Rosewood History. Qld. 

Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), Saturday 14 October 1911, page 6

The Rosewood – Marburg Railway
IPSWICH TO MARBURG.
A TWENTY-ONE MILES JOURNEY.
BY THE MORNING TRAIN.
SOME PICTURESQUE SCENERY.
(By “Red Gum.”)

With the object of visiting the picturesque township of Marburg by the morning (ballast) train from Bundanba, I wrote for, and obtained permission from Mr. W. Jesser, the resident engineer on the construction works, to travel on that train. Accordingly armed with the aforesaid permit, I presented myself, on Thursday morning last, on the arrival of the 4.45 “ballaster” at the Ipswich platform, and having shown the memo to Guard J. Lovely, all was well, except of course that it was impressed on me that I was travelling at my own risk. With such careful pilots in charge of the engine as Driver Alf. Lodge and Fireman J. Connelly, as well as the guard whose name I have mentioned, there was not any great fear of a mishap. Still, one never knows, and considering that persons, other than employees engaged in the construction, were strictly forbidden to travel on this train, I was very pleased that the prohibition was waived in my case. 

The ballast-train leaves the Bundanba quarry every morning at 4.30 o’clock, and, when the engine is not required for shunting purposes-as was the case last Thursday-two trips are made each day, to and from Bundanba, with ballast trucks. On arrival at the Ipswich station a stop is made, every morning, for the purpose of watering the “iron horse” on the wayside. This operation over, the right-of-way is generally given, and a forward movement is made for Marburg but on this particular morning the urgent need of the duplication of main line from Ipswich to Grandchester was particularly emphasised, as, during the time this ballast-train was “held up,” four goods trains passed it at the Ipswich railway station, the delay being caused, so I heard-mark, no one gave me any information-through the first of those trains having been late somewhere further further up the line. And, what a conglomeration of “goods” each of those trains carried ! Pigs going to market, sheep (so it was said) going to be frozen for our friends and relations “over the water,” cattle likewise, and other cargo. 

Anyway, before the “Marburg express” received the signal to “gang awa’,” the sun was casting its golden glances over Limestone Hill and the Bundanba coal-miners (resident in vicinity of Ipswich) were assembling on the Ipswich station ready to proceed to the several collieries along side the Bundanba-Redbank loop by the 5.40 a.m. train. Indeed, the “loop express” had arrived! “Right !” and away we spanked. 

Here I might state that Driver Lodge, Fireman Connelly, and Guard Lovely have been engaged on the Marburg construction works ever since the latter’s commencement, on the 4th June last, removing ballast from Bundanba to the permanent way of the Rosewood-Marburg railway. So consistently have they been employed during that period that about five hours would cover “lost time” through unfavourable weather. 

As stated above, the first ballast-train leaves Bundanba at 4.30 o’clock each morning. This ballast being shot out (and the navvies lose no time in this occupation), the return journey is made with the empties for Bundanba quarry. Here the second lot of loaded waggons is in readiness, and Bundanba is again left about 1.30 p.m. So it will be seen that Bundanba has considerably assisted in the construction of the Rosewood-Marburg railway. If, as is asserted, coal “grows,” there should be, in the near future, some fine outcrops of Bundanba “black diamonds” in the new railway area! 

The “raging main” at Sadlier’s Crossing having been safely negotiated, our train was again “held” at Walloon, awaiting the arrival of a fifth goods train. Of course, it is not for me to complain; but I cannot help remarking that this delay again emphasises the necessity of the duplication of the main line from Ipswich to Grandchester. 

“Right again!” and away we spanked for the important headquarters of that extensive and beautiful agricultural, dairying, and coal district-namely, Rosewood. 

The Rosewood-Marburg line branches off at a spot just opposite E. Maher’s steam sawmills; and, by-the-way, both the large sawmills on either side of the line hereabouts were extremely busy. How convenient, too, this new line will be to the Rosewood showgrounds ! After a little shunting just about here, where there is a short siding laid down for the convenience of the construction works, a couple of coal trucks were taken on, to be “dropped” at the Glencoe Colliery (Halls Limited), while the guard’s van was “kicked off” (this is a shunting phrase), and then we made another forward movement towards, as it were, Perry’s Nob. Now the glorious panoramic views, for which the Rosewood district is renowned, begin to he unfolded. There was a singular charm about the scenery until we arrived at the Glencoe Colliery siding, where the trucks above referred to were taken on to the newly erected coal-chutes, and we then return to pick up the ballast waggons. I forgot to mention that, attached to the engine was a “water gin” (full of the element, clear and refreshing); this, too, was branded “construction works.” 

