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Puffing Billy train at Ipswich Railway Station, 1950s
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TitlePuffing Billy train at Ipswich Railway Station, 1950sDate Created1955-1959
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DescriptionSign reads: Built by Nelson & Co Glasgow. Total weight engine & tender in running order 21 ton/cwt Tractive effort 5100 lbs (pounds) Boiler pressure 120lbs.Additional Information "The Neilson Co. supplied engines to the Northern Railway (later Central) based at Rockhampton and running to Westwood. One of these locomotives No.3 was the last Neilson engine in employment by QR. It was in operational service with QR until 1902. In 1909, it was shipped to Bowen to shunt on the Bowen jetty. However in 1913 it was sent south to take part in the QR 50th anniversary celebrations of 1914. The locomotive was exhibited with two carriages, and as part of the QGR 50th anniversary celebrations in 1914, where it was on public display at the present day location of King George Square in Brisbane. Following this it was kept as a display item at North Ipswich railway workshops, but ran again in 1936 for the railway pageant to celebrate the opening of the new Commissioner for Railways Office in Ann Street in the then new State Government Buildings. For this occasion a “re-enactment” train was run from Normanby station to Roma Street.
(The photographs taken on the day, have subsequently found there way into QR , and the railway story as “QR’s first train”. However, given that No.3 did not arrive in the colony until 1866, it would have been hard pressed to actually have operated the first train). Until 1959 it could be found on display at Countess Street, with again the two small contractors carriages assembled in the 1880’s, and used for display purposes. It was removed from Countess Street to North Ipswich, due to the enlargement of the Roma Street goods yards, and the locomotive and carriages were again sent to Ipswich Railway Workshops. In 1969 No.3 and carriages were placed in a shelter at Queen’s Park, Ipswich. This was primarily in recognition of the ending of the steam era at Ipswich, in November 1969, and to retain a connection with the railway history of the organisation. The name “Puffing Billy” appears to have been applied around 1936, although it never actually was named this in any official context by QR.
After removal to QR Ipswich Workshops, in 1997, this locomotive was disassembled pending investigation into rebuilding for operation.
Sir,— I have been much interested in your references to 'Puffing Billy.'
I have had the pleasure of cleaning, firing, and drlvlng this little engine
I may say I joined- the railways in 1882, as cleaner, and left 15 years
ago. I have served under all the Commissioners for Railways since. I am
now living retired here, so If some of my old mates come this way I would
be pleased to meet them, and show them a very nice photo of 'Puffing
Billy.' —
I am, sir, &c,
FRANK WOODS
The Courier Mail 9 May 1936 p 5"
Additional information from Greg Hallam, Historian with Queensland Rail.
(The photographs taken on the day, have subsequently found there way into QR , and the railway story as “QR’s first train”. However, given that No.3 did not arrive in the colony until 1866, it would have been hard pressed to actually have operated the first train). Until 1959 it could be found on display at Countess Street, with again the two small contractors carriages assembled in the 1880’s, and used for display purposes. It was removed from Countess Street to North Ipswich, due to the enlargement of the Roma Street goods yards, and the locomotive and carriages were again sent to Ipswich Railway Workshops. In 1969 No.3 and carriages were placed in a shelter at Queen’s Park, Ipswich. This was primarily in recognition of the ending of the steam era at Ipswich, in November 1969, and to retain a connection with the railway history of the organisation. The name “Puffing Billy” appears to have been applied around 1936, although it never actually was named this in any official context by QR.
After removal to QR Ipswich Workshops, in 1997, this locomotive was disassembled pending investigation into rebuilding for operation.
Sir,— I have been much interested in your references to 'Puffing Billy.'
I have had the pleasure of cleaning, firing, and drlvlng this little engine
I may say I joined- the railways in 1882, as cleaner, and left 15 years
ago. I have served under all the Commissioners for Railways since. I am
now living retired here, so If some of my old mates come this way I would
be pleased to meet them, and show them a very nice photo of 'Puffing
Billy.' —
I am, sir, &c,
FRANK WOODS
The Courier Mail 9 May 1936 p 5"
Additional information from Greg Hallam, Historian with Queensland Rail.
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Buildings & StructuresIpswich Railway StationDefining Tulmur | IpswichDreaming of Tomorrow: Growing Up
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Reference IDqips-2014-12-01-0002Asset TypeImage - JpegImages, Maps and Artefacts (Trove mapping field)imageColour or Black & White ImageBlack & WhiteOrientationLandscapeGenreTransportPhysical DescriptionPrintCopyright StatusPublic DomainCopyright NoticeThis work was created prior to the 1st January 1955 or it is an orphan work (photogrpaher unkown) created more than 70 years ago. It has been identified as being free of known restrictions under the Copyright Act 1968.
You can use this work without asking permission.
Moral rights remain and the work MUST be correctly attributed to its creator (photographer, studio, author, etc.) with acknowledgement of Picture Ipswich as the source of the work.
If you require a higher resolution copy of this work, please contact Picture Ipswich.
CopyrightPicture Ipswich Copyright Information
You can use this work without asking permission.
Moral rights remain and the work MUST be correctly attributed to its creator (photographer, studio, author, etc.) with acknowledgement of Picture Ipswich as the source of the work.
If you require a higher resolution copy of this work, please contact Picture Ipswich.
CopyrightPicture Ipswich Copyright Information
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This work has entered the Public Domain and is free of known copyright restrictions
This work was created prior to the 1st January 1955 or it is an orphan work (photographer unknown) created more than 70 years ago. It has been identified as being free of known restrictions under the Copyright Act 1968.
You can use this work without asking permission.
Moral rights remain and the work MUST be correctly attributed to its creator (photographer, studio, author, etc.) with acknowledgement of Picture Ipswich as the source of the work.
If you require a higher resolution copy of this work, please contact Picture Ipswich.
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Puffing Billy train at Ipswich Railway Station, 1950s. Picture Ipswich, accessed 02/09/2026, https://www.pictureipswich.com.au/nodes/view/12269