Camp Mountain Derailment - 1947 - QLD, Australia
Posted by: 
fathrtime
S 27° 23.832 E 152° 53.745
56J E 489693 N 6969565
The 1947 Camp Mountain derailment remains the worst train disaster in the state of Queensland, Australia.
Waymark Code: WMC6GA
Location: Queensland, Australia
Date Posted: 07/31/2011
Views: 21
The Camp Mountain train disaster happened on the Dayboro line on Queensland Labour Day (5th May) 1947. This train was chartered by the Queensland Customs department social club and carried approx 215 passengers travelling to Closeburn for a picnic day.
At 9:48am, the train derailed on a bend of the line (on what is now McLean Rd South) and crashed, killing 16 people, including the driver, and injuring another 38.
The enquiry following the crash determined that excessive speed (due to the driver running behind schedule) was the cause of the locomotive derailing.
Today, the line no longer exists and this secton replaced by a road. All thats remains today is a cairn on the side of the road marking the site.
The plaque reads:
"THIS CAIRN MARKS THE SITE OF THE CAMP MOUNTAIN RAIL CRASH 5TH MAY 1947.
MCLEAN ROAD FOLLOWS THE ROUTE OF THE RAILWAY LINE.
OCTOBER 1988".
More information can be found:
(
visit link)
(
visit link)
Original photos of the accident:
(
visit link)
The cairn is easily accessible with enough room for a car to stop off the road.