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 1^st 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.