ausfree]

Thanks for the welcome guys!!! bloody brilliant. I forgot to mention the other awesome locos featured in the DVD, D-17,DD-17,A-10 and a very interesting very early steam engine called MARY ANN. Once again thanks for the warm welcome guys.


Did Australia ever use anything of the same size and power of the Big Boys?
No, probably the closest would be the Class 60 Garrats in NSW and maybe the Mountain and Pacific classes in South Australia. The Big Boys are indeed huge locomotives. From memory the Garrats weighed in at 260 tonnes and I think the big boys were close to 550 tonnes.:) Also ( I just checked) the Tractive Effort of the Garrat (in it's final form) was 282.4KN versus 602.18KN for the Big Boy. A huge difference I might say.

There is an a single example of a "H" Class Loco built in Victoria, and therefore can lay claim to being the biggest locomotive actually built in Australia, but not in the same league as Big Boy.

Victorian Railways H class - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[robbotd5]

Evening all.
Talking big steam locomotives in Australia, the NSWGR D57 class should surely get a mention. Introduced I 1929, this 232.3t 4 8 2 behemoth was more powerful than a 60 class Garratt. 200psi boiler pressure, 3 cylinders ( the 3rd being activated by Gresley conjugating valve gear. However, they were plagued with problems and simply too heavy for most existing rail infrastructure.
One remains. See link below.

Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under - 5711 (http://www.australiansteam.com/5711.htm)

Regards
Robbo

[Ausfree]

Thanks for that Robbo, I just hunted this up......:D

New South Wales D57 class locomotive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[disco man]

Very good info guys very impressive locos both of them. I didn't know the H class was an Australian design very cool. I knew Australia had different rail gauges but had no idea every state was using so many different classes i may be wrong but is all the models/classes used by all the states different in design or where the same but had different names?

[JDNSW]

Very good info guys very impressive locos both of them. I didn't know the H class was an Australian design very cool. I knew Australia had different rail gauges but had no idea every state was using so many different classes i may be wrong but is all the models/classes used by all the states different in design or where the same but had different names?

There were a few locomotives used by more than one state (e.g. the Commonwealth Garret) but in general each state used their own designs, either locally manufactured or imported (usually from the UK). Some were more or less standard designs from UK manufacturers, but most were designed specifically to meet local requirements.

Remember that not only did you have gauges of 5'3" and 2'6" in Victoria, 3"6" and 5'3" in SA, 3'6" in WA and Qld, 3'6" in Tas, 4'8.5" in NSW, but they alll varied in track clearance and track load capacity even where the gauges were the same.

The systems developed for nearly fifty years from the 1850s before any of them actually met, and in some states there were independent systems, not connected, within the same state.

Just to complicate matters, some states reclassified their locomotives with completely different numbers for the same bits of equipment. Then there were tender locos converted to tank and redesignated etc. All gets very complicated!

John

[disco man]

What a head****!!! It seems Australia preferred UK designs over the US i know many US designs did find there way over here but not in the same numbers as the UK locos. Why do you think that is? The US had some very impressive locos that were just as good and in some cases even better than the English gear.

Was it a cost factor? Or more a case of Australia's close link with the UK at that time?

[V8Ian]

What a head****!!! It seems Australia preferred UK designs over the US i know many US designs did find there way over here but not in the same numbers as the UK locos. Why do you think that is? The US had some very impressive locos that were just as good and in some cases even better than the English gear.

Was it a cost factor? Or more a case of Australia's close link with the UK at that time?

There were significant import duty and tax benefits when sourced from Commonwealth countries. This applied pretty much across the board, which is why unsuited English cars were preferred over US offerings. Some US manufacturers circumvented the added taxes by manufacturing and exporting from Canada.

[JDNSW]

It varied over the period of steam (roughly 1855-1955). When railways started in Australia, the prime expertise was in the UK, and most, if not all, state systems got their chief engineers from there, complete with their ideas and prejudices, which were passed down even when locally trained engineers took office. The USA locomotives were typically smaller and lighter than UK ones, usually wood or oil fired until late nineteenth century, not really suited to Australian conditions, although some locos were imported from the USA.

By late nineteenth century some US lines were building heavy track and starting to use much larger locomotives than could be used on UK lines which had almost all been completed by 1870, and had restricted loading gauges enforced by tunnels and bridges, not as much a problem in the USA with lower population density and long distances between towns. These larger locos were copied (rather than imported) mainly in SA early in the 20th century, but most of the Australian trackwork could not cope with their weight and dimensions. Victoria produced the H class (one example) about the start of WW2 from memory, but it could only run on a very restricted number of lines - it was planned to be used on the Melbourne -Adelaide route, but to do so meant rebuilding a number of bridges. This has never been done, even today.

