About Us

Who is DownsSteam?

DownsSteam is a volunteer-driven, community-led organisation proudly operating a tourist railway delivering unique heritage rail experiences across the Darling Downs.  

Originally established to preserve and actively restore the last remaining steam locomotive built by the historic Toowoomba Foundry Company, C16-106 Southern Cross (Works No. 28), the locomotive was originally constructed around 1914.  DownsSteam has gone on to expand it's rollingstock and passenger services and is now proudly rated at the #1 Thing to Do in Toowoomba on TripAdvisor.

DownsSteam operates regular passenger services as part of an integrated tourism transport trail across the Darling Downs. Our services include family-friendly steam shuttle trips from Toowoomba Railway Station to our heritage Drayton Museum precinct, as well as steam shuttles between Drayton and Wyreema.

In addition to these short journeys, we offer popular “pub lunch” rail experiences to local towns including Clifton, Pittsworth, Brookstead and Cambooya. More recently, we have expanded our range to include both day and overnight trips to the Stanthorpe region, featuring visits to local wineries and specially curated dining experiences.

A Little Bit of History

John Peel, a local train enthusiast and Special Project Officer with the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Inc, was aware that steam locomotive 106, built by the Toowoomba Foundry and housed at the Ipswich railway workshop, was awaiting restoration. 

In July 2000, the Chamber held a meeting with Queensland Rail (Former) CEO Mr. Vince O’Rourke to discuss the development of Federation Park at the Toowoomba Railway Station. This project aimed to enhance Toowoomba’s Heritage Precinct after a multi-million dollar restoration of the railway station. During these talks, Mr. O’Rourke agreed to return locomotive 106 to Toowoomba for restoration.

Further investigations revealed four carriages, belonging to the Australian Railways Historical Society, in a state that could be restored. Subsequently, discussions with (Former) Mayor Di Thorley and (Former) Councillors Ramia and Shelton led to a commitment from the Toowoomba City Council (now Toowoomba Regional Council) to assist. The Australian Historical Rail Society also committed their support to this project.

To gather support from the known dedicated band of steam train lovers, a public meeting was held. Following this, a committee was formed to undertake this massive project. This committee has now been formalised as a Company Limited by Guarantee.