Welcome to the Callide Valley Tramway this blog is intended to show
the development of a modular layout of the never built Callide Coal Syndicate
Railway in Queensland, Australia. It was intended to transport coal from the Callide Valley near Biloela to
Gladstone on the coast for both export and domestic customers.
Various syndicates planned to exploit the coal resources that were
discovered by gold prospectors in the late 1880’s, an act of parliament was passed
with a fair amount of opposition from vested interests in Rockhampton to the north that allowed for a private or public line to be built directly to Gladstone.
Eventually the syndicate failed to raise the funds in London or Australia to go ahead with the project and the lease and bond to secure the project were taken back by the government.
In my narrative, to make a government take over difficult the company decided on 3 foot gauge
and American built equipment to avoid British or Australian government aligned builders that may be reluctant to supply equipment which may put at risk future contracts. This ties in nicely with the On30 equipment available, so welcome aboard and let’s see where this journey leads us.
