The Queensland Rail History Podcast

We pass through train stations every day, but have you ever wondered who designed them? In this episode, our historian Greg Hallam and Annette Caesar explore the remarkable life and legacy of Elina Mottram, Queensland Railway's pioneering female architect, who set new benchmarks for women in the profession. Elina’s story is one of determination, talent, and trailblazing achievement. 

We’ve got a carriage‑load of episodes available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and we’re working on putting our back catalogue on YouTube. Please leave us a review and email us at [email protected] with questions or feedback. 

In this episode, Annette and historian Greg Hallam dive into the surprisingly colourful world of Queensland Rail’s locomotive liveries. From emerald greens and royal blues to bold Broncos‑inspired maroon and yellow, they trace how paint schemes have evolved from the 1800s to today. 

Greg shares the stories behind iconic locomotives, quirky nicknames, and the artistry hidden in heritage paint specifications. Plus, we chat with Daniel Croatto one of our maintainers working at Portsmith, Cairns. Daniel takes us behind the scenes of restoring century‑old Kuranda Scenic Railway timber carriages,  revealing the craftsmanship, heritage colours, and pride that keep these classics shining. A rich journey through colour, history, and the people who preserve it.

We've created a collection of historical images relating to the episode here.

Episode 28 - ‘On ya Bike’ - Along the Brisbane Valley Line - Some stories about the railway to Yarraman (and a bit beyond that…)

In this episode Annette and our Historian Greg Hallam take listeners on a nostalgic journey along the Brisbane Valley Line, a rural railway that once stretched from Wulkuraka to Yarraman. They explore its origins in the 1880s, the decades-long construction, and its role as the backbone for farming communities, timber, and dairy industries.

We cover the 'stopping places' where passengers waved down trains, the condensed milk factory at Toogoolawah, and the German immigrant farming communities that shaped the region. Greg shares stories of station mistresses, railway refreshment rooms, and the engineering feats needed to climb the Balfour Range.

Greg and Annette also reflect on the last steam train in southern Queensland in 1969, marking the end of an era, and how the line’s closure in the 1990s paved the way for today’s Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, a popular cycling and walking route. 

Here's a collection of images from Linville to Yarraman.

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!