South Coast railway line, Queensland explained

Box Width:22em
South Coast Line
Open:25 January 1889 (to Southport)
10 August 1903 (to Tweed Heads)
Close:1 July 1961 (to Tweed Heads)
30 June 1964 (to Southport)
Owner:Queensland Railways
Operator:Queensland Railways
Linelength:73 kilometres
Map State:collapsed

The South Coast railway line (also known as the Tweed railway line) was a railway from Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, Australia. The route via the South Coast (now known as the Gold Coast) to Tweed Heads on the border of Queensland and New South Wales. The line operated from 1889 to 1964. Between 1903 and 1961 steam trains ran from Beenleigh to the NSW border.[1] The Gold Coast railway line re-opened in 1996 along a modified alignment in the north and a new route south but does not extend as far south yet as the South Coast line.

History

The Beenleigh railway line opened in 1885[2] before being extended 26miles from Beenleigh railway station to Southport in 1889.[3] The firm of J. W. Sutton and Company of Kangaroo Point in Brisbane provided materials and aided in bridge construction for the railway line.[4]

A branch line running 22miles from Southport Junction (later renamed Ernest Junction) to Tweed Heads opened on 10 August 1903.[5]

It had been hoped that the New South Wales Government would extend its Casino to Murwillumbah line a further 30 kilometres from Murwillumbah to Tweed Heads, but this did not occur due to cost of resuming the land and the expenses associated with the tunnel and bridge that would be required.[6]

Due to the increasing popularity of the motor car, and political interests in road transport, the Tweed Heads branch closed on 1 July 1961, followed by the Beenleigh to Southport line on 30 June 1964, despite fierce local outcry in the case of the line to Southport.

Stations

The initial South Coast line officially opened on 24 January 1889[7] and included stops at:

!Distance from South Brisbane railway station!Station!Coords!Notes
YatalaClosed in 1891.[8]
Stapylton[9]
31milesOrmeau[10]
33milesPimpama[11]
38milesCoomera,
39miles39 Mile Platform (Oxenford)[12]
40milesHelensvale
CoombabahClosed in 1891.[13]
46milesErnest Junction
Unnamed
Unnamed
50milesSouthport[14] [15]
It included a number of cuts, river crossings, long grades and a tunnel[16] at Ernest Junction that remains in situ (and is now heritage-listed). The second branch of the South Coast line, known as the Nerang-Tweed Heads extension,[17] opened 14 September 1903[18] [19] and stretched from Ernest Junction to the Queensland-New South Wales border. Stops included:
!Distance from South Brisbane railway station!Station!Coords!Notes
47milesMolendinarRenamed from Benowa in October 1889.[20] [21]
49milesNerang[22] [23]
53milesWorongary
55milesMudgeeraba
Reedy Creek
61milesWest BurleighOn the western bank of Tallebudgera Creek roughly where the Pacific Highway crosses the creek today.[24] Renamed from Booningba.[25]
62milesElanoraAt the intersection of Palm Beach Avenue and the Pacific Highway
63milesCurrumbinOn the eastern bank of Currumbin Creek. The current pedestrian bridge is the former railway bridge.
65milesTugunRoughly on the intersection of the Gold Coast Highway and Toolana Street.
67milesBilingaRoughly on the intersection of the Gold Coast Highway and George Street.
68milesKirraRoughly at the intersection of Coolangatta Road and Haig Street.[26]
69milesCoolangatta-28.1685°N 153.5367°WGriffith Street.[27]
69milesTweed Heads-28.172°N 153.5405°W

