Book Extracts: “Queenslanders of today might find it difficult to envisage the conditions and life styles experienced by our outback pioneers of one hundred and twenty five years ago. Faced with the vast empty areas of the newly created state, and lack of any form of reliable transport or communication, they led a life of loneliness and isolation as they battled to make their way in a strange, harsh land. It is no wonder that the coming of the railways to country areas in those early days was welcomed with great enthusiasm. From the earliest days, Queensland Railways has participated in the development of the state. The construction of railways inland from seaports led to the opening up of large tracts of land for closer settlement and to the establishment of permanent townships in the place of temporary railway construction camps. The railways of today continue to play a leading role in the development of Queensland, servicing efficiently both long established and newly created export industries”. (Written by R.T. Sheehy, Commissioner for Railways 1986-89) From “Triumph of Narrow Gauge” by John Kerr, 1990, page 7 “The coming of the railway changed life immeasurably for many Australians, particularly those in isolated areas. Rail provided a cheap and efficient method of transport, and gave farming families the chance to “go to town” to visit relatives and friends. Before the railway, farmers and pastoralists transported their wool to the nearest market town in bullock wagons- a slow and arduous task. Cropping in inland areas virtually impossible, as crops would spoil before they reach the markets.” From “Living on the Line” by Marilyn Bitomsky & Lee Mylne, 1995, page 65 Railway Resources Timeline: This timeline lists a number of significant dates relating to the development of railways, with specific reference to railways in Queensland. Year Event • Thomas Newcomen produced the first practical engine for draining mines. It 1712 operated by atmospheric pressure moving a piston inside a cylinder, the partial vacuum created by steam condensing. The Newcomen engine was successful. • Watt introduced major improvements, including a separate condenser and rotary 1769 motion. • Richard Trevithick invents the high pressure engine that led to the world’s first 1801 steam locomotive – for road use. • Richard Trevithick’s locomotive hauls 10 tonnes of iron ore and 70 men between 1804 iron works at Pen-y-Darion and Merthyr Tydfil in Wales. 1830 • Robert and George Stephenson’s Rocket. • Railway Bill presented to Queensland Parliament by the Secretary for Land and Works, Mr A. Macalister on 19 May. • Railway Act assented to on 23 September. • Ipswich Grammar School officially opened by the Governor of Queensland, Sir George Ferguson Bowen – 24 September. • Mr Abraham Fitzgibbon appointed Engineer-in-Chief for the construction of 1863 railways in Queensland in late September, and Commissioner of Railways in December. • Tenders called for the construction of the first section of the Southern and Western Railway from Ipswich to the Little Liverpool Range – terminating at Bigge’s Camp, now Grandchester, 34.4 kilometres from Ipswich – on 19 November. • After tenders closed on 31 January, Messrs Peto, Brassey and Betts, famous English railway contractors, were awarded the contract to build the railway. • Mr Samuel Wilcox was placed in charge of the contract. • Tender for the construction of railway offices and stores buildings was accepted 1864 from John McDonald on 1 February. Buildings were to be erected on the north side of the Bremer River. • 25 February - Turning of the first sod for the construction of Queensland’s first railway line on the north bank of the Bremer River at Ipswich by Lady Bowen, wife of the Governor of Queensland, Sir George Bowen Railway Resources • First locomotive, named “Lady Bowen”, in steam, running from the locomotive shops to the railway wharf on the north river bank - 11 January • 25 April – First railway excursion in Queensland from North Ipswich, past the residence of the “Father of Queensland Railways” Mr A. Macalister to Guilfoyle’s Gully, the temporary terminus 9.5km in distance. At Guilfoyle’s Gully, the contractors provided a banquet. • The locomotive used was named “Pioneer”, attached to several carriages 1865 decorated with garlands and flags. The train travelled the 9.5km in forty minutes – an average speed of 14.25km/hr. • 31 July - Official opening of the Ipswich to Bigge’s Camp railway. Four trains ran, starting from the recently constructed railway station on the south side of the Bremer River and crossing the newly completed dual rail/road bridge over the river. • The first person to cross the new Bremer River bridge, other than the builders, was Robert Tallon, a North Ipswich baker, in one of his baker’s carts. 