Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times

Most Coast residents recall the diesel cane locos that ran up and down the Sunshine Coast until 2003. Yet few people realise a steam tramway service ran between Buderim and Palmwoods in the early part of the 20th century. A group of steam enthusiasts has spent countless hours and many thousands of dollars restoring the German-built loco that operated the Tramway service, and they are close to having it displayed in Buderim as a cast iron reminder of the technology that developed the area.

T aken at Buderim station, which is identifiable by its water tank, and a couple of building features. The detail in this photo helped the restoration volunteers.

THE COAST was a hive of agricultural activity at the turn of the 20th century – particularly sugar cane, pineapples and vegetables. Maroochy Shire Council got State Government permission to install a light railway in 1915 from Buderim to Palmwoods, where it could exchange goods at the Queensland Railways depot.

The Tramway ran profitably in its early years but the improvement in roads and greater use of motor vehicles sounded the Tramway’s death knell. By the mid 1920s it was losing money and the 1930s Depression saw it stop running in 1935.

Placing the Kr auss on the temporary track at Wises Farm, Maroochydore. The cab had been stripped except for the hand brake lever, throttle, and cut-off lever. Their re-manufacture was a major part of the restoration.

After the Tramway line was closed the Krauss engine was sold to Bingera Sugar Mill at Bundaberg where it hauled cane until 1965. Then it passed through various hands until it was acquired in 2004 by the community group – Buderim Palmwoods Heritage Tramway Inc. (BPHTI).

BPHTI’s aim is to provide a worthwhile record of the contribution that the Tramway made to the development of Buderim, and of significant events and anecdotes concerning Buderim’s history.

Having acquired the Krauss, local resident Garth Fraser was appointed restoration coordinator due to his background in engineering and railway modelling. Garth drew up engineering sketches to document the original dimensions of the locomotive, and what new parts and modifications were needed during the restoration.

Attaching the c ab roof. Doug Benckendorff wielding the large drill, Derek Marshall on the ladder. Mike Austin (president of the Buderim Historical Society) gives instructions.

Nearly six years later and the Krauss looks as smart as it did 100 years ago. The engine is currently housed in its own shed at Wises Farm in Maroochydore and the BPHTI is now waiting for Council officers to approve a final display location, preferably in the centre of Buderim, close to the site of the old terminal station.

The Tramway rails and sleepers were removed in 1936 and it was the Buderim Historical Society volunteers who ‘re-discovered’ the rail line route in 1994. A section of 1600 metres remained as Maroochy Shire Council easement and was permanently preserved as a public walking track in 1995.

Having successfully preserved the walkway. the Society moved to have the track remains entered on the Queensland Heritage Register with the EPA in 2000, and then listed with the Queensland National Trust in May 2000. The Heritage Tramway Walking Track has been open since 2006.

Councillor Ted Hungerford told the Hinterland Times that Council is currently looking at the costs and practicalities of exhibiting the Krauss in the Buderim Main Street Park.

The history of the tramway project can be seen at: www.buderim.com and the Krauss restoration at: www.qldrailheritage.com