Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway (QPSR) in Bundamba, Queensland, Australia | Transportation service

Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway (QPSR)

Locality: Bundamba, Queensland, Australia

Phone: +61 439 767 837

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• Transportation service
• Landmark & historical place
• Railway company
• Landmark

25.01.2022 Thanks to everyone who came on the weekends Trips, Don the bus man got this fantastic video of 448 taking on Elevator Hill!. We will be aiming to release October runs shortly

25.01.2022 Good Morning Monday! Eric Thornes got this lovely photo of PB15 448 warming up for the morning services on the Swanbank branch earlier this year. It takes approximately 4hrs to bring 448 from a cold state lifeless state in to a breathing steam machine.

24.01.2022 The Track Maintenance team were out last weekend doing a clear up of old sleepers that have been replaced in the last year along the line. They also cleared up any rubbish that may have strayed on to the corridor. Hopefully operations can restart again shortly, in the meantime we will try to keep the wheels turning behind the scenes.

24.01.2022 Over the past few weeks Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway has played host to the wonderful youngsters of Apprenticeships Queensland. Under the tutorage of the railways volunteers they have been working on a number of projects and learning some of the old and dying skills of the railways. Refurbishing bogies from 1888 and motors from section car, painting and sign righting, restoring timber doors, constructing a new tool shop for the railways many bits of heavy engineering mach...inery. The hard work and dedication of these youngsters has been a please to watch. The team at QPSR are looking forward to having them back and sharing more skills in the not to distant future.

24.01.2022 John is known to one and all as Jack, as he is the railway's Jack of all trade. A local boy from Kalbar near Boonah, Jack started out as a railway toolmaker from Ipswich Workshops who found his niche specializing in air braking systems and educating, this skill this took him all around the state training apprentices. Jack moved to Normanton to run the world famous Gulflander where his flair for rail and local history and telling a yarn was appreciated by tourist from all ove...r the world. It was a job well suited to him, one minute driving the railcar over the bumpy lines, the next pointing out some of the local wild life, then spending the evenings fixing the rail motors. Since he joined Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway back in the late 2000's Jack has been spearheading the work on the loco hauled rollingstock to make sure everything runs safely, smoothly and effectively. He has taken the time to teach a whole new generation of maintainers to keep working with heritage stock so that the skills don't vanish. Jack also gets around as a passenger service attendant and talk to passengers about the rich mining and rail heritage of the Blackstone and surrounding region which he cherishes. Want to learn some new skills or about local history, volunteer with us today: http://www.qpsr.org/join-us.html Photo: David Harris

24.01.2022 This weekend the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway will play host to The BBQ Roadshow Low'n'Slow presented by The World Food Markets. These guys cook up a storm that will make for a great breakfast, morning tea or lunch out by the Swanbank Lake before or after your train trip with us. Bookings for the 1hr steam train trips departing at 9am, 11am and 1pm each day can be made at www.QPSR.org Adults $24... Children (over 3) and Concessions $13 Families $55 Join us for a great day out!

23.01.2022 Weve had a website glitch! It appears tickets were not showing for the Heritage Bus to Cooneanna Homestead. If you are wanting this extension trip please book your ticket here at only $7 Extra its a great extension to the day :... http://www.qpsr.org/store/p102/Heritage_Pass.html

23.01.2022 Bookings are now available for our October 17th and 18th Co-vid Safe picnic train hauled by 113 year old locomotive 448. Departing from Swanbank Train Station at 9am, 11am and 1pm. Sit back and enjoy an hour and a quarter train trip in carriages that are over 100 years old as the bush land and old coal mining relics trundle past your window. Grab a bite to eat at a food van at the station and picnic by the lake or take a 15 minute vintage bus trip past the Box Flat Memorial.... Fares A $24 C $13 F $55 Bus Trip $2 Book now at www.qpsr.org

