Railways and Tramways of Australia

Never seen better

 

Queensland’s first air-conditioned train made its debut journey on 1 February 1953.

 

Commonwealth Engineering manufactured the first air-conditioned train for Queensland. It was officially handed it to the Queensland Railways at Brisbane’s Roma Street station, then departed, taking 120 guests of Minister for Transport John Duggan and Commissioner for Railways Gerald Moriarty to Toowoomba. The journey took three hours and 55 minutes. Diesel-electric locomotive 1212 hauled the train, the route featuring a steep and winding climb up the Toowoomba Range. Upon arrival it was greeted by Toowoomba Mayor Mervyn ‘Curly’ Anderson and the train was then put on public display.

 

A guest on the train, Charles Carson, American Vice-Consul in Queensland, said, “I have never seen a better train anywhere. Queensland must be congratulated in having such a fine service.” The new train entered regular service as The Inlander on 12 February.

 

Four ‘Lander’ trains were introduced by Queensland Railways in 1953 and 1954:

• The Inlander: Townsville–Mount Isa

• The Sunlander: Brisbane–Cairns

• The Midlander: Rockhampton–Winton

• The Westlander: Brisbane–Cunnamulla/Quilpie.

 

The ‘Landers’ provided Queensland passengers with a level of luxury not previously experienced. Each train consist was from 11 to 13 steel carriages. Sitting cars and sleeping cars featured carpet, double-panel windows, Venetian blinds, individual lights and refrigerated drinking water. Special attention was given to minimising vibrations and noise. Sleeping cars featured thermostatically controlled showers. The dining car catered for 30 passengers at each sitting.

 

Externally, the carriages were painted dove grey, with glacier blue and bronze yellow bands. Interior colours were varied throughout the train.

 

The Inlander and The Westlander continue to run today, but with fewer carriages than when they were first introduced. Their demise has long been predicted.

 

Never seen better in 1953. Still rolling today.

 

Bibliography

‘Color and comfort blend in new Q.R. train’, Railway Transportation, vol. 2, no. 2, February 1953, p 35–40.

‘‘Inlander’ impresses guests on Toowoomba run: “Never seen better,” says diplomat’, Railway Transportation, vol. 2, no. 3, March 1953, p 12.

J Knowles, ‘Thirty years of the air conditioned trains’, Sunshine Express, no. 213, December 1983, p 234–6.

‘“The Inlander:” The Queensland Railways’ first air-conditioned train’, Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, no. 191, September 1953, pp

     101–4.