Queensland being sugar country with dozens of sugar mills botted along almost 1000 miles of coast, the railway was called on to transport sugar cane, raw sugar and molasses. The sugar season would start early July and continue through to December adding additional trains to the network. Depots in sugar areas would more than double in size for the period. Looking at the Netherdale Branch from Mackay, out of season the branch would see four trains a day, three days of the week, two trains the other three days and no trains on Sunday. During the sugar, 32 trains a day could be found working the line.
Molasses
would be carted from the sugar mills to distilleries and processing
plants. In the early days, tanks were
added to platform type wagons. The tank size would be around the carrying
capacity/weight the wagon could carry. The 1960 rollingstock report showed there
were 81 molasses wagons on the books, 52 were HJ wagons.
Each area/district the wagons were different. In the Mackay area, “HJ” wagons were used, the tanks were similar with only minor differences, the carrying capacity was between 3000 / 3300 gallons. The wagons were conveyed on bulk sugar trains, loaded molasses wagons coming off the Netherdale Branch were detached at Paget and attached to empty bulk sugar trains heading for Sarina for the Power Alcohol plant. Tanks were owned by ANPA Distillery Sarina. 1970/71, the wagons were classified to HM class, most were written off in 1989 with tanks transferred to steel framed wagons. One didn’t leave the engine at Paget in the molasses siding area, the ground was covered molasses.
|
HM 18996 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Jun 1928 |
In service |
|
Jun 1950 |
Tank
fitted ANPA & Co |
|
Oct 1976 |
Tank
removed and fitted to HM 21046 |
|
June 1976 |
Written
off. |
|
HM 18983 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Jun 1928 |
In
Service as “H” wagon |
|
Sep 1940 |
Tank
fitted ANPA. Reclassed HJ |
|
Jun 1969 |
Reclassed
H wagon |
|
Sep 1969 |
Reclassed
HM |
|
Aug 1983 |
Written
Off. |
This train is on the Mackay Railway North Eton Branch with a full load.
During
the 1967 sugar season, two trains a day would run out on the branch from Mackay
via Newberry Junction, a distance of 21 miles. Both jobs were around 12 hours
and worked with C17 locomotives. Leaving Mackay the train would consist of 14
wagons, this could be a mix of empty bulk sugar and molasses wagons, a water
wagon and a van. On arriving at the north Eton mill the wagons were pushed into
the mill sidings, the engine and water wagon would turn on the angle and then
you would wait for the first seven (7) wagons to be loaded. Seven wagon was a
full load back to the junction, (6 miles).
The trip back to the junction was like approaching a big dipper from the
wrong side. Soon after leaving the mill, you would start on your run up for the
first hill. On gaining some speed the tender would start kangarooing, one had
to keep on pushing the tucker box back into the tender to keep from falling
onto the footplate. On reaching Newberry, the loaded wagons were placed in the
siding and you returned to Eton (Engine, water wagon & Van) for the other
seven wagon. On returning to Newberry on the second trip, wagons from the first
trip were attached for run back to Mackay. If there were molasses wagons on the
train they were detached at Paget.
The train is at Rosella crossing loop sitting over a tramway crossing waiting to cross another train.
The load for BB18¼, B18¼ and C17 was 650 tons, that was the maximum load for any steam locomotive anywhere across the state. Most of these trains were normally worked with C17 locomotives. It was a hard slog leaving Sarina with a full load for Mackay without assistance, if another train was in the yard as you left, the engine would give you a push to the home signal. The load for a C17 for the first 2 miles from Sarina to Mt Convenient was actually 555 tons, you were given extra sectional running times. I recall sitting one winter Saturday morning in Sarina with a full load for two hours, the south bound Sunlander was about to leave Mackay, the Train Controller would not let us out in front. I guess the Sunlander did clear the morning due from the rail for us. We didn’t have the best engine in the depot and the tender was full of perished BA (dirt) coal. The Sunlander came and went and we were given the section staff, leaving the yard at the speed of a thousand turtles we headed for the hill in front of us. Without missing a beat, over the top we went. But, the water lever was below the bottom nut and the steam pressure was a long way from a full head. I was hoping the driver would easy back a bit on the regulator to given me a chance to catch, no that didn’t happen. Three miles from home at Paget after travelling 20 miles, this boy fireman had a full head of steam and half a glass of water. I think the driver was going out on a fishing trip, I went to bed and slept most of the day. Things we did them days for just $1.06 per hour.