22.01.2022 Like helping people? Like educating and engaging with people? enjoy local history, enjoy dressing in 1900's attire? Want to learn more about trains? Get involved as an onboard Volunteer today!... With our increased operation post Covid 19, Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway's onboard volunteers who ensure passengers have an safe, informative, comfortable and enjoyable trip are needing a bit of a boost to their numbers. It's more then just riding in the carriages, the onboard volunteers are responsible for ensuring passengers from all over Australia and the world have an enjoyable trip and point out various points of interest along the branch line while being responsible for the wellbeing of those in your carriage. Its also a great way to form lasting friendships with the rest of the volunteers who have a common interest in helping to keep steam trains running in South East Queensland for future generations. The Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway has proudly been entirely volunteer operated for 42 years and continues to, so that people are able to enjoy and experience the grand old railways as they were. Join today at http://www.qpsr.org/join-us.html Membership is only $25

22.01.2022 Enjoy a vintage 1hr train ride this Weekend with an extension tour by heritage bus to the Ipswich Historical Society Inc. Explore the mining displays, the Black Smithing and the the spinners and weavers. Learn about the pioneer ways of living and explore the Cooneana Homestead, a slab timber house.from 1871. Make a great day out back in time with Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway (QPSR), Heritage buses Down Under Ipswich Historical Society Inc..... Train Tickets $24 (A) $13 (C) $55 (F) Bus and Entry to heritage centre on a Heritage Pass $7 (pp) Book your seat today www.qpsr.org

22.01.2022 Good Morning (well it's morning somewhere :P) Monday. Lance Castle got a great shot last month of PB15 448 passing over Bundamba Creek on her way back to Swanbank. We are looking forward to another full weekend of steam on the 17th and 18th if you want to join us for a trip back in time.

21.01.2022 Join us on Sunday 11th of October when we take veteran locomotive 1616 out on a Co-vid safe picnic train. Queen of Cupcakes will have a variety of picnic favourites available for purchase on the green square at Swanbank Station. This one and a quarter hour round trip from Swanbank to Swanbank takes in the old West Moreton Coal Mining region, horse paddocks, bushland and hobby farms.... Trains depart at 9am, 11am and 1pm. A:$24 C:$13 F:$55 Bookings are essential and can be made at www.qpsr.org

21.01.2022 Due to an overwelming response we have added 1pm trains to both this Saturday and Sunday. Bookings are available at www.qpsr.org up to 12hrs before the trip. Please help us keep our passengers and volunteers safe, when filling out the Co-vid questionnaire please give the most accurate information you can. There will always be other train trips we run, but each life is unique and important so please do the right thing :)

21.01.2022 There are still some seats (but not that many) available on tomorrows 9am, 11am and 1pm Steam Train trips from Swanbank Railway Station. Located 35 minutes from the Brisbane CBD, join us on a rail journey through the coal mining past of the Blackstone region. See our friends at Queen of Cupcakes for some picnic supplies and enjoy a lakeside lunch or maybe take a trip on one of the Heritage Bus Association inc.'s lovely old Buses around the lake. Book your seat today at www.qpsr.org

20.01.2022 Bookings have just opened for November the 8th Co-vid safe picnic train. This 1hr 10 service takes in the former Blackstone mining region. Heritage trains will be hauled by veteran diesel locomotive 1616 at 9, 11 and 1 departing from Swanbank station (110 Swanbank Coal Road). Sit back in turn of the century timber carriages as the regions rich history unfolds around you... Queen of Cupcakes will be on site for your picnicking needs and the heritage buses will be offering 10 minute joy rides. Book now at www.qpsr.org A$24 C$13 F$55

20.01.2022 Only a few seats left on this weekends trains departing from Swanbank Station! Don't miss your chance to turn back the clock to the turn of last century in old wooden carriages hauled by 113 year old locomotive, 448. Book your seat while you can at www.qpsr.org

20.01.2022 Cameron Hawes, got this great shot on Sunday of our vintage diesel and HBA's vintage bus passing each other at the level crossing. Both vehicles where built around the same time and this shot could have easily been taken back in the middle of last century. The HBA 10 minute bus tours around the lake are a great $2pp add on to a train trip on selected weekends.

