Queensland has a fascinating network of sugar cane railways stretching from Bundaberg in the South through to Mossman in the North. 17 sugar mills have railway networks with over 4000km of track across the state. All the mills use 2ft gauge track, except for Pioneer Mill which uses 3ft 6in gauge track.
Locomotives are diesel hydraulic, with ages ranging from 70 years old to brand new (2023 built). Some locomotives have been converted from former Queensland Rail 3ft 6in DH class, or New South Wales Government Railways 4ft 8 1/2in 47 class.
Wagons are unbraked and some trains operate with a remote controlled brake van at the rear of the train to provide additional braking force. Trains can be up to 1km long, consisting of up to 200 wagons with a weight of approximately 1000 tons.
Some trains require two crew members however many locomotives have been converted to driver only operating and can be switched to remote control operation for shunting.
This video contains footage taken in August 2023 of South Johnstone Mill. South Johnstone operates an interesting mix of older Com-Eng, Clyde and Baldwin locomotives. Trains shown are as follows:
1. Loco #32 'Liverpool' (1982 Baldwin) runs light engine alongside Bucklands Road near Merriwinni.
2. 'Liverpool' arrives into Merriwinni light engine to bring a rake of full bins out of the siding beside Hanley Road. After pulling the bins up to the level crossing, the loco cut off and ran into Merriwinni township to pick up some loaded bins to the North of town. The loco is seen departing light engine across the gauge crossing over the 3ft 6in North Coast line.
3. 'Liverpool' returns over the gauge crossing with its rake of full bins.
4. After attaching to the bins in the siding beside Hanley Road, Liverpool departs towards the mill with its loaded train.
5. Permanently paired Com-Eng locos #4 (built 1960) and #5 (built 1962) run alongside Bartle Frere Rd with a rake of empty bins for Merriwinni.
6. 'Liverpool' crosses the North Johnstone River with its train of loaded bins from Merriwinni.
7. 1955 Clyde locomotive #12 runs light engine beside Innisfail - Japoon Rd.
8. Locos #4 and #5 run along Innisfail - Japoon Rd, through the short section of street running approaching the mill. This was my second attempt (and fail) and getting a good shot at the street running - this time I was deliberately blocked by a truck!