Transport issues remain
TODAY, discussion focuses on the problems of patrons attending events at the marvellous meringue that is the stadium.
A century ago, discussion concerned transport of passengers from isolated centres in the surrounding countryside who wished to work, shop or attend schools in Townsville.
Hard to imagine now, but in 1920 air travel was in its infancy, and Townsville still relied on regular steamship services from the south and overseas, and the “mosquito fleet” of small vessels that ran regularly to northern ports.
The railway was not complete from Brisbane to Townsville.
But the city was connected to the region it served by the Great Northern Railway from the west, by the Ayr tramway from the Burdekin and by a section of the north coast railway, extending beyond Bluewater, perhaps further.
A series of small stations or sidings was established before World War I.
Though I cannot recall some of them, I remember that trains stopped at Brandon, Giru, Storth and Nome, where a spur diverged to Oolbun, once the site of the Alligator Creek Meatworks.
At Stuart, which was once known as Ayr Junction, the Ayr line joined with the Great Northern Railway.
The halts were at Cluden, Oonoonba, Yenoor (Rooney spelled back to front) and Railway Estate.
The last stop was at the Townsville Railway Station, which opened in December 1913, and still stands in Flinders Street West.
From there, the line ran north with stops at Townsville Show Grounds, Garbutt Siding, and several other points with fascinating Aboriginal names such as Kurukan, Netjar (or
Nightjar), and Yabulu. Rail motors were introduced in the early 1920s to transport passengers to the terminus at the railway station, from which they could walk to Flinders St business houses or shops.
Others wishing to visit North Ward, Belgian Gardens, Aitkenvale or Hermit Park, or to board one of the steamers that provided the main transport to north, south or overseas, could catch taxis or buses.
World War II may have interrupted some sections, but at least one part of the system seems to have continued until after World War II.
Though I do not recall ever riding in a rail motor, I remember some that were painted red with a yellow stripe along the side.
The front resembled the front of a motor car, quite unlike the sleek modern rail motors of today, used by the Gulflander and Savannahlander.
How comfortable they were travellers was debatable.
Some of my relatives called them “Rattlers”, presumably because they rattled along rather noisily.
It seems a pity that local rail transport has disappeared, challenged by the popularity of faster motor cars and the development of modern roads.
It is interesting now to read suggestions for transport of patrons of events at the stadium, some of which suggest either bus or tram services from areas that are now covered by Townsville suburbs, but were farming centres or virgin bush in 1920.
Some even suggest that the old bridge across Ross Creek, constructed to serve the 1913 station, might be used as an approach to the stadium. for