Last weekend DH and I enjoyed our Christmas gifts to each other...a trip on the 'Winelander' train which is one of the excursions run by the Australian Railway Historical Society, Queensland Division. Sadly this is the last Winelander to run due to problems with rolling stock and small tunnels. The trip goes from Brisbane, to Ipswich, then on to Toowoomba, then Warwick and finally arriving in Stanthorpe which is known for it's 50+ wineries in the region. The journey passes through lots of small communities; some with stations others just with a name board.
I wanted to do this trip for sentimental reasons. My mother and I made this same journey in the 1950s when we would at various times, go to visit my godparents on their farm outside Stanthorpe. I still have some memories of those trips such as the train stopping beside another train with sheep in the wagons (very exciting for a city kid!) and arriving at Stanthorpe station and being met by my godfather.
There may not be any livestock trains on this line any more but we did see some of the old wagons that used to carry animals, in a paddock. There were about 3 or 4 wagons with grass growing up through them. The photo was taken from the moving train and then cropped but it may be necessary to double click on the photo to enlarge it.
As we journeyed on Saturday I was saddened by the realisation that the era of the railway on this line is virtually over...passenger services no longer go out past Toowoomba...many stations have been pulled down. My godparents used to use the railways to send their fruit to the markets in both Brisbane and Sydney as did the other farmers but that stopped a long time ago. Buildings around the bigger stations that held freight etc sit empty, neglected and dejected looking.
But enough of the 'sad, reflective stuff', it was a wonderful trip in comfortable ex Sunlander carriages.
Saturday, 6.20 am and already we are at Roma St Station...
A couple of views from Platform 10...
Our train has arrived from Mayne yard...
Old Sunlander carriages...
As we head towards Ipswich, we pass stately old homes in Graceville...
A view of the Brisbane River...
Then before long we are crossing another river, this time the Bremer River...
We've passed through Ipswich now and are heading towards Toowoomba...
To get to Toowoomba, the railway line climbs up the range quite steeply from Murphy's Creek to Spring Bluff. If you have a bit of time, you may like to read the post I wrote about Spring Bluff here; it's one of the prettiest stations I've seen and it suffered greatly in the floods of 2011.
When the train arrived in Toowoomba, because of the big 'step down' between the train and the platform, we had to use these steps...
Some of the old restored railway equipment at Toowoomba station...
Part of the front of the station...it is all beautifully restored even though its heyday is long gone.
On the train that Saturday morning, as well as looking out the window and taking in the views of the beautiful countryside, we were also able to go to the Lounge Car and try some wines...3 whites on Saturday. (the reds were on Sunday on the way home)
Next time I will write about the rest of our trip...
I wanted to do this trip for sentimental reasons. My mother and I made this same journey in the 1950s when we would at various times, go to visit my godparents on their farm outside Stanthorpe. I still have some memories of those trips such as the train stopping beside another train with sheep in the wagons (very exciting for a city kid!) and arriving at Stanthorpe station and being met by my godfather.
There may not be any livestock trains on this line any more but we did see some of the old wagons that used to carry animals, in a paddock. There were about 3 or 4 wagons with grass growing up through them. The photo was taken from the moving train and then cropped but it may be necessary to double click on the photo to enlarge it.
As we journeyed on Saturday I was saddened by the realisation that the era of the railway on this line is virtually over...passenger services no longer go out past Toowoomba...many stations have been pulled down. My godparents used to use the railways to send their fruit to the markets in both Brisbane and Sydney as did the other farmers but that stopped a long time ago. Buildings around the bigger stations that held freight etc sit empty, neglected and dejected looking.
But enough of the 'sad, reflective stuff', it was a wonderful trip in comfortable ex Sunlander carriages.
Saturday, 6.20 am and already we are at Roma St Station...
Our train has arrived from Mayne yard...
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| The people in the white shirts in front of DH are some of the wonderful staff who looked after us over the 2 days; they were all volunteers! |
A view of the Brisbane River...
Then before long we are crossing another river, this time the Bremer River...
We've passed through Ipswich now and are heading towards Toowoomba...
 |
| I'm a big kid really...love it when the train goes around a curve and you can see the loco :-) |
When the train arrived in Toowoomba, because of the big 'step down' between the train and the platform, we had to use these steps...
Some of the old restored railway equipment at Toowoomba station...
Part of the front of the station...it is all beautifully restored even though its heyday is long gone.
On the train that Saturday morning, as well as looking out the window and taking in the views of the beautiful countryside, we were also able to go to the Lounge Car and try some wines...3 whites on Saturday. (the reds were on Sunday on the way home)
Its the same the whole world over I am afraid, Disused train lines and packed roads.
ReplyDeleteA great memory for you to treasure.
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying seeing your trip through your photos.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's sad how the services are declining.
I too love train travel. As a kid we used to travel on a steam train to visit our grandparents - such a highlight in my childhood memories!
You look very comfortable in your carriage :D)
I don't think I've seen a close-up of your DH before....what a good looking bloke you've got there Maria :)
ReplyDelete