Random Bollocks From A Semi-Retired Foamer!

 I guess anyone who endures the ramblings in my blogs, and the numerous Facebook groups,, would know I am into railways and railway preservation, both here in Australia, and over in the Philippines. I've long felt that preserving the past is a vital part of our future.
  Talk to anyone in preservation and I am sure you will find a multitude of different reasons as to why they do it, along with the different areas of interest that lead them there.

  For me, railway preservation is mostly to save railway memories I grew up with during the 80s and 90s. While various reasons prevent me from much direct involvement, I do like to promote the various groups that most interest me and, more recently, I've helped run some railway tours to try to raise donations for same.
  Though born, raised, and still living in Sydney, I found my greatest railway passion in 1993 when I stumbled across a little street tramway in the heart of Nambour (Queensland should you not know). Following this track would lead me to the Moreton Sugar Mill and an obsession with the local tramways that continues today, 16 years after closure of the mill and these lines.
  Interestingly, I just noted that the 16th anniversary is tomorrow (I started this on December 2nd).
  I still regularly return to the area in search of relics, see what survives, research history and seek out local attempts to preserve the railway history. In regards to the later, I shall cover these projects, and what can still be seen, in upcoming posts.

  But for now, I want to talk about a Buderim based group called the 'Buderim-Palmwoods Heritage Tramway Inc'.
  The Buderim Tramway was not connected to the Moreton Sugar Mill system, it was located to the south of Nambour and ran from the 'Queensland Government Railways' station at Palmwoods, eastwards to the town of Buderim. Being of 2ft 6in gauge, it differed to all other railways in the area.
  The short line only operated from 1914 until 1935 so, unlike the Moreton Mill system, I never had opportunity to see it run (I am old, but not that old).
  To be honest, until first meeting the group in Nambour at the 10th anniversary of mill closure celebration, I knew very little of the line, nor of the amazing effort being put in to save the history of it.
However, their enthusiasm for what they do was more than enough to make me seek out more information, while their kindness has blessed me with new friends in a town I had not before been too.

  At this point, it may be worth randomly mentioning that, back in 1903, there were plans to actually reach Buderim via the Moreton Mill system, by way of utilising the 'Maroochydore Road' line via Diddillibah.
  See newspaper cutting.

The Buderim-Palmwoods Heritage Tramway Inc' have two distinct projects they are concentrating on.
  The first is the rail trail cleared out along a portion of the former railway east from Telco Road (Mons, Queensland).
  This stunning track passes through some amazing bushland, along the south side of Mons Road.
  It is an easy walk and an incredible motivator to look for other parts of the former line, of which there is still much to see.

  The pictures here were taken the day after the 10th anniversary celebrations, when BPHTI member Neil McGarvie generously offered to give us a guided tour of the track he works so hard to upkeep for the community.

  A car park has been made on the corner of Mons and Telco Roads, on the side of Telco Road where Telco station once existed.
  We had a good look in 2018, but no trace of the station could be found.
  

Map drawn by Neil McGarvie in 1990.

KRAUSS

  The other major project of the group is the restoration, for static display, of  the former Buderim Tramway, Krauss built (6854 or 1914), steam locomotive.
  This locomotive was one of only two that operated the line, the other a Shay (parts of which exist in the QR embankment at Palmwoods), and the only one to remain intact. Thus making the locomotive of extreme historical importance to the town of Buderim.
  KRAUSS was built new for the Buderim Tramway in 1914 and, upon closure in 1935, was sold to the Bingera Sugar Mill in Bundaberg (Queensland). The smaller 2ft gauge meaning it had to be regauged before use, this being done by Walkers of Maryborough.
  Once excess to mill needs, the locomotive was to change hands a couple of times (preservationists) before being acquired by the Buderim group who wished to restore it and place it on display in Buderim township (where it rightly belongs).
  Members worked hard from 2005 till 2010 in an effort to cosmetically restore her. Of course, as with any project like this, work on her is ongoing, more recently her protective shed had to be replaced, while the group continues with their ultimate goal of giving her an appropriate home in Buderim township.

Sunshine Coast Council

  So we have a volunteer group freely giving of their time to return KRAUSS to her home and then restore her to a presentable condition, a group that has a huge amount of support from the community and further afield, a group who has done so much to return home a locomotive that played a huge part in the early days of Buderim.
  Placing her on display in Buderim township is not only a wonderful idea, but surely a no brainer for anyone who cares about local history.
Yes??
  Apparently not for one Councillor of Sunshine Coast Council who feels that the wishes of the community is irrelevant, and that the twisting of a petition is a decent thing to do.
  Sadly, despite assurances nothing was to happen before 2022, late November (there is an election looming) saw the demolition of the current toilet structure, with a new $438,000 structure, without the locomotive, to replace it.

  If you are as offended by this complete lack of caring for a community and it's history.
 If you care about the huge amount of work put in by these volunteers, solely out of a love of their community.
  I urge you to take a moment to express your views to the Councillor in question. The people of Buderim would appreciate your support.

Cr Ted Hungerford website and online form.

ted.hungerford@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Phone: (07) 5441 8378   Mobile: 0408 746 761

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A huge thank you to Helene Cronin, Noel Williams and Neil McGarvie for your help, and friendship, over the years.

Further Reading:
There will be more Sunshine Coast tramway posts shortly. However, in the meantime, I recommend the following interesting websites.

Maroochy Shire Tramways Group - History and News.
Maroochy Shire Tramways SIG Website
Buderim - Palmwoods Heritage Tramway Inc Facebook Page
Buderim Palmwoods Heritage Tramway Website

Nambour Historical Society Facebook Page

Nambour Historical Society Website

Maroochy River Lift Bridge (Preservation) Facebook Group

Nambour Tram Company (Facebook)