“S” / “SJ” / U wagons were used at other locations around the state. “S” and “U” wagons carried around 1940/2060 gallons and the “SJ” wagons were between 2030 and 3240 gallons. Tanks on these wagons were a mixed bunch with various lengths and diameters.
Townsville Apl 78.
SJ 11671 Tank chained to wagon.
|
SJ 11671 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Sep 1914 |
In
Service as “S” wagon |
|
Apr 1918 |
Tank
fitted for Normanby Distilleries |
|
Jan 1938 |
Classed
“SJ” |
|
Mar 1942 |
Classed
SJP. Vacuum Oil Newstead. |
|
Aug 1942 |
Classed
SJ Normanby Distilleries |
|
Jun 1976 |
Written
Off |
|
S 3380 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
1887 |
In
service as “P” wagon Cairns Railway |
|
Jan 1903 |
Converted
to “S” wagon |
|
Oct 1923 |
Container
fitted CSR Cairns |
|
Sep 1926 |
Tank
fitted CSR Cairns |
|
Sep 1946 |
Westinghouse
brake fitted |
|
Oct 1975 |
Written
off ND> |
SJ 11655
|
SJ 11655 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Sep 1914 |
In
Service as “S” wagon, 3 bolsters. |
|
Oct 22 |
Bogies
from H 8380 fitted, 8” x 4” journals. Tank fitted Bundaberg Distilleries |
|
Jun 40 |
Tank
fitted CSR Maryborough |
|
Jun 85 |
Written
Off |
U 9030. Note the Screw hand brake on the L/H end
headstock
|
U 9030 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Aug 1910 |
Built
by Ipswich W/shop for Cairns Railway |
|
Jan 1911 |
Shipped
to Cairns |
|
Oct 1924 |
Fitted
with molasses tank (17’ 5” x 5’ 0½”) for Commonwealth Acetate & Lime
Factory |
|
May 1927 |
Fitted
with tank Cairns CSR |
|
May 1940 |
Fitted
with tank for Hambledon Mill |
|
Jul 1975 |
Converted
to UW (water wagon) |
|
Oct 1988 |
Written
Off |
SJ 15510
|
SJ 15510 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Mar 1924 |
In
service as “S” wagon with 3 bolsters |
|
Mar 39 |
Tank
fitted @ T. Brown & Co. |
|
Oct 41 |
Tank
Beenleigh Distilleries |
|
Aug 43 |
Tank
Normanby Distilleries |
|
Jul 70 |
Tank
fitted from S 2119 |
|
May 87 |
Written
Off |
Timber floors were often removed, increasing the carrying
capacity for the tank.
|
U 3301 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
May 1883 |
In
Service as “U” wagon. Northern Rly |
|
Mar 1942 |
Door
modification with removable stanchions. |
|
Dec 1953 |
Tank
fitted Cairns |
|
Aug 1963 |
Written
Off. |
I recall sitting on a sugar train at Sarina when a molasses train hauled by 1150 class locomotive arrived from the Townsville area, it was hard to find two wagons the same.
|
WM 373 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Jan 1944 |
In
Service as MTW |
|
Sep 1974 |
Converted
to WM |
|
Sep 1983 |
Tank
removed for HM 18983 |
|
Nov 1992 |
Written
Off. |
|
WM 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Jan 1944 |
In
Service as MTW |
|
Aug 1974 |
Converted
to WM |
|
Jun 1984 |
Tank
removed for HM 19451 |
|
Jun 1991 |
DUMP
(workshop mule) |
|
WM 213 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Jan 87 |
Converted
to WM |
|
Nov 92 |
Written
Off |
|
WM 271 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Oct 74 |
Converted
to WM |
|
Jul 83 |
Tank
off HM 18944 ? |
|
Nov 92 |
Written
Off |
|
WM 380 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Nov 74 |
Converted
to WM. CSR tank |
|
Jul 83 |
Tank
off HM 18937 fitted |
|
Nov 92 |
Written
Off |
|
WM 470 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Jan 87 |
Converted
to WM |
|
Sep 89 |
Converted
to MTSF Flat wagon. |
Other numbers 63, 753
The Normanby distillery was located on a small branch line at Strathpine, the motive power for the molasses wagons was a couple of horses.
