Gulflander
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gulflander is a named passenger train in Australia, running from Normanton to Croydon in the Gulf Country of northern Queensland. Often described as 'a train from nowhere to nowhere', the line is about 150 kilometres long and was completed in 1891, and has never been connected to the rest of the Queensland Rail network. The service runs once per week in each direction.
The line was constructed in an unusual manner, with hollow steel sleepers packed with mud used to avoid the need for track ballast. Most of these original sleepers are still in place, with the line was designed to cope with floods during the wet season.
Steam locomotives were used until 1922 when railcars were introduced. The present four-car railcar set is known as “the old Tin Hare”. The Gulflander is said to be more an adventure than a train ride. The train crews are qualified guides and will stop the train and talk about points of interest.
