Gulflander Explained

Gulflander
Type:	Passenger train
Operator:	Queensland Rail
Start:	Normanton
End:	Croydon
Distance:	151 kilometres
Journeytime:	5 hours full trip 2 hour short trips
Frequency:	Weekly and daily
Line Used:	Normanton
Seating:	100
Catering:	Morning Tea
Entertainment:	Guided Commentary
Baggage:	Yes
Speed:	40km/h
Owners:	Queensland Rail

The Gulflander is a passenger train operated by Queensland Rail on the isolated Normanton to Croydon line in the Gulf Country of northern Queensland, Australia.^[1]

History

Steam locomotives were used until 1929. By that stage railmotors had been introduced since 1922.^[2] By 1974 the line was under the threat of closure, earning just $3,000 in revenue but costing $64,000 to maintain.^[3]

Today the line exists as a tourist attraction and is said to be more an adventure than a train ride. The crews are qualified guides and will stop the train and talk about points of interest. The present three-car railmotor set of RM93 Gardner diesel railmotor and carriages TP1809 and TP1811 is known as "the old Tin Hare".^[4]

Service

The service runs once per week to Croydon on Wednesdays, returning to Normanton on Thursdays. Shorter charter services on most other days are also available.^[5]

Rollingstock

Thirteen power units have been used on the line. It is unusual that of the 13 units, 12 survive in one form or another and most are still in the region due mainly to its remoteness. They are as follows:^[6]

• A10 class steam locomotive 202, undergoing restoration to operational condition by Croydon Shire Council^{[7] [8]}
• A10 class steam locomotive 203, used as parts for the restoration of 202^[9]
• A10 class steam locomotive 204, on display at Croydon station^[10]
• B12 class steam locomotive 28, on display at Normanton station
• B13 class steam locomotive 161, on display at Normanton station
• B13 class steam locomotive 234, on display at Normanton station
• RM14 Panhard-Levassor petrol railmotor, operated Gulflander 1923-1929, returned to Normanton for 120th anniversary in 2011, on display at Workshops Rail Museum^[11]
• RM31 AEC petrol railmotor, operated Gulflander 1929-1945, eventual fate unknown
• RM32 AEC petrol railmotor, operated Gulflander 1945-1960, on display at Normanton
• RM60 AEC petrol railmotor, operated Gulflander 1960-1964, operational at Normanton
• RM74 Gardner (formerly AEC) diesel railmotor, operated Gulflander 1964-1982, on display at Redland Museum, Cleveland^[12]
• RM93 Gardner diesel railmotor, operational at Normanton station, arrived 1982, hauls present Gulflander
• DL4 diesel-mechanical locomotive, arrived November 1988, operational at Normanton
• TP1809 carriage, former PL1809 passenger/luggage trailer transferred to Normanton in 1980, forms present Gulflander^{[13] [14] [15]}
• TP1811 carriage de-motored and reclassified RM1811, was the QR Commissioners Car throughout the 1980s before conversion and transfer to Normanton in 1991, forms present Gulflander^{[13] [15]}

Notes and References

1. News: Meandering through the Gulf on rails . . 67 . 21,236 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 6 June 1993 . 30 March 2017 . 25 . National Library of Australia.
2. News: THE DECLINE AND FALL OF CROYDON . . Queensland, Australia . 22 July 1954 . 30 March 2017 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
3. Book: Bromby, Robin. The Railway Age in Australia. Lothian Press. 2004. 96. 0-7344-0715-7.
4. http://www.croydon.qld.gov.au/gulflander-train Gulflander Train
5. http://www.gulflander.com.au/Pages/TimetableandFares.aspx Timetable & Fares
6. http://www.gulflander.com.au/pages/railmotors.aspx Locomotives
7. http://www.croydon.qld.gov.au/heritage Croydon Heritage Preservation Association
8. http://www.australiansteam.com/A10%20%20202.htm A10 202
9. http://www.australiansteam.com/A10%20%20203.htm A10 203
10. http://www.australiansteam.com/A10%20%20204.htm A10 204
11. http://www.qt.com.au/news/railmotor-annivrsary-normanton/906269/ Railmotor on 2200km journey
12. https://ehive.com/collections/4500/objects/348898/rail-motor-rmd74 RM74
13. https://sites.google.com/site/queenslandgreattrains/Home/the-railmotors/1800-class-the-blue-lagoons The 1800 Class "Blue Lagoons"
14. Web site: Savannahlander & Gulflander Tours - The Savannahlander. 1 July 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160802114002/http://www.savannahlander.com.au/tour-home/savannahlander-gulflander-tours/. 2 August 2016. dmy-all.
15. Book: Dunn, John. Comeng: A History of Commonwealth Engineering Volume 1: 1921-1955. 2006. Rosenberg Publishing. Kenthurst. 206. 1877058424.