|
SJ 11674 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Sep 1914 |
In
service as “S” wagon |
|
Jun 1940 |
Tank
fitted for CSR. Maryborough. |
|
Aug 1943 |
Allocated
to Beenleigh Distilleries |
|
Jul 1958 |
Repaired
Napier Bros Dalby |
|
Apl 1960 |
Wagon
in Ipswich Shop. No tank fitted. |
|
Aug 1964 |
Damage
repairs Ipswich, Tank fitted for Beenleigh Distilleries |
|
Jun 1976 |
Tank
off SJ 11671 fitted |
|
Sep 1978 |
Tank
removed, wagon returned to log traffic. |
|
Aug 1983 |
Wagon
Written Off. |
Carstairs (Home Hill) 1983. Written Off 1985. (Inkerman
Sugar Mill)
The first purpose-built molasses wagon was OGX 1 (Reclassified OQE around 1964), built at Scott’s Ipswich for the Compressed Yeast Co. Toowoomba. This wagon entered service in June 1962. Red Circle added June 1969 and renumbered 44133 in July 1985. The tank capacity was 3900 gallons.
Toowoomba Apr 87. After 1969, most freight wagons were
painted grey.
Towards
the end of steam, tenders coupled in pair were used to carry molasses and
water. Wagon used for molasses were classified LTM’s and wagons used for water
were LTW’s. Both C17 and BB18¼ loco tenders were used.
LTM 34502 / 34503. In Service Sep 69, Written off Jun 1980.
Capacity 3100 Gallons per unit
Some older type C17 tenders have their coal bunker cut off.
Capacity 3000
Gallons per unit
Possible numbers 34262/63, 34264/65
This photo show older C17 tenders not cut down. Possible
Nos 34266/67
Then
1979, 20 MO wagons entered service built by Indeng. (40731 – 40750)
MO 40731
With the removal for wooden framed wagons from service, tanks were transferred to steel frames. BLC (box wagons), HJS (Open goods wagons), class wagons were used.
PM 30996 The plan shows the discharge end is lower the
other loading end.
PTM 36325
The following BLC box wagons were modified for molasses
traffic
|
Number |
Remarks |
|
30972 |
Converted
Feb 86 to PM class. CD |
|
30995 |
Converted
Feb 86 to PM class. Reclassed PTM Dec 87.
CD Apl 91
Written off. |
|
30996 |
Converted
Apl 83, to PM class. ANPA Tank. ND |
|
31017 |
Converted
Jan 87 to PM class. CD |
|
31054 |
Converted
Jun 83 to PM class. ND |
|
31056 |
Converted
Jun 83 to PM class. ND |
|
31087 |
Converted
Apl 83 to PM class. ND |
|
31118 |
Converted
Apl 83 to PM class. ND |
|
36325 |
Converted
from BLC 31064 to PTM Sep 87. |
Plan shows all tanks have the same capacity, 15800 Litres.
|
PTM 22705 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Sep 1950 |
In
Service as HJS open wagon. |
|
Oct 71 |
Converted
to HJC wagon (Bulk Cement) |
|
Feb 89 |
Converted
to PTM |
|
Mar 94 |
Written
Off |
PTM 23189 Mackay Harbour
|
PTM 23189 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Dec 1950 |
In
Service as HJS open wagon. |
|
Mar 89 |
Converted
to PTM |
|
Aug 94 |
Written
Off |
|
PTM 23193 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Dec 1950 |
In
Service as HJS open wagon. |
|
Mar 88 |
Converted
to PTM |
|
May 94 |
Written
Off |
Wagon Plan P - 419 dated 1st Sep 1988 showed the following conversions.
