Railway workers digging a cutting for the Grandchester line.
(Photo: State Library of Qld)
Rosewood History
RAILWAY
Ipswich to Bigge’s Camp
© Jane Schy 2024
Published 07/02/2024
If not for the construction of the first railway line between Ipswich and Bigge’s Camp, the town of Rosewood may not exist. When the line went through a settlement grew around the level crossing known as the Rosewood Gate. There was one solitary building in the vicinity, a wayside inn called the Rising Sun. It was on the road to Drayton, not far from the crossing. The railway workers camped on the land around it and one of the workers, John Farrell, was assigned to look after the gate. He built a small cottage near the level crossing. There were a handful of settlers already living near the Seven Mile Creek and it wasn’t long before more arrived at the Gate. So the coming of the railway was a significant event in Rosewood’s and the district’s history.
The first movement to establish a railway network in Queensland was met with some opposition from a sector that wanted to start a private tramway company. They opposed any measures by the Government to establish an inexpensive and light rail system. The tramway idea failed to launch and the Government put their Bill forward for a second time and it was passed by a majority of one. An appeal was made to the public and at the general election it was evident that the people wanted a railway. When looking at a map, there was no doubt how much of the State would benefit and be accessible to Moreton Bay by the construction of a rail network.
The line was to commence in Ipswich, cross over a bridge built across the Bremer River to North Ipswich, and run parallel to the river to Ironpot Creek, then follow the general direction of the old road from the One Mile Creek via Campbell’s Gully to the Rising Sun Inn at the Rosewood Scrub. Here the first railway station would be built. From there it would run through the township of Alfred and on to Bigge’s Camp, where a second station would be situated. The track would continue over the Little Liverpool Range with a tunnel at the summit of the incline, then cross the range over several gullies and ravines, through to Laidley then run parallel to to the Gatton road, across the Lockyer River on another new bridge, on to Grantham, Murphy’s Creek and ascend the Main Range to Toowoomba. From Toowoomba it would go in two directions, to Dalby and to Warwick.
The ceremony of the turning of the first sod was held on Thursday, 25th February 1864 at North Ipswich. Lady Bowen (Governor’s wife), assisted by Hon A. Macalister (Minister for Lands), to cut the turf using a sliver spade taken from an ornamental cedar barrow. Messrs. Peto, Brassey and Co., contractors, were assigned to take charge of the task. The photo above was taken on the day by G. H. Woodelton.
The 22nd of April must be considered important in the annals of Queensland, as the day that the first trial trip, on the first completed section of the line, took place. The A.S.N. Company’s steamer Brisbane was despatched from the the Brisbane wharf for Ipswich, at 6 o’clock a.m., so those who wanted to participate in the excursion on the railway from Ipswich to Bigge’s Camp, could reach Ipswich in time.
By eleven o’clock many of the leading members of the executive had arrived at Ipswich from Brisbane to join the principal inhabitants of Ipswich. Amongst those were the Colonial Secretary, the Minister of Lands, the Attorney General, the President of the Legislative Council, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, the Commissioner of Railways, Mr. Geo. Harris, M.L.C.; also, the Mayor of Ipswich, Messrs. Forbes, Challinor M. L. A., Fitzgibbon, Willcox, and other residents of Ipswich, many of them being accompanied by their wives and daughters, and a large assembly of spectators.
The temporary platform was decorated gaily, and altogether the scene was of a very exciting description. The fineness of the day, together with the picturesque situation, added considerably to enliven the scene. The engine, named the ‘Pioneer,’ was also decorated with flags and garlands, and looked exceedingly smart. There was three large carriages and a luggage van attached to the engine, each carriage holding fifty personages, and who, having taken their places, at half-past eleven o’clock the whistle sounded, and the first train in Queensland moved ahead amidst cheers of the assembly. At the bend of the river Bremer the town of Ipswich was lost sight of. It is at this point our artist has selected for our illustration, where the train is seen passing the viaduct over Ironpot Gully. The scenery at this spot is particularly picturesque, and where in the south horizon Flinder’s Peak is seen towering above the ranges. On the opposite side of the river is the pretty country residence of Mr. Macallister, the Minister of Lands and Works.
The course of the train passed by pretty and varied openings in the bush, with glimpses of the Bremer winding between the gullies below. Knots of gazers were congregated at the cross tracks, and cheered the train as it passed. On arriving at Guilfoyle’s Gully, which is about seven miles from Ipswich and two from Walloon, where the first permanent station is being erected, the party alighted, and were entertained in a gaily decorated tent with an abundant supply of refreshments. Amongst the toasts was that of Mr. Willcox, the manager to the contractors, and which was received by the company with great enthusiasm. The same compliment was paid to Mr. Fitzgibbon, the engineer of the works. After the responses to the toasts, and a few complimentary remarks from the Minister of Lands and Works, the health of the ladies was drunk and responded to by Mr. Hawthorne, the head master of the Grammar School, and also the Mayor of Ipswich, “the Press,” and the staffs of the engineer and contractors.
