An A10 Avonside known as Lady Bowen held the honour of running the first train on Queensland's Railways in 1865 between Bigge’s Camp (Grandchester) and Ipswich. Caption under photograph reads: First engine employed on the Queensland railways. John Smith (driver), Harry Holmes (fireman). Names reading from left to right: J. Suett, J. Perryman, J. Bedford, W. Batchelor, H. Horniblow, J. Blythe, J. Wriggles. The official opening of the first section of the Ipswich to Grandchester railway in 1865 which was attended by Governor Sir George Bowen and Lady Bowen. Photo: QLD UNIVERSITY of TECHNOLOGY
First buildings at the Ipswich Railway Workshops. Photo: STATE LIBRARY OF QLD
QUEENSLAND Rail was born from the turmoil of one of the most contentious Bills ever debated by government.
“Records show that the 1863 Railway Bill was one of the most fiercely debated bills that had been placed before the colonial legislature,” Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton said.
“The main opposition centred on the choice of three foot six inches as the gauge, which had never been used before for a main line.
“However, despite the debate, on the 25 February 1864, the first sod of the Queensland railways was turned at North Ipswich, by Lady Bowen, the wife of the first Queensland Governor Sir George Bowen.”
On July 31, this year it will be 160 years from when the first section opened at Bigges Camp. (It was renamed Grandchester by Governor Bowen that day).
Ms Stapleton said the railways had played a vital role in the economic and social development of the state.
“Nearly everything the railway needed to operate – staff, locomotives and carriages – were imported from Britain,” she said.
“The first railway wasn’t initially for the benefit of moving people, but to move wool and produce to the coast.
“And when gold was discovered in the late 1800s, we saw rail lines built to Mt Perry, Gympie, Charters Towers and Mount Morgan.
“Where the railways went, those communities expanded and flourished.”
Ms Stapleton said Queensland Rail had come a long way.
“It’s wonderful to look back at our beginnings as a ‘Pony Railway’ to see how far we’ve come today,” she said.
“Our network now extends more than 6,600k across the state and we have a workforce of 7,500.”
