Bety is a BB18¼ steam train and will be helping Queensland Rail celebrate 160 years of railway in the state.
Qld Rail says the public will be able to take ride onboard Bety from the Roma Street station to Exhibition Station on Wednesday, August 13, during Ekka.
The standard 50 cent fare applies.
Two other steam train trips have also been planned for the celebrations.
Qld Rail chief executive officer Kat Stapleton says that more activities are planned for the year that will take in Christmas and the Carnival of Flowers in Toowoomba.
“We know how crucial the introduction of the railway was to the development of our great state and that deserves to be celebrated,” she says.
“There is a huge rail-loving community. We know they have been asking for steam train trips to celebrate this significant milestone.
“We are pleased to deliver these journeys to remember, including steam returning to the city and to the Ekka for the first time since 2019,” Stapleton says.
“The events announced are just the beginning of our 160-year celebrations, with more planned throughout the year, including for the Carnival of Flowers and for Christmas.”
The first section of rail opened between Ipswich and Bigges Camp (Grandchester) on July 31, 1865.
This year’s Ekka will run from August 9-17.
For more about the rail celebrations, including booking a ride, click here to visit Qld Rail’s website
- Saturday, July 26 — a chartered train will depart the North Ipswich Railyards at 9am and arrive at Grandchester, (formerly Bigges Camp, Qld’s first railway station), before returning at 1pm. Tickets: $60 per adult / $54 concession / $42 per child (under 14 years) / $185 per family (2 adults / 2 children). Buy from ARHS Sunshine Express
- Thursday, July 31 — a steam service will run from Roma St to Pinkenba and back via the Tennyson loop with a special commemoration at Roma St and the chance to meet the train drivers. Tickets: $10 per adult / $5 per child; proceeds for charity. Steam trip tickets strictly limited. Visit Eventbrite
- Thursday, July 31 — birthday celebrations at Freshwater Station on the Kuranda Scenic Railway (Far North Qld). Website: Kuranda Scenic Railway
- Saturday to Sunday, September 20-28 — Carnival of Flowers heritage diesel shuttle running twice daily from Toowoomba to the historic Spring Bluff station. Tickets: $22 per adult / $11 per child (no concessions). Tickets available late July via Queensland Rail Travel.
Source: Queensland Rail[/dt_vc_list]