A band accompanied the train, and played at intervals during the day, and at three o’clock the party started for Ipswich.
The maximum rate attained by the train was about thirty miles an hour, and with the exception, on the part of the workmen on the line at not in any way sharing in the entertainment, or in other words having no allowance of grog on the occasion, and a discovery of a large stone placed on the rails, with evident intention at mischief, the programme for the day passed off very successfully. The line is what is termed the narrow guage, which appears to have found more favour with our neighbours than with us. The manner in which the work has been executed was the theme of general remark; every portion of it bears evidence of a careful attention to safety and durability highly creditable to Messrs. Peto, Brassy, and Co., the celebrated contractors; by whom, also, the remaining portion of the line will be completed.
On the 28th July the locomotives crossed the river for the first time, and came into Ipswich town. The bridge and station were still far from being completed. Only the work absolutely necessary for the running of the trains was done on the bridge, and and the station was still a mere shell.
On Monday, 31st July 1865 the first section of the Southern and Western Railway, from Ipswich to Bigge’s Camp (Grandchester) was opened by Governor Bowen at Bigge’s Camp.
The day was declared a holiday in Ipswich. There was no accommodation available; the proprietor of one of the principal hotels alone provided beds for 150 people. All banks and retail stores were closed for the auspicious occasion.
Four trains were despatched from the old Ipswich Railway Station, situated in Ellenborough Street, and they proceeded to Bigge’s Camp via the old Bremer Bridge, Mihi Creek, and Hungary Flat (Brassall), a distance of 21½ miles (34.6km). The trains left Ipswich at 10, 10.20, 10.40, and 11.The number of passengers invited by the contractors was limited to 500. On the day none of the trains were nearly full and could have accomodated as many again.
The lunch provided by the contractors was to take place at about one o’clock, in a pavilion erected for the purpose, at a little distance from the Bigge’s Camp station. An electric telegraph station was opened there for the transaction of general business.
The following are the names of those who were in charge of the trains:-
First train-Mr. W. Brown, engineman; Mr. H. Holmes, fireman; and Mr. W. Neverson, guard. Departed at 10a.m. Arrived 11.06a.m
Second train-Mr. J. Kenna, engineman; Mr. J. Hough, fireman; and Mr. George F. Moore, guard. Departed 10.20a.m. Arrived 11.40a.m.
Third train-Mr. John Smith, engineman; Mr. C. J. Whitehouse, fireman; and Mr. J. Bailey, guard. Departed 10.39a.m. Arrived 1.15p.m.
Fourth train-Mr. Robert Lawson, engine-man; Mr. Steve Welch, fireman; and Mr. George Robinson, guard. Departed 11.00a.m. Arrived 1.20p.m. (This train conveyed the Governor & Lady Bowen and other dignitaries)
Inauguration of the Southern and Western Railway
Getting to Ipswich – a historical look – 24 Mar 2011 Video researched by Greg Hallam, Historian, Queensland Rail
100th Anniversary of the First Queensland Railway | Monument Australia
John Smith (driver), Harry Holmes (fireman).
Standing in front L-R: left to right: J. Suett, J. Perryman, J. Bedford, W. Batchelor, H. Horniblow, J. Blythe, J. Wriggles
The Marburg Branch
Opening ceremony of the first train to Marburg from Rosewood, 1912
Photo: Picture Ipswich
The final touches were put on the Rosewood-Marburg railway line in December 1911. The cottages and station buildings were completed and very little remained to be done before opening day. All of the workers were paid off on 16th January 1912.
The hopes of 30 years were realised when the Rosewood to Marburg branch line was officially opened on 26th January 1912. A PB15 class locomotive (No 406) built by Evans, Anderson, Phelan & Co., drove through a blue ribbon stretched across the track at Marburg Station, while the Marburg Brass Band, led by F. Viertel, played “See the Conquering Hero Comes”. On board were the Minister for Railways, Hon Walter Trueman Paget and local member Henry Morton Stevens, who opened the throttle and drove it through the ribbon held by Misses Ruby Heiner and Thelma Gibson. Also on board were other dignitaries and a large number of passengers who’d joined the train along the way on its journey from Brisbane Central Station.