To give some examples of local restrictions - the main southern line (i.e. Sydney - Melbourne) uses the original 1860s bridge across the Nepean; strengthened mainly by adding a pier in the middle of the main span, it is 150 years old and carrying loads and traffic densities the original designers could not have imagined. Similar situations exist throughout the networks. This is why large US - style locos were never used to any extent.

Restrictive practices required almost all locomotives used in Australia to be built here, but US-designed (or copied) ones could have been built just as readily. I don't think the dollar/sterling divide was a major influence, although it did mean a lack of contacts.

John

[disco man]

Thanks for your answers guys good stuff. I can't find info that shows Queensland built anything near the size and power of the mighty H class. I think it's a shame Australia did not preserve more of it's rail heritage,and naval heritage for that matter.

[Ausfree]

Thanks for your answers guys good stuff. I can't find info that shows Queensland built anything near the size and power of the mighty H class. I think it's a shame Australia did not preserve more of it's rail heritage,and naval heritage for that matter.
Yeah, I can't really assist with Queensland loco's, more up to date with NSW railways. I do believe there was a version of the Garrat up there (smaller than the NSW loco) but I don't think it was a huge success. Maybe JD or Ian could assist on that one.:D

[robbotd5]

Yeah, I can't really assist with Queensland loco's, more up to date with NSW railways. I do believe there was a version of the Garrat up there (smaller than the NSW loco) but I don't think it was a huge success. Maybe JD or Ian could assist on that one.:D

Yep, there's one at the Ipswich museum.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_Beyer-Garratt_class
Regards
Robbo

[disco man]

[QUOTE=JDNSW;2129127]There were a few locomotives used by more than one state (e.g. the Commonwealth Garret) but in general each state used their own designs, either locally manufactured or imported (usually from the UK). Some were more or less standard designs from UK manufacturers, but most were designed specifically to meet local requirements.

It seems Queensland had 10 of the Garrett's built in the UK and twenty built in France with only a few little variations from other states.Also it seems they never lived up to the hype and also limited coal storage and huge maintanence costs 3x more than a B18 1/4.

Also the C17 class was used outside of Queensland know also as the NM class for the Commonwealth railway.I remember as a kid a loco in a park in Southport i loved playing on it. Did some research and found she was called the Southport Express her number is 996,in 2005 the council asked for it to be removed and was bought by the Queensland pioneer steam railway and is currently in bits awaiting a full resto.

No 944 has been in open air storage in Miles Queensland since 1971. Two more of the class are at Zig Zag No 934 is in working order and No 966 is waiting for resto.

[JDNSW]

Yeah, I can't really assist with Queensland loco's, more up to date with NSW railways. I do believe there was a version of the Garrat up there (smaller than the NSW loco) but I don't think it was a huge success. Maybe JD or Ian could assist on that one.:D

Yes, Qld used the Australian Standard Garrat - until they managed to replace them with a decent engine!

The main reason QR never used anything approaching the H class is that all the track is narrow gauge (3'6"). And some was originally laid to rather primitive standards - e.g. the Aramac Tramway (and probably others) was laid with unsquared sleepers.

Many miles of Australian railways were never going to make money and were buuilt very economically. Much was laid driect on earth with no ballast.

John

[V8Ian]

Many miles of Australian railways were never going to make money and were buuilt very economically. Much was laid driect on earth with no ballast.

John

The Gulflander being a prime example. Commencing in Normanton with the intention of linking to the east coast, construction was halted at Croydon and the funds diverted to another line (Cloncurry IIRC). The line is still operated as a tourist attraction and RM 93 can be seen waddling the single line from Normanton to Croydon via Blackbull, at a very leisurely pace, once a week. In 2005-6 a local character and business owner, Charlie, would hold the train up on horseback; the passengers loved it and the Flying Doctors benefited from the shenannigans.

http://www.gulflander.com.au/Pages/Default.aspx

http://www.railaustralia.com.au/gulflander.php

Gulflander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[disco man]

Through the magic of the internet i can answer my own question regarding the AC-16 class being known as the MacArthur's they were. The story goes they were built in 1943 by American company Baldwin co for Queensland rail because of a WW2 shortage of locos and given the nickname Yank.

They had a 20 bar frame and 2-8-2 with Walschaerts valve gear.The last one in Queensland rail service No 221A retired in 1968. After a full rebuild at the Ipswich steam workshops returning to service in 2003 with a long distance run from Toowoomba not sure of the route she took though.

No 218A was restored in 2008 and can be found at Zig Zag.A total of 741 were built and found homes in many American WW2 pacific war islands and many other countries.

[Ausfree]

Yeah, the internet has certainly helped me a lot.:D Plus those books I purchased are a goldmine of good info. Although I have to keep in mind they are a bit old being published in 1984.

[V8Ian]

Yeah, the internet has certainly helped me a lot.:D Plus those books I purchased are a goldmine of good info. Although I have to keep in mind they are a bit old being published in 1984.
Not much has changed in regard to steam locos since 1984 Jim, a few restorations maybe. ;)

[Ausfree]

Not much has changed in regard to steam locos since 1984 Jim, a few restorations maybe. ;)
I guess I should be clearer Ian, for example the book says the South Maitland Railways is still running steam loco's, this was true in 1984. The line closed in 1984, after the book was published.:p There are other examples.

[disco man]

Thought i hit the jackpot at the markets today there was a old fella selling some model steam locos for $20 each still in the box.From the front of the stall they looked quite good with the Flying Scotsman in the middle that's the one that caught my eye,but on closer inspection the detail was not quite right it's a shame because there was some interesting pieces a couple of German locos a Dutch one also one in Zimbabwe markings.

Maybe i should have bought them for the cabinet but they just didn't look right i guess you get what you pay for.

[Ausfree]

No, if it isn't accurate, you would never be happy (I wouldn't) and at $20 I guess it is a cheap imitation.:)

[disco man]

No, if it isn't accurate, you would never be happy (I wouldn't) and at $20 I guess it is a cheap imitation.:)

Spot on mate that's why i didn't buy them.I am always on the lookout for new locos for the collection but if it is not right i just can't bring myself to buy them regardless of how cheap they are.

About 2 years ago i made a up my mind to change my current model railway which is a 60s era UK west midlands set-up to a period correct 50s,60s era Queensland rail theme.

The only reason i went with the midlands theme was it was very easy to get all the parts needed to create it in HO size.I think i have set myself a huge challenge with the Queensland rail parts i will need as there is not much out there.And as a person who loves detail i know this is going to be bloody hard.

[Rurover]

DiscoMan,

Did you ever see the steam hauled Cairns to Kuranda train that ran in 2004 I think?
Here are a few pics for you to enjoy.

Last time I was in Cairns ()September last year) the loco and rolling stock were still housed in a shed opposite the airport.

The loco originally came from New Zealand and I think it ran for about 18 months on that Cairns to Kuranda line. Sadly the economics of the service did not add up, largely because it was hard for it to compete with the well established, government backed diesel hauled service for the tourist dollar.

Would be great if it could be reinstated and really "sold" to the inbound tourists as a better alternative the diesel service. Would need a lot of marketing with local and overseas tourist operators who are used to just booking passengers with the current operator.

Alan

[V8Ian]

Spot on mate that's why i didn't buy them.I am always on the lookout for new locos for the collection but if it is not right i just can't bring myself to buy them regardless of how cheap they are.

About 2 years ago i made a up my mind to change my current model railway which is a 60s era UK west midlands set-up to a period correct 50s,60s era Queensland rail theme.

The only reason i went with the midlands theme was it was very easy to get all the parts needed to create it in HO size.I think i have set myself a huge challenge with the Queensland rail parts i will need as there is not much out there.And as a person who loves detail i know this is going to be bloody hard.
:rulez::ttiwwp:
Sounds like you need to visit the Railway Workshops in Ipswich Disco Man.

The Workshops Rail Museum (http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/)

http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/Events+and+Exhibitions/Exhibitions/Permanent/Model+railway#.U1OV4VWSzkM

Mark (Isuzu too) may be able to steer you in the direction of your desires (regarding model trains ;)).

[V8Ian]

DiscoMan,

Did you ever see the steam hauled Cairns to Kuranda train that ran in 2004 I think?
Here are a few pics for you to enjoy.

Last time I was in Cairns ()September last year) the loco and rolling stock were still housed in a shed opposite the airport.

The loco originally came from New Zealand and I think it ran for about 18 months on that Cairns to Kuranda line. Sadly the economics of the service did not add up, largely because it was hard for it to compete with the well established, government backed diesel hauled service for the tourist dollar.