|
PTM |
Length |
Dia, |
Capacity |
Bogie |
Type |
From |
|
22658 |
8382 |
1525 |
14997
|
Bar Frame |
Welded |
HM
18951 |
|
22682 |
9296 |
1448 |
14029 |
QR
20 |
Rivetted |
HM
21046 |
|
22692 |
8306 |
1499 |
14270 |
Bar Frame |
Rivetted |
HM
18971 |
|
22699 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
QR
17 A |
Welded |
HM
18837 |
|
22807 |
8306 |
1499 |
14720 |
QR
17 A |
Welded |
HM
18931 |
|
22887 |
8458 |
1525 |
15372 |
Bar Frame |
Welded |
HM
20870 |
|
22935 |
8306 |
1499 |
14720 |
QR
17 A |
Welded |
HM
18943 |
|
22947 |
8317 |
1499 |
14761 |
QR
20 |
Rivetted |
HM
19001 |
|
22963 |
8306 |
1499 |
14720 |
QR
20 |
Rivetted |
HM
19112 |
|
22979 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
QR
20 |
Welded |
HM
20677 |
|
23084 |
8306 |
1499 |
14484 |
QR |
Rivetted |
HM
19233 |
|
23095 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
QR
20 |
Welded |
HM
18984 |
|
23122 |
8382 |
1525 |
14997 |
QR
17 |
Welded |
HM
18952 |
|
23147 |
8319 |
1499 |
14761 |
QR
17 |
Rivetted |
HM
19263 |
|
23193 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
QR
17 |
Welded |
HM
21552 |
|
25653 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
Bar Frame |
Welded |
HM
21514 |
|
25710 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
Bar Frame |
Welded |
HM
20812 |
|
25724 |
8306 |
1524 |
14729 |
QR
4 |
Welded |
SJ
18050 |
|
25882 |
8319 |
1499 |
14761 |
QR
24 A |
welded |
HM
18948 |
|
29421 |
|
|
|
|
welded |
PM
30995 |
|
29424 |
8458 |
1525 |
15372 |
QR
17 |
welded |
HM
21295 |
|
29429 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
Bar Frame |
Welded |
HM
20873 |
|
29442 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
QR
20 A |
Welded |
HM
21365 |
|
29473 |
8382 |
1525 |
14997 |
QR
4 |
Rivetted |
HM
19258 |
|
23107 |
8319 |
1499 |
14761 |
QR
20 |
Rivetted |
HM
19257 |
|
23108 |
8319 |
1499 |
14761 |
QR
17 A |
Rivetted |
HM
19098 |
|
25760 |
8382 |
1525 |
14997 |
QR
4 |
Rivetted |
HM
19245 |
|
22659 |
8382 |
1525 |
14997 |
QR
4 |
Rivetted |
HM
8375 |
|
22937 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
QR
20 |
Welded |
HM
21511 |
|
22642 |
8319 |
1499 |
14761 |
QR
17 A |
Rivetted |
HM
19105 |
|
22705 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22732 |
8230 |
1525 |
14510 |
QR
20 |
Rivetted |
HM
21515 |
|
25735 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
QR
4 |
Welded |
HM
21345 |
|
29465 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
QR
17 A |
Welded |
HM
19237 |
|
29486 |
8319 |
1525 |
14197 |
QR
20 |
Welded |
HM
18829 |
Around 1993, surplus steel VO coal hoppers were modified to carry molasses, the VMO class. A few years later the wagons were further modified, mainly a braking system upgrade, these wagon were classified VMOM wagons.
VMO 33382 Proserpine Apl 94.
|
VMO 33382 |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Remarks |
|
Jul 65 |
In
service as VO coal wagon |
|
Dec 93 |
Modified
for molasses traffic, classed VMO |
33270 Sep 94 Converted to VMO, Apr 98 modified to VMOMB.
“B” on the end of a classification indicates a wagon is fitted with straight
air brakes as well as the train brake. These wagon are marshalled on the lead behind
the hauling locomotives. The wagon will then brake the same as the
locomotive/s. They are mainly used to hold a train on a grade, i.e. trains on
the Toowoomba Range. Both modifications
were done at Ipswich Workshops.
