DownsSteam Toowoomba preserving Queensland rail heritage

Australia’s railway past is being preserved and celebrated in Toowoomba by a volunteer-driven organisation dedicated to bringing Queensland’s rich rail heritage to life.

Operating from Toowoomba's historic Drayton precinct, DownsSteam Toowoomba has become one of the Darling Downs’ most distinctive tourism attractions and one of Queensland's largest accredited volunteer-operated heritage railways.

DownsSteam Toowoomba at a glance

• Founded: 2001
• Location: Drayton, Toowoomba
• Celebrating: 25 years in 2026
• Speciality: Heritage rail tourism and locomotive restoration
• Signature locomotives: Pride of Toowoomba C16-106; Peter Ford BB18¼ No.1037; The Commissioner railmotor
• Volunteers: More than 90 active members
• Tours: Darling Downs, Granite Belt and Southern and South-Western Queensland.

How DownsSteam was founded

The organisation was established to preserve and restore C16-106, the last surviving steam locomotive built by the historic Toowoomba Foundry Company around 1914.

Restoration of the engine, which was in poor condition at the Ipswich railway workshop, was suggested by John Peel, a train enthusiast and member of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce.

In 2000, discussions between the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and Queensland Rail about development at Toowoomba Railway Station led to an agreement to return locomotive C16-106 from Ipswich to its hometown for restoration.

With support from local councils, rail enthusiasts and the Australian Railway Historical Society, a public meeting was held, a committee was formed and DownsSteam was born.

DownsSteam Chair Ros Scotney has been a driving force behind the organisation throughout its 25-year history.

The idea of restoring C16-106 and the potential for a rail tourism operation was first raised with her by Mr Peel when she was mayor of Pittsworth Shire Council.

Mr Peel had previously worked with Pittsworth Shire Council to find a steam train for celebrations to mark the 110th anniversary of the opening of the rail line between Pittsworth and Toowoomba.

“We kept in touch and he rang later and asked me if I was still interested in steam trains as he could get the last one manufactured at the Toowoomba Foundry,” Ms Scotney said.

“I said I couldn’t do anything with it, but I knew people that would be very interested. That got the ball rolling.”

Engine C16-106 'The Pride of Toowoomba' was DownsSteam's first restoration project.

The restoration of historic steam locomotive C16-106

The engine’s restoration took about 10 years and was ultimately completed thanks to the generosity of Toowoomba businessman and philanthropist Clive Berghofer.

After seeing the work DownsSteam was doing with C16-106 and learning of its uphill financial battle, he donated a total of $300,000 over a three-year period.

“That enabled us to finish the restoration,” Ms Scotney said.

DownsSteam Operations Manager Andrew Caldwell said the organisation's fleet had expanded significantly since the restoration of C16-106 and now included steam and diesel locomotives, historic railmotors and a large collection of restored passenger carriages.

“Our fleet reflects more than a century of Queensland railway history – every vehicle has its own unique story,” Mr Caldwell said.

Heritage train tours across the Darling Downs

Unlike many heritage museums, DownsSteam is an active railway operator, running trains on the Queensland Rail mainline network under modern rail safety requirements.

DownsSteam tours regularly visit destinations including Drayton, Clifton, Warwick, Stanthorpe, Ballandean, Pittsworth, Brookstead and other communities throughout southern Queensland.

“We get people driving up from Brisbane and the Gold Coast because there is nothing else like it,” Ms Scotney said.

She said the tours were a significant economic contributor to the region.

“Everyone benefits because we are a great source of income for the local communities we visit,” Ms Scotney said.

DownsSteam heritage rail tours regularly travel to destinations including:

• Drayton
• Clifton
• Warwick
• Stanthorpe
• Ballandean
• Pittsworth
• Brookstead
• Thallon

Tours range from popular 20-minute steam train rides at special events and festivals through to half-day and full-day excursions across the Darling Downs and Granite Belt.

“We also operate longer heritage rail adventures extending over two and three days, allowing passengers to experience regional Queensland by rail in a way that simply isn't possible through modern transport,” Mr Caldwell said.

“Many of these journeys are combined with local festivals, wineries, museums, country pubs and regional tourism experiences, providing significant economic and tourism benefits to the communities we visit while giving passengers an unforgettable heritage travel experience.”

