Gulflander train
We left Normanton Station at 8.30 & arrived at Croydon 5 hours later –
148kms. Top speed 37kms per hour but usually 25kms. Diesel engine – PULLING 46 tonnes
– used 25 litres of fuel!!! Normanton built on ‘higher ground’ due to flooding
in wet season. In 2nd worst flood in 2009 town was cut off for 13
weeks!
It’s the only rail of it’s kind. Built 1888-91; using
special C shaped steel sleepers of which 95% still there. It's a bus on rails!
We dropped off the mail at Haydon’s Station (200 sq miles)
of cattle. Morning tea at Black Bull Siding – where rail crosses from one side
of road to the other. We got Gulflander enamel mugs as souvenirs with our
tea/coff & muffin!.
Lots of disused gold mines, creeks, lagoons, (alive!)
kangaroos, brolgas, pelicans.
We had great hamburger at the café in Croydon. Bike riders
(100) from Cairns
to Karumba (800kms) Charity Ride arrived from 2.30 on. They stay in Croydon overnight then ride to Normanton & Karumba tomorrow. They are raising money for educational 'extras' for outback kids eg georgetown school went to Sydney, Canberra & the Snowy!
We got the coach back to Normanton.
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