Steam into Spring Part of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 19 – 28 September 2003

Downs Steam

General Information
DownsSteam (the Darling Downs Historical Rail Society Ltd) has been formed to develop the economic base of the Darling Downs and to preserve some of it’s railway history.  The Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, the Toowoomba City Council and the Australian Railways Historical Society Queensland saw an opportunity in the availability of a steam locomotive and heritage rolling stock to develop the tourism of the Darling Downs and set up a centre to develop trade skills of young people.

Objectives
The objectives of the initial restoration project are to:
1. Setup a locomotive restoration site at Pittsworth and a carriage restoration site at Drayton Station.
2. Restore steam locomotive 106 to working for Queensland Rail main line use.
3. Restore heritage coaches to working order for Queensland Rail main line use.
4. Setup a Society home base and tourism complex at Drayton Station

Progress to Date
The Society has purchased steam locomotive 106 from Queensland Rail and is securing a lease for the Drayton Siding (from Queensland Rail) and four historical carriages (from the Australian Railways Historical Society Qld).  Restoring locomotive 106 has commenced in a facility at Lionel Moore Trailers, Pittsworth.  This is expected to take two and a half years.

Operational Plan
A carriage restoration facility will be built at the Drayton Siding where two carriages will be restored as part of the initial project.  It is expected that one carriage can be restored per year.  This facility will become a technical trades training centre.  The remaining two carriages will be restored at the Westbrook Correctional Centre in a facility provided by the Centre.

While restoration of the locomotive and carriages takes place the society will also develop the Drayton Siding into a Station, home base and tourism complex and work towards train operation accreditation with Queensland Rail.

Benefits of this project
Enormous benefits, such as jobs, training, the development of the tourism sector and the preservation of culturally significant items will result from the completion of this project.
1. Jobs and training will be a centrepiece of this project from the site preparation phase through to the trades needed for the restoration.
2. The project will create long term economic benefits including increased employment opportunities in the tourism sector, once steam train tours become operational.
3. The project will preserve items of cultural significance to the Darling Downs

Locomotive 106
Locomotive 106 was built at the Southern Cross Works of the Toowoomba Foundry in 1914.  Entering service on the 21st of April 1915 it is the only C16 remaining in the world.  Loco 106 will become a moving, living, breathing museum that provides an example of how technologically advanced the region was almost a century ago.

Carriages
The carriages to be restored also hold much cultural significance having served Queensland since 1903.  During their colourful history they served as a Maternal and Child Welfare Car, RAAF recruiting Car, Ward Car for the Hospital Train, Hansens Disease Car, Mentally Ill Car, Suburban Cars and Lavatory Seaters.

Contact Infomation

Name:Darling Downs Historical Rail Society Limited Address:PO Box 3021 Village Fair, TOOWOOMBA  Q  4350 Phone: 0409 060 456 Web:www.downssteam.com Email:[email protected]