Monday 12 February 2024

Molasses Wagons.

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. Note bucket under delivery pipe. ? 

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.

“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


A number of SJ wagons were allocated to Normanby and Beenleigh distilleries, some carried company names. Others were allocated to specified traffic. 

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 

C17 tenders LTM 34273 / 34272, In Service Jul 68, Written off May 1978

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.


 PTM 31118


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

 A few sample of other conversions.

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)

 Later wagons built had hand rails on the top walkway and were different around the top section of the body. .





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 BLC (box wagon) underframe

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.