Fabulous editing Ted and a great choice of music Pink Floyd , Sorrow, very apt. Nice one a real pleasure to watch, keep up the excellent editing, you timed the edits to the music now that's real class. Well done
I love anything railways. This was a real eye-opener! We have 3ft-6in “Cape” gauge in New Zealand, and many branch lines have closed, but none even remotely like the “Train to Yaraka”! I have read the book “Train to Julia Creek”, and yes, it’s very dry out that way! Many Australian visitors remark on how GREEN New Zealand is! A very interesting video and a capture of history! Thanks.
Travelled on this train in the late 1960s when it was hauled by a steam locomotive. My uncle and aunty had a sheep station located between Emmet and Isisford called "Pemberly". Brings back a lot of memories in my early teens. I remember the local store in Emmet.
Hi Greg. I'm very fond of this part of the country. I will see if I can find 'Pemberly' on some of the very detailed Govt maps that are now available on line. Would you know of anyone that may have any photos?
@@gregtopp1828 my great uncles and grandfather used to live near the old Brisbane valley branch line. They used to say that they could hear the old C-17 class coming up the line every morning to collect the cream cans from the local train station.
I’m from Melbourne and travelled on this line three times knowing it won’t run forever, in 1987, someone turned up at one of the sidings and loaded a Ford or Holden car into an open top wagon and it was unloaded at Blackall and picked up by the mechanic to be repaired and presumably returned to the owner a week later. Imagine freighting a car between intermediate stations on the branch, astonishing level of service. Apparently there was a serious attempt to “rationalize” the line in 1994 and there was a big outcry and the line was retained. But the locals were later given the option of keeping the railway or have better roads so the locals opted for better roads. But the government was itching to close the line. A similar option was given for the Hughendon-Winton line. Probably many branches went this way. Blackall was one of four stations which ran a rail ambulance that was kept in a small weatherboard shed with tracks going to it. I remember there were rail ambulances at Mareeba and Almaden, I forget the forth location, might have been Charleville.
Definitely more to come, but most wont be quite upto the standard of this one or the 'Last Great Train Ride to Forsayth'. I'm currently (slowly) working my way through digitally re-editing some of the earlier videos, plus got more new material to put up yet. Thanks for your comments :-)
Wow thankyou one of the best Queensland films I have seen. Many of your viewers may not be aware that this system is all 3’6” (1066mm) gauge. The scene at Emmet was particularly noteworthy showing the bouncing turnout lever-.weight. Such a typical QR scene!!! Great work. The flat top mountain at 13:36 is iconic.
As I mentioned in another response, I put about 80 hours all up into putting this one together. Your appreciation makes the time and energy quite worthwhile. The trip out to Yaraka as well as Cairns to Forsayth are in my top 10 favourite things Ive managed to do over time. And youve made me realise, for those not in Australia, I should have made mention of a couple of basic facts such as the gauge. Will keep that in mind for up coming videos.
@@kimballthurlow577 fellow Queenslander here was definitely aware of the narrow 3ft 6inch gauge. Also worth knowing that western Australia South Australia and Tasmania are all the same narrow gauge so Queensland.
I had the opportunity to go as a DA to Yaraka 2005, but knocked it back not realising within a few months they were going to close the line for good. The idea of being thrown about in a camp wagon all night from Alpha to Blackall didn't really appeal to me at the time. I did manage to get down there in the car last year in 2023. I found a heap of old photos in a box tucked away under the bench in the SM's office. Great vid Ted.
Hi again Adrian. Were the pics railway related? If so, do you know where they might be? And if you know of anyone with any pics, esp older ones, would really like to hear from them. As with Mareeba to Forsayth, this is another part of the country I'm really interested in. By researching a few basic facts to include in these latest couple of videos Ive learnt quite a bit. In this instance Ive learnt that the Yaraka line wasnt going to be just a standalone branch but a part of an (at the time) approved 'Great Western Railway'. Just after publishing Ive turned up a couple of very old Qld Gov maps for sale from 1910 and then 1913 which have all the proposed railways on them, including the Great Western Railway. Ive purchased one at considerable expense and hope to get the other. How exactly was the train crewed towards the end of its running? You mentioned travelling from Alpha to Blackall. How did this fit in with it all?
Thanks Jeff. I'm gradually working my way thru re-editing the videos I first posted, which were just basic VHS to VHS edits from years ago. This one and the Forsayth video have had a bit of extra attention as they are a bit more meaningful to me (the trips, the people and the country). Ive also still got a fair bit of unpublished material I need to work my way through too, so keep an eye out. I have no idea if you are a fan of trams and Melbourne or not, but the Melb Tram video is proving popular, if you havent seen it.