19.01.2022 Bookings are now available for our November 21st Co-vid Safe picnic train hauled by 113 year old locomotive PB15 448. Departing from Swanbank Train Station (110 Swanbank Coal road - only 35 minutes from the Brisbane CBD) at 9am, 11am and 1pm. Sit back and enjoy an hour and a quarter train trip in carriages that are over 100 years old as the bush land and old coal mining relics trundle past your window.... Before or after your trip, grab a bite to eat from the @QueenOfCupcakesAustralia at the station and picnic by the lake or take a 15 minute vintage bus trip past the Box Flat Memorial. Fares A $24 C $13 F $55 Bus Trip $2 Book now at www.qpsr.org

18.01.2022 Something for all you diesel fans out there. Maureen has just finished off another colouring in picture for your enjoyment. This time DEL 1616 (well known for her unique colour scheme) is the canvas for your imaginative liveries. ... Wed love to see your works of art, so feel free to shoot us a message with your (or your childs) masterpiece attached so we can share it!

18.01.2022 A bit of a look back to our twilight run a few years ago. Father and Son team of Pat and Neil take a moment to discuss the return trip as the PB builds up steam. Photo Lance Castle

18.01.2022 Voulinteers Dale, Graeme and Jack have been working on building a brand new hardwood end veranda for one of the coaches during the covid break. The old deck had suffered considerable wood rot and the only option had been to create a brand new one to the original specs. All the work was all done by hand (only 1 band saw cut was made to shape the head piece), with chisels, wood mallets, sand paper and handsaws to get good clean joints that matching the original drawings.

18.01.2022 Now for a bit of a surprise! Thanks to the Ipswich City Councill, Bubba (the small 6 wheeled diesel locomotive) will be coming to Swanbank soon to call it home. Fairly shortly after her arrival she will start working with our existing locomotives to provide trips up the Swanbank branch. Thing is Bubba hasn't been given any colours or a livery (to be honest she's currently a little grey). ... So we thought we would ask all the kids out there (and some of the parents) to show us what livery and colours they think would suit her best of all. Our resident artist Maureen did up this lovely drawing of Bubba to use as your canvas

17.01.2022 A very good morning Monday! The maintenance team were doing steam testing on both Kilrie and the PB15 over the weekend. So for the first time in 9 years the pair are seen steaming on shed together.... Not long now until Kilrie starts making her way out on to the branch.

17.01.2022 A bit of a Covid surprise! Following some remedial work and inspections, the boiler of 448 is being issued with a limited extension to its ticket prior to the heavy overhaul. She has been tested back up this week and appears in fine fettle. While we cant guarantee her on every train, we are hoping that she will put in more then a few appearances this year as the railways "flag ship" locomotive!

16.01.2022 Two weekends ago the passengers on the first picnic train on the Sunday got a bit of a surprise as they passed the yard ., she's not on the road yet but we are not too far from commissioning.

16.01.2022 A bit of a pre-emptive Good morning Monday :P Well there was a decent downpour on Sundays first run but it cleared into a beautiful day. As ever Lance Castle braved the elements to get this cracker shot of 1616 charging up the grade near Castle Hill. Later today bookings will open on our new look website for our Saturday and Sunday Steam Trains using PB15 448

16.01.2022 Good Morning Monday! On Saturday our volunteers undertook covid training we trialled our first covid safe train. With any luck our first train for passengers will be this Sunday at 9am and 11am (Tickets will be on sale from tomorrow morning).... The trip will be a little different to what we used to offer: - Trains will depart and return to Swanbank Only with no intermediate stops -Trains are limited to 80 Passengers - Family groups of 8+ will be allocated separate carriages. - Due to the reduced numbers on the day there will be likely only 1-2 food vans on a running day -We ask passengers to use hand sanitiser prior to boarding the train and to remain in their allocated seats for the duration of the Journey. -We will be pre-screening all groups by questionnaire sent by email in the 72 hours prior to travel and will be rechecked on the day of travel to reduce the risk of Covid Spread.

