Re: Sugar loco "Bundy" to steam north

[phaedrus@ultra.net.au (darryl georgee)]

On Mon, 07 Feb 2000 08:48:24 GMT, ianst@refer.to.sig.au (Ian Staples)
wrote:

>[ 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had been completely superceded by other forms of transport in only 12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
>
 Sounds good in theory BUT not sure about in practice :-(
 DDT.