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 Proserpine Mill. Proserpine Mill is owned by Wilmar Sugar.
In Part 1 we saw loco #14 haul a lengthy train to the mill. The train had been split in two at the entrance to the mill to fit in the yard and loco #14 had just brought the first half of the train into the yard. The first shot in this video shows Loco #12 (ex West Australian Government Railways M1851) running light engine across the Bruce Highway to pick up the second half of the train. Loco #12 then brings the second half of the train and brake van across the highway.
Finally, right on sunset we see Loco #12 departing the mill yard with a rake of empty bins for the Elaroo Line.
Негізгі бет Queensland's Cane Trains - Proserpine Mill Part 2
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