Route

From Beenleigh, coast-bound trains crossed the Old Pacific Highway three times between there and Yatala. In between these was the impressive Albert River crossing, made of three steel lattice girder spans. After passing Stapylton, the alignment was straight and of good standard, before reaching Ormeau. The alignment began to curve here, eventually reaching the Pimpama River and Pimpama Station. Coomera station was next, and a short distance later, the line crossed the Coomera River on a large bridge, similar to the Albert River bridge but with four spans instead of three. The southern floodplain of the river was crossed on timber trestles, leading to Oxenford. Passing Saltwater Creek, the line went through Helensvale, which had a small halt with little else but a nameboard signalling the station. After climbing nearly two miles, the railway passed through the curved Ernest Junction Tunnel. The station was just past here. The Southport branch continued on to Southport, but the Tweed Heads line continued onwards. Passing the small station of Molendinar, the line passed under the Southport-Nerang Road. The Nerang River bridge was next. Then came Nerang and Mudgeeraba stations, today covered by the busy Pacific Motorway. A tunnel was reached at West Burleigh, before arriving at the station of that name. After crossing Tallebudgera Creek bridge (now also demolished and replaced by the Pacific Motorway) travellers reached Elanora, then came the still extant Currumbin Creek bridge. From here, the route followed today's Stewart Street between Currumbin and Tugun, the Gold Coast Highway between Tugun and Kirra, Coolangatta Road between Kirra and Coolangatta, and Griffith Street over the border to Tweed Heads.

Services

Passenger trains ran from South Brisbane to Southport with connecting trains from Ernest Junction or Southport to Tweed Heads. Picnic and excursion trains ran through from South Brisbane to Tweed Heads on Sundays.[28] [29] [30]

From opening until around 1910, A12 and B13 class locos were the main motive power. From there until the 1950s, services were operated exclusively by PB15 class locomotives, the largest locomotive permitted to cross the Logan River. Diesel rail cars of the 1800 and 2000 classes operated some passenger services from the 1950s until closure in the 1960s.[31] [32]

Remains

Replacement

The Gold Coast railway line on a new alignment opened from Beenleigh to Helensvale in 1996, Nerang in 1997, Robina in 1998 and Varsity Lakes in 2009.[33]