I was surprised to see a photo of the Queensland cabinet which visited Yaraka for the opening of the railway. Queensland built a lot of railways up to the 1920s and thought “meh” but each branch opening was a significant event. I was told the coal revenue softened the losses of the railways and allowed such branch lines to survive right up to 2004. Unlike Victoria and NSW (and others) who had to bite the bullet during the 1970s. That Joh ran the state from the 60s to 1988 also helped. I was glad I could enjoy the QR when I did.
I remember there were wanted posters at Yaraka and at a few other locations I visited. At Yaraka the policeman visited the departing train, I was the sole passenger so was nothing special. Once I visited Yaraka in my car and met a policeman introduced by a local who called me over, I had a suspicion the policeman would do a check of the number plates of visting cars.
HI Ted another fantastic video from the pass. Just like so many other branch lines in qld only a distance memory of when the railroad was owned by the state to serve the people of the state not to make a profit. Just asking would you happen to have any footage of the Cecil plains branch line jandowe and the bell branch lines apparently All The lines are still there but are no longer connected to the western line
Hi Scott. Yes, of all the marvelous branch lines that were in Queensland, theres only a few remaining. I wish I had more coverage, but very pleased to have got what I did on video (and slides and prints). I really regret not having got more coverage out there on the Darling Downs. I was a regular visitor to Toowoomba and surrouding areas, including Dalby. (I recall the 'Duck In Cafe' which for a small country town was a good spot). I havnt got anything at all on the Jandowe or Bell branches - unfortunately the days I was there werent days those trains ran. But I do have some material on the Cecil Plains branch; just not sure exactly what tho. Got a feeling it might just be some still images. I do def have a little bit of video on the Millmeran branch.
I’m from Melbourne and I registered interest in a special running the Dalby branches, Bell, Jandwae and Glenmorgan, but the tour never ran, not sure why but the next year I flew to Brisbane and got a bus to Toowoomba to join a rail motor going to Glenmorgan. It was the Budd car, 1201 from memory.
Fabulous editing Ted and a great choice of music Pink Floyd , Sorrow, very apt. Nice one a real pleasure to watch, keep up the excellent editing, you timed the edits to the music now that's real class. Well done
What's not to like, railways doing useful work great photography and editing and Pink Floyd, Thanks
Thanks Bruce. I put about 80 hours all up into this one (and the Forsayth video too), so your comments are very much appreciated
I love anything railways. This was a real eye-opener! We have 3ft-6in “Cape” gauge in New Zealand, and many branch lines have closed, but none even remotely like the “Train to Yaraka”! I have read the book “Train to Julia Creek”, and yes, it’s very dry out that way!
Many Australian visitors remark on how GREEN New Zealand is!
A very interesting video and a capture of history!
Thanks.
Appreciate your comments. Hope to get myself to NZ soon :-)
Travelled on this train in the late 1960s when it was hauled by a steam locomotive. My uncle and aunty had a sheep station located between Emmet and Isisford called "Pemberly". Brings back a lot of memories in my early teens. I remember the local store in Emmet.
Hi Greg. I'm very fond of this part of the country. I will see if I can find 'Pemberly' on some of the very detailed Govt maps that are now available on line. Would you know of anyone that may have any photos?
@@gregtopp1828 my great uncles and grandfather used to live near the old Brisbane valley branch line. They used to say that they could hear the old C-17 class coming up the line every morning to collect the cream cans from the local train station.
Fantastic stuff Ted, those closing shots are just perfect
I’m from Melbourne and travelled on this line three times knowing it won’t run forever, in 1987, someone turned up at one of the sidings and loaded a Ford or Holden car into an open top wagon and it was unloaded at Blackall and picked up by the mechanic to be repaired and presumably returned to the owner a week later. Imagine freighting a car between intermediate stations on the branch, astonishing level of service.
Apparently there was a serious attempt to “rationalize” the line in 1994 and there was a big outcry and the line was retained. But the locals were later given the option of keeping the railway or have better roads so the locals opted for better roads. But the government was itching to close the line. A similar option was given for the Hughendon-Winton line. Probably many branches went this way.
Blackall was one of four stations which ran a rail ambulance that was kept in a small weatherboard shed with tracks going to it. I remember there were rail ambulances at Mareeba and Almaden, I forget the forth location, might have been Charleville.
Loved it - fantastic look back at past history
Thank you
A great piece of history. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment
That was absolutely fantastic! I hope you have more.
Definitely more to come, but most wont be quite upto the standard of this one or the 'Last Great Train Ride to Forsayth'.
I'm currently (slowly) working my way through digitally re-editing some of the earlier videos, plus got more new material to put up yet. Thanks for your comments :-)
Brilliant work Ted, thanks.
Just wish I had of gone back the next week and went for a ride on it. I was staying in Emerald at the time
@@tedbear4243 You've captured some history Ted, another disappearing, so sad. Cheers.
Wow thankyou one of the best Queensland films I have seen. Many of your viewers may not be aware that this system is all 3’6” (1066mm) gauge. The scene at Emmet was particularly noteworthy showing the bouncing turnout lever-.weight. Such a typical QR scene!!! Great work. The flat top mountain at 13:36 is iconic.