Would be great if it could be reinstated and really "sold" to the inbound tourists as a better alternative the diesel service. Would need a lot of marketing with local and overseas tourist operators who are used to just booking passengers with the current operator.

AlanIIRC the oil fired steam loco originally came from South Africa. Cairns Kuranda Steam Railway also owned an ex-QR rail-motor that they were re-powering with a RR diesel, if memory serves me correctly. My information dates back ten years, to when I used to deliver their fuel.

[V8Ian]

I guess I should be clearer Ian, for example the book says the South Maitland Railways is still running steam loco's, this was true in 1984. The line closed in 1984, after the book was published.:p There are other examples.Sorry Jim, I was being flippant. :angel:

[disco man]

Hey Rurover thank you very much awesome pictures what class is that loco? What i can't work out is the carriages she is using they aren't the usual cairns to kuranda carriages they are far to modern, to me they look like the old sun lander ones minus the markings.


Last time i saw a cairns to kuranda steam run in 1991 it was a double header the little A10 and PB15 i might be wrong but i think the little A10 is Australia's oldest working steam engine.

[disco man]

:rulez::ttiwwp:
Sounds like you need to visit the Railway Workshops in Ipswich Disco Man.

The Workshops Rail Museum (http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/)

Model Railway - The Workshops Rail Museum (http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/Events+and+Exhibitions/Exhibitions/Permanent/Model+railway#.U1OV4VWSzkM)

Mark (Isuzu too) may be able to steer you in the direction of your desires (regarding model trains ;)).

Sorry about the no pictures i know that's a big no-no but there is not much to see anymore it's all stripped ready for the new build sorry guys.I have been to workshops at Ipswich a couple of times and for a rail nut it was a bloody good day out.The only mistake i made was it was school holidays and there was a Thomas the tank engine day on for the kids the little bastards were everywhere.

The model railway of the suburban line was quite good.

[V8Ian]

What i can't work out is the carriages she is using they aren't the usual cairns to kuranda carriages they are far to modern, to me they look like the old sun lander ones minus the markings.

Those cars are an ex-suburban (Brisbane) stainless set, superseded with the introduction of electric sets. These suburban sets have air assisted sliding doors each end and reverseable seats.

[disco man]

Those cars are an ex-suburban (Brisbane) stainless set, superseded with the introduction of electric sets.

Thanks Ian i should have known that, back in the 80s when we were living in Brisbane and i caught the train to school every now and then a diesel with these sets would sometimes show up instead of a electric train,and sometimes the odd rail motor.

[Rurover]

Hey Rurover thank you very much awesome pictures what class is that loco? .

DiscoMan,

Ian was correct. This loco originates form South Africa (a 24 Class I gather) and came to Cairns via NZ.
Here's a link that gives a bit more detail.. Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under - 3620 (http://www.australiansteam.com/3620.htm)

Not sure about the history of the carriages, but you could well be right about their origin.

Alan

[disco man]

Those cars are an ex-suburban (Brisbane) stainless set, superseded with the introduction of electric sets. These suburban sets have air assisted sliding doors each end and reverseable seats.

Forgot to ask in my last post but have they stopped using the classic sets on the cairns to kuranda train?

The stainless sets just don't look right behind a steam loco.

[JDNSW]

The Gulflander being a prime example.

The only reason this line continued operation is that it was one of the first lines laid anywhere with iron sleepers (because of the white ants), so that it needed minimum maintenance. When I first saw it in 1964 the weekly train kept the white ant nests between the tracks down to axle height. Note that it was not a tourist railway then - it was a critical link in the wet season, as the road alongside was definitely not all weather.

The exploration party I worked on camped at Haydon Lagoon for several months.

John

[Pickles2]

I have a story "sort of" related to Steam in Queensland.
As I've said, I use to live in Toowoomba in the sixties, actually I lived in Drayton, I remember well the BB 18 1/4, & also the maroon coloured Railmotors that used to pass through Drayton Station, which is now a Railway Museum.
Anyway, I've always had an interest in firearms, & in those days ( I would've been around 14 ) there was a company in Brisbane called "Direct Disposals", they sold army surplus, including .303 rifles, and they advertised same in the newspaper. You could buy a "good" .303 for six guineas, or an "as new" one for seven guineas. I decided to buy the later. So I sent off a money order.
A week or so later, I got a phone call from the Drayton Railway Station that there was a parcel there for me to pick up.
So I rode down to the station on my two wheeler "semi racer", to pick up this "very long, narrow" parcel, & I rode home with it across my handlebars!
When I got home, I opened the box & was dismayed to find the rifle all covered in a black "grease". But when I cleaned all this stuff off, I found that the rifle looked like it'd never been fired. The stock was unmarked, & where the bolt slid there was no sign of use. I was very happy.
Couldn't imagine doing the same thing today?!
Pickles.

