Description

Vantage Point – Queensland: The Diesel & Electric Era is a stunning photographic chronicle by renowned rail photographer Ted Payne, documenting the rise of diesel and electric trains in Queensland following the steam era. Ted’s fascination with railways began in his schooldays in Geelong, Victoria, but his first trip to Queensland railways in 1961 revealed the beginnings of a transformation. Although steam still dominated, he observed early diesel locomotives quietly working away—a change that had begun with the introduction of the 1150-class diesel engines in 1952. This second volume in the Vantage Point series captures the pivotal shift from steam to modern diesel and electric traction across one of Australia’s most unique and expansive rail networks.

Spanning Queensland’s 1067mm narrow-gauge system, the book explores a rail network unlike any other in Australia—developed as 11 separate lines connecting inland regions to coastal ports, later unified by the North Coast line. It also touches on the electrification projects of the 1970s and 1980s, which modernised freight and passenger routes, especially in Central Queensland and along the coast to Rockhampton.

Perfect for rail enthusiasts, historians, and fans of Australian railway photography, this volume brings to life the Queensland diesel and electric railway era through Ted Payne’s insightful lens and detailed commentary.

Available September, 2025. Train Hobby Publications. Hardcover.