Queensland Rail is celebrating its 160th birthday with a series of special events, including stream trains returning to Brisbane for the first time in six years.
Customers will be able to travel to this year’s Royal Queensland Show, better known as the Ekka, on a steam train from Roma Street on People’s Day, Wednesday 13 August, to commemorate the birth of rail in the state.
The first section of rail opened in 1865, with steam trains running on the line. Since then, Queensland has seen the construction of the rail line from Brisbane to Cairns, the introduction of electric trains, 50c fares and much more.
The historic BB18 ¼ steam engine, affectionately known as “Bety”, will be the star of the show at Queensland’s birthday celebrations.
The special events will include:
- Saturday 26 July 2025: A steam train charter will travel from Ipswich to Grandchester for a commemorative event with food, entertainment and a walk down memory lane. While the steam train itself will be a ticketed event, the event at Grandchester will be free for community members to enjoy.
- Thursday 31 July 2025: Steam trains will return to Brisbane for the first time in six years to mark Queensland Rail’s official birthday. The train will depart from Roma Street station to Pinkenba and return via the Tennyson loop. A commemorative event will also take place at Roma Street station, featuring entertainment and the opportunity to meet steam train drivers. This event will be ticketed, with all proceeds going to Queensland Rail’s community partners.
- Wednesday 13 August 2025: Steam returns to the Ekka for People’s Day. There is no additional cost for this service, with customers boarding at Roma Street and disembarking at Exhibition station or continuing on for a round trip back to Roma Street as part of their 50 cent fare.
More celebrations are also planned throughout the rest of 2025. From Saturday September 20 to Sunday September 28, train fans can catch the Carnival of Flowers heritage diesel shuttle from Toowoomba to the historic Spring Bluff station.
Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton said the rail operator is proud to connect communities for 160 years.
“We know how crucial the introduction of the railway was to the development of our great state and that deserves to be celebrated,” she said.
“There is a huge rail-loving community and we know they have been asking for steam train trips to celebrate this significant milestone.
“We are pleased to deliver these journeys to remember, including steam returning to the city and to the Ekka for the first time since 2019.
“There is nothing quite as magical and nostalgic as travelling by steam, and at Queensland Rail we are committed to keeping our rich rail history alive.”
