STEAM IN QUEENSLAND

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Originally Posted by JDNSW

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

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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

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulflander"]Gulflander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

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.

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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Not much has changed in regard to steam locos since 1984 Jim, a few restorations maybe. ;)

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Originally Posted by V8Ian

Not much has changed in regard to steam locos since 1984 Jim, a few restorations maybe. ;)

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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.

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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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.:)

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by disco man

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.

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: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.a...y#.U1OV4VWSzkM

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