16.01.2022 Thank you to everyone who has been donating to keep us moving, Kilrie is on the home stretch now to returning to steam. We are also indebted to Endeavour Timber Products Georges Loader Hire, The Precast Concrete Group and Mini-Cat Bobcat & Tipper Services who have made inkind donations of assets and machinery or substantial discounts and have made our new platform extension possible. The volunteers have worked tirelessly on the footings and ground work surrounding the are...a. There is still some top work to be done (including the laying of the coping stones) and a bit of filling but its nearly there. This extension means when operations recommence shortly that we can be more efficient with our boarding and disembarking and allow passengers more space to wait for the trains in the pleasant Swanbank surrounds. This portion of the platform is also higher so that we are more easily able to accommodate those with reduced mobility

16.01.2022 Hello Monday This weekend just passed saw Kilrie having her final boiler examination. Passengers on the 11am train got to have a symphony of sound as they passed Box Flat, with PB15 448, Kilrie and 5802 all blowing whistles!

16.01.2022 Take a ride on the heritage buses this weekend to the Ipswich historical society after your train trip. Its a smashing adventure where you can experience black smithing, spining and weaving and mining history. Buses depart 10:15 and 12:15

15.01.2022 PB15 448 has been cleared for operation during total fire ban with control measures in place. Don't miss you chance to ride behind this lovely 112 year old stalwart of the rail. Book today at www.qpsr.org

15.01.2022 Good Morning Monday, and what a Mercury raiser it is! Today we thought we would share some images of the cooler rainier days at the railway. Remember to keep hydrated folks!

15.01.2022 Bookings are now open for our Covid Safe Picnic Trains on Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th. Join us for a 1hr journey from Swanbank to Racecourse and return, via the old coal mining sites of the Blackstone Region. Trains Depart at 9am, 11am and 1pm. Bookings are essential and available at www.QPSR.org. Tickets are $24 (A) $13 (C) $55 (F)... Each day we are meeting up with some other school holiday activities. On the 26th the 15th Regiment WW1 re-enactors will have a display at Swanbank Station and be on manoeuvres as they were in the early days of the great war. On the 27th hop the heritage bus ($4pp) on a shuttle service to the Cooneana Homestead's Family Funday ($5 per Adult) which can be booked separately at: https://www.discoveripswich.com.au//cooneana-heritage-cen/. Join us for a great day out learning about the way things were in Queensland at the turn of last century!

14.01.2022 Due to popular demand, we have added a 1pm service today. If you are looking for a last minute thing to do today, book now at www.qpsr.org. The train will be departing from Swanbank Station only on its 1hr return trip.

14.01.2022 Good Evening Monday! 448 simmers away in the loco shed after testing. We are all hoping to have operations recommencing shortly. Over the last week more inspections and checks were made to ensure that we can reopen safely after 6 months off.

14.01.2022 Meet Graeme and Desley. If you have travelled with us in the last 6 years, the chances are you have met them at the station. After a both spending their lifes in local medicine, this husband and wife team have been involved with station, bookings and catering on the railway during their retirement years.... Graeme also moonlights as the railways treasurer, ensuring the railways finances are never allowed to fail the group - a difficult task during covid. Retired and looking for a sea change? Join us as a volunteer at QPSR http://www.qpsr.org/join-us.html Photo Lance Castle

13.01.2022 Basking in the sun awaiting her main rods to return from re bushing; Kilries is looking very smart with new tanks and paint job. The sign writer will be starting work shortly on the pin striped lining as the last of the steam fittings and pipe work are mounted on. The team behind this overhaul are really doing great work and she is a credit to them.

13.01.2022 Good Morning Monday! Anthony Winstone got this lovely shot of DEL 1616 crossing Swanbank Coal Road on a Picnic Train. At 58 years young she is certainly still looking good!

