Queensland pioneer steam railway
Encyclopedia
The Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway conduct steam train trips from Bundamba Racecourse on the Swanbank Branch Line to the Swanbank Power station, near Ipswich
, Queensland
. There is a heritage station located at Swanbank and a platform at the Bundamba Racecourse.[1]
Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway (QPSR) operate heritage railway excursions through the scenic country of the Bundamba and Swanbank area. The train operates on the first and third Sunday of every month departing from both Swanbank train station and the Bundamba Racecourse, the journey will see you pass through Box Flat
. QPSR has a Depot at Box Flat, the halfway point on the line. Since February 2010, the steam trains have been running in conjunction with the Handmade Expo, at the Bundamba Racecourse, operating on the third Saturday of the month. The trips on the Saturdays are from Bundamba to Box Flat and return.
QPSR has three steam locomotives, the first being an ex-QR PB15 class locomotive, Number 448, built by Walkers of Maryborough in 1908, and now fully restored in working order. The second locomotive is known as Kilrie
which was built in South Australia in 1924. The third locomotive is C17
No. 996, built in 1950, which previously sat on the Southport beachfront, and is now in a dismantled stage to allow examinations to be carried out pending the decision to return it to operational condition. QPSR has a preserved diesel, a 1600 class Diesel Electric locomotive, 1616, in working order to support their railway operations.
The journey offers the chance to both experience and re-live the "Golden Age" of railway travel in Queensland . There are diverse gradients and negotiating winding curves throughout the trip. Travellers on board will pass the QPSR Depot at Box Flat, roughly the halfway point on the line, continuing through the districts of Blackstone, Bundamba and Swanbank in fully restored heritage timber carriages, through bushland and open country, past closed coal mines, farms and paddocks, and the Swanbank Power Station.
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. There is a heritage station located at Swanbank and a platform at the Bundamba Racecourse.[1]
Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway (QPSR) operate heritage railway excursions through the scenic country of the Bundamba and Swanbank area. The train operates on the first and third Sunday of every month departing from both Swanbank train station and the Bundamba Racecourse, the journey will see you pass through Box Flat
Box Flat Mine
The Box Flat Mine or Box Flat Colliery was located in Swanbank, Ipswich, Queensland. The mine opened in 1969 and operated until its closure in 1972. Its coal was mined for the operation of the Swanbank Power Station.-Explosion:...
. QPSR has a Depot at Box Flat, the halfway point on the line. Since February 2010, the steam trains have been running in conjunction with the Handmade Expo, at the Bundamba Racecourse, operating on the third Saturday of the month. The trips on the Saturdays are from Bundamba to Box Flat and return.
QPSR has three steam locomotives, the first being an ex-QR PB15 class locomotive, Number 448, built by Walkers of Maryborough in 1908, and now fully restored in working order. The second locomotive is known as Kilrie
Kilrie
Kilrie is a railway locomotive, built in South Australia.Built by Perry Engineering of Gawler in November 1924 this tiny locomotive was one of twelve similar units purchased by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission of Victoria for use on the construction of the Hume Weir on the Murray River...
which was built in South Australia in 1924. The third locomotive is C17
Queensland C17 class locomotive
The C17 class locomotive was a 4-8-0 locomotive of the Queensland Railways. . The locomotives operated on narrow gauge.The design was so successful that 227 locomotives were built from 1920 when the first engine N° 15 entering service through until 1953 when N° 1000 was delivered. The 22 NM...
No. 996, built in 1950, which previously sat on the Southport beachfront, and is now in a dismantled stage to allow examinations to be carried out pending the decision to return it to operational condition. QPSR has a preserved diesel, a 1600 class Diesel Electric locomotive, 1616, in working order to support their railway operations.
The journey offers the chance to both experience and re-live the "Golden Age" of railway travel in Queensland . There are diverse gradients and negotiating winding curves throughout the trip. Travellers on board will pass the QPSR Depot at Box Flat, roughly the halfway point on the line, continuing through the districts of Blackstone, Bundamba and Swanbank in fully restored heritage timber carriages, through bushland and open country, past closed coal mines, farms and paddocks, and the Swanbank Power Station.