Bety at the Roma Street station, ready from a two-hour trip across the city. Photo: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
The whistle, steam and sound marked it out as a train unlike others – steam train Bety had pulled into Brisbane’s Roma Street station.
Two steam trains pulled into the station as part of Queensland Rail’s 160th birthday celebrations – the historic BB18 ¼ locomotive Bety took passengers on a return journey to Pinkenba while the other was for show only.
To the sound of jazz provided by the married duo of Terry and Janet Million, from near Kingaroy, old and young fans gathered on platform three to wait for its arrival.
There were media, of course. And cameras – lots and lots of cameras.
The special guest was Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg, accompanied by Qld Rail CEO Kat Stapleton.
Kat Stapleton and Brent Mickelberg. Photo: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
The minister told the assembled media, to the backdrop of Bety ‘idling’, that the 160th birthday was as much a celebration of the future as it was of the past.
“The future is exciting with government delivering several major rail transport projects on the horizon – like the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project and The Wave on the Sunshine Coast – as we head towards the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Stapleton says rail had been the backbone of the state for 160 years.
“We’re incredibly proud of our history and we’re just as excited about what’s ahead,” she says.
“Queensland Rail continues to evolve to meet the needs of our growing State, and we are proud to connect communities.”
She says the past could not be forgotten given the enthusiasm show for the stream train day.
“We know by how quickly this steam train event sold out that Queensland Rail holds a special place in the hearts of so many,” she says.
“We are so pleased that even those who missed out on a ticket were able to come to Roma Street station to celebrate the festivities with us.”
The train trip proved especially eye-catching as the public at stations and nearby rail lines stopped to watch and film the train on its two-hour journey.
Terry and Janet Million perform at Roma Street station today. Photo: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
MORE EVENTS
Stapleton pointed to upcoming events as Qld Rail continues to celebrate 160 years of existence.
“We have plenty more planned including steam at this year’s Ekka on People’s Day and the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers diesel hauled heritage shuttles,” she says.
Tickets for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers train trips to Spring Bluff are also on sale.
“For 160 years, Queensland Rail kept communities connected, freight moving and our economy thriving,” Mickelberg says.
“From the first section of rail opening in 1865 with steam trains, to the construction of the rail line from Brisbane all the way to Cairns, the introduction of electric trains and now 50 cent fares becoming permanent, there’s so much to celebrate as our state’s rail turns 160.”
For more details about rail history, celebrations and ticketing, clock on Queensland Rail’s website.
