Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway
Since 1978, Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway has operated passenger trains on this branch line using heritage rollingstock.
The group obtained the permission of Redbank Malt Factory to store the locomotive on their privately owned rail siding.
After investigating many proposals for a permanent home, the Queensland Electricity Generating Board agreed to allow QPSR access to their branch railway from Box Flat to Swanbank.
QPSR ran its first steam train rides at Swanbank during the 1978 Ipswich Colour City Carnival, using carriages hired from QR.
Westfalen Collieries allowed QPSR to use part of its property at Box Flat to establish a depot, a commitment today continued by the Gunne organization that own the land.
Hunter's Pioneer Valley Amusement Park after its retirement in August 1970, from where a group of Ipswich and Brisbane enthusiasts purchased it on that venture's failure.
In 2008, Kilrie was purchased outright by the QPSR following donations made by the Ipswich City Council, Babcock & Brown and Payce.
Kilrie has served as an operating loco at Swanbank for many years, during which time it has been restored to coal firing and fitted with Westinghouse automatic air braking.
They are fitted with dual driving stations to permit operation in either direction without the requirement to turn the locomotive[13][14][15] In November 2020, QPSR (assisted by Ipswich City Council) acquired Ex-Mount Isa Mines Diesel-Hydraulic shunter 5802 from Zig Zag Railway.
During special events or during periods of high patronage QPSR has hired in Queensland Rail Heritage Locomotives.
Most recently locomotive 221a, a member of the American built AC16 class, joined the running fleet as part of the Troop Train Event of 2016 as a representative of US involvement in the Australian war effort of WW2.
[19] Murder Mystery Trains have become a staple feature of the QPSR calendar and generally form part of Dinner TraTin Experiences and see passengers trying to work out "who dun it".
The award-winning work by writer and comedian Emily Vascotto was directed by Gabriella Flowers and tells the story of Mrs J.A "Eliza" Cameron and her team of Ipswich women who served tea to returning troops during the First World War.
