The Southern Downs Steam Railway says the ‘Downs Explorer’ – Warwick’s heritage rail experience – is launching a new range of nostalgic rail tours from the Saturday 12 September.
President Peter Gregory said the first trip “is to Clifton with the options to either have lunch at a famous Clifton Pub or a Sausage sizzle on the railway station followed by a guided tour around many of the historic aspects of the town or you can just do your own thing”.
“The Southern Downs Steam Railway operators have branded the heritage train, either with Steam or Heritage Diesel motive power, the ‘Downs Explorer’,” Peter said.
“It’s all about the historic 80 and 100 year old carriages, railway lines established in the mid eighteen hundreds, original Queensland Rail water supply dams, old overhead water tanks, rock tunnels, nostalgic railway stations and the friendly Downs Explorer rail staff.
“The Downs Explorer is a historic train on a historic, adventurous steep, twisting and sometimes bumpy railway track in some of the most beautiful, mountainous and rugged parts of the Darling Downs and Granit Belt.
“ You get to explore, take in the history, visit parts of the Granite Belt and Darling Downs no one else gets to see and if you decide you want even more adventure you can have lunch on the Wallangarra Railway Station, take a bus ride through the Girraween National Park or visit a number of wineries around the Stanthorpe region – something for everyone.
“The ‘Downs Explorer’ will also be venturing to more remote locations next year with multi day rail tours planned to Tenterfield, Goondiwindi, Miles and Toowoomba.
“The Downs Explorer will also be heading north to Toowoomba more often in late 2020 and in 2021 with a number of new rail experiences planned throughout the Toowoomba area.
“The Warwick Rail Precinct at 1 Hamilton Street is now back open and visitors can take a tour of the rail complex on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9am and 1pm.
“If you’re interested in a heritage rail adventure book your tour now by going to the website www.downsexplorer.org.au
“See you on board sometime soon.”
