Queensland's Cane Trains - Invicta Mill (Giru) Part 2

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  • Опубликовано: 29 фев 2024
  • 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 starts at Major Loop where we see a well timed cross between 'Minkom' with a loaded train and 'Clare' with a rake of empties.
    2. Following closely behind was 'Rita Island' with another rake of empties. This train is seen crossing 'Minkom' before heading to the end of the loop and waiting line clear. Clare's train can be seen just past the end of the loop with this train dropping some wagons off at a siding.
    3. We then head a bit further down the line to McLain Rd Junction where we see 'Rita Island' passing the junction.
    4. 'Clare' is seen running alongside Upper Haughton Road at Old 3rd Grid with it's train of empties.
    5. 'Clare' and train cross Baratta Creek.
    6. 'Rita Island' is seen departing Browns Road Junction with it's train after a quick stop to change the points.
    7. Finally, we see 'Rita Island' at Mona Park Loop. 'Jarvisfield' can be seen following in the distance with it's empty train.
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Комментарии • 2

  • @anthony851
    @anthony851 5 месяцев назад

    There seems too be several designs of brake wagons, some are bogie and the one @7:48 had it's wheels coupled as if it had previously been a locomotive.
    Hi from NZ,
    Anthony

    • @NR54trailerail
      @NR54trailerail  5 месяцев назад

      Hey Anthony, yes I believe the brake van with coupled wheels was a repurposed cane locomotive. I'm not sure of the history of the bogie brake vans.
      Cheers,
      Shaun.