Queensland Rail is putting its petal to the metal to help ensure this year’s Carnival of Flowers is the best of the bunch, with the heritage diesel locomotive ‘1620’ and its stunning steel carriages set to shuttle Carnival-goers daily between Toowoomba and Spring Bluff Railway Stations (23-29 September 2018).
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said Spring Bluff station’s prizewinning gardens had been pruned to their blooming best, and were now ready to welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Garden City for the annual event.
"Queensland Rail’s connection to the Darling Downs stems from its very roots when the first tracks were laid in the region 150 years ago and, from these budding beginnings, has grown into the symbiotic relationship that exists today," Mr Bailey said.
"The heritage listed Spring Bluff station and its gardens offer a fantastic family day out where visitors can experience the local charm and history of the area, which was named after the local spring water and sandstone bluff.
"Spring Bluff Railway station was built in the 1860s to allow trains a stop during the steep climb up the Range from Brisbane to Toowoomba.
"Nowadays, it provides the perfect day outdoors where visitors can explore the station’s stunning gardens and the local wildlife it attracts.
"Since the 1970s, Queensland Rail has operated a heritage shuttle train between Toowoomba and Spring Bluff stations as part of the annual Carnival of Flowers event, in order to connect event-goers with Spring Bluff station’s prizewinning gardens.
"The shuttle will be back again in 2018, running twice daily between Toowoomba and Spring Bluff stations throughout the festivities.
"To add to the nostalgia, the shuttle will be operated by a beautifully restored 51 year old diesel ‘1620’ locomotive and her gleaming steel carriages taking event-goers back to the 60’s - the age of flower power.
"The entire region will be bursting with colour as hundreds of thousands of flowers come into bloom across the Darling Downs and with tickets selling fast, I’d suggest people have a spring in their step and book their shuttle tickets right away to avoid missing out."
To book your spot on Queensland Rail Travel’s special Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers shuttle, visit: queenslandrailtravel.com.au
A return trip on the shuttle costs $20 for adults, $10 for kids and infants ride free.
Daily schedule for the shuttle:
- Departs Toowoomba station: 9.00am - arrives Spring Bluff: 9.35am
- Returns Spring Bluff: 11.00am - arrives Toowoomba station: 11.35am
- Departs Toowoomba station: 1.00pm - arrives Spring Bluff: 1.35pm
- Returns Spring Bluff: 3.00pm - arrives Toowoomba station: 3.40pm
Mr Bailey said to cap off the occasion, Queensland Rail would also be firing up the mighty heritage steam locomotive ‘Bety’, manufactured in 1956, which will whistle its way between Brisbane and Toowoomba on the first weekend of the festival (22 – 23 September) as part of a charter service with Sunshine Express Rail Tours.
"Queensland Rail will also be running the fully restored retro Rail Motor the ‘Silver Bullet’ between Brisbane and Toowoomba on Wednesday 26 September on behalf of Sunshine Express Rail Tours."
For details of the steam train trips, or the ‘Silver Bullet’ trip visit: https://sunshineexpress.org.au/