As I mentioned in another response, I put about 80 hours all up into putting this one together. Your appreciation makes the time and energy quite worthwhile. The trip out to Yaraka as well as Cairns to Forsayth are in my top 10 favourite things Ive managed to do over time. And youve made me realise, for those not in Australia, I should have made mention of a couple of basic facts such as the gauge. Will keep that in mind for up coming videos.
@@kimballthurlow577 fellow Queenslander here was definitely aware of the narrow 3ft 6inch gauge. Also worth knowing that western Australia South Australia and Tasmania are all the same narrow gauge so Queensland.
I had the opportunity to go as a DA to Yaraka 2005, but knocked it back not realising within a few months they were going to close the line for good. The idea of being thrown about in a camp wagon all night from Alpha to Blackall didn't really appeal to me at the time. I did manage to get down there in the car last year in 2023. I found a heap of old photos in a box tucked away under the bench in the SM's office. Great vid Ted.
Hi again Adrian. Were the pics railway related? If so, do you know where they might be? And if you know of anyone with any pics, esp older ones, would really like to hear from them. As with Mareeba to Forsayth, this is another part of the country I'm really interested in. By researching a few basic facts to include in these latest couple of videos Ive learnt quite a bit. In this instance Ive learnt that the Yaraka line wasnt going to be just a standalone branch but a part of an (at the time) approved 'Great Western Railway'. Just after publishing Ive turned up a couple of very old Qld Gov maps for sale from 1910 and then 1913 which have all the proposed railways on them, including the Great Western Railway. Ive purchased one at considerable expense and hope to get the other.
How exactly was the train crewed towards the end of its running? You mentioned travelling from Alpha to Blackall. How did this fit in with it all?
thanks for sharing bloody brilliant hope you have some more
Thanks Jeff. I'm gradually working my way thru re-editing the videos I first posted, which were just basic VHS to VHS edits from years ago. This one and the Forsayth video have had a bit of extra attention as they are a bit more meaningful to me (the trips, the people and the country). Ive also still got a fair bit of unpublished material I need to work my way through too, so keep an eye out. I have no idea if you are a fan of trams and Melbourne or not, but the Melb Tram video is proving popular, if you havent seen it.
I was surprised to see a photo of the Queensland cabinet which visited Yaraka for the opening of the railway. Queensland built a lot of railways up to the 1920s and thought “meh” but each branch opening was a significant event. I was told the coal revenue softened the losses of the railways and allowed such branch lines to survive right up to 2004. Unlike Victoria and NSW (and others) who had to bite the bullet during the 1970s. That Joh ran the state from the 60s to 1988 also helped. I was glad I could enjoy the QR when I did.
I remember there were wanted posters at Yaraka and at a few other locations I visited. At Yaraka the policeman visited the departing train, I was the sole passenger so was nothing special. Once I visited Yaraka in my car and met a policeman introduced by a local who called me over, I had a suspicion the policeman would do a check of the number plates of visting cars.
In the ‘90s the ARHS trucked a Red Fred to Jericho to run it to Yaraka. Not sure if it made a return journey or was trucked from Yaraka or Blackall.
It was 52 degrees when I was there in early 80s
Insufferable without air conditioning. Australia is a wonderful country, but it is too hot for me.
These parts of the country are fantastic to visit when its cooler. I couldnt visit or live there in summer!
HI Ted another fantastic video from the pass. Just like so many other branch lines in qld only a distance memory of when the railroad was owned by the state to serve the people of the state not to make a profit. Just asking would you happen to have any footage of the Cecil plains branch line jandowe and the bell branch lines apparently All The lines are still there but are no longer connected to the western line
Hi Scott. Yes, of all the marvelous branch lines that were in Queensland, theres only a few remaining. I wish I had more coverage, but very pleased to have got what I did on video (and slides and prints).
I really regret not having got more coverage out there on the Darling Downs. I was a regular visitor to Toowoomba and surrouding areas, including Dalby. (I recall the 'Duck In Cafe' which for a small country town was a good spot). I havnt got anything at all on the Jandowe or Bell branches - unfortunately the days I was there werent days those trains ran. But I do have some material on the Cecil Plains branch; just not sure exactly what tho. Got a feeling it might just be some still images. I do def have a little bit of video on the Millmeran branch.
I’m from Melbourne and I registered interest in a special running the Dalby branches, Bell, Jandwae and Glenmorgan, but the tour never ran, not sure why but the next year I flew to Brisbane and got a bus to Toowoomba to join a rail motor going to Glenmorgan. It was the Budd car, 1201 from memory.
Was it the RED AND WHITE store opposite the EMMET railway station.
It was indeed
as all ways they are closed down
Sadly not many branch lines left anywhere in Aust now :-(
what a waste that's the government
Well you can thank every LNP government in the last 40 years for it