Grantleigh 67 km

Grantleigh is located on the eastern slope of the Gogango Range, in the steam era it was an important stop before the climb up to Duaringa. The series of photos below shows rail grinder MMY31 sitting in the siding, the set is mostly run at night with it's running crew usually arriving around 5 p.m.

Duaringa 107 kmDuaringa is located 107 km west of Rockhampton and was a major railway service point for trains traversing the line and was officially opened for traffic on the 28th March 1876 linking the previous terminus at Westwood. It wasn’t the first choice of location for the town, originally Boolburra on the East bank of the Dawson River 8 km to the east was the preferred location. A devastating flood in February 1875 when the line was almost complete forced the engineers to move the service point to higher ground.  Duaringa today is served by the Spirit of the Outback passenger service twice a week.

Looking west from the East Bank of the Dawson River, 1/12/19

Looking east towards the river overflow.

Track machine heading west to do some work on the down line near Dingo.

Loaded electric coal train on the up line heading east.

7112 leads two sister units west with an empty Pacific National coal train just west of the Dawson River, most of the line from the river to Duaringa is elevated as this section is subject to flooding. 1/12/19

A 180 view of Duaringa Yard facing south, electrical equipment was installed as part of the upgrade to boost capacity of the line in the mid 2000's.

Henry waiting for a train to appear at Duaringa passenger platform, October 2019.

Looking East

3835 leads an empty coal train west through Duaringa Yard after the long gentle climb up from the Dawson River. October 2019.

The Queensland Rail 150th train from Rockhampton to Winton pauses at Duaringa for a driver change, photo taken by Adrian Nettleford who was one of the drivers and used with his permission. 14/04/15

The series of photos below shows a loaded Aurizon train heading east through Duaringa yard 10.05 1/12/19.

Tryphinia 129 km

1079 sets a cracking pace on its way west between Duaringa and Bluff. 14/4/15

A 2300 class loco crossing the creek at the 133km peg on its way west to Longreach with a Linfox freight in tow. 4.35pm 1/12/19

Dingo 141 km

Empty Aurizon coal set passing west through Dingo Yard, 4.00pm 1/12/19

8306 and 8347 on the front and 8342 leading 8308 twelve wagons back approach Dingo with an empty Pacific National coal set. 1/12/19

After running around track work on the section behind it an empty Aurizon train crosses back over to the Down line to continue west. 1/12/19

Small rail grinder set waiting for its evening start up in Dingo Yard 1/12/19

Bluff 169 km

8306 and 8347 on the front and 8342 leading 8308 a few kilometers east of Bluff, 1/12/19.

The 150th train slowing for a red signal at the west end of Bluff Yard that is protecting an Aurizon Train that departed west about ten minutes before. 14/4/15

Boonal 180 kmThe 150th train passing a loaded coal train that has just left the loading loop at Boonal. 14/4/15

Blackwater

Blackwater Station December 2019

Loaded Aurizon train heading East through Blackwater Yard. 1/12/19

A local scallywag watches on from the old goods shed.

8306 and 8347 on the front and 8342 leading 8308 through Blackwater Yard after crossing the previous train. 1/12/19

Empty Aurizon train heading down the branch line to the south of Blackwater that serves several mines, unusually from the west. 1/12/19

Yamala Yamala is the first crossing loop east of Emerald and is the site chosen for a local consortium of businesses for an “Inland Port” served by a rail spur for loading grain and intermodal containers. The photos below taken in October 2019 show the completed spur line and the earthworks being started for the grain storage facility.

Emerald

2358 has just arrived at Emerald with 8 container wagons and has been shut down to wait for the next crew to take it further west. Wednesday 25/9/19

The now closed engine and wagon facilities to the west of Emerald Station.

A stored cattle train rests in Emerald Yard for its next run to the west September 2019.

The Q150 train departing Emerald Yard 16/4/15.

BogantunganWhen the rails reached Bogantungan in 1882 there were people waiting to greet it, many men and materials would be required to push the line up the Drummond Range and being the new terminus it was a trans shipment hub from rail to cart and pack animal to serve the booming wool industry to the west. The town boomed for two years until Pine Hill 26 miles to the west was opened, the construction workforce relocated as well as the transport companies. Bogantungan remained an important railway location as most trains required assistance to climb the range as well as track maintenance. The town continued in this role until the introduction of diesel locomotives which put an end to banking operations up the range and the need for water and coal.

Looking west

Looking East

Looking west again.

Hannam's Gap

Central Line climbing the range looking back to Bogantungan.

Barcaldine

Longreach

Darr

Morella

Rimbanda

Chorregon