Australia

For those who are out of town and don’t know what Steam Train Sunday is, well each 1st Sunday of the month, QR runs a steam hauled passenger train around one of two dedicated loops.  The first one that was used was out through the southern line past South Bank and up through Gloucester St…

The State of Queensland was gazetted in 1859 by Queen Victoria (hence Queensland) and 2009 is the 150th anniversary of the event.  Numerous celebrations were held around the state, all relatively low key, but still, at least it was recognised.  One of the key events in all the celebrations was the Q150 Steam Train, where Queensland…

The 27th and 28th of June 2009 was a very auspicious day for me, as this weekend was scheduled for the theory and practical examinations that had to be passed in order for me to achieve my “steam ticket”, or accreditation to operate a boiler and reciprocating engine.  The theory turned out to be a…

Queensland Rail is unique among railway operators in Australia in that it still owns and operates steam locomotives in heritage service.  Given that it has been over 40 years since steam traction finished as regular motive power in the state, drivers and fireman who were qualified on steam in regular service are very thin on…