Off again. We pass the Excelsior Colliery. Here a short siding is put in, leading up to large chutes being erected, and here is abundance other development work in evidence. The next place of call is the stores. Here a host of navvies was picked up, and, like the proverbial rolling-stone, we gather these as we gallop along. The “construction camp” is passed on our right, and the country, which is undulating in character, appears to be well dotted with comfortable home-steads. The interest increases as we ascend a part of the “Little Liverpool,” from whose fair brow the bursting prospect “spreads immense around.” What about those hardy pioneers who have “made” the Rosewood-Marburg district, through which the locomotive was carrying us on to the terminus ! Germain’s Scrub is passed – here bridge-work was in evidence; the cuttings are wide and steep hereabouts, and some nice curves and grades were negotiated. A lad who climbed on to the engine in this vicinity eagerly tells us “the scrub is alive with snakes. Yes, one was killed 15ft long – a carpet. But the black ‘uns are the worst !” Fifteen feet in length! The last carpet snake I saw – one that Louis Webb (of Dugan-dan fame) captured in the Annan Scrubs, near Cooktown, was a trifle longer-21ft.” And that place, on the hill yonder, is Mr. John Haines’s.” Surely, thought I, not ex-Constable John Haines, of Cooktown! 

The scenery around – hill and dale – was becoming grander – lovely, in fact. But the country bespoke the want of rain, notwithstanding which, the glimpses of patches of sugar-cane and lucerne on the sides of the hills beyond were charming. Tallegalla ! And here was the only stretch of water of any size that met our gaze on the whole trip, the construction of this dam being due, it is said, to the persistent efforts of the late member for Rosewood, Mr. D. T. Keogh, whose memory will be always kept green in the Rosewood-Marburg railway. Two-Tree Hill is an exceedingly pretty landscape. Several stoppages were made to allow of the navvies to cast off the ballast. The “ballasters” were a merry lot, and some of them excellent marksmen with Bundanba metal. To knock the plug out of the bung hole of a tar barrel lying alongside the line while the train was in motion was first class shooting! Anything that afforded a mark was aimed at and “peppered.” 

Swinging around a section of the Little Liverpool Range, Marburg is in view! The panorama now presented was magnificent, and the numerous cultivated patches in the vast picture bespeak the indomitable pluck and industry of those who subdued these scrubs. The sign of the Marburg Hotel stands out prominently on our right as we pass on to the terminus at Marburg, while on our left the children of the State school acknowledge the passing of the train by hearty cheers. The lads were playing cricket – this was about 9 o’clock. There are evidences of buildings being erected, and, after a little shunting in the vicinity of what, it was said, is going to be the Marburg railway station, we lose no time in commencing the return journey to Rosewood. 

By-the-way, I was informed (and some of the navvies are born humorists) that many of the young Marburg folk had never seen a railway train of any description before the ballast engine had made its appearance and that they had to be coaxed to approach the “iron horse.” Which reminded my friend of what what he witnessed (or said he witnessed) in some south-western part of Queensland, where the “pelicans build their nest.”

A Sydney commercial traveller fell in love with, and married a beautiful girl, and was bringing her back to civilisation. The bullock-drays were right enough; horses and buggies were ditto, but when the bride arrived in the vicinity of a railway station she became very scared. Soft words and kindly coaxing could not persuade her to approach the railway carriage; so, said my navvy friend, “they blindfolded her and backed her into the railway carriage, and away the engine bolted !” That was the last my informant saw of the timid, back-block’s bride! 

My observation-point on the return journey to Rosewood was on the water gin, with the well hole as a seat, and, I think, with the conditions favourable, that if anyone desires to see most lovely scenery a trip to Marburg – when the line is completed – will nicely fill the bill. So far as I was able to judge, the line is well and solidly constructed, and is well protected by a substantial erected fence. Except the Marburg station, all the other wayside stations are completed. 

Regarding the water gin – on the way back, the several tanks alongside the line were replenished from this receptacle, and this fluid is used by the employees for drinking and other purposes. On the return journey the locomotive is run down to the Glencoe chutes where the tender is replenished with coal. Each of the new chutes is capable of holding six tons, but a larger one is being constructed capable of holding 100 tons. I just had time for a few words with the manager (Mr. Alex. McLean), and “we” were off again. I ultimately reached the Rosewood railway station in time to board the Toowoomba mail train, which reached here about 11 a.m. 

My best thanks are due to the ballast train officials, and to Mr. Jesser for giving me the opportunity of going to Marburg by the railway route. It was truly a grand trip. Just a last word – before I left the Marburg engine, I had the pleasure of assisting (by looking on) to take on from Woodford and Co.’s sawmills, a truck-load of timber for the erection of the Marburg railway station.