THE WAY WE WERE

LOOKOUT: It has been suggested, that what is currently known as Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC) be renamed Multuggerah or Brett Forte Way and work is in progress to construct a permanent scenic lookout overlooking TSRC at Mount Kynoch on the New England Hwy, off Stony Pinch overlooking Rangeview. How many readers recall the locations of Rangeview and Stony Pinch? John Larkin sent in these photos. The top photo is from 2011 from the now Mount Kynoch Scenic Lookout construction site, adjacent to that section of the New England Hwy previously known as Stony Pinch. A coal train occupies one of the two rail lines facilitating a two-way passage for up (western bound) and down (Brisbane bound) trains at Rangeview siding. An earlier (1950) photograph of the then Mount Kynoch viewing platform appears in Toowoomba A Sense of History 1840 - 2008 by Maurice French (page 278). It is of a group and trig point on top of the first Mount Kynoch reservoir, with the caption This high point provided the best view of the City and the Range escarpment. It was popular with locals and tourists. That viewing platform is no longer open to public access. However, a recent visit to Toowoomba Water Treatment Plant general area on Mount Kynoch revealed the granite stone commemorating John Kynoch’s service as Highfields Shire Councillor/Chairman, unveiled by Queensland Governor Sir Leslie Wilson in 1934 and originally located on New England Hwy roadside embankment facing east, has been relocated some metres to the west to face in that direction (bottom photo).