History of Ravenshoe Steam Railway

The Ravenshoe station (formerly Cedar Creek) was completed and still stands today – maintained in its original heritage condition by our volunteers.

The major freight the trains carried was timber milled locally in Ravenshoe and taken to Cairns to be shipped across the globe. Ravenshoe timber was used in the re-building of the British House of Commons in London after the “blitz” in World War 2.

The old Tumoulin Jail shifted to Ravenshoe due to a fire destroying the old Ravenshoe Police building.

Australian troops were transported by rail to the densely forested Ravenshoe Area for specialised training. A hospital carriage was provided for recuperation of injured soldiers which is still intact today however it is currently occupied by a colony of protected bats and no longer situated on railway land.

The entire logging area was listed as world heritage and almost all timber felling ceased.

New police station completed in Ravenshoe and old Tumoulin Jail building donated to the Ravenshoe Railway where it was restored to original heritage specifications as a historic display.

The Cairns-Ravenshoe line was decommissioned by Queensland Rail and RailCo became the custodians of the section of line between Ravenshoe and Wondecla.

New National Heritage Safety Regulations were introduced and concerns for the safe operation of the service on aging tracks and bridges prohibited “Capella” from running. As a result, operations were ceased, and the train and carriages have been stable as a static display.

Ravenshoe Railway Company Ltd reacquired its accreditation as a rail infrastructure manager after years of meticulous work from our team of volunteers.

200 metres of track was upgraded at a cost of almost $100,000 which now makes it possible to move “Capella” under full steam for a couple of scheduled maintenance runs per year.

Ongoing fundraising continues to fund further track and bridge restoration between Ravenshoe and Tumoulin so we can eventually reopen the tourist heritage steam service between the two towns. All donations are gratefully received!

After a remarkable career of transporting Brisbane commuters for more than 42 years, locomotive “268” along with all the other steam locomotives were decommissioned to make way for the incoming diesel engines.

“268” was stored in Mackay.

“268” moved to Amaroo Park in the Queensland town of Capella where she was plinthed for display.

It was deemed unsafe for local children to play on and unless she found a new home, “268” was destined for the scrap heap where 28 other D17 Class locomotives had already been sent.

After negotiations between RailCo and the Peak Downs Shire Council, officials agreed to donate “268” to the Ravenshoe Railway and the people of Ravenshoe, on the proviso that it would be fully restored to operating condition and was to be named “Capella”. 

“Capella” arrived in Ravenshoe after being transported 800Km north by road on an oil rig transporter.

Despite an estimate of 2 years for restoration, just 3 months after she arrived in Ravenshoe, “Capella” was fired up and brought to a full head of steam. This was thanks to the tireless and enthusiastic team of dedicated volunteers alongside the fact that she had received a brand-new boiler just months before she was decommissioned!

The Earl Family (developers of Millstream Estate) obtained and donated five antique 1930s carriages. One has been restored as an original dining car, one is set up as a rolling museum, and a third has been dedicated to our diggers who rode the Cairns-Ravenshoe line in World War 2.

The “Millstream Express with “Capella” towing the magnificently detailed carriages full of delighted passengers, made her first official run to the Tumoulin station and back as part of the local Torimba Festival celebrations. This cemented Capella’s status in history as the last, fully operational D17 Class locomotive in the world! (One other D17 “855” remains in the Rosewood Railway Museum but she is not expected to ever be operational again).

The Millstream Express tourist service travelled regularly between Ravenshoe and Tumoulin.

Dave Ryder made a short film about the Railway and Capella

“Capella” and her rolling stock are kept in excellent operating condition and she is regularly fired up to a full head of steam by our dedicated and passionate team of volunteers.

A brief exemption allowed us to celebrate the centenary of the Ravenshoe Railway station by moving “Capella” alongside the station for the big day.

Ravenshoe’s “Torimba Festival” selected the event’s theme of “Steam and iron” in honour of Capella’s 100^th birthday celebrations.