GrahamH's photos

Loco 1086 was delivered by road this morning. It is the same type as our 1037, BB18 1/4, though this one was made in Queensland rather than England. Some members were contemplating the HUGE restoration job ahead. July 2025. An extract from a DownsSteam document. "BB18¼ No.1086 No.1086 was one of the later BB18¼ locomotives, built by Walkers Limited in 1957 as part of the final batch of twenty. After a decade of service (likely based out of Rockhampton or Townsville depots), No.1086 was withdrawn by 1969–1970 during the diesel transition. Instead of being scrapped, it found a second life as a display piece in the town of Emerald, QLD. There it was placed on a plinth and christened the “Spirit of Emerald,” serving as a static monument to the steam age. Around 2000, Emerald’s BB18¼ was made available for preservation. The Mackay Heritage Railway group, already restoring 1037, acquired No.1086 as a future project (essentially for spare parts or eventual restoration). The locomotive was moved to Mackay to join 1037, but with limited resources the volunteers focused on finishing 1037 first. No.1086 remained in storage, patiently awaiting its turn. By 2025, with 1037 operational, attention finally turned to No.1086. In mid-2025, No.1086 was transported south to DownsSteam in Toowoomba – the same facility hosting 1037. The plan is for DownsSteam’s experienced team to take on the restoration of 1086 to full running condition. At the time of its move, the locomotive was largely complete but in ex-restoration or “stored” condition (many parts needing overhaul, some components cannibalised over years to assist 1037’s rebuild). DownsSteam volunteers have begun assessing 1086’s boiler, running gear, and cab fittings, laying out a strategy for its overhaul. Given the group’s recent success, hopes are high that 1086 will follow 1037’s footsteps back to steam in the coming years."

Loco 1086 was delivered by road this morning. It is the same type as our 1037, BB18 1/4, though this one was made in Queensland rather than England. Some members were contemplating the HUGE restoration job ahead. July 2025. An extract from a DownsSteam document. "BB18¼ No.1086 No.1086 was one of the later BB18¼ locomotives, built by Walkers Limited in 1957 as part of the final batch of twenty. After a decade of service (likely based out of Rockhampton or Townsville depots), No.1086 was withdrawn by 1969–1970 during the diesel transition. Instead of being scrapped, it found a second life as a display piece in the town of Emerald, QLD. There it was placed on a plinth and christened the “Spirit of Emerald,” serving as a static monument to the steam age. Around 2000, Emerald’s BB18¼ was made available for preservation. The Mackay Heritage Railway group, already restoring 1037, acquired No.1086 as a future project (essentially for spare parts or eventual restoration). The locomotive was moved to Mackay to join 1037, but with limited resources the volunteers focused on finishing 1037 first. No.1086 remained in storage, patiently awaiting its turn. By 2025, with 1037 operational, attention finally turned to No.1086. In mid-2025, No.1086 was transported south to DownsSteam in Toowoomba – the same facility hosting 1037. The plan is for DownsSteam’s experienced team to take on the restoration of 1086 to full running condition. At the time of its move, the locomotive was largely complete but in ex-restoration or “stored” condition (many parts needing overhaul, some components cannibalised over years to assist 1037’s rebuild). DownsSteam volunteers have begun assessing 1086’s boiler, running gear, and cab fittings, laying out a strategy for its overhaul. Given the group’s recent success, hopes are high that 1086 will follow 1037’s footsteps back to steam in the coming years."

Loco 1086 was delivered by road this morning. It is the same type as our 1037, BB18 1/4, though this one was made in Queensland rather than England. This is its tender showing the a complete rebuild is probably required. July 2025.

Loco 1086 was delivered by road this morning. It is the same type as our 1037, BB18 1/4, though this one was made in Queensland rather than England. This is its tender showing that a complete rebuild is probably required. The loco can be seen in the background. July 2025.

On its most recent run DownsSteam's loco 1037 had a grate element break. These are made from cast iron. The two halves fell into the ashpan and were retrieved from the ash after the fire was dropped. The PiP shows a replacement element ready to be installed. July 2025.

Edwin, standing in the rear of the tender of DownsSteam's loco 106, is shovelling coal forward from the rear to where it can be used by the fireman. May 2025.

A bench in a suburban shopping centre in Toowoomba Qld Australia. See PiP to read label. May 2025. HBM to my Iperinity viewers for 23/06/25.

A cable pillar and a cable pit. Seen outside a motel at Moore Park Beach near Bundaberg Qld. March 2025.

Wind and water worn wood. March 2025.

After ex-tropical cyclone Alfred at Moore Park Beach. Much beach sand has been washed away. March 2025.

A doormat seen on my way to somewhere else. June 2025.

A train operated by Southern Downs Steam Railway for a tour organisation and hauled by DownsSteam's 1037 seen here approaching Gowrie Junction. The diesel is a requirement of the track owner Queensland Rail for back-up/rescue if the steam loco has a problem. Location: www.bing.com/maps/?cp=-27.500058%7E151.898019&lvl=18.4&style=h

A train operated by Southern Downs Steam Railway for a tour organisation and hauled by DownsSteam's 1037 seen here at Toowoomba station about 15 minutes before departure to Roma. June 2025. Location: www.bing.com/maps/?cp=-27.557508%7E151.951746&lvl=17.5&style=h

A train operated by Southern Downs Steam Railway for a tour organisation and hauled by DownsSteam's 1037 seen here approaching Gowrie Junction. The diesel is a requirement of the track owner Queensland Rail for back-up/rescue if the steam loco has a problem. Location: www.bing.com/maps/?cp=-27.500058%7E151.898019&lvl=18.4&style=h HFF to my Ipernity viewers for 13/06/25.

A railfan trip on a southern NSW branch line from Wagga to Tumbarumba in April 1972. Seen here at Wagga station with a diesel assisting from Wagga to Junee due to coal shortage. The coal which was said to have been at Tumbarumba was too weathered to use.

A railfan trip on a southern NSW branch line from Wagga to Tumbarumba in April 1972. Seen here crossing a bridge not far from Tumbarumba at the start of the run back to Wagga..

A railfan trip on a southern NSW branch line from Wagga to Tumbarumba in April 1972. This shows some of the people following the train by car. Location is possibly Rosewood the current end of the Tumbarumba railtrail.