Sugar loco "Bundy" to steam north

[ianst@refer.to.sig.au (Ian Staples)]

[ Note followups to aus.rail.]

Reported in _The Cairns Post_ Sat. 5 Feb 2000, p.13:-

As part of Centenary of Federation celebrations "Bundy" the steam loco
will attempt to travel from Nambour in SEQ to Mossman in FNQ in July/
August this year utilising the existing light rail network (2' gauge)
of the sugar mills along the route.  The train ("Bundy" and three
covered carriages) will be transported by road where there are no rail
links from one mill area to the next.

The 2000 km trip is expected to take about 4 weeks travelling at up to
25 km/h on line.  Publicity will be issued prior to the journey so that
communities along the way will be aware of it and can take part in one
way or another.  A TV documentary of the trip is to be produced and will
be broadcast later on the Seven Network.  (The crew plan to camp beside
the track at night so locals can sit by the campfire and record yarns.)

"Bundy" is a 1952 2-foot gauge Bundaberg Fowler steam locomotive which
worked at Pleystowe Mill, Mackay, until 1964.  [It's interesting that
investment in locomotives should give such short term benefit in the
mid-20th Century.  It must have come as something of a shock to various
boards of directors around the place when they realised their "new" loco
had been completely superceded by other forms of transport in only 12
years or so.  Compare that economic life with locos such as "Pioneer" 
and "Faugh-a-Ballagh" at Mossman which were still working 50 to 60
years after purchase!  I guess it's the same thing as happened to sulky 
and dray makers, and blacksmiths, 50 years earlier.]

The article in the _CP_ includes a colour photo of "Bundy" with Centenary
of Federation Queensland chairman Ross Fitzgerald and film producer
Larry Zetlin posing in front of it.  (The CofFQ is said to be contributing
$30,000 towards the total cost of $200,000.  It's not stated who's fronting
up with the rest -- Larry?)

Cheers,  Ian S.

ianstDELETE@THISdpi.qld.gov.au