33278 Sep 94. VMO, Apr 98
VMOMB (Ips)
33279 Sep 94 VMO, Oct 95,
Modification to towing lugs, Sep 98 VMOMB
33281 Aug 94 VMO, Apl
98 VMOMB
(Ips)
33302 Jul 94 VMO, Jul 95
VMOM. (Ips)
33310 Aug 94 VMO, (Ips)
33314
Aug 95 VMOM (Ips)
33315 Jul 94 VMO, Jun 95 VMOM (Ips)
33318
Sep 95 VMOM (Ips)
Wallangarra Jul 95
VMO Warwick Oct 96.
Normanby Dec 1994.
Wallangarra
It appears at first wagons modified wagons carried a VMOA
classification. Oct 09
The “A” was changed to “M”.
History cards don’t show the “A” classification
33314 Converted to VMOM Aug. 95
33315 Converted to VMO Jul.94 and VMOM Jun 95 as a brake upgrade.
In 1993, surplus WO water wagons were modified to carry molasses, they were given OWO class. Chains were installed in the filling hatch to indicate loading level.
OWO 40755 Proserpine
Seven of the 10 WO’s were converted to molasses traffic between May and June 1993. They were around for a few years before the tanks developed splits.
Most of these later wagons were used to supply molasses to cattle feed lots, a weekly train down the coast with a pair of 3900 EL’s hauling 40 wagons (2,520 tonnes), 20 for Kingsthorpe and 20 for Warwick. The train was split into two at Normanby, 2 x 93t locomotives then worked each train to their respective destination a section apart up the Toowoomba range.
Spitting the train without checking the setting of cross-overs ???
In
later years, the wagons came down to Acacia Ridge on two trains. One train was
a full load of molasses for the hauling diesel locomotives, the overflow would
arrive on the sweeper the following day.
One set of locomotives did both destinations from Acacia Ridge, i.e.
Acacia Ridge – Warwick – Acacia Ridge, Acacia Ridge – Kingsthorpe – Acacia
Ridge. Once all empty wagons were back at Acacia Ridge they would return north
for the next load.
Train load of empties leaving Acacia Ridge for the north. A mix of MO and VMO’s.
For
Branch Lines, WSE water wagons were used.
WSE wagon on WHE (wheat wagon) underframe.
One load of molasses that didn’t it to its destination due to vandal’s opening the discharge values on several WSE wagon bound for Monto.
Containers.
Over time there has been a number of
private containers for carrying molasses.
In recent years, 20 ft. ISO type tank containers are being used.
Given I started off with steam loco tenders, it would be amiss of me not to show other applications they were used for long after the steam loco had left the scene. .
Water
wagons (LTW), this pair form part of the weed spray train.
Chromated
Water Wagon (CWW 1) between Mayne and Gympie.
Many were made into shunt runner, LTR class.
Once shunting of long heavy trains commenced in yards, they didn’t stay around for long, many bowed in the middle.
Models.
A pair of LTM’s were made from styrene. Caintode
Flats bogies and buffers were used to complete the model.
I regularly write notes, as I recall detail required to complete the project, I record it otherwise I paint the wagon leaving it off. I still left off the light bracket on the rear ???
Many
years ago, a pair of Beenleigh Rum wagons were made. The tank was acrylic rod
that was turned to size in the lathe. Underframes were made from styrene. The
photo used to make the models were B&W, this didn’t help for the signage
colour on the side of the wagon. I was of the opinion it was blue, no one could
verify the correct colour. Since I have viewed a colour photo with a molasses
wagon in a train at Yeerongpilly, the wagon was some distance away and it was a
head on view. The signage was red. Maybe my wagons have the incorrect colour
signage.
The next two “S” wagons were built using the same method of construction.
Trust you found the information helpful for your modelling endeavours, until next time have fun and enjoy the hobby.
The new SDS/CGL Models of the 1460’s/1502 locos are on the layout, you and see them at work on the layout on the “Westgate SWR” YouTube channel. The molasses wagons can be found on one of the trains.
Acknowledgements.
Australian Model Railway Association
Queensland Library.
QR Plans.
Historians, John Armstrong, Keith
McDonald, Ted Ward, Dennis Campbell.
Queensland State Archives
Arthur H.