Join Crispin Groves-Raines as he takes a look at the day to day workings of the 1067mm line between Brisbane and Toowoomba running as it does, through the Lockyer Valley in south east Queensland. Filmed during the summer of 2006 the locations covered include Grandchester, Laidley, Helidon, Murphys Creek and Spring Bluff.
The Westlander operation is the sole remaining passenger service from Brisbane to Charleville. Occasionally the train runs as a mixed passenger and freight service.The eastbound service is seen here as this is the only time you can film the service during daylight hours on this stretch of line. We follow the service over several consecutive days.
Freight operations observed include coal, grain, molasses, livestock and containers. The opportunity was taken to fully utilize the surrounding scenery these trains run through, being as they are the bread and butter of QR's services to the Darling Downs and beyond.
Lockyer Valley Ops concludes with a look at the railway's activities at night. The westbound Westlander is seen here with a freight wagon in tow as it powers through the night on its way to Charleville. Time is taken to soak up the sights and sounds of the railway meandering through the photogenic Lockyer Valley as it was in the summer of 2006.
Approximate run time: 57 minutes.