Carol Lloyd joined in 1970, becoming lead vocalist in September 1971.They released two albums on Polydor, A Matter of Time (1974) and Journey's End (1976), before disbanding in 1977.
Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, observed, "[they] made an impact with its sweaty, full-tilt gigs and a commercial blend of soul, brassy R&B; and percussion-driven hard rock."
[1] The initial line up was Phil Shields and Glen Rickwood on guitars, Dimitri Jansons on bass, Geoff Fitzgibbon on vocals and flute and Danny Murphy on drums.
Railroad Gin's first public performance was in early 1969 at The Open Door, Turbot Street, Brisbane, a warehouse space reinvented as a "drop in" centre where the principal entertainment was live music and new bands were welcomed.
A number of Friday night and Saturday morning gigs followed, improving the band, and giving them confidence to approach the new owners of Quentins (Harry Guerin and Dick Greenup).
Quentins (Wickham Street opp Centenary Park), formerly the Red Orb, was the mecca of RnB in Brisbane and had spawned such bands as Thursday's Children, the Coloured Balls and Light.
Laurie Stone (ex The Touch) who worked with Rickwood joined in 1970 adding keyboards, sax, trombone and vocals, heralding a period of expansion.
Continuing in this fashion Railroad Gin grew in reputation around Brisbane and its regions, playing most major venues, but in 1971 departures would necessitate a rethink.
[1] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described how it, "featured a mixture of Shocking Blue, Jethro Tull and Steely Dan elements with its hard guitar/flute-driven sound.
[1] The group's second album, Journey's End, appeared in October 1976, which McFarlane felt, "followed the formula set by the debut, but with a lighter, more polished Adult Oriented Rock (AOR) sound (somewhere between Chicago, Styx and Fleetwood Mac).
[1] McFarlane observed, "[they] made an impact with its sweaty, full-tilt gigs and a commercial blend of soul, brassy R&B; and percussion-driven hard rock.