The Midlander (Queensland Rail)
{{Short description|Train in Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox train
| name = Midlander
| image = Midlander copy.jpg
| caption = Depiction of the Midlander locomotive headboard
| stocktype = Loco Hauled Passenger Train
| yearservice = 1954
| yearretired = 1993
| predecessor = Mail Train
| successor = Spirit of the Outback
| operator = QR Traveltrain
| lines = Central Western Railway Line
| gauge = 1067mm
}}
The Midlander was a passenger train that operated in Queensland, Australia between 1954 and 1993. It travelled on the Central west line between Rockhampton and Winton.
History
The Midlander was introduced in 1954, replacing a Mail train service with its wooden carriages, and providing a more comfortable and cleaner service.
Completing its initial run from Brisbane to Rockhampton, The Midlander arrived in Rockhampton at 4pm on 4 May 1954.(3 May 1954) [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/50599005 On the way north - Midlander's first run], The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 13 December 2019. The Midlander then commenced its maiden journey, departing from the Rockhampton railway station for Winton at 5:25pm.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/76238283 Air-conditioned train starts on western run], The Central Queensland Herald. Retrieved 13 December 2019. About 100 people watched from the platform as the train made its departure. Most of the available accommodation on the train was booked out for the first journey. Among the passengers on the train's first run to Winton were Minister for Transport Jack Duggan, Minister for Education George Devries and Member for Mackenzie Paddy Whyte.
{{Routemap
| map = KBHFa~~Rockhampton
HST~~Duaringa
HST~~Dingo
HST~~Bluff
HST~~Blackwater
HST~~Comet
HST~~Emerald
HST~~Alpha
HST~~Jericho
HST~~Barcaldine
HST~~Longreach
HST~~Morella
KBHFe~~Winton
| map-title = Midlander Route Guide
}}
The train arrived in Longreach at 1:15pm the following day, before arriving in Winton several hours later.(7 May 1954) [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/124406171 Passenger comfort is the answer to air competition - Midlander's first run], The Longreach Leader. Retrieved 13 December 2019. Large crowds gathered at both Longreach and Winton to welcome the train where brief ceremonies took place.(14 May 1954) [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/124405083 Midlander at Winton: transport vital to the west - Minister has their existence in his hands], The Longreach Leader. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
Through many years of its service, a diesel electric locomotive would pull the train to Emerald, before switching to two steam locomotives which would then pull the train through the Drummond Range.(6 May 1954) [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/57318006 Adjustments to Midlander], The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 13 December 2019. One of the steam locomotives would be taken off at Jericho, with the train continuing to Winton with just one steam locomotive.
Incidents and Accidents
Within a decade of its maiden journey, The Midlander's most infamous incident, the Medway Creek rail disaster occurred near Bogantungan during its return journey to Rockhampton on 26 February 1960 where seven people were killed when the flood-damaged bridge above Medway Creek collapsed, forcing the train to plunge into the water below.(27 February 1960) [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/105903970 7 Die in Queensland train crash], The Canberra Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019.(26 February 2016) [https://www.cqnews.com.au/news/medway-disaster/2943583 Medway Disaster], Central Queensland News. Retrieved 13 December 2019.Salecich, Judith (26 February 2019) [https://judithsalecich.com/the-bogantungan-rail-disaster-have-you-heard-the-children-cry The Bogantungan rail disaster: Have you heard the children cry?], Love in a Little Black Diary. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
Replacement
File:Dia 0387.jpg crossing the westbound Midlander in September 1989]]
In the late 1980s, tourism to western Queensland began to grow following attractions such as the Stockman's Hall of Fame opening at Longreach. To cater for this market, and recognizing the fact that travellers dislike changing trains, The Midlander was combined with the Brisbane - Rockhampton Capricornian Train renamed the Spirit of the Outback in November 1993 and the new service commenced at Brisbane and terminated at Longreach.(29 November 1993) [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/127527592 Cruise ship on wheels], The Canberra Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019. A bus service now provides the connection to Winton.
On Board
The Midlander was made up of a mix of M series along with L series steel rolling stock. As at 1990, the service featured the following facilities and accommodation:
- First Class Roomette Sleepers
- First Class Twinette Sleepers
- Economy Class Triple Berth Sleepers
- Food Bar Car
- Sitting Cars
See also
{{Portal|Queensland|Railways}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Pages/spirit-of-the-outback.aspx/ Queensland Rail - Spirit of the Outback]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Midlander (Queensland Rail), The}}
Category:Named passenger trains of Queensland
Category:Railway services introduced in 1954
Category:1954 establishments in Australia
Category:1993 disestablishments in Australia