The line was was built under the guarantee system. The Minister estimated the cost of the line at £47,721, and up to the end of December, when the work was not quite complete, the expenditure amounted to about £1,000 less than that sum. In his speech that day he reminded the residents of the district of their obligation to provide a yearly revenue of £1,410. It was their duty to provide the passengers and the produce to make the line pay, otherwise the Commissioner would have to strike a rate of 1s. 4½d. per acre.
The line ran from Rosewood and took a winding course through gently rising country for the greater part of the distance, through rich agricultural land with pleasing scenery all the way. Construction began on the first 8¾ miles (14.08 klm) branch in October 1910 and it was completed to Marburg on 18th December 1911. The first station was North Rosewood, then Perry’s Knob, Cabanda, Kunkala, Tallegalla, Birru, Malabar, Marburg. During construction, the line was extended an extra mile (1.5 klm) through to Woodlands Sugar Mill.
Over the years the line proved to be unprofitabale and passengers on the mixed train could take 3 hours to get to Ipswich. The branch line remained intact until services on the section of the line from Birru to Marburg were withdrawn on 30th June 1964 and closed on 1st July. By June 1969 it was truncated back to Kunkala and by 1974 the track was effectively closed beyond Perry’s Knob.
The Rosewood-Marburg Railway – A Twenty-One Mile Journey By The Morning Train in October 1911 – Some Picturesque Scenery – by “Red Gum”
Rosewood-Marburg Railway Official Opening The Opening Ceremony The Banquet
The Story Of The Beginning Of The Rosewood To Marburg Line – by Grace Ellen Pashley, daughter of Frederick Ernest Pashley and Mary McGuire (1903-2001)
Photo: Rosewood Scrub Historical Society
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Rosewood Historic Railway
In late 1984 members of the Queensland Division of the Australian Railway and Locomotive Historical Society began reinstating the track between Cabanda and Kunkala as part of the Rosewood Railway. Their vision was to give visitors the experience of the late steam and early diesel era. It was a momentus occasion on 20th November 1988 when the first paying passengers were carried on DL3 “Mt Surprise”.
The last train from Rosewood to Perry’s Knob ran on 13th December 1995, when two rail-motors purchased by the Rosewood Railway were driven there from Redbank.
ARHSQD hold the lease for the line from Rosewood to Kunkala, and from January 1993 they ran trains for visitors until 2004, when operations were paused.
Kunkala Station is now the “Rosewood Railway Museum”. (57A Freeman Rd, Rosewood, Qld)
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LINKS
This is a very intersting site and worth a look for railway history enthusiasts.
RAILWAY ARCHAEOLOGY IPSWICH (QLD) – Alister J Cameron
YOUTUBE
Artist Janet Skinner interviews Dr Greg Cash, 1997 Railway Tapes Episode 7 – Rosewood Rail Museum. Janet Skinner. Romance of the Rail, History in Art and Word.
Queensland Rail – 1988 Brisbane, Rosewood, Laidley areas, VHS edit – 16 Apr 2022 Ted Bear
The Rosewood Railway Museum Queensland 1992 Open Day – 10 May 2014 Robyn Taylor
Rail Heritage: Rosewood – 720 Comes Alive – 15 September 2008 RailHeritage
A Tribute To The Rosewood Railway – 17 May 2009 RedTailFox1
The Rosewood Railway – 12 June 2011 AHRS QLD
Rosewood Railfest – 27 Apr 2014 allsteamedup1
Rosewood Railway Museum – 26 October 2014 thedoble
A visit to Rosewood Railway Museum, Ipswich – 3 May 2017 Brisbane Family Explorers
Dave & ”RED FRED” Rosewood Railway – 14 March 2024 David M Kemp
Steam train to Toowoomba part 3 (Ipswich to Rosewood) – 24 Sept 2016 dan b
Queensland Rail’s EMU34 on Ipswich-Rosewood Shuttles – 6 Jan 2021 Rail Town Productions
Queensland Rail Vlog 60: Ipswich to Rosewood on SMU269 – 3 Aug 2020 Sydney Trains Vlogs
A Journey on the Rosewood Railway – 13 October 2023 Thaitransit
Cabanda – Rosewood Railway Museum – Rosewood – 17 Jan 2023 voltare2amstereo
Cabanda Abandoned rail station near Rosewood QLD – 21 May 2023 Wild OZ Droning
Rosewood to Ipswich by Train. 2 Dec 2023 Westlander, train, Brisbane Suburban train. John Coyle
Railway Surveyors in the Rosewood District 1910
After researching this postcard I have found that it was written by Kenneth Duckworth Knill-Abell (1883-1963), surveyor’s assistant, to his eldest brother, Harold Garland “Barney” Knill-Abell. They came from Brisbane and both served in WW1.