In this mini Rail Tale episode, our host Annette and Queensland Rail Historian Greg Hallam take listeners on a nostalgic journey through Queensland’s rich history of seaside holidays and rail travel. From the origins of “taking the waters” in 18th-century Europe to the rise of beachside and mountain retreats in the Sunshine Coast, they explore how railways opened up access to iconic destinations like Palmwoods, Buderim, Montville, Mooloolaba, and Caloundra.

If you have a railway question for Greg, he would love to hear from you! email: [email protected]

Please follow for future episodes and leave us a review, it really helps!

Rail Tale Episode 5 - The Mecca of our Desires.

The Tourist train, the forerunner of today’s Kuranda Scenic Railway (KSR) experience has a long history going back to very beginning of the Cairns Railway.  

In 1913 as a result of what was termed a “rapid increase” in tourist traffic to Barron Falls, plans were prepared for what was termed four up-to-date observation carriages. It was hoped to have the new carriages ready by the 1914 tourist season, however the outbreak of the Great War saw an end to this project. 

The Grandstand Train was introduced in in 1930’s with innovative carriages, where the seats faced outwards to take in the passing scenery. The popularity of the train was well received but was unfortunately cancelled with the outbreak of the Second World War.  

Here's a collection of images discussed during the episode.

Book your tickets for the KSR today!

For more episodes, please search for the 'Queensland Rail History Podcast' on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or listen on our website: https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/ourhistory/the-queensland-rail-journey/history-podcast 

Please email your railway questions to our historian Greg: [email protected] 

Thanks for joining us on this journey so far - make sure you're following for future episodes, leave us a comment and let us know what we should cover for a future episode. If you can, please leave us a review or a like, we would love to hear from you!

In today’s world of selfies, social media and smartphones – everyone has a camera in their pocket. But, 160 years ago, a picture told a thousand words! These were seen as living images, forming an incredible archive - created by artists – professional photographers, employed by railways across the world. And even here, in Queensland there was those travelling the vast landscapes and documenting what was happening on the ground in front of them... And just like Instagram - this was curated content!  

In today’s episode – ‘Picture Perfect’ – we’re going to change our focal length and zoom in on some of the Queensland Railway’s photographers over the past century and a half and hear about a profession, the artistry, the tourism, the marketing and why their work was so important - not just for the railway - but for regional towns, connecting so many communities through a captured frame…

Here's a collection of images discussed during the episode.

Also - a link to the painting referenced at 34:16.

For more episodes, please search for the 'Queensland Rail History Podcast' on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or listen on our website.

Please email your 160th railway questions to our historian Greg: [email protected] 

Thanks for joining us on this journey so far - make sure you're following for future episodes, leave us a comment, review or a like, we would love to hear from you!

160th Special - People, personalities and the early beginnings of our railways.

On 31 July 1865, the first section of railway line opened in Queensland, between Ipswich and what was then called 'Bigges Camp' (today’s Grandchester). The story of our railway is much bigger than just a series of facts, figures, and statistics. It is more than a roll call of railway line openings, introduction of rollingstock and dates of events. The real story of the Queensland Railways was, and still is, about people. 

So – let’s take stock and look back to that beginning – discussing our first Commissioner and his Irish influence, a sparkling member of the Greek nobility, who inaugurated the railway works in 1864, the Scandinavian and other influences on the choice of gauge, and our first locomotives and rollingstock - and the battle of economy over engineering in that origin story. 

We also chat with Arthur, whose own connection with the railway story stretches nearly a third of those 160 years, while enjoying some of Annette's homemade slice - which was quite amazing! 

You can watch the video version of this episode here. 

For more episodes, please search for the 'Queensland Rail History Podcast' on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or listen on our website: https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/ourhistory/the-queensland-rail-journey/history-podcast 

Please email your 160th railway questions to our historian Greg: [email protected] 

Thanks for joining us on this journey so far - make sure you're following for future episodes, leave us a comment, review or a like, we would love to hear from you!

Rail Tale Episode 4 - Telegraphically Yours

When the first railway line opened in Queensland in 1865, alongside it also went the electric telegraph line. The wires that accompanied the rails would be a vital part of the connection of our communities and enable communication that was the very much at the forefront of technology in the middle 19th century. 

