Gladstone to Monto railway line
Encyclopedia
Gladstone to Monto Branch Railway. The Boyne Valley west of Gladstone
in Queensland, Australia was predominantly a dairying region and a railway had little justification. However a branch was justified in 1906 on the basis of large traffic in timber, fuel, limestone and flexing ores. Progressively opened between 1910 and 1931 the line branched from the North Coast line
at Byellee a short distance west of Gladstone and struck a south-westerly route via Many Peaks and Mungungo to Monto
.
which was anchored in Port Curtis (now Gladstone) harbour in 1854. The line was built to transport low grade ore from Many Peaks to Mount Morgan
for processing. A train of copper flexing ore ran to Mount Morgan daily and a mixed train to Gladstone and return ran four days a week. Cream and agricultural goods provided the major source of revenue when the Many Peaks mine closed in 1918.
s totalling 730 metres to negotiate a 239-metre climb of the Dawes Range.
and Gladstone via the already completed line
running north west from Mungar Junction through Biggenden, Gayndah, Mundubbera and Eidsvold
. The line was suspended from use in 2002. It awaits the possibility of coal transport from the Monto region to Gladstone port.
Gladstone, Queensland
- Education :Gladstone has several primary schools, three high schools, and one university campus, Central Queensland University. It is also home to CQIT Gladstone Campus.- Recreation :...
in Queensland, Australia was predominantly a dairying region and a railway had little justification. However a branch was justified in 1906 on the basis of large traffic in timber, fuel, limestone and flexing ores. Progressively opened between 1910 and 1931 the line branched from the North Coast line
North Coast railway line, Queensland
The North Coast railway line is a narrow gauge railway line in Queensland, Australia. It runs from Brisbane, along the Queensland coast to Cairns in Far North Queensland. The line is electrified between Brisbane and Rockhampton...
at Byellee a short distance west of Gladstone and struck a south-westerly route via Many Peaks and Mungungo to Monto
Monto, Queensland
Monto is a town in Queensland, Australia, located on the Burnett Highway north-west of Brisbane and south of Rockhampton. The town was the administrative centre of Monto Shire. At the 2006 census, Monto had a population of 1,159.-History:...
.
Byellee to Many Peaks
The first section from Byellee (previously known as Boyne Valley Junction ) to Many Peaks was opened on 25 July 1910 and sidings were established at Beecher, Burua, Talaba, Calliope River (now Calliope), Taragoola, Barmundu, Boynedale, Wietalaba, Nagoorin, Ubobo, Hellens, Littlemore and Builyan. Governor Fitzroy named Calliope after HMS CalliopeHMS Calliope
Five ships and a shore establishment of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Calliope after the muse Calliope in Greek mythology:*HMS Calliope was a 10-gun Cherokee-class brig-sloop launched in 1808 and broken up in 1829....
which was anchored in Port Curtis (now Gladstone) harbour in 1854. The line was built to transport low grade ore from Many Peaks to Mount Morgan
Mount Morgan, Queensland
Mount Morgan is a town located in central Queensland, Australia. It is situated on the Dee River, 38 kilometres south of the city of Rockhampton, and is 680 kilometres north of the state capital, Brisbane. The Burnett Highway passes through the town...
for processing. A train of copper flexing ore ran to Mount Morgan daily and a mixed train to Gladstone and return ran four days a week. Cream and agricultural goods provided the major source of revenue when the Many Peaks mine closed in 1918.
To Barrimoon
The next stage took the line via Golembil to Barrimoon on 17 August 1926. Although there was a sixteen-year gap in building, the route traverses steep mountainous country. A ten-kilometre section beyond Golembil required the construction of six tunnelTunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
s totalling 730 metres to negotiate a 239-metre climb of the Dawes Range.
To Mungungo
On 7 July 1930, the line was opened via Kalpowar, Dakiel, Bancroft and Crana to Mungungo (then known as “Waratah” ) only twelve kilometres from Monto. It was announced that Waratah would be the terminus, but settlers insisted that Monto must be linked with Gladstone. Kalpowar was a timber milling settlement en route to Monto.To Monto
On 6 July 1931 the line finally reached Monto via Bukali thus completing a semi circular inland link between MaryboroughMaryborough, Queensland
Maryborough is a city located on the Mary River in South East Queensland, Australia, approximately north of the state capital, Brisbane. The city is serviced by the Bruce Highway, and has a population of approximately 22,000 . It is closely tied to its neighbour city Hervey Bay which is...
and Gladstone via the already completed line
Mungar Junction to Monto Branch Railway
The Mungar Junction to Monto Branch Railway is in Queensland, Australia. Having lost out to Bundaberg for a rail link to Mount Perry, Maryborough turned the tables by securing a link to the Central and Upper Burnett districts of Queensland, where minerals had been found...
running north west from Mungar Junction through Biggenden, Gayndah, Mundubbera and Eidsvold
Eidsvold, Queensland
Eidsvold is a small town in the North Burnett region of Queensland, Australia. It is situated on the Burnett Highway approximately north of the state capital, Brisbane. The town is the self-proclaimed Beef Capital of the Burnett and is a hub for the regional cattle industry...
. The line was suspended from use in 2002. It awaits the possibility of coal transport from the Monto region to Gladstone port.