Queensland

Queensland, for many years the domain of the QGR, then QR and laconically referred to as quaint and rattly. But unlike the southern states, Queensland’s railways had to punch their way across vast distances to sparsely populated areas and it had to be done as economically as possible. This could never be achieved by imitating the expensively engineered railways of the southern states, with their huge engines propelling the goods and passengers on their standard and broad gauge networks. Queenslanders had to make do with their 3’6 wide track, conservative civil engineering standards and light rolling stock. Despite these economies, the tracks and trains were usually adequate for the task, and indeed were to key to the states development.

Export coal markets and infrastructure began being developed from the late 60’s which resulted in construction of new coal roads, electrification of the Brisbane suburban system and the North Coast line to Rockhampton. It was a time of healthy revenues and much of the old Quaint and Rattly QR remained intact with little need to economise. But it was never going to last for ever, and while some branch lines lived up to twenty years beyond their use by dates when considered in relation to comparative southern branches, the axe was always hovering. Withdrawal of branch line railmotor services began during the late ’80s with branch closures following shortly thereafter.

Non Queensland visitors to this site might find some helpful explanation of Queensland Signalling over at the ever developing Signalling Interest Group, Queensland (SIGQ) site.