Beaudesert railway line

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Beaudesert line

The disused Beaudesert railway line with
the remains of Veresdale station in the background
Operation
Opening 15 May 1888 (1888-05-15)[1]
Technical
Line length 43 km (27 mi)
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge
Route map
[]
Beaudesert Line
Legend
Bethania ( Beenleigh line )
QR Services Depot
0.6 km
1.0 kmLogan River Road
3.0 kmWaterford
3.9 kmLogan River
6.0 kmBuccan
11.0 kmLogan Village
Canungra Line
22.0 kmJimboomba
23.0 kmMount Lindesay Highway
28.0 kmCedar Grove
32.0 kmWoodhill
34.0 kmVeresdale
37.0 kmGleneagle
43.0 kmBeaudesert
( Beaudesert Shire Tramway )

The Beaudesert railway line is a disused branch railway in South East Queensland, Australia.

Overview

The 43-kilometre-long line branches off the Beenleigh Line at a triangular junction immediately south of Bethania station 35 km south of Brisbane, then progresses generally south-west to Jimboomba and then generally south to its terminus at Beaudesert.

History

In 1877, there was a suggestion that a line should be built from Wacol to Logan Village, Beaudesert and Tamrookum. A trial survey was taken around 1881 with the route from Goodna. This would have entitled 1 in 30 grades and would have been the steepest grades on the QGR system at the time. It would have also resulted in building another bridge over the Logan River. The line as built had the advantage of it being a shorter distance of new construction and avoided building another bridge over the Logan River. The section from Bethania to Logan Village was opened on 21 September 1885. The Logan Village to Beaudesert section was then opened on 16 May 1888. Trains hauled mixed loads until 1929. In 1961, the Beaudesert Branch ceased its passanger operations. It was always behind a Railmotor. The line continued to serve the Beaudesert area until 20 May 1996 when the last Qr train left Beaudesert.

Beaudesert Rail

In 2001, a grant provided by the federal government was given to a local group of Beaudesert people who traded as " Beaudesert Rail" (BR). The group set about acquiring rolling stock and locomotives. The line was upgraded to C17 use. When QGR services still operated on the Beaudesert Branch, It was only PB15's, B13's, B15's and 60t diesels. In order for Beaudesert Rail to commence steam services on the line, they needed to upgrade their track to carry the weight of their C17. The first Beaudesert rail service was held on 18 December 2002 with a run from Beaudesert to Logan Village and return. On 8 March 2003, Beaudesert Rail commenced steam-hauled services. Beaudesert Rail's steam locomotive was an Ex - QR C17 #967. Built by Walkers Limited in Maryborough, 967 serviced for 19 years before being placed in a park at Caloundra. In 1985, the Ghan railway bought 967 as a gate train. In 2000, 967 was purchased and road hauled to Beaudesert. Beaudesert rail then commenced services to Bethania on 4 April 2003. The last service to Bethania took place on 28 June 2003. On this date, Beaudesert Rails Ex - Emu Bay diesel DH #1105 derailed about 3 km south of Bethania between Dairy Creek Road and easterly Street level crossings. Beaudesert rail then received financial issues and in 2005, the group disbanded.

Remains

There is little evidence left of the Beaudesert Branch. Many crossings have been removed and paved over. The corridor is overgrown and many sections are occupied by livestock. At Logan Village, only the platform remains and is covered with growth, the station area is rarely mowed and fences have collapsed. The only evidence left at Logan Village is the Waterford Tamborine road crossing where the signals still remain. At Jimboomba, all that remains is the track. Attempt to remove the section of line at Jimboomba was made, but operations were abandoned as it was too hard. At Beaudesert the station building, water tower stand and the floor of the shed remains. Immediately south of the Station building, the line has been covered with dirt and is now a car park. The shed has been removed and this area is also a car park. The station building has been repainted and a new station nameboard has been built. The yard area is overgrown and the water tower stand is all that is visible.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Beaudesert Railway. Opening Ceremonies.". The Brisbane Courier (Qld.). 1888-05-16. p. 5. Retrieved 2011-12-15. 

External links

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