GET IN QUICK: TICKETS ON SALE FOR THE Q150 STEAM TRAIN

IPSWICH: Premier Anna Bligh called on Queenslanders everywhere to be quick to book a seat on the Q150 Steam Train and experience their own piece of history when tickets go on sale at Traveltrain Holidays from 27 January 2009.

Ms Bligh was at the Ipswich heritage workshop today inspecting work by carriage builders on the Q150 steam train carriages.

The Q150 Steam Train is travelling the length and breadth of the State from April to August to celebrate Queensland’s 150^th anniversary of separation from New South Wales.

“The train is a key part of the celebration this year for Queenslanders and we want to ensure that as many Queenslanders as possible have the opportunity to travel on it,” Ms Bligh said.

“There are any number of segment configurations available to choose from. You are limited only be your imagination on where you want to go and for how long.

“It will be like travelling back in time and is a great way to reminisce on how the railways had a large part developing Queensland over the past 150 years.

“With over 30 stops on the train’s itinerary, Councils are organising special activities and events around its arrival and/or departure giving locals some creative opportunities to be part of the celebrations.

“However, the competition for seats is coming from all over the world.

“Since I launched the Q150 Steam Train at Roma Street in August 2008, calls have come in from interstate and overseas from train buffs keen to place their reservations.

“Avoid disappointment and visit www.q150.qld.gov.au today to see what sectors you are interested in.

“This is one of the most exciting steam train trips yet in Queensland. Make sure you book your seat to enjoy it.”

For bookings telephone 1800 QLD 150 (1800 753 150).

The Q150 Steam Train is proudly presented by Santos and The University of Queensland.

QR Chief Executive Officer Lance Hockridge said QR was proud to have its iconic historic steam trains involved in this important event for Queensland.

"Since inception in 1865, QR has played an integral part in the social and economic development of Queensland.

“We can reflect proudly on the contribution QR has made to the state and look forward to working in partnership with Queensland communities and industry for many decades to come.”

Roger Kennett, Gladstone Liquefied Natural Gas (GLNG) chief executive officer said Santos was delighted to be able to help Queensland celebrate its 150^th anniversary through sponsoring the Q150 Steam Train.

One of Australia’s largest energy companies, Santos plans to capitalise on its sponsorship of the train by introducing Queenslanders to one of the world’s cleaner energy sources – Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

“We’re planning to take our multi-billion dollar Gladstone LNG project on the road to share with Queenslanders the first major international project to convert Coal Seam Gas (CSG) to LNG.

“This is an exciting new industry for the State, and Santos is keen to support the development of CSG and LNG skills and experience locally. We intend to showcase our project to the community, particularly to school students and supply firms who have an interest in being part of this exciting chapter in Queensland’s history.

He said it would be one of the biggest projects ever in Queensland, and as more countries brought coal seam gas and LNG online as a cleaner energy source, the international job opportunities for Queenslanders skilled in this industry would be numerous.”

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield, said Q150 passengers would have a rare opportunity to travel on some routes that are usually only for freight.

“Passengers can choose - for example – to ride the rails to historic Wallangarra station on the Queensland-NSW border, climb the range to Toowoomba, or explore some of our great inland towns and cities.

“The stops are historically significant, and will be part of UQ’s Queensland Places project, a public website about Queensland’s cities, towns and suburbs.”

Q150 is proudly supported by the Bank of Queensland, Santos, The University of Queensland, Warner Bro. Movie World, Qantas, Clovely Estate, Coca-Cola Amatil, Bundaberg Rum, XXXX, APN News and Media, Austereo, Macquarie Southern Cross Media, Network 10, Nova 106.9FM and Quest Community Newspapers.

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