Glenmorgan line | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Status | Operational to Meandarra for grain traffic, closed further than that point. |
Termini | Dalby Glenmorgan |
Stations | 20 (all closed except for Dalby) |
Service | |
Operator(s) | Queensland Rail |
History | |
Opened | 8 September 1911 (Dalby to Kumbarilla), 4 October 1911 (Kumbarilla to Tara), 24 August 1925 (Tara to The Gums), c. late 1920s to 1931 (The Gums to Glenmorgan) [ citation needed ] |
Closed | 26 June 2013 (Meandarra to Glenmorgan). |
Technical | |
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
The Glenmorgan Branch is a railway line in south west Queensland, Australia. It opened in a series of sections between 1908 and 1931. It was intended to reach Surat but construction ceased during the 1930s depression and never recommenced.
After the Western Line from Brisbane, Australia opened beyond Dalby in the 1870s and the South Western Line passed beyond Warwick in the early 1900s, there was agitation for a service west from Dalby towards Tara. An 84 kilometre extension between the two towns was approved by parliament in April 1908. There was some delay in construction as completion of the Haden and Cooyar branch lines was given priority.
The first section of the line opened as far as Kumbarilla on 8 September 1911 including stops at: [1] [2]
On 4 October 1911, the line opened to Tara, including stops at: [2]
A mixed train left Dalby three days a week at noon for the 4¼ hour journey to Tara leaving again the next morning at 11.30am for the return trip.
An 80-kilometre extension to Surat was approved by parliament in December 1914 to service dairy and sheep farms en route. [14] The line never reached Surat but four short stages opened progressively as far as Glenmorgan over the ensuing 17 years. Construction began but was suspended between 1916 and 1923. On 24 August 1925, the line was extended to The Gums with stops at: [2]
Two of the three weekly trains travelled the extra distance. Two short stages were opened to: [19]
From 1928, a rail motor service ran twice a week to Tara and later to Meandarra.
Another short extension took the line a further 22 kilometres with stops at: [19]
The terminus was renamed Glenmorgan in honour of Godfrey Morgan the Railways Minister between 1929 and 1932. Streets in the town were named after his family and he was also honoured with the naming of Morganville a railway terminus south-west of Bundaberg.
A twice-weekly goods train and a similar rail motor service operated between Dalby and Glenmorgan. Grain gradually accounted for much of the traffic and special grain services became commonplace. Road transport took over transport of general goods to the point where only seasonal grain traffic remains and then only as far as Meandarra.
The line beyond Meandarra was closed on 26 June 2013. [23]
The maximum grade is 1 in 44 (~2.3%) and the minimum curve is 400m radius. The line currently is laid with 41 & 30 kg/m rail, 25% steel sleepers and a 15.75 tonne axle load, except for west of Meandarra, which was 21 kg/m with a 10 tonne axle load.
The line speed is 60 km/h to Tara, 40 km/h to Meandarra and was 30 km/h to Glenmorgan.
Dalby is a town and locality in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia. Dalby is within and is the administrative centre of the Western Downs Region. At the 2016 census, Dalby had a population of 12,719.
Tara is a town and locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. At the 2016 census, Tara had a population of 2,297.
Kaimkillenbun is a rural town and locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census the locality of Kaimkillenbun had a population of 293 people.
Bell is a rural town and locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census the locality of Bell had a population of 502 people.
Western Downs Region is a local government area in Queensland, Australia. The Western Downs Regional Council manages an area of 37,937 square kilometres (14,648 sq mi), which is slightly smaller than Switzerland, although with a population of 34,467 in June 2018, it is over 228 times less densely populated.
The Gums is a rural town and locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, The Gums had a population of 159 people.
Macalister is a rural town and locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census the locality of Macalister had a population of 153.
Warra is a rural town and locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census the locality of Warra had a population of 205 people.
Bowenville is a rural town and locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. The town's economy rested on the rail industry and with the winding down of the railways the population declined. In the 2016 census, Bowenville had a population of 250 people.
Meandarra is a rural town and locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census the locality of Meandarra had a population of 262 people.
Glenmorgan is a rural town in the Western Downs Region and a locality split between the Western Downs Region and the Maranoa Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census the locality of Glenmorgan had a population of 148 people.
Kumbarilla is a town and rural locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Kumbarilla had a population of 197 people.
Kogan is a rural town and locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census the locality of Kogan had a population of 190 people.
Weranga is a rural locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census Weranga had a population of 215 people.
Hannaford is a rural locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census Hannaford had a population of 118 people.
Ducklo is a locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Ducklo had a population of 333 people.
Nandi is a locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Nandi had a population of 108 people.
Goranba is a locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Goranba had a population of 187 people.
Marmadua is a rural locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Marmadua had a population of 9 people.
Halliford is a rural locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Halliford had a population of 0 people.