Queensland has a fascinating network of sugar cane railways stretching from Bundaberg in the South through to Mossman in the North. 17 sugar mills have railway networks with over 4000km of track across the state. All the mills use 2ft gauge track, except for Pioneer Mill which uses 3ft 6in gauge track.
Locomotives are diesel hydraulic, with ages ranging from 70 years old to brand new (2023 built). Some locomotives have been converted from former Queensland Rail 3ft 6in DH class, or New South Wales Government Railways 4ft 8 1/2in 47 class.
Wagons are unbraked and some trains operate with a remote controlled brake van at the rear of the train to provide additional braking force. Trains can be up to 1km long, consisting of up to 200 wagons with a weight of approximately 1000 tons.
Some trains require two crew members however many locomotives have been converted to driver only operating and can be switched to remote control operation for shunting.
This video contains footage taken in August 2023 of Proserpine Mill. Proserpine Mill is owned by Wilmar Sugar.
This final video from Proserpine Mill follows loco #12 as it takes a lengthy rake of empty bins and brake van out of Proserpine towards the South. Loco #12 is ex West Australian Government Railways M1851 and was rebuilt in the 1990's for cane haulage.
The train is seen first at Mackay Corner, then passing harvesting activities at Casswell's Siding. Finally the train is seen at the Bruce Highway level crossing at Goorganga Plains and disturbing a herd of cattle grazing on the tracks. Unfortunately there was very little light left to illuminate what is a beautiful photospot.
Please excuse a few of the shots being slightly out of focus - I was still familiarising myself with the settings on my new camera.