Recent posts

#81

Pembrooke to Kempsey / Re: Kundabung

Last post by admin - Yesterday at 09:09:56 AM

NR52 heads 2PB4 at Kundabung.
9/11/97 (Greg Riddel)

#82

Kempsey Stock Siding to Engineering Siding / Re: Boambee Beach Loop

Last post by admin - Yesterday at 09:07:46 AM

NT33/34 terminating at / commencing from Coffs tonight. Set stowed at Boambee which was a bit of an odd thing to see driving past the lookout. (8/1/2026) (Peter Howard)

#83

Coffs Harbour to Grafton / Re: Glenreagh

Last post by admin - Yesterday at 09:06:07 AM

Glenreagh 5/1/2026 (Greg Lee)

#84

Kempsey Stock Siding to Engineering Siding / Re: Nambucca Heads

Last post by admin - Yesterday at 09:04:11 AM

The Rainforest Rattler waiting in the loop at Nambucca for the north bound XPT. It did a couple of trips between Coffs / Urunga & Eungai today (11/1/2026) (Rob Williams).

#85

Coffs Harbour to Grafton / Re: Grafton City (South Grafto...

Last post by admin - Yesterday at 09:01:58 AM

Later this month marks the 100 year anniversary of the arrival of the Induna to commence her duties of transporting rail rolling stock from South Grafton to Grafton prior to the opening of the Grafton Bridge.
The photo below was taken in White Bay, Sydney during the conversion of the Induna from a sea cargo ship to a ferry capable of transporting rail rolling stock.
On January 21st, 1926 the Induna left Sydney under tow of the tug St. Olaves and on January 27th 1926 relieved the Swallow of her duties at Grafton.
The tug returned to Sydney with the Swallow in tow for maintenance to be carried out.
She later returned to Grafton where the Swallow and the Induna then worked together till the opening of the "new" bridge in 1932. Some very good photos exist of them together.
After the opening of the bridge the Induna was retired to the southern bank close to where the hull lay today.
Due to fears that in the event of a flood the Induna may break away from its position on the river bank and wash down and damage the new bridge, she was sank into the bank by cutting large holes in the hull.
The Induna was then purchased by Norcombe Webber with the intention of selling what he could to recover his costs and to use it as a stage for loading and unloading timber at his mill. Later the hull was used for the purpose of burning the sawdust and scrape timber from sawmill situated on the river bank adjacent to where the Induna rests now.
In 1937 the steam engine was removed for use to drive a gold stamper to the west of Grafton but not the boiler. The boiler, being a marine boiler was not suited to land-based use and remains in the hull to this day.
In August 1957 a scrap monger obtained the rights to remove whatever materials he wanted and The Daily Examiner published a report and photo of his barge reducing the hull to what is visible today.
In 1975 Beadman Bros Engineering (Ted and Reg) were contracted by the Council of the City of Grafton and Burns Philip to remove the bow from the hull. The bow now forms the basis of a monument to her history in Sir Earl Page Park adjacent to Grafton Age Care, Bent Street.
From her building at Aberdeen in Scotland for service from Britain to East Africa until now she has had a very colourful history that still catches the interest of locals and visitors today.
Listed below are some of the highlights of tha history.
Built in Aberdeen, Scotland 1891.
During the Boer War Winston Churchill held captive in prison in Pastoria escaped from South Africa and the Boers on the Induna. 1899
Began shipping out of Sydney under the ownership of Burns, Philip & Co Ltd 1904 in the region of Norfolk Island, Gilbert Islands, Marshal Island and Rabaul.
Captured in Marshal Islands by the Germans in World War 1 for her coal.
Owned and operated by Patrick Steamship from 1920 to 1925 when she was sold to New South Wales Dept of Railways.
Converted from sea cargo freighter to rail ferry in White Bay 1925.
Rail ferry at Grafton 1926 until bridge opening 1932.

#86

Coffs Harbour to Grafton / Re: Coramba

Last post by admin - January 04, 2026, 07:14:38 AM

Rainforest Rattler in the loop at Coramab 3/1/2026 (Lance Lyon)

#87

Koolkhan to Casino / Re: Casino

Last post by admin - December 31, 2025, 06:59:30 AM

XP2008 and 2004 wait at Casino before returning to Sydney as NT34. While CF4420 and QL011 lead an empty Steel Train back to Port Kembla. (Patrick Donnolley)

#88

Tugrabakh to Taree / Re: Mount George

Last post by admin - December 26, 2025, 06:36:32 AM

Mt George Station 1982 not long before it closed. (Pete Miller)

#89

Burrow's Siding to Gloucester / Re: Gloucester

Last post by admin - December 23, 2025, 06:45:27 AM

5902+5901stand in Gloucester station getting a drink, after dragging this goods train from Taree starting earlier that day, 22 December 1968 (George Stevens)

#90

Taboon to Roma Street / Re: South Brisbane

Last post by admin - December 21, 2025, 06:36:44 AM

The platform at the South Brisbane interstate station, 1986. The station and goods yard closed in June 1986 to make room for Expo 88. Interstate passenger services moved to Roma St station while interstate goods were handled at Acacia Ridge. The site is now home to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

QM/QR Collection