Did you know that the Abt system that makes us famous is a section of line between Queenstown and Dubbil Barril called the 'rack and pinion'? As only our steam locomotives operate this section with carriages, we run all Queenstown journeys and the Queenstown Explorer with steam.
Our River and Rainforest journeys are operated by our heritage Vulcan Drewry diesel engines, purchased from London, England in 1953. These engines are an integral part of our history and one of the reasons we are still here today!
The Drewry Diesel engines are a part of the story of the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company and have always operated on the section of line between Regatta Point and Dubbil Barril stations. When passengers join us on the River & Rainforest journey, they will discover more of the story of these engines' significant contribution to the company’s operations.
Book a half-day River and Rainforest tour from Strahan to encounter one of our 1953 diesels as they will be operating on this service. Occasionally, they may also operate on the Regatta Point to Dubbil Barril section of the line on the Queenstown Explorer as well. While an important part of the railways stories in their own right, the Drewry diesel engines also play a support role to the steam locomotives when they are out of service due to the extra maintenance they require to keep them operational.