The Midlander was a passenger train that operated in Queensland, Australia between 1954 and 1993. It travelled on the Central west line between Rockhampton and Winton.
| Midlander | |
|---|---|
 Depiction of the Midlander locomotive headboard | |
| Stock type | Loco Hauled Passenger Train |
| Entered service | 1954 |
| Retired | 1993 |
| Predecessor | Mail Train |
| Successor | Spirit of the Outback |
| Operators | QR Traveltrain |
| Lines served | Central Western Railway Line |
| Specifications | |
| Track gauge | 1067mm |
History edit
The Midlander was introduced in 1954, replacing a Mail train service with its wooden carriages, and providing a more comfortable and cleaner service.
Completing its initial run from Brisbane to Rockhampton, The Midlander arrived in Rockhampton at 4pm on 4 May 1954.[1] The Midlander then commenced its maiden journey, departing from the Rockhampton railway station for Winton at 5:25pm.[2] About 100 people watched from the platform as the train made its departure.[2] Most of the available accommodation on the train was booked out for the first journey. Among the passengers on the train's first run to Winton were Minister for Transport Jack Duggan, Minister for Education George Devries and Member for Mackenzie Paddy Whyte.[2]
Midlander Route Guide
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The train arrived in Longreach at 1:15pm the following day, before arriving in Winton several hours later.[3] Large crowds gathered at both Longreach and Winton to welcome the train where brief ceremonies took place.[4]
Through many years of its service, a diesel electric locomotive would pull the train to Emerald, before switching to two steam locomotives which would then pull the train through the Drummond Range.[5] One of the steam locomotives would be taken off at Jericho, with the train continuing to Winton with just one steam locomotive.[5]
Incidents and Accidents edit
Within a decade of its maiden journey, The Midlander's most infamous incident, the Medway Creek rail disaster occurred near Bogantungan during its return journey to Rockhampton on 26 February 1960 where seven people were killed when the flood-damaged bridge above Medway Creek collapsed, forcing the train to plunge into the water below.[6][7][8]
Replacement edit
In the late 1980s, tourism to western Queensland began to grow following attractions such as the Stockman's Hall of Fame opening at Longreach. To cater for this market, and recognizing the fact that travellers dislike changing trains, The Midlander was combined with the Brisbane - Rockhampton Capricornian Train renamed the Spirit of the Outback in November 1993 and the new service commenced at Brisbane and terminated at Longreach.[9] A bus service now provides the connection to Winton.
On Board edit
The Midlander was made up of a mix of M series along with L series steel rolling stock. As at 1990, the service featured the following facilities and accommodation:
- First Class Roomette Sleepers
- First Class Twinette Sleepers
- Economy Class Triple Berth Sleepers
- Food Bar Car
- Sitting Cars
See also edit
References edit
- ^ (3 May 1954) On the way north - Midlander's first run, The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ a b c Air-conditioned train starts on western run, The Central Queensland Herald. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ (7 May 1954) Passenger comfort is the answer to air competition - Midlander's first run, The Longreach Leader. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ (14 May 1954) Midlander at Winton: transport vital to the west - Minister has their existence in his hands, The Longreach Leader. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ a b (6 May 1954) Adjustments to Midlander, The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ (27 February 1960) 7 Die in Queensland train crash, The Canberra Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ (26 February 2016) Medway Disaster, Central Queensland News. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ Salecich, Judith (26 February 2019) The Bogantungan rail disaster: Have you heard the children cry?, Love in a Little Black Diary. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ (29 November 1993) Cruise ship on wheels, The Canberra Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019.