Westbound accelerator.
Digging in with a long empty train of coal wagons and heading for the Blackwater system of Aurizon in Central Queensland, two 4000 class **** diesel locomotives, 4045 and what is believed to be 4001 lift their train out of the Raglan Holding Roads and pass Neerkol after a crew change.
You will note that both locomotives, although now owned by Aurizon, the privatised (stock exchange listed) company that took over the former Queensland Railways freight task from 2012 still wear the April 1992 corporatised "Bronco"** livery that was introduced following that corporatisation. The second loco even still wears the QR stylised logo on the side (early 70's) even though not now owned by Queensland Rail which also still operates locos in this livery and with this logo. This means these locos never wore the subsequent black and yellow ugly Eagle Livery of QR National from 2004/5, the original Aurizon and attractive "pineapple" livery and have not been repainted in the cheap and nasty Aurizon basic yellow. In other words, if they were living creatures, they would feel pretty mixed up!
Unfortunately, the locality of Neerkol, west of Rockhampton has a very sad history, being the site of a former church run orphanage which until its closure in 1978 subjected many or indeed most of its young residents to the horror of institutional child abuse over many long years and was later subject to a major Government initiated enquiry. The outcome thankfully was one we have come to expect these days, driving long overdue change.
** Bronco livery is technically an unofficial title for the maroon and canary yellow (let's call it that anyway) livery and comes from the name of the Brisbane based Rugby League team, reputedly Australia's richest who also wear maroon which just happen to be Queensland's colours. Unfortunately this year, the Broncos are the league's wooden spooners, devastating for local fans in a devastating year for a club that has won the Premiership several times. A new coach was officially announced yesterday with high hopes that 2021 will be a different year in every possible way.
Westbound accelerator.
Digging in with a long empty train of coal wagons and heading for the Blackwater system of Aurizon in Central Queensland, two 4000 class **** diesel locomotives, 4045 and what is believed to be 4001 lift their train out of the Raglan Holding Roads and pass Neerkol after a crew change.
You will note that both locomotives, although now owned by Aurizon, the privatised (stock exchange listed) company that took over the former Queensland Railways freight task from 2012 still wear the April 1992 corporatised "Bronco"** livery that was introduced following that corporatisation. The second loco even still wears the QR stylised logo on the side (early 70's) even though not now owned by Queensland Rail which also still operates locos in this livery and with this logo. This means these locos never wore the subsequent black and yellow ugly Eagle Livery of QR National from 2004/5, the original Aurizon and attractive "pineapple" livery and have not been repainted in the cheap and nasty Aurizon basic yellow. In other words, if they were living creatures, they would feel pretty mixed up!
Unfortunately, the locality of Neerkol, west of Rockhampton has a very sad history, being the site of a former church run orphanage which until its closure in 1978 subjected many or indeed most of its young residents to the horror of institutional child abuse over many long years and was later subject to a major Government initiated enquiry. The outcome thankfully was one we have come to expect these days, driving long overdue change.
** Bronco livery is technically an unofficial title for the maroon and canary yellow (let's call it that anyway) livery and comes from the name of the Brisbane based Rugby League team, reputedly Australia's richest who also wear maroon which just happen to be Queensland's colours. Unfortunately this year, the Broncos are the league's wooden spooners, devastating for local fans in a devastating year for a club that has won the Premiership several times. A new coach was officially announced yesterday with high hopes that 2021 will be a different year in every possible way.