Along the Track in Queensland - 1997 (with some scenes from 1989)
This is the ninth in the RailView series of productions looking at regular freight and passenger operations in NSW and other Australian stats. RailView 9 looks at Queensland operations in late 1997, with some footage from mid-1989.
The Programme opens with scenes around Goondiwindi and Toowoomba, in the south of the State. We then more to the busy diesel and electric operated Central Line.
After spending some time around Rockhampton, we move up the coast, taking in some sugar cane working on the way. Then it’s on to coal working in the north of the Bowen Basin, with views of really massive trains hauled by multiple electric locos.
Continuing further north, we look briefly at another coal line near Bowen and then arrive at Townsville, where we look at quite a variety of operations. Moving north again, we see some more sugar cane trains and then travel as far north as railways reach, to the Atherton Tableland, inland from Cairns, where we see “heritage” operations and a branchline goods.
It’s then quickly down to Brisbane, where various suburban electric and diesel operations are viewed. The Programme ends with a 1989 look at operations around Goondiwindi and Dalby, including views of a real Mixed train.
There is no narration and no music in Trains Alive productions. The only sounds are of trains and the countryside they run through. Scenes are numbered briefly and there are comprehensive Background Notes provided.
Except for archival footage, original tape taken on Digital 3CCD and mastered on Betacam SP - Stereo Sound.
100 minutes.