Queensland's Cane Trains - Tully Mill Part 2

Queensland has a fascinating network of sugar cane railways stretching from Bundaberg in the South through to Mossman in the North. 17 sugar mills have railway networks with over 4000km of track across the state. All the mills use 2ft gauge track, except for Pioneer Mill which uses 3ft 6in gauge track.
Locomotives are diesel hydraulic, with ages ranging from 70 years old to brand new (2023 built). Some locomotives have been converted from former Queensland Rail 3ft 6in DH class, or New South Wales Government Railways 4ft 8 1/2in 47 class.
Wagons are unbraked and some trains operate with a remote controlled brake van at the rear of the train to provide additional braking force. Trains can be up to 1km long, consisting of up to 200 wagons with a weight of approximately 1000 tons.
Some trains require two crew members however many locomotives have been converted to driver only operating and can be switched to remote control operation for shunting.
This video contains footage taken in August 2023 of Tully Mill. Tully utilises a fleet of ex Queensland Rail 'DH' class locomotives, which were rebuilt by Walkers into cane locomotives in the 1990's. They also have two permanently coupled 'Com-Eng' locomotives which are used as back up locos. I was fortunate to capture these locos at a couple of different locations.
Trains in this video are:
1. Shortly after departing the mill, 'Tully 8' (ex QR 1969 built DH24, rebuilt as 'Tully 8' in 2004) approaches Dean Rd level crossing with a rake of empty bins.
2. With 'Tully 8' waiting in Deans Loop, 'Tully 4' (ex QR 1969 built DH40, rebuilt as 'Tully 4' in 1996) brings a rake of full bins past on the mainline. Tully 8 then continues its journey South.
3. 'Tully 7' arrives at Gabiola's Loop with a long rake of empty bins. Due to a rake of bins already in the siding, some complicated shunting maneuvers were required to shunt the train.

[@FishplateFilms]

Still loving these Sir! I do like the bogie bins over the two axle variety...though the short 2 axle bins are pretty cool in a full rake behind a pair of 3 axle locos! Thanks again! Gregg 🙂

[@NR54trailerail]

Thanks Gregg!