13.01.2022 Seats are available for November the 8th Co-vid safe picnic train. Join us for a 1hr 10 minute service through the former Blackstone coal mining region. These train trips will be hauled by veteran diesel locomotive 1616 at 9am, 11am and 1pm departing from Swanbank station (110 Swanbank Coal Road). ... Sit back in turn of the century timber carriages and watch as paddocks of horses and cows, scrubby bush land that is home to Kangaroo and vintage machinery from an age gone by pass your open window. Queen of Cupcakes will be on site for your picnicking needs and the heritage buses will be offering 10 minute joy rides. Book now at www.qpsr.org strictly limited Seats. A$24 C$13 F$55

13.01.2022 Limited Seats are are still available for our October 17th and 18th Co-vid Safe picnic train hauled by 113 year old steam locomotive 448. Departing from Swanbank Train Station at 9am, 11am and 1pm. Sit back and enjoy an hour and a quarter train trip in timber railway carriages that are over 100 years old, as the bush land and old coal mining relics trundle past your window. Grab a bite to eat at a food van at the station and picnic by the lake or take a 15 minute vintage bus... trip past the Box Flat Memorial. Fares A $24 C $13 F $55 Bus Trip $2 Book now at www.qpsr.org Food van: 17th - Quick Fix Hot Food Van, 18th - The Queen of Cup Cakes

13.01.2022 We have got some spaces left on our 1pm departure of the Covid Safe Picnic Train from Swanbank Station on the 26th of July. Book your seat today as they are strictly limited to comply with social distancing requirements. Books at WWW.QPSR.ORG

13.01.2022 Good Morning Monday. Get ready to see trains on the branch again! The team have been working hard this weekend getting the track ready to do a few test runs of our new "Co-vid Safe" operation. All trains will be leaving from Swanbank Station only during this stage of the pandemic and seating has had to be strictly limited (180 people per day).... Dates and tickets will be available online soon. Unfortunately during the this stage of Covid, we are not going to be able to have walk up passengers.

12.01.2022 Thanks to all the passengers that rode with us today. Many lessons learnt, (including which coaches are harder to maintain social distancing in). With any luck monday morning we will be releasing tickets for Saturday and Sunday next week, when PB15 448 will be in charge of the train. Again thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding as our volunteers continue to learn their new routines. :)

12.01.2022 We are pleased to be welcoming Ipswich Orpheus Chorale and Amberley Brass Band to provide entertainment at Swanbank Station and Shane Fell - The One-Man Street Band at Racecourse over our sold out operations from the 5th to the 20th. While they aren't in all day everyday, passengers will be able to enjoy the lovely Christmas sounds of at least one of these groups during their visit.

11.01.2022 Bookings are now available for our next co-vid safe picnic train weekend which is being hauled by Retro Diesel Electric 1616. This trip departs on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th at 9am and 11am from Swanbank Station. Queen of Cupcakes is at the green again with mountains of wonderful food so you can extend your visit to the train with a picnic at Swanbank Parklands.... Seats are strictly limited so book today at www.qpsr.org Tickets are A $24, C $13 F $55

11.01.2022 The Volunteers of Swanbank. A while ago we did meet a series of posts about meeting our members. Its been a little while and we have had some new faces come in and some old faces who could use reintroduction. Everyone who works on the train and the railway is a member and volunteer. They wear many hats to keep the trains running safely and effectively. ... Meet Dave and Irene, a husband and wife duo who have had railways in the blood for over 65 years each in. Dave has been a board member for a number of years and spends his spare time driving the locomotive (a bit smaller then Flying Scotsman which was in his care on its Australian Adventure in the 80's) and carriage attending. Irene is a fixture of our passenger services team and has been in that role all around the world. She met Dave on Flying Scotsman's tour where she was working the buffet coach. Their combined wealth of railway knowledge is always appreciated by members and visitors alike. You can join the team at QPSR too via: http://www.qpsr.org/join-us.html Photo: David Harris

09.01.2022 Good morning Monday. Today we have a fantastic photo from 2015 by Jarrod Mitton of PB15 448 coming to life as the sun's first rays hit peek over the tree line. From cold the PB15 takes 4 hours to build steam up and come to life, its a very slow, very gentle process which can't be rushed.

