Grandchester Railway Station
Grandchester Railway Station, a short drive from Ipswich, is the jewel in the crown of the charming township of Grandchester. The beautifully restored station, under the banner of the National Trust of Australia, is open to the public on the first Sunday of each month when dedicated volunteers conduct tours for visitors. The Grandchester Model Steam Railway rides occur on the same day, so make a day of it for the whole family!
Originally known as Bigge’s Camp, Grandchester was the western terminus for the first railway in Queensland, and the first section of the main line to Toowoomba which set off from Ipswich in 1865. Visiting the station, you are privy to equipment and machinery from the past and can see the unusual square water tank, stationmaster’s house (built 1910) and signal cabin.
There’s a truly old-world charm to Grandchester Railway Station and its picturesque rural surroundings in the Lockyer Valley, making it a perfect day trip destination if you’re in the Ipswich area.
Queensland Rail Steam locomotive BB18-1/4 at Grandchester
QR heritage Steam Locomotive 1079, steams into the historic station of Grandchester,on it's way to Toowoomba on the 16th Sept' 2006 for the Carnival of flowers weekend. This station was the terminus for Queenslands first railway, running from Ipswich to Bigges Camp(now Grandchester) it then went onto the fertile Lockyer Valley and up the range to Toowoomba. The train is running over an hour late, due to a ballast train derailment in Laidley,just over the the Little Liverpool Range ..Video coming!
Ipswich to Grandchester and return steam train excursion. 26 Oct 2013.
Footage of the steam train excursion to Grandchester and return organised by The Workshops Rail Museum (Ipswich, Queensland, Australia) in conjunction with the model train show on site during the weekend of 26th and 27th October 2013. Significantly, this line between Ipswich and Grandchester was the first railway line built in Queensland and for the most part, the line still follows the original alignment.
Grandchester Model Steam Railway
Fancy a family fun day out in the country? Half an hour from Ipswich you'll find the Grandchester Model Steam Railway, where train enthusiasts young and old are in their element.
When you arrive, it's like the hustle and bustle of a real railway station only the locomotives are scaled down versions of actual coal burning steam engines. While you wait to board your train in front of the original signal cabin from Yarongmulu on the Little Liverpool Range between Laidley and Grandchester circa. 1866, you'll see the train drivers busily stoking the coal, topping up the water, releasing the steam and blowing their whistles, ready to go on the green traffic light.
This attraction is open on the first Sunday of the month and it you're planning to ride the trains, please make sure you wear fully enclosed shoes.
Steam engine 1079 a BB18¼ class Queensland locomotive on a Grandchester excursion
On the 6th October 2018 1079 took some excited passengers to Grandchester (formerly known as Biggs Camp) and back on a damp overcast day. Seen here attaching to the train at The north Ipswich Workshops Museum and heading towards Riverlink shopping Centre in Ipswich
Grandchester Station and Mini Railway
AC16 221A hauls the Grandchester Express.1Jul 2017.
1st July 2017 and steam loco AC16-221A, an ex Queensland Government Railways loco, now part of Queensland Rail's heritage fleet, hauls a special excursion train to Grandchester from The Workshops Rail Museum. This route from Ipswich to Grandchester (first called Bigges Camp) was the first operational railway in Queensland opening in 1865.
We first see the train pause briefly just after leaving the Workshops Museum to then proceed in an impressive show of smoke and steam, through the precinct of the Riverlink Shopping Centre at North Ipswich. Unable to chase the train to Grandchester as planned I was at least able to catch the train on its return to the Museum a couple of hours later. Please enjoy.
QLD Rail BB18 14 Steam Train No. 1079 150th anniversary Grandchester station turning around
I created this video with the YouTube Video Editor (
QR Rail, Overhead and Geometry vehicle st Walloon
20.06.2018, QR Rail, Overhead & Geometry vehicle MMY004 seen approaching Walloon station working a trip to Grandchester.
Grandchester Model Live Steam Trains, Queensland Australia 7 May 2017
brisbanefamilyexplorers.com
QR Westlander at Grandchester with 2474 June 11 2016
QR Westlander at Grandchester with 2474 June 11 2016 filmed by Simon Maltry
Queensland Rail 150 Year Celebrations - Grandchester - Sunday 26th July 2015.
On Sunday 26th July 2015, Queensland celebrated 150 years since the birth of the railways in Queensland. With the celebrations where two heritage steam train's running. The ARHS ran BB18 1/4 1079 from Roma Street to Grandchester and return with 10 wooden carriages and QR Heritage operated A10 no.6, the oldest steam locomotive in the Southern Hemisphere ran from Ipswich to Grandchester and return with two carriages. All though it rained, it didnt stop the large celebrations on the day.
Austrailian Locomotives - Grandchester, QLD Coal
Aurizon's 2337D and 2364D thunder through Grandchester, QLD on a Stormy afternoon with a Looaded Coal Service, bound for the Docks of Brisbane to Unload...
Date 26/09/2015
AC16 221A - Test Run to Grandchester - Tuesday 19th May 2015
On Tuesday 19th May 2015, the 1943 Baldwin built AC16 221A performed a test run to Grandchester following an overhaul and a repaint at Queensland Rail's Ipswich Railway Workshops. A handful of Queensland Rail VIP's also travelled on the train.
In 2015, Queensland Rail celebrates 150 years of Rail in the state of Queensland. To mark this significant milestone, Queensland Rail are running steam train excursions the length and breadth of the state so the public can experience what train travel was like in the day's of steam.
BB18 ¼ 1079 and A10 No. 6 - QR 150th Steam Train to Grandchester - 26/07/2015 - 1 of 2
On Sunday 26th July 2015, steam locomotives BB18 ¼ 1079 and the 150 year old A10 No. 6 headed west to Grandchester to take part in Queensland Rail's 150th birthday celebrations.
The Grandchester Shunt
Upon return to Grandchester a shunt was required to re-unite the water gin with the rest of the train before the journey back to Brisbane.
Saturday 8 September 2007
2391 & 2311 at grandchester
a shot i got when we ran some stuff over to the grandchester station for my stepfather who was the driver of this train during the shift. recorded 7th Feb 2009.
Grandchester Model Live Steam Trains May 2018
Monthly meeting of the grandchester model live steam railway with some guests from up north. A larger variety of model steam and electric trains than usually. All well presented as usually. Great day out.
For more info feel free to view their Facebook page or website.
Day out at Grandchester Model Live Steam Trains
Out between Ipswich and Toowoomba lies a town called Grandchester. 1st sunday of the month they run a ride day where for $2 per rider above the age of 5 you can hop on a carriage behind 1 of the many scale model trains running on the day.
Queensland Rails Westlander at Grandchester 16/4/16
Queensland Rails Westlander at Grandchester 16/4/16 with 2410 and 2473 filmed by Dad Simon Maltry