Page 66 - Tropic Magazine Issue 29

TROPIC • REGIONAL HISTORY

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Our Railways: connect hinterland-based industries to supposed to wash over it without too
much damage but, even back then, the
coastal ports as quickly and inexpensively
Part 2 as possible. Remember, roads weren’t a power of floodwater was underestimated,
and the bridge suffered major damage
viable alternative as land transportation
relied on very slow-moving bullock teams. at least five times before its high-level
NORTH COAST LINE Gradually, the benefits of linking coastal replacement was built in 1957.
Tropic uncovers the trials, towns by rail overcame the backbiting Even WW1 didn’t completely stop the
tribulations and triumphs of and in-fighting associated with such new line being laid and the Townsville -
connecting Cairns to the rest of development and Brisbane became linked Ingham link was made by 1919. However,
Mackay and Rockhampton weren’t
to Rockhampton by 1900.
the east coast by rail. connected until 1921, construction having
been affected by the 1920/21 global
Words: Nicky Horstmann financial downturn. Similarly impacted
Then in 1910, plans were was the line north of Ingham and, in
The construction of the North Coast made to further connect order to complete the connection to
Railway line from Brisbane to Cairns was Innisfail, the sugar cane tramway became
a monumental feat given the spirited existing sections of rail a temporary part of the NCL.
competition between towns and regions and tramway to complete a Finally, the last obstacle to be overcome
along the way as well as the impact of was the North Johnstone River, where a
international events. The challenges 1680-kilometre line to the high-level, cleverly engineered bridge was
presented by climate and terrain were tropical north required. On October 31, 1924, the main
also significant. 61-metre span was floated into position
All obstacles were finally overcome, before being secured to its footings. The
however, when the North Johnstone River final piece of the puzzle was in place.
was ‘conquered’ just north of Innisfail. On Cairns was now a 52-hour train journey
the 10th of December 1924, surrounded The Rockhampton to Cairns rail project from Brisbane.
by a large and joyous crowd, the bridge was divided into five different regions.
was officially opened and the Cairns - Works began on improving the load-
Brisbane rail link was completed. bearing capacity of existing tramways
Technically, the construction of the North from Cairns to Babinda, and Townsville
Coast Line (NCL) began in 1880 when to Ayr, as other teams looked to extend
the tramway from Townsville down to these lines southwards.
Stuart opened. This reflects the initial Meanwhile, construction south from
piecemeal approach; there was no grand Mackay and north from Rockhampton
plan. Instead, 3’6” gauge rail was built to was underway, as was the connection
from Bowen to Townsville. By 1913 this
latter section was virtually completed – a
1, 2. Official opening of the Daradgee Bridge marvel, really, considering the challenge
over the Johnston River for the railway between of crossing the Burdekin River at Home
Townsville and Cairns, 1924
3. Wooden railway bridge on the North Coast Hill. It was decided that a low-level bridge
line, Landsborough region, Queensland, ca. 1910 was the best way to go. Floodwaters were 3

66 • Tropic • Issue 29