08.01.2022 15th Battalion AIF re-enactors will be setting up a display on Sunday at Swanbank station to show a little of the life of the WW1 infantry men who would have been heading to war behind locomotive 448. Book your ticket today at www.QPSR.org Remember, if you have covid symptoms please let us know so we can reschedual you

08.01.2022 Its not often that we ask for support, but the following petition could end up helping the 13 volunteer based heritage railways in Queensland to gain access to funding to keep all our operations sustainable well into the future. Currently overhauls and restorations of locomotives and carriages are not able to be covered by any Government Funding. If you can show support for this it would be great!... http://chng.it/CbyWW67Q

08.01.2022 Thank you for the support so far of the petition to State Government to provide a funding stream for the volunteer heritage railways across the state. The more support this petition has the more likely it will be to win favour with the powers that be. Currently heritage railway have no continuous support or subsidy for operation by the state Government and are only able to stay viable by donations from the public and the income made on train trips. ... This means that essential improvements, such as undercover storage for heritage rail vehicles remain long held dreams for most groups who continue to battle against the effects of the weather on carriages they have only restored a few years earlier,restorations and overhauls of rollingstock become far more protracted then in other states and the rail heritage sector on the whole does not develop anywhere near as successfully as our interstate and international cousins. Currently there is a feeling in government that heritage railways are a "Victorian thing", help us to show the Queensland state government that Queenslanders want their heritage railways to thrive. https://www.change.org/p/kate-jones-queensland-s-heritage-r

07.01.2022 Good morning Monday. Mark Dorman got this lovely shot this weekend just past of PB15 448 running around the top loop to turn. We can't wait to be able to offer the short loop line service again when the pandemic lifts. Currently our onboard volunteers are spending this portion of the train trip cleaning the carriage interiors to help stop the spread of covid.

07.01.2022 Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway wishes a Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there. Photo Geoff Morgan

07.01.2022 Everything has been very busy down at the station. Not only has the old Albian Station building been receiving a new roof and weather boards but the platform has made a big leap forward just in time for the last train of the year. Thanks to our friends at Mini-Cat Bobcat & Tipper Services and the RPQ Group, the platform extension has been dressed, pressed and sealed with 30mm deep layer of hot mix bitumen giving the railway a fully sealed 88m long platform. It is only through... the support of local businesses that this community run heritage railway is able to continue to grow and thrive showing off the rich array of Queensland Railway and Mining heritage. The station restoration project is moving into the main Forest Hill Station building from January (so train trips are being halted for the month). This will involve complete repair and repaint of the structure being undertaken as well as new toilet facilities and improved souvenir sales area. If you or your company would like to help us out please contact us as every little bit of in kind help makes the process easier to move forward.

07.01.2022 Made it to Monday! Well we had a weekend of co-vid safe trains - they are a lot of work but it is lovely to see passengers enjoying the amended experience. It was also great to welcome the 5th Regiment re-enactment team on Sundays Trip.... Keep any eye on the page for future trips as the covid situation continues to develop. One thing to note for future trips, if you are coming out to photograph the train please remember to keep behind the fences and not to take risks to get a perfect shot.

07.01.2022 Work has begun on an ambitious restoration project at Swanbank. Over the years, minor touch ups have been done to both station buildings by volunteers when damage has occured either through weather, termites or vandals, but we've never attempted a full refurbishment of the exterior timbers, frames and trim. QPSR has now teamed up with CEA Training, Dulux Paints and Pine Mountain Road Sawmill to refurbish both the Albion Waiting room (the original station when services began ...way back in 1980) and the Main Building - the former Forest Hill Station (opened at swanbank in 2001). This refurbishment will include some minor historically sympathetic improvements to make the building more user friendly for modern visitors. The trainees got started today on the Albion building with an aim to have it ready by December 18 for our last few Twilight trains of the year. The Main building will be getting it's facelift early the new year and we hope that passengers will enjoy the improved facilities when the work is complete.

06.01.2022 Tickets are now on sale for both this Saturday and Sundays steam train service with locomotive 448. Trains leave at 9am and 11am from Swanbank Station Adults are $24... Children and Concessions $13 Families $55 The heritage bus will also be operating on Saturday to Cooneana (however this value add will not be operating on Sunday). Book now at www.qpsr.org

06.01.2022 Kilrie, the baby steam loco of the QPSR fleet, is edging ever closer to completion. A defective stay has been replaced by the team under guidance and now we are heading to the very last steps prior to commissioning. What does the front of Kilrie look like.... thats a bit of a surprise to come :)

05.01.2022 Work is progressing quickly on the platform extension. The grounds gang has also begun to clear a new picnic area which also serves a a great photo vantage point when the trains are in the platform. There is still a great deal of lantana to be cleared out of the gully, but these photos by our youngest member Jayden begin to give a bit of an idea of what the finished product is going to look like.

