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PODCAST

The Queensland Rail History Podcast

Queensland Rail

Our podcast is very much like the beginnings of the Queensland Railways in 1865 - a journey into the rich tapestry that is the story of Queensland. Since the colony and later the state of Queensland first came into existence there has been a story in the background. A story of iron, and steel, of timber and tin and most importantly, people. People think about the railway, and think of the iconic images of the steam locomotives, rollingstock, railway lines, stations but so much of our history is the

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All Episodes

36:22

Ep 29 - Lovely Liveries

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2026/01/16

In this episode, Annette and historian Greg Hallam dive into the surprisingly colourful world of Queensland Rail’s locomotive liveries. From emerald greens and royal blues to bold Broncos‑inspired maroon and yellow, they trace how paint schemes have evolved from the 1800s to today. Greg shares the stories behind iconic locomotives, quirky nicknames, and the artistry hidden in heritage paint specifications. Plus, we chat with Daniel Croatto one of our maintainers working at Portsmith, Cairns. Daniel

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46:10

Ep 28 - When was the end of the steam era in Queensland?

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/11/14

In this episode Annette and our Historian Greg Hallam take listeners on a nostalgic journey along the Brisbane Valley Line, a rural railway that once stretched from Wulkuraka to Yarraman. They explore its origins in the 1880s, the decades-long construction, and its role as the backbone for farming communities, timber, and dairy industries.We cover the 'stopping places' where passengers waved down trains, the condensed milk factory at Toogoolawah, and the German immigrant farming

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20:34

Mini Ep 6 - Rails to Resorts: Queensland’s Coastal...

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/10/25

In this mini Rail Tale episode, our host Annette and Queensland Rail Historian Greg Hallam take listeners on a nostalgic journey through Queensland’s rich history of seaside holidays and rail travel. From the origins of “taking the waters” in 18th-century Europe to the rise of beachside and mountain retreats in the Sunshine Coast, they explore how railways opened up access to iconic destinations like Palmwoods, Buderim, Montville, Mooloolaba, and Caloundra.If you have a railway question for Greg, he

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25:51

Mini Ep 5 - What happened to the Kuranda Tourist and...

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/09/25

Rail Tale Episode 5 - The Mecca of our Desires.The Tourist train, the forerunner of today’s Kuranda Scenic Railway (KSR) experience has a long history going back to very beginning of the Cairns Railway. In 1913 as a result of what was termed a “rapid increase” in tourist traffic to Barron Falls, plans were prepared for what was termed four up-to-date observation carriages. It was hoped to have the new carriages ready by the 1914 tourist season, however the outbreak of the Great War saw an end to

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40:14

Episode 27 - Picture Perfect!

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/08/19

In today’s world of selfies, social media and smartphones – everyone has a camera in their pocket. But, 160 years ago, a picture told a thousand words! These were seen as living images, forming an incredible archive - created by artists – professional photographers, employed by railways across the world. And even here, in Queensland there was those travelling the vast landscapes and documenting what was happening on the ground in front of them... And just like Instagram - this was curated content

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78:26

Episode 26 - 160th Special - People, personalities...

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/08/01

On 31 July 1865, the first section of railway line opened in Queensland, between Ipswich and what was then called 'Bigges Camp' (today’s Grandchester). The story of our railway is much bigger than just a series of facts, figures, and statistics. It is more than a roll call of railway line openings, introduction of rollingstock and dates of events. The real story of the Queensland Railways was, and still is, about people. So – let’s take stock and look back to that beginning – discussing

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16:15

Rail Tale Episode 4 - Telegraphically Yours

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/07/18

When the first railway line opened in Queensland in 1865, alongside it also went the electric telegraph line. The wires that accompanied the rails would be a vital part of the connection of our communities and enable communication that was the very much at the forefront of technology in the middle 19th century. Got a question about our railway's history - send us a telegram, fax or e-mail to: history@qr.com.au

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59:12

Episode 25 - Signal Central - The Rail Management Centre

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/06/13

Why do trains run late sometimes? How do you even plan a train time table? What does it take to become a train controller? What happens to the rail network during disruptions – like say, a tropical cyclone...? In today's episode we chat to someone from our Train Planning team and find out all of that, and more!We also chat with our Historian Greg Hallam about The Rail Management Centre (RMC) Project. The project involved the design and construction of a new three-storey structure on the site of

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49:31

What does it take to plan a train? our interview with...

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/06/13

Why do trains run late sometimes? How do you even plan a train time table? What does it take to become a train controller? What happens to the rail network during disruptions – like say, a tropical cyclone...? Here's our full interview with Matt Green, Senior Manager, RMC Product, Strategy and Planning and hear about his love for trains, photography and hear about his 22 year career in the railway.

