Latest news with #1089
Sydney Morning Herald
12-08-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
How to catch a real-life Thomas the Tank Engine steam train in Brisbane
They were retired when the state's steam era ended in 1969, but Queensland Rail kept two, the 1079 and 1089, which are maintained at the Rail Workshops at Ipswich and rolled out for special events. The 1089 entered service in March 1958, and was the last main line steam train to enter service in Australia. But despite being 67 years old – retirement age for an Australian worker – this beauty has been polished up, and the coal loaded for QR celebrations, including to the general public to the Ekka on Wednesday. Steam trains have been described as like a 'living breathing' creature, with personalities all of their own. There's a nostalgic 'chugga chugga choo choo' noise as steam hisses, the wheels rumble, and the whistle shrieks. Tutor driver Peter Cohen said there was a lot of preparation involved in getting the steam train running, including a day or two of polishing. 'To line it up takes three, four hours, get it all oiled and greased, and ready to go, it's a lot of hard work, a lot of shovelling coal and keeping the water up, it's a big day,' he said. The Exhibition Station at the RNA Showgrounds was reopened this year after a renovation, and it will only operate for major events until Cross River Rail opens in 2029. People can board the steam train at Roma Street to the Ekka at 9.05am, 9.55am, 10.35am, 11.25am, 12.05pm, 12.55pm, 2.05pm, 2.55pm. Loading People can either exit at Exhibition Station, or stay on for the loop back to Roma Street, and there will be no boarding onto the steam train from the Ekka. The heritage carriages are not accessible for people in wheelchairs or using a mobility device, and boarding is via ladder style steps and a grab rail.
The Age
12-08-2025
- The Age
How to catch a real-life Thomas the Tank Engine steam train in Brisbane
They were retired when the state's steam era ended in 1969, but Queensland Rail kept two, the 1079 and 1089, which are maintained at the Rail Workshops at Ipswich and rolled out for special events. The 1089 entered service in March 1958, and was the last main line steam train to enter service in Australia. But despite being 67 years old – retirement age for an Australian worker – this beauty has been polished up, and the coal loaded for QR celebrations, including to the general public to the Ekka on Wednesday. Steam trains have been described as like a 'living breathing' creature, with personalities all of their own. There's a nostalgic 'chugga chugga choo choo' noise as steam hisses, the wheels rumble, and the whistle shrieks. Tutor driver Peter Cohen said there was a lot of preparation involved in getting the steam train running, including a day or two of polishing. 'To line it up takes three, four hours, get it all oiled and greased, and ready to go, it's a lot of hard work, a lot of shovelling coal and keeping the water up, it's a big day,' he said. The Exhibition Station at the RNA Showgrounds was reopened this year after a renovation, and it will only operate for major events until Cross River Rail opens in 2029. People can board the steam train at Roma Street to the Ekka at 9.05am, 9.55am, 10.35am, 11.25am, 12.05pm, 12.55pm, 2.05pm, 2.55pm. Loading People can either exit at Exhibition Station, or stay on for the loop back to Roma Street, and there will be no boarding onto the steam train from the Ekka. The heritage carriages are not accessible for people in wheelchairs or using a mobility device, and boarding is via ladder style steps and a grab rail.
