The Midlander (Queensland Rail)

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.

1604 crossing the westbound Midlander in September 1989

History

Victorian Railways introduced air-conditioned trains in 1935, and Queensland decided to follow suit in the late 1940s. Carriages were designed to travel to all parts of the system, meaning a maximum axle load of 9 long tons (10 short tons; 9.1 t), which was a challenge for the dining cars. New features included showers in the sleeping cars, roomettes in first class and head end power cars, especially necessary where trains may be delayed by floods or other events, as was often the case.

The Midlander was introduced in 1954, replacing the Mail train 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 voyage, 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]

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]

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

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 recognising the fact that travellers dislike changing trains, The Midlander was 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.

See also

References
  1. (3 May 1954) On the way north - Midlander's first run, The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  2. Air-conditioned train starts on western run, The Central Queensland Herald. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  3. (7 May 1954) Passenger comfort is the answer to air competition - Midlander's first run, The Longreach Leader. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  4. (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.
  5. (6 May 1954) Adjustments to Midlander, The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  6. (27 February 1960) 7 Die in Queensland train crash, The Canberra Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  7. (26 February 2016) Medway Disaster, Central Queensland News. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  8. 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.
  9. (29 November 1993) Cruise ship on wheels, The Canberra Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
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