Ipswich Driver

[@MrSteeleye]

Good old "79". Never been retired. Has always been kept serviced, maintained and overhauled. A great credit to its custodians.

[@mickgough3574]

What a great clip. That driver is not afraid to open the regulator and "let her go"!! Love it!!

[@mikecondon9576]

Hello Mick, Thank you for your endorsement of the clip. The driver was an old time, "real" steam man who had worked steam since the 40's. So that gives you some background as to why he went about the job with a degree of style. I hope you enjoy some of the other productions.

[@teddyhancox1984]

An excellent video - top notch. Clarity, interest and content cannot be surpassed. If there is one short video of a QR steam engine to watch - this is the one. Highly recommended.

[@johnclayden1670]

Thank you for that - most enjoyable. Some fine camerawork with many interesting and unusual shots. I shall have to look for this when next in Brisbane.

[@mikecondon9576]

Hello John, Thanks for kind comments on the content. Sadly, the production of the original content is from another era of rail operations. The driver featured passed away earlier this year at 91 years from memory. Jim's assistance on the day was truly valuable and the images gathered were made possible with his cooperation. You might enjoy some of my other steam content. Thanks again for viewing. Mike

[@johnledingham852]

Visions from the past Etched upon our hearts Entrenched in our minds Forever, for all times

[@mikecondon9576]

Hello again John, Yes even this material from the 1990's seems like a long distant era. Much of this could never be repeated. The site at Mayne has changed somewhat. Some of the cars in the train no longer exist. The driver, Jim "Jumbo" Doyle retired not long after and he passed away a few years back. The foreman is on the verge of retirement. The Guard is long retired. 1079 of course a constant since the end of the steam era, rarely makes appearances these days. So entrenched in our minds is very apt.

[@sirbarongaming2138]

I have a question, is this engine running on Standard 4 ft 8 1/2 in, 3 ft 6 in, or broad gauge track?

[@mikecondon9576]

Thank you for your question. Apart from approximately, 70 miles or 120 kilometres of standard gauge track in Queensland, the mainline network of Queensland is 3 feet 6 inches gauge. At its peak, the Queensland network was over 6,500 miles or 10,500 kilometres. These days, the network is only 4,100 miles or about 6,600 kilometres. The locomotives featured in the production is a BB18 1/4 Class and its running number is 1079. This class of locomotive were mostly used on long distance passenger workings when first introduced. With the introduction of diesel electric locomotives a few short years later, the BB18 1/4 Class were soon rostered to many other types of trains including goods or freight working. This special passenger working operated out of Brisbane on the Main West towards Ipswich and ultimately Grandchester and Laidley before returning to Brisbane. I hope this provides you with a further understanding and background of the operations displayed in this production. Feel free to ask further questions at any time and thanks for viewing the channel.

[@sirbarongaming2138]

@@mikecondon9576 I will

[@Hallands.]

2:10 and here's how Australians cook their beans...

[@mikecondon9576]

Hello Menved, Thank you for your comment. I am not not what you mean but I think you are talking about the driver boiling water in the firebox to make a cup of tea. Again thanks for your interest. Mike

[@Hallands.]

Mike Condon Hi, just kidding. You're not an Australian?

[@mikecondon9576]

Hello Menved, Yes I am an Australian. My comment or question was I do not know what mean by "cook their beans". This is not an Australian expression and definitely not a railway term. So I am assuming that you are thinking that the drivers were brewing coffee. Generally, train crews of that era never drank coffee. They were tea drinkers. To me the reference sounds American. I was not in anyway annoyed by your comment/s but rather just curious. More importantly, did you like the production? In general, I am always happy to provide further explanations to viewers. So please keep viewing and enjoying my channel.

[@Hallands.]

Mike Condon No, no! I just meant instead og cooking the beans (for eating) over a campfire like the American cowboys, he just stuck a pot in the furnace. Yes, steam locomotives are charming.

[@barryphillips7327]

It was quite normal for steam engine drivers to cook on the shovel, make coffee etc same way remember at times they would do long shifts how else do u propose they get a good meal on the move!