Volunteers are the heart of DownsSteam

Today, DownsSteam is supported by more than 90 active volunteers who contribute thousands of hours annually to restoration and maintenance of trains and carriages, as well as office work, gardening, building maintenance and catering.

Mr Caldwell said DownsSteam had invested heavily in volunteer training, allowing members to progress into roles including locomotive crews, guards, tour guides and workshop volunteers.

“Every restoration project, every train movement and every public event is made possible by people who generously donate their time, knowledge and passion,” he said.

“They are the heart of DownsSteam, and every achievement we celebrate belongs to them.”

What's next for DownsSteam?

Mr Caldwell said one of the organisation's major current projects was the restoration of DH-41, a heritage diesel locomotive that has undergone an extensive volunteer-led rebuild and is now in the final stages of commissioning.

“Looking towards the future, DownsSteam has an ambitious visio,” Mr Caldwell said.

“We intend to continue expanding our heritage rail operations across South East Queensland, introducing new destinations and creating unique tourism experiences that showcase both our railway heritage and the regions we visit.

“We continue to invest heavily in volunteer recruitment, operational training and restoring additional heritage rollingstock so future generations can experience Queensland's railway history first-hand.”

Future priorities also include expanding our workshop capability, improving visitor facilities at our Toowoomba depot, restoring additional locomotives and rollingstock, preserving significant railway artefacts and strengthening partnerships with Queensland Rail, the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, local councils and regional tourism organisations.

Ultimately, our goal is simple — to ensure Queensland's railway heritage remains operational, relevant and accessible for generations to come.

Future priorities include:

• Expanding workshop facilities.
• Improving visitor amenities at the Drayton facility.
• Restoring additional locomotives and rollingstock.
• Preserving significant Queensland railway artefacts.
• Continued investment in volunteer recruitment and training.
• Strengthening partnerships with Queensland Rail, the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, local councils and regional tourism organisations.

Mr Caldwell said the organisation's mission remains unchanged.

“We firmly believe that the best way to preserve our railway heritage is to keep it moving, allowing people to experience these remarkable locomotives and carriages exactly as they were intended – working trains carrying passengers through the Queensland countryside,” Mr Caldwell said.

Railmotor 2004 has been restored and is now operated by DownsSteam.

FAQ: DownsSteam Toowoomba

What is DownsSteam Toowoomba?

DownsSteam is a volunteer-operated heritage railway organisation based in Drayton, Toowoomba, dedicated to preserving and operating historic Queensland trains.

Can you ride steam trains in Toowoomba?

Yes. DownsSteam offers heritage rail experiences ranging from short steam train rides to full-day and multi-day rail tours across southern Queensland.

When is DownsSteam open for visitors and rail tours?

DownsSteam’s Drayton Precinct and Museum is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am to 3pm. Information about upcoming train trips is available on the DownsSteam website and is also posted on their Facebook page. Note that there is a closure period from mid-December to the end of January.

What is C16-106?

C16-106 is the last surviving steam locomotive built by the historic Toowoomba Foundry and was DownsSteam's first restoration project.

Where is DownsSteam located?

DownsSteam operates from the historic Drayton railway precinct in Toowoomba on Queensland's Darling Downs. It is about 135km west of Brisbane and the drive takes about one hour and 45 minutes.

Why is DownsSteam important?

The organisation preserves Queensland railway history, restores historic locomotives and supports regional tourism through heritage rail experiences and community events.

Seven more things to see and do when visiting Toowoomba

1. Stroll through Queens Park: The heart of the Garden City, Queens Park is famous for its beautiful gardens, picnic areas and as a key venue for the annual Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

2. Explore the Laneway Street Art Crawl: Discover more than 50 colourful murals throughout the CBD, showcasing Toowoomba's thriving arts and culture scene.

3. Visit Queensland Museum Cobb+Co: Learn about the region's pioneering history, see the National Carriage Collection and enjoy interactive exhibits and demonstrations.

4. Catch a show at the Empire Theatre: Australia's largest regional performing arts venue hosts everything from comedy and cabaret to major theatrical productions.

5. Take in the views from Picnic Point: One of Toowoomba's most popular attractions, offering sweeping views across the Lockyer Valley and Great Dividing Range.

6. Experience the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers: Held each spring, this iconic event transforms the city with spectacular floral displays, food, wine and entertainment.

7. Enjoy the local cafe and food scene: Toowoomba combines country hospitality with a growing urban café culture, making it a great destination for coffee lovers and foodies.