See also

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Kinsella . Elise . 20 April 2018 . Why were the Gold Coast's old train lines ripped up? . ABC News . 3 August 2024.
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20080121173832/http://www.ourbrisbane.com/living/suburbs/mt_gravatt/history/ History of Mt Gravatt
  3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3491587 The Southport Railway
  4. News: Kangaroo Point: Iron Ships and Bridges . . 24 May 1930 . 24 January 2016 . 22 . National Library of Australia.
  5. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19238863 Visitors from New South Wales
  6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19224448 Tweed Heads Railway Extension
  7. News: The Southport Railway. . . XLV . 9,682 . 25 January 1889 . 9 May 2016 . 6 . National Library of Australia . 27 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200427002051/http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3491587 . live .
  8. News: 7 February 1891 . Local and General . XIII . 2 . . 672 . Queensland, Australia . National Library of Australia.
  9. Beenleigh, Queensland . 1947 . 2nd . Royal Australian Survey Corps . 29 October 2020.
  10. Web site: Town of Ormeau. 1971. Queensland Government. Map. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200405151106/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-ormeau-1971.jpg. 5 April 2020. 6 April 2020.
  11. Tamborine Queensland . 1954 . Royal Australian Survey Corps . Second . 30 October 2020.
    Web site: Tamborine. 1954. Queensland Government. Map. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200402114337/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/topo_scans/topo-map-1mile-military-line-colour-tamborine-ed-2-1954.jpg. 2 April 2020. 20 April 2020.)
  12. Web site: Parish of Barrow. 1973. Queensland Government. Map. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200924065632/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-40chain-parish-barrow-1973.jpg. 24 September 2020. 19 April 2020.
  13. . Moreton 40 Chain map, sheet 11 south 1887 . 1887 . 27 January 2024 . Department of Natural Resources and Mines. https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM533884. 15 March 1961.
  14. Web site: South Coast Rail Line. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140915204124/http://www.petan.net/railway/sthcoast.htm. 15 September 2014. 15 September 2014.
  15. Web site: Southport. 1978. Queensland Government. Map. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200405152856/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-10000-9542-223-southport-1978.jpg. 5 April 2020. 6 April 2020.
  16. News: Southport Railway . . 8 . 430 . Queensland, Australia . 21 August 1936 . 9 May 2016 . 6 . National Library of Australia . 24 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924065634/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/133476942 . live .
  17. News: Opening of Nerang Railway. . . XLIV . 6642 . 27 August 1903 . 9 May 2016 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  18. News: Visitors From New South Wales. . . LX . 14,220 . 11 August 1903 . 9 May 2016 . 5 . National Library of Australia . 27 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200427002102/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/19238863 . live .
  19. Web site: Currumbin Creek Railway Bridge (former). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200924061520/https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/documents/bf/Currumbin_Creek_Railway_Bridge.pdf. 24 September 2020. 24 September 2020. Gold Coast City Council.
  20. News: Railway Station Names. . . 5,295 . Queensland, Australia . 2 October 1889 . 11 October 2020 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  21. Great Britain. War Office. General Staff. Australian Section, cartographer. . Tambourine Queensland . 1926 . Scale 1:63,360 . 1 map : colour ; 44 x 78 cm, on sheet 56 x 83 cm . Australia 1:63,360 . [Melbourne] . [Australian Section Imperial General Staff] . nla.obj-337985011 . 28 January 2024 . Trove .
    Web site: Tambourine. 1926. Queensland Government. Map. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200405100742/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/topo_scans/topo-map-1mile-military-line-colour-tamborine-ed-1-1926.jpg. 5 April 2020. 5 April 2020.
  22. News: Opening of Nerang Railway.. 27 August 1903. Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser. 9 May 2016. 6642. XLIV. 2. National Library of Australia.
  23. Web site: Town of Nerang. Queensland Government. Map. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200405132152/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-nerang-1979.jpg. 5 April 2020. 5 April 2020.
  24. Web site: 1929. Moreton 40 Chain map AG2 series sheet 16 south. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200924025559/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-40chn-moreton-ag2-sh16-south-1929.jpg. 24 September 2020. 24 September 2020. Queensland Government.
    Queensland. Survey Office . Moreton 40 chain map. Sheet 16 South . July 1929 . Gov't. Printer . 31 January 2024 . https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM53398. 24 April 1963.
    Queensland. Department of Natural Resources and Mines . Moreton 40 Chain map, sheet 16 south [Reproduction of 1929 edition]]. 2006 . Department of Natural Resources and Mines . 31 January 2024.
  25. News: 1 December 1914. Burleigh and Beenleigh.. 6. The Brisbane Courier. 17,747. Queensland, Australia. 30 October 2020. National Library of Australia.
  26. Queensland Two Mile series sheet 2m37 . 2024-02-01 . historical-maps-qld.oldmapsonline.org. Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy. 1947.
    Web site: Untitled. 1947. Queensland Government. Map. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200405164424/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-2mile-qld-2m37-surv-control-1947.jpg. 5 April 2020. 6 April 2020.
  27. Web site: Tweed Heads. 1943. Queensland Government. Map. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200405154931/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/topo_scans/topo-map-1mile-military-line-colour-tweed-heads-1943.jpg. 5 April 2020. 6 April 2020.
  28. News: Southport Timetable. . . XXVII . 682 . Brisbane . 12 January 1889 . 18 January 2018 . 26 . National Library of Australia . 24 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924065659/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186193219 . live .
  29. Nine Special Trains Booked for 4BH Picnic to Sourthport (21 October 1939). The Telegraph (Brisbane), p. 4 (Late Week End Final All the News). Retrieved 18 January 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188037010
  30. News: Tweed Heads-Brisbane Railway. . . 28 . New South Wales, Australia . 24 October 1903 . 18 January 2018 . 8 . National Library of Australia . 28 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200928214921/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72069024 . live .
  31. News: Locomotives . . 16,575 . Brisbane . 15 January 1926 . 18 January 2018 . 12 . 5 O'clock City . National Library of Australia . 24 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924065715/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/177843968 . live .
  32. News: 1st Diesel run . . 4980 . Brisbane . 13 November 1952 . 18 January 2018 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  33. https://web.archive.org/web/20110811085624/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/robina-varsity-lakes-rail-extension-states-most-expensive/story-e6freoof-1225809975822 Robina-Varsity Lakes rail extension state's most expensive

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