Mapping the tramway route
The most accurate map up until the
present has been a 1942 military map showing contour lines, which helps us to determine
gradients. Though it is fairly accurate in the Image Flat line ending at the
southern end of Perry Road, it does not show any spur lines and branches that
had already been lifted, such as the North Kureelpa Branch,.
With these facts in mind, the writer
chose to map the route himself. The four vital components in this exercise were:
w
the 1940 aerial photographs of the district which clearly show the
tramline as it then existed,
w
modern cadastral maps of the area showing all new streets and
estates,
w
current
satellite images of the area, showing present-day fences, roads, houses and
trees, and
estates,
w the existence in the present day of much of the formation and earthworks, which could be studied on site and compared with the aerial photographs and maps.
To produce the accompanying maps, the writer has chosen to
use aerial photographs taken in 1940, 1958, 1991 and 1998. The 1940 photographs
are of very high quality, and show the entire tramway as it existed at that
time. Individual sheds along the line are plainly seen, and cuttings and
embankments are thrown into relief by the low winter sun. It is even possible to
see a train on the Burnside section.
The whole area had been virtually
stripped of trees by the pioneering farmers, and this also helps to reveal the
earthworks. The formation of the old branch running south from Kureelpa Hall
past Thrush's Road at Dulong (removed before 1915) is still clearly visible.
The 1958 photographs are nearly as clear,
but more roads have been built. Regrowth of trees is apparent as most of the
cane farms were changing over to dairying. The tramway formation is still plain
to see in many places, even though it had been removed for thirteen years. The
aerial photographs from 1991 and 1998 show portions of the tram route, though
there are many more trees, roads and new housing developments visible.
All the aerial photographs were enlarged
by 210%, and were reproduced to the same scale. A modern cadastral map of the district was reproduced on sheets
of clear transparency film to an identical scale. The photograph and map of
Mapleton township were enlarged by 400% to give higher accuracy.
The map of the route shown here was
produced by overlaying the cadastral transparencies on top of the enlarged 1940
photographs, keying the two in exact registration, and then marking on the
transparencies with a pen the exact position of the route as shown on the
photograph underneath.
The central parts of the photographs were
used if possible, as they give a more vertical view. Natural features were used
to assist in registering the overlays, but it was found that the cadastral maps
were not particularly accurate in the marking of creeks. Some major errors were
observed in the marking of recent land subdivisions. Where lack of key
registration points made accurate alignment of the transparent overlays open to
error, the 1958 photographs were used to provide additional information.
The 1991 photographs were used to confirm
the accuracy of the route in the Kureelpa, Shamley Heath, Willandra Heights and
Spring Pastures Estate areas, where the formation passes through numerous
housing blocks and small acreage allotments. Some of the formation has been lost
due to building construction, for example near Drought Master Court, but most of
it is still visible.
Some old homes such as Captain Jewett's house and stables and the curve
where the tram derailed in 1934 are still in existence. The 1998 aerial
photographs of Mapleton were used to accurately chart the route through the new
streets and allotments in the town.
Due to perspective variations in the photographs due to steep slopes, parallax errors towards the edges of photographs, and mistakes in the cadastral maps, particular care was required in production of the route map. Before the final draft of the task was attempted, all accessible parts of the route were visited to confirm its accuracy, and numerous photographs taken for the historical record. Many of these photographs are reproduced here.
The writer would like to thank Mr Trevor Robinson of Palmwoods who has assisted in this work. In particular, Trevor has been instrumental in ferreting out information concerning the various branches off the main line. Much of the data mapped here has been acquired through his diligence and tenacity. A prolonged drought in 2004 resulted in greatly reduced vegetation in the Highworth Range section. This revealed the remains of six bridges which had been previously inaccessible and for the most part forgotten until Trevor hunted them down.. Though these items were measured, charted and photographed with care, the onset of summer rains in late 2004 meant that most of these items are hard to get to once more, and some have disappeared completely under new growth of lantana.
The
mapping and surveying department of the Maroochy Shire Council has generously
made available current satellite pictures which enable accurate measurements to
be made on the ground. Thanks are due to Lawrie, Narelle, and Sally for their
kind assistance.
Special thanks are due to Don Craig and
Noel Gaylard for taking the time to take us personally around their properties,
which between them cover the whole Image Flat branch and its spurs, and most of
the main line's climb up the Highworth Range. Much
previously unrecorded information was revealed during these visits. Thanks also
to Richard and Betty Dykes of Kureelpa, who allowed us to visit their property,
which includes a well-preserved part of the Christie's Bank section. Grateful
thanks are due to Mr Graham Briggs, for showing us tramway earthworks on the
Perwillowen Branch. Numerous
other residents have also generously allowed us to visit their properties, and
offered information which all adds to the Mapleton Tramway story.
The maps reproduced here are cadastral maps from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines of the Queensland State Government. These are Copyright The State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources and Mines), 2005. The Department of Natural Resources and Mines gives no warranty in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability) and accepts no liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating to any use of the data.
To these maps have been added updated data (streets and housing allotments) by the Mapping Department of the Maroochy Shire Council. These additional data are Copyright Maroochy Shire Council, 2005. The Maroochy Shire Council gives no warranty in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability) and accepts no liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating to any use of the data.
The writer has superimposed on these maps a dotted line
showing the route of the tramway and its branches, and highlighted this line
in yellow to assist identification.
The route as marked has an accuracy of better than five metres either side of the
track centre line.
User Licence No. USR:2005/979 has been given by officers of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, and the Maroochy Shire Council, permitting use of the maps on this web site, provided that they are uneditable PDF (Portable Document Format) files. Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat Reader will be required to view them, and is available here.
The maps may be found in the next section: 'Finding the Mapleton Tramline today'.