Got a question about our railway's history - send us a telegram, fax or e-mail to: [email protected]

Why do trains run late sometimes? 

How do you even plan a train time table? 

What does it take to become a train controller? 

What happens to the rail network during disruptions – like say, a tropical cyclone...? 

Here's our full interview with Matt Green, Senior Manager, RMC Product, Strategy and Planning. We hear about his love for trains, breaking down the key roles and responsibilities at the Rail Management Centre and why he always wanted to work in the railway.

Episode 25 - Signal Central - The Rail Management Centre

Why do trains run late sometimes? 

How do you even plan a train time table? 

What does it take to become a train controller? 

What happens to the rail network during disruptions – like say, a tropical cyclone...? 

In today's episode we chat to someone from our Train Planning team and find out all of that, and more!

We also chat with our Historian Greg Hallam about The Rail Management Centre (RMC) Project. The project involved the design and construction of a new three-storey structure on the site of the existing Mayne Control Centre, located at Bowen Hills. This is the heart of our Brisbane rail operations for the next 30 years.  

The RMC provides oversight over all Queensland Rail's passenger and freight movements in SEQ. Planning and scheduling of all 'business as usual' rail operations, reponse teams, security and incident management control.  

Let's take a look at the beginning of the Mayne Control Centre, and today’s 21st centre of train control.

Here's a collection of images Annette and Greg chat to throughout the episode.

Annette's full interview with Matt Green is available here. Thanks so much Matt for your time!

If you love trains and you love history, and you love train history, please follow the podcast and leave us a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, we would love to hear from you!

Also - do you have a QLD railway question ahead of our 160th anniversary? Email Greg at [email protected] and we can try and include it in our upcoming episode!

Episode 24 – Made in Maryborough

In 1873, Walker's Limited built Queensland's first steam engine and went on to become a major manufacturer of railway Rollingstock. The first B15 steam locomotives came from Walkers, and they built steam locomotives up until 1958.

Walker's Limited built over 550 steam powered, 12 diesel electric and 144 diesel hydraulic locomotives.

In today's episode we'll discuss how over 140 years this small Maryborough company grew through various name changes and ownership, made big things for Queensland Railways and other states of Australia too.

Episode 23 - Trains in King George Square

In February 1914, Queensland Railways commemorated the 50th anniversary of the beginning of construction for the first section of railway line in the state.  This section of line from Ipswich to Bigges Camp (today’s Grandchester, west of Ipswich) opened on 31 July 1865.

The Commissioner of the Railways had formally written to the Mayor of Brisbane, asking for permission to exhibit in Market (Albert) Square, "an example of the progress made in locomotive construction." The decision was taken to put on display what was then, the largest and most modern locomotive in the Queensland Railways roster.  This was C18 class locomotive No. 692, which would be one of three locomotives of this class eventually put into traffic. Along with it was the oldest “star” attraction A10 No.3, from 1865.

The crowds certainly turned out to see the “Trains in the Square”, and it was considered a good public relations exercise for Queensland Railways.  

So how did Queensland Railways get two steam trains into the centre of Brisbane, and rewrite some of its own history in the process? 

Well, join us for episode 23 of the Queensland Rail History podcast and find out more. We'll also be joined again by special guest, Rob Shiels, Curator for the Queensland Museum Rail Workshops, and hear about his own experience moving a large piece of history across the country and back.

Historical images discussed throughout the episode can be seen here.

Got any railway history questions? hit up our Historian, Greg Hallam. 

Please email: [email protected]

If you like what you're listening to, please follow our podcast and leave us a review, we'd love to hear from you and want to know what you'd like us to feature in a future episode. 

Rail Tale Episode 3 - ‘Filling’ in time: The School Rail Dental Clinics

Did you know one of the first travelling dental clinics in Queensland was a railway carriage? 

The school dental scheme was developed by the Department of Public Instruction in the late 1920s. The Rail Dental Clinic ensured people from the country received the same level of care as those living in the city. Operating for half a century, the Rail Dental Clinic service was discontinued in the early 1980s, but helped save many a tooth in Queensland, via rail.

Here's a collection of historical images here.