The ore deposits ran out some time ago, and QR is at present having the
rails taken up, to be reused on the Mt Isa line. This has to be done in
the near future while there is still enough life left in the sleepers to
allow the rail retrieval trains to get safely to the end of the tracks.
If no action is taken to halt the project, all rail on the branch line
should be taken up by April 1998.
The newly formed NQ Committee of ARHS has presented QR, government,
business, tourist and industry leaders with a "vision" to retain the
portion of the line from the coast to the top of Harveys Range, with the
possibility of setting up a tourist train on a regular basis.
Tomorrow's train is being called the "Highlander", to complement the
other "-lander" trains in Queensland.
A set of Kuranda heritage cars has been brought down from Cairns, and
about 120 invited guests are to go up in the train, partake of
tourist-type activities at the Rangeview Ranch at the top of the range,
and return to Townsville by bus.
A group of volunteers will be bussed up and return by train. Of course
the ARHS contingent will be on the train both ways.
We acknowledge the input by many people and organisations, but
particularly QR Travel Train, who have arranged this special train "to
gauge community support and assess the viability of the proposal".
Peter Renton
Inaugural Chairman
NQ Committee
Australian Railway Historical Society
E-mail Peter.Renton@jcu.edu.au