05.01.2022 Throwback Thursday: David Poynter took these great shots of Kilrie and 1616 back in 1999, when Kilrie was intricately lined out before its 2001 service. With all the base coats now set on Kilrie, we are about to welcome in a sign writer to hand paint the new lining. Not long now until Kilrie is blasting up the branch again!

05.01.2022 Bubba has Landed! Thanks to Crane Hotline, Henry Plant & Equipment Hire Lithgow, Wyton Transport, Zig Zag Railway, Eagletech Engineering and Ipswich City Council. There's a few little bits of body work to get done but due to her fine mechanical condition we are expecting her on track early next year.

05.01.2022 Are you one of our UK Fans? Griff's Great Australian Adventure is showing on ITV4 at 8pm on Ep 1 - Mon 16th Nov... Ep 2 - Mon 23rd Nov Ep 3 - Mon 30th Nov (QPSR featured) Ep 4 - Mon 7th Dec Ep 5 - Mon 21st Dec Ep 6 - Mon 28th Dec See more

05.01.2022 After a bit of discussion, the team has decided to put passenger services on hold for a few weeks while the Wacol outbreak of covid is active in the local community. As much as we would love to run, public safety and the safety of our volunteers comes first. Works and test trains will still be in operation during this time so please remember to keep away from the tracks.... Photo Lance Castle

04.01.2022 Good Morning Monday and thanks for a great weekend! Covid Safe Full trains both days was a sight to see. The team at Swanbank are having a bit of a break from operations for a few weeks until November so that we can do some TLC jobs to the locos and track ready for the Christmas Holiday season. Also we have a few surprises instore. Booking should be available in the not to distant for trips in November and December.... Keep an eye on this page for updates and news! Photo Lance Castle

03.01.2022 Join us on the 11th of October when we take veteran locomotive 1616 out on a Co-vid safe picnic train. This one and a quarter hour round trip from Swanbank to Swanbank takes in the old West Moreton Coal Mining region. Trains depart at 9am, 11am and 1pm.... Bookings are essential and can be made at www.qpsr.org

03.01.2022 Good Morning Monday, A few weeks ago our oldest member Charlie Jones hit 93, and last week he appeared in the soon to be digitised Queensland Times (cheers for the scan Friends of Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Inc). Charlie was one of the last original steam drivers in Queensland, in fact he was driver on the last steam train in South East Queensland. ... He isnt active on the footplate anymore, but he still comes out to the depot almost daily to have a yarn with the new engine men, giving advice and telling stories of the way the railways were.

03.01.2022 Someones gaining a lot more of her fittings....

02.01.2022 Meet Rod, Growing up with a railway family in Hamilton next to the Broadmeadow area (Newcastle, N.S.W.), the sound track to his young evenings was the sounds of Beyer Garratts, the Mighty 38s and the Beyer-Peacock consolidation locomotives pulling heavy loads of all manner of cargos. His Grandfather wanted him to join the N.S.W.G.R., but he became an Accountant!... Rodney first started working at the railway on his retirement, painting lander carriages with his mate Neil, the railways head painter. Since moving up to the sunshine state and joining the railway, Rod has served as the railways secretary, a passenger service attendant, track worker, painter and restorer. He has also amassed a rather fine collection of vintage rear-wheel-drive Volvos.

02.01.2022 Its Possumpolloza at Swanbank. There has been an apparent boom in the Brush tail Possum population around Swanbank during the Co-vid shut down. To encourage these lovely Aussie Fur-babies away from the railways infrastructure we have been putting up possum hutches.

02.01.2022 We are Grateful to the Queensland Government via its Gambling Community Benefit Fund. for providing us with funding for a long term overhaul facility. Though a basic design, it will give the volunteers a safe area to undertake major strip down and repair work of Locomotives and Carriages, as well as provide working areas for woodwork, parts cleaning and storage for unique spare parts.

