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

Downs Steam

Travel by special chartered 2000 class railcar departing Roma Street Station at 8.15am. Pick-up stops will be made at Corinda and Ipswich. Sit back and enjoy the journey through outer suburbia and the farmlands west of Ipswich, the climb over the Little Liverpool Range with its two tunnels, the speedy trip over the blacksoil plains past the towns of Laidley, Forest Hill, Gatton, Grantham and Helidon.

Along the way a complimentary fruit juice and biscuits will be served. Beyond the village of Murphy's Creek the railway ascends the Main Range with its steep grades and many curves. We pause at the pretty station of Spring Bluff where local interests maintain the gardens which at this time of the year should be a blaze of colour.

The railcar arrives at the historic Toowoomba Station where everyone alights.  This station has recently been renovated and now looks a million dollars! Passengers proceed to the renowned Toowoomba Railway Refreshment Rooms where they will partake of a roast dinner with sweets and tea or coffee.

On completion of lunch join the waiting coaches for a tour of the prize-winning gardens in Toowoomba's annual Carnival of Flowers. After the coach tour return to Toowoomba station to rejoin the railcar for the trip back to Brisbane.

FARES: (including luncheon)
Adults $90.00
Pensioners/Seniors $85.00
Children $50.00
Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) $245.00

TIMETABLE: Approximate times

Forward Journey		Return Journey
Roma Street	8.15am	Toowoomba	3.00pm
Corinda	8.30	Rosewood	5.35
Ipswich	9.00	Ipswich	5.50
Rosewood	9.20	Corinda	6.25
Toowoomba	12.00noon	Roma Street	6.40pm

SMOKING: Queensland Rail has a policy of "NO SMOKING" on board all trains and railcars and at certain railway stations.  In accordance with this policy, smoking is not permitted on tour trains and passengers are advised to observe any areas in which smoking is prohibited at stations.

REFRESHMENTS: Light refreshments (sausage rolls, pies, sandwiches etc.), hot and cool drinks, chips & sweets will be for sale on the train.

RESERVATIONS: Bookings may be made by TELEPHONE: Ring (07) 3252 1759 with your credit card details between 10.00am and 3.00pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only.

REFUNDS: Will only be made if an unmarked ticket is returned by 18th September.

TICKETS: Will be mailed out about 10 days before the tour date.

INFORMATION LINE: (07) 3252 1759 This number is normally attended between 10.00am and 3.00pm - Tuesday to Thursday.  A recorded message operates at other times.

General Information
The Australian Railway Historical Society Queensland Division is a non-profit company with liability limited by guarantee.  The objects of the Society are to promote the appreciation of railway heritage and to maintain authenticity in the recording and preservation of this heritage for the people of Queensland.  To help achieve these aims the Society operates under the following trading names:-
Iron Road Restaurant
Sunshine Express Rail Tours
Rosewood Railway Museum

IRON ROAD RESTAURANT
Tours are run using the sole remaining timber bodied dining car in which meals are served while passengers experience the ambience of a by-gone era.

SUNSHINE EXPRESS RAIL TOURS
The Society runs tours, usually on a monthly basis but sometimes more frequently, using preserved steam engines and wooden carriages from Queensland Rail's heritage fleet.  These engines and carriages are owned and maintained by QR for charter for special excursions.  Tours operate to a range of destinations bounded by Toowoomba in the west and Gympie in the north and can be of a full day or half day duration.  Once a year we normally run an extended tour lasting for a week or so when meals and accommodation are included.

ROSEWOOD RAILWAY MUSEUM
The Society operates its own preserved railway over a portion of the branch line that used to run from Rosewood to Marburg.  Here we have a re-creation of a typical Queensland Railway branch line of the post-war period.  The Museum at Freeman Road Kunkala is open for inspection every Sunday and trains consisting of historic wooden carriages hauled by a restored 1926 vintage steam engine operate on the last Sunday of each month.

CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE
Tickets are issued subject to the Society's conditions of carriage, a full copy of which is supplied with each ticket.  These conditions set out the rights and obligations of the Society and its passengers.
The conditions deal with:

• the rights of the Society and Queensland Rail to alter any aspect of the tour or train at any time;
• limitations and exclusions of the Society's liability for passengers' losses;
• obeying directions of Society officers;
• luggage and alcohol;
• behaviour of passengers;
• lost property
• tickets and fares.

Tickets are issued at pensioner/senior fares to holders of Queensland Pensioner Concession Cards and Senior Cards only and these cards must be produced with the ticket when required for inspection.
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2. By FAX-.  Fax the booking form and credit card details to: -

3. By TELEPHONE: Ring with your credit card details between 10.00am and 3.00pm, Tuesday to Thursday only.

Contact Infomation

Name: Sunshine Express Rail Tours Address: P.O. Box 11 19, TOOWONG, 4066 Phone: (07) 3252 1759 Fax: (07) 3252 1767. Web:  www.arhs-qld.org.au Email: