To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cobb & Co festival, Queensland Rail, in partnership with the Australian Railway Historical Society QLD (ARHS), will take festival-goers back in time onboard a heritage steam train from Toowoomba to Roma.
Queensland Rail’s Nev Conway said Queensland Rail had a longstanding history with Cobb & Co and was proud to be able to deliver this unique train journey to the South West.
“For the first time in nearly 10 years, we’re thrilled to be running one of our BB18 ¼ steam trains past Toowoomba to get to this year’s festival,” Conway said.
“Including making a grand entrance for the festival finale, there are two options to travel onboard this historic locomotive.
“Cobb & Co enthusiasts can enjoy a three-day package, departing Toowoomba on Saturday, 24 August and arriving in Roma on Sunday, 25 August, which includes an overnight stay in Miles and a stop at Yuleba. Customers then travel back to Toowoomba on Monday, 26 August.
“A shorter trip from Yuleba to Roma on Sunday 25 August for the Cobb & Co festival’s Family Finale Day is also on offer.”
The first Cobb & Co horse drawn coach in Queensland ran from Brisbane to Ipswich on 1 January 1866, and once it arrived at Ipswich, passengers and mail were then transported by rail through to Grandchester which was the end of the rail line at that time.
“The Cobb & Co coach journey then continued from Grandchester to Toowoomba. By 1900 the company operated 39 routes in Queensland covering 7,750 kilometres, harnessed 9,000 horses and travelled over 31,000 kilometres every week,” Conway said.
“The expansion of the rail network opened new areas for Cobb & Co services further west, with Service No. 177 becoming the most famous coach route, running from Yuleba through Surat and on to St George.
“We’re encouraging the community to giddy up and experience a piece of Queensland’s rich history with train tickets on sale for as little as $55 for adults and $40 for children, depending on where you hop on and off.”
To book tickets visit www.arhs-qld.org.au or for more information about Queensland Rail’s history with Cobb & Co listen to Queensland Rail’s podcast.
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