02.01.2022 Meet Terry and his small business Mini-Cat Bobcat & Tipper Services. Terry has been helping the railway for the last 20 as a volunteer and has been responsible (with the help of his trusty excavator, bob cat and and truck) for most installing most of the sleepers that have gone in to the branch line, the green space at the station, the earthworks of the platform extension and foot paths, the recoaling of the locomotives, the placement of new building foundations and pathwa...ys. In short if its had to be dug or lifted the chances are he's done it! This tirelessly effort to make sure that the railway keeps going from strength to strength over such a long time is a real credit to him. If your ever after some earth moving, this man is a wizard at the controls!

02.01.2022 Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway has been teaming up with @CERTTrain and Energy Skills Queensland for the past three years to provide real world experience in a safe environment to students gaining skills in track maintenance. The support of these groups provide to our heritage rail operation is massive (300+ sleepers get replaced a year on our section of track) and we are always love working with their students on track, imparting a few old tricks while picking up some new skills along the way. The photo below is on the Swanbank Balloon loop last winter. If you are looking to go into the rail maintenance sector of big railways, these are the people to see!

01.01.2022 Well Monday is almost over but this weekend saw more work undertaken to get the railway ready to reopen its doors in this new covid environment. QPSR volunteers have been keeping on top of track and rollingstock during this imposed shut down, as well as various improvements, but this weekend gave the team a chance to give line side vegetation a much needed trim as there is a locomotive headlight at the end of the dark covid tunnel.

01.01.2022 Tickets are now available for this Sundays Co-vid Safe Picnic Train. We are pleased to welcome Queen of Cupcakes and their new savoury selection to the station green for all your picnicking needs. This Sundays trip will be hauled by Vintage Diesel "1616" and will be departing from Swanbank Station at 9am and 11am.... Book now at www.QPSR.org, tickets are strictly limited to 80 passengers per train. Tickets are $24 (A), $13 (C), $55(F)

01.01.2022 Volunteer Owned and Operated Heritage Railways in the State of Queensland do not have access to a specific grant funding scheme that is able to cover restorations of locomotives and rollingstock unlike NSW or Victoria. We are all trying to get this to change so that across the state heritage railways can continue to support their local communities. Please sign the petition to help your heritage railways survive. https://www.change.org/p/kate-jones-queensland-s-heritage-r

01.01.2022 Tickets are now live for our Covid Safe Picnic Train on September 19th! Join us this school holidays for a journey back in time behind PB 15 448 on our Co-vid Picnic Train departs from Swanbank Station (ONLY) at 9am, 11am and 1pm. Before or after your trip you are able to grab a bite to eat at a food van on the green or take the heritage bus to the Box Flat mine disaster memorial. Featuring heritage timber carriages this one hour journey wends its way back in towards subu...rbia through the old coal mining sites, lush bushland and along the base of Castle Hill. There is a quick turn around of the locomotive at Racecourse and we trundle to Swanbank, through paddocks of horses and past quaint miners cottages. QPSR are operating these services in a COVID Safe way and using Queensland Tourism and Accommodation Industry COVID Safe Plan to limit the risk of Covid spread. We ask that all passengers complete the pre-trip form prior to arrival and respect the limitations imposed. A $24 C $13 F $55 Under 3s Free Book now at www.qpsr.org!

01.01.2022 Way Back Wednesday In yesterday in September 1948 locomotive B15 309 was on a coal train weighing 369 tone collided with a truck at the Brisbane Road level crossing (near racecourse station. The locomotive came to rest in the front garden of the Mines Rescue Station.... Michael Klein, was the engine driver and luckily survived, however the driver of a Toowoomba based trucking company vehicle who did not stop for the oncoming train did not. It is a timely reminder to both pedestrians, photographers and road users that trains even when travelling slowly on a heritage railway are not easy to stop and can cause a lot of damage when they hit something. (Ruthof Family Collection) Many thanks to Barbara Ruthof for making these available to us.