Queensland's Cane Trains - Invicta Mill (Giru) Part 4

Queensland has a fascinating network of sugar cane railways stretching from Bundaberg in the South through to Mossman in the North. 17 sugar mills have railway networks with over 4000km of track across the state. All the mills use 2ft gauge track, except for Pioneer Mill which uses 3ft 6in gauge track.
Locomotives are diesel hydraulic, with ages ranging from 70 years old to brand new (2023 built). Some locomotives have been converted from former Queensland Rail 3ft 6in DH class, or New South Wales Government Railways 4ft 8 1/2in 47 class.
Wagons are unbraked and some trains operate with a remote controlled brake van at the rear of the train to provide additional braking force. Trains can be up to 1km long, consisting of up to 200 wagons with a weight of approximately 1000 tons.
Some trains require two crew members however many locomotives have been converted to driver only operating and can be switched to remote control operation for shunting.
This video contains footage taken in August 2023 of Invicta Mill's network. Invicta Mill is at Giru in Queensland's Burdekin Region, one of the few areas that still burns sugar cane prior to harvesting. Invicta Mill (as well as the other three mills in the Burdekin Region) are owned by Wilmar Sugar. Invicta, Pioneer and Kalamia Mills all share the same rail network. As Pioneer Mill uses 3ft 6in gauge track, there are lengthy sections of dual gauge 2ft/3ft 6in gauge track in this region.
Invicta Mill uses a fleet of ex QR DH class and NSWGR 73 class locomotives, converted for cane haulage in the mid 1990's.
1. This video shows 'Rita Island' with an empty train at Clare 3 and 4 Sidings.
2. We then move further down the line to where 'Rita Island' is seen running beside Ayr-Dalbeg Rd. The train branches off the mainline here and heads onto the Mulgrave Branch.
3. We then caught up to 'Giru' and it's loaded train again, crossing the School Road crossing near Clare township.
4. 'Giru' is seen on the Mona Park straight with it's lengthy train.
5. 'Clare' picks up loaded wagons from the sidings at Cadio Road.
6. After attaching the loaded wagons to the rest of it's train, 'Clare' departs with a long rake of loaded wagons.