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43:57

Episode 24 – Made in Maryborough

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/04/09

In 1873, Walker's Limited built Queensland's first steam engine and went on to become a major manufacturer of railway Rollingstock. The first B15 steam locomotives came from Walkers, and they built steam locomotives up until 1958.Walker's Limited built over 550 steam powered, 12 diesel electric and 144 diesel hydraulic locomotives.In today's episode we'll discuss how over 140 years this small Maryborough company grew through various name changes and ownership, made big

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74:00

Episode 23 - Trains in King George Square

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/03/14

In February 1914, Queensland Railways commemorated the 50th anniversary of the beginning of construction for the first section of railway line in the state. This section of line from Ipswich to Bigges Camp (today’s Grandchester, west of Ipswich) opened on 31 July 1865.The Commissioner of the Railways had formally written to the Mayor of Brisbane, asking for permission to exhibit in Market (Albert) Square, "an example of the progress made in locomotive construction." The decision was taken

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5:51

Rail Tale Episode 3 - ‘Filling’ in time: The School...

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/02/19

Did you know one of the first travelling dental clinics in Queensland was a railway carriage? The school dental scheme was developed by the Department of Public Instruction in the late 1920s. The Rail Dental Clinic ensured people from the country received the same level of care as those living in the city. Operating for half a century, the Rail Dental Clinic service was discontinued in the early 1980s, but helped save many a tooth in Queensland, via rail.Here's a collection of historical images

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66:09

Episode 22 - Not quite set in concrete?

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/01/24

Today on our podcast, we will go on a journey, and look at when things were not set in stone, but, rather, poured in concrete. Queensland Railways was a pioneer in the early use of concrete, where remarkable structures, bridges, dams, and buildings sprang up all over the state using this innovative building material. We will also talk about getting the mix correct with Peter Osborne, Heritage Strategist in Queensland Rail and here about his love for concrete... Here's a link to a collection

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4:13

Rail Tale Episode 2 - A Runaway Premier (or a runaway...

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2025/01/06

In 1931, the then Queensland Premier Arthur Moore travelled to Monto and opened Monto's Third Annual Show on Friday, 1 May 1931. Monto was a "new town" to which rail connection had been opened via Gayndah on 15th September 1928. The official party comprised the Premier, Arthur Moore, his wife, and Mr. R. L. Boyd, Country Party M.L.A. for Burnett from 1928 to 1932, who had a dairy farm near Wetheron in the Burnett district. The Premiers’ carriage (Possibly No. 920) was attached to the

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36:43

Episode 21 - The Merivale Bridge

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2024/12/05

On Saturday, 18 November 1978, the Merivale Railway Bridge, connecting Roma Street and South Brisbane Railway Stations was officially opened in the presence of 850 official guests.Crossing the Brisbane River, the bridge was constructed over a period of three years and three months and reported to have cost $20.6 million.In today's episode we discuss why the Merivale Bridge is still so important for Brisbane train travellers.We also chat with Brad Sutton, Asset and Structures Manager at

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53:53

Episode 20 - The North Coast Railway

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2024/11/08

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries most of the travel between the isolated railway systems, and towns of Queensland was carried out by coastal shipping. By the end of the nineteenth century there were eleven of these isolated systems of the Queensland Railways and most of them ran from a coastal point towards the bush – the closest port was considered a good enough place to start from.Or finish?However, it was these far-flung lines heading off to the interior that would form the

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3:25

Rail Tale Episode 1 - Queensland's first Station Master

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2024/08/21

A short rail tale about Queensland’s first Station Master…Sir Charles Fox and Son, Agents for the Queensland Government based in London, were appointed as consulting engineers to the colony of Queensland and were given the job to find administrative staff for the Southern and Western Railway, then under construction between Ipswich and Grandchester (Bigges Camp). On 12 January 1865, the agents distributed the copy for an advertisement to seek men to fill the following positions: ”Traffic Manager,

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69:33

Episode 19 - Cobb & Co and the Queensland Railways -...

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2024/07/30

From the mid-1860s until 1924, travel in Australia involved trains hauled by steam locomotives, sailing and steam ships, paddle steamers, cable cars in the big cities, bicycles, and later the motor car. Plus, one of the great icons of transport in Australia - the horse-drawn coach services called Cobb & Co. As the railways grew, and other transport evolved, the legendary coaches and their magnificent horse teams, withdrew to places longing for transport, rather than compete with the new forms of

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47:13

Episode 18 - The Tilt Train

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2024/07/17

In today's episode we look at how over 25 years ago, Queensland Rail began its ‘tilt to the future’ with an innovative technology and a number of Australian rail firsts, and how two trains revolutionised the train service between Brisbane and Rockhampton. We also chat with Jack, one of our Regional Rollingstock Project Delivery Managers involved in a recent traction package upgrade for the ETTs (Electric Tilt Trains). Here's a collection of images looking back at the Tilt Trains over the

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56:42

Episode 17 - Electrifying Times

The Queensland Rail History Podcast ·

2024/04/26

There were two events in the 1960s and early 1970s that led to a massive change in South East Queensland’s passenger railways. The first was the replacement of steam with diesel-electric locomotives by 1969. This inevitably led to faster and cleaner trains. The next big step forward was the introduction of modern electric trains for the suburban system in Brisbane with the first services in November, 1979. On 8 May 1979, the first section of the new system was energised, from Roma Street to permit

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