[disco man]

I have a story "sort of" related to Steam in Queensland.
As I've said, I use to live in Toowoomba in the sixties, actually I lived in Drayton, I remember well the BB 18 1/4, & also the maroon coloured Railmotors that used to pass through Drayton Station, which is now a Railway Museum.
Anyway, I've always had an interest in firearms, & in those days ( I would've been around 14 ) there was a company in Brisbane called "Direct Disposals", they sold army surplus, including .303 rifles, and they advertised same in the newspaper. You could buy a "good" .303 for six guineas, or an "as new" one for seven guineas. I decided to buy the later. So I sent off a money order.
A week or so later, I got a phone call from the Drayton Railway Station that there was a parcel there for me to pick up.
So I rode down to the station on my two wheeler "semi racer", to pick up this "very long, narrow" parcel, & I rode home with it across my handlebars!
When I got home, I opened the box & was dismayed to find the rifle all covered in a black "grease". But when I cleaned all this stuff off, I found that the rifle looked like it'd never been fired. The stock was unmarked, & where the bolt slid there was no sign of use. I was very happy.
Couldn't imagine doing the same thing today?!
Pickles.

Hell no mate, gun laws have changed dramatically since then you should see the bull**** to get a gun licence in Queensland these days.But at the end of the day if these measures keep guns out of the hands of nutjobs then it's probably not a bad thing.

[Ausfree]

I guess we are changing the meaning of this thread but anyrate back in the 1970's I worked in a sporting goods department of a large retail store.:)

We kept new firearms for sale on a rack (bolts removed) with a small chain going through the trigger guard on each rifle. customers could pick the rifles up and check them without a shop assistant being there.:o

Bullets were kept under a glass counter, anybody could reach over and pinch them:o Unbelievable!!!!when I think about it now.;)

[rangietragic]

Bit of qld steam history.First loco built in qld was the MARY ANN,built by john walker and co,later walkers ltd,in maryborough.It ran in the cooloola forest near rainbow beach hauling logs to poverty point on tin can inlet,where they were rafted up and towed to a sawmill near maryborough.It cut its own sleepers and rails from hardwood.A very good replica runs every thursday at maryborough on market day.Walkers ltd also built many locos,inc bb18 1/4s,plus rolling stock for qld rail plus other states.The stoney creek bridge,plus others on the kuranda rail line was also built by them.To see the mary ann along side the tilt train,also built by walkers,is a real eye opener as to rail evolution.Oh,melsa runs miniature steam locos giving rides in queens park in maryborough every second sunday.Another must for steam buffs:)

[Ausfree]

The question has been asked about the largest conventional loco to operate on the Queensland railway system. I don't know if it has already been answered but I found information on the C-19 Class 4-8-0 as being most powerful loco to operate there.:D

Queensland C19 class locomotive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[disco man]

Bit of qld steam history.First loco built in qld was the MARY ANN,built by john walker and co,later walkers ltd,in maryborough.It ran in the cooloola forest near rainbow beach hauling logs to poverty point on tin can inlet,where they were rafted up and towed to a sawmill near maryborough.It cut its own sleepers and rails from hardwood.A very good replica runs every thursday at maryborough on market day.Walkers ltd also built many locos,inc bb18 1/4s,plus rolling stock for qld rail plus other states.The stoney creek bridge,plus others on the kuranda rail line was also built by them.To see the mary ann along side the tilt train,also built by walkers,is a real eye opener as to rail evolution.Oh,melsa runs miniature steam locos giving rides in queens park in maryborough every second sunday.Another must for steam buffs:)

The DVD showed Mary Ann with a belt driven saw running off her very cool. Townsville also has a miniature steam railway that used to run the 3rd Sunday of the month. The care and attention to detail is first class and the guys that run them just have a massive amount of passion and are more than happy to share the knowledge of steam.

I think i get more of a kick out of it than my kids do.The engine drivers did it very tough after cyclone Yasi,the reopening was very special and showed how much effort put in to get it all up and running again.