1867 • Railway extended to Toowoomba – official opening 30 April. • Railway extended from Ipswich to Brisbane – with ferry across the Brisbane River 1875 at Indooroopilly to link lines at Oxley Point (on the western bank of the river, near what is now Chelmer) and Indooroopilly, while the rail bridge was being built. 1876 • Indooroopilly bridge completed – full rail link Ipswich to Roma Street. • First contract for railway wagons in the Colony of Queensland awarded to S. 1882 Shillito and Son, Limestone Street, Ipswich. 1892 • Rudolph Diesel invents the diesel engine. • Major flooding in Ipswich and Brisbane. Severe disruption to rail services, one 1893 span of the Indooroopilly Bridge over the Brisbane River washed away. • The first diesel locomotive designed and constructed by Ruston and Company in 1900 England. • The North Coast Line linking Brisbane with Cairns was completed with the opening of the bridge over the North Johnstone River at Daradgee, just north of 1924 Innisfail. • The last Cobb & Co horse drawn coach in Queensland ran between Yuleba and Surat in south-west Queensland. • Effects of a worldwide move from rail to road for transport of goods and >1930 passengers start to become obvious. 1938 • “MALLARD” in England sets a world speed record for a steam locomotive – 203 Railway Resources km/hr. This record still stands. • The first diesel powered locomotive in Queensland was constructed at the Ipswich 1939 Railway Workshops. This was Diesel Mechanical locomotive, DL1, now on display at The Workshops Rail Museum. • The Moreton field was the largest producer of coal in Queensland, with 67 small 1949 mines yielding 47 percent of the State's output. • Diesel Electric locomotives introduced on Queensland Railways. • Ipswich Railway Workshops constructs its last steam locomotive. The DD17 1051 1952 entered service in July and was retired in September 1968, and restored to working order in August 1993. It currently operates charter services as required. • Queensland’s first air conditioned passenger train enters service, operating as the 1953 INLANDER between Townsville and Mount Isa (12 February). • Improved roads and air services enhance the drift away from rail as a mover of people and goods. • >1955 Cutbacks in rail services. • Closure of branch lines. • Move away from steam locomotives gains momentum. • The last mainline steam locomotive constructed in Australia enters service with Queensland Railways. It is BB18¼ class No. 1089, constructed by Walkers Ltd., 1958 Maryborough, Queensland, entering service in March. It was retired in June 1969, restored to working order in early 2002, and today hauls charter trains as required. • The total population of Ipswich was 43,200. • The railway workshops at North Ipswich employed 2500 people. • Coalmines on the West Moreton field employed 3000 people. • The three woollen mills – North Ipswich, East Ipswich and Redbank – employed 1960 1000 people. • Other major industries included sawmills, foundries, brickworks, potteries, printeries, engineering and boilermaking works, plywood and bondwood mill and abattoirs. >1960 • Decline in the traditional industrial, mining and agricultural base of Ipswich. • First regular high speed train service in the world – the Japanese Tokaido Shinkansen (Bullet Train) enters service between Tokyo and Osaka. The service 1964 provided for 60 trains a day with a 2 trains an hour leaving Tokyo. The journey each way took four hours, carrying 61000 people a day. 1971 • Coal becomes the major commodity to be moved by Queensland Rail. Railway Resources • Queensland Rail’s first electric suburban trains (EMU) introduced on Brisbane 1979 suburban services between Ferny Grove and Darra. 1990 • The TGV in France sets a world speed record of 515 km/hr 1998 • Electric Tilt Train (RTT) commences service between Brisbane and Rockhampton. • Great South Pacific Express commences operations in Queensland 1999 • Japanese Maglev train reaches a record speed of 552 km/h in April • Diesel Tilt Train (CTT) commences operation between Brisbane and Cairns, 2003 cutting journey time to 24 hours 55 minutes. • Japanese Maglev train reaches new record speed of 581 km/h on 2 December. • On 1 October, the Japanese Tokaido Shinkansen (Bullet Train) celebrates its 40 th anniversary. The service now provides for 291 trains a day with 12 trains an hour 2004 leaving Tokyo. The journey each way is reduced to 2½ hours, carrying 361000 people a day. • Pacific National Queensland commences freight services as a third party operator 2005 on QR’s North Coast Line between Brisbane and Cairns. Railway Resources .