Queensland Rail Santa Steam Express raises more than $20,000

Queensland Rail Santa Steam Express is bringing Christmas cheer and classic rail heritage together in Brisbane, turning a day on the tracks into vital support for some of Queensland’s most premature and seriously ill babies, notes Railway Supply.

Queensland Rail Santa Steam Express and Mater Little Miracles

Dozens of Mater Little Miracles families, joined by enthusiastic rail fans, climbed aboard a special steam-hauled service that wound its way through Brisbane’s suburbs on the Santa-themed heritage train. Over the course of the day, the event generated more than $20,000 for Mater Little Miracles charity fundraising, helping to improve outcomes for premature and seriously ill babies in Queensland.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The three heritage journeys also formed a highlight in Queensland Rail’s 160th birthday celebrations, which have placed a strong emphasis on community connection and festive family experiences.

All proceeds from this Christmas steam train adventure are being directed to Mater Little Miracles, part of the Mater Foundation, to bring joy and hope to families whose babies are receiving care in the Mater Mothers’ Hospital Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU) in South Brisbane, according to Queensland Rail.

Mater Little Miracles families were invited onboard as special guests, adding to the “snow”-themed fun and reinforcing the partnership between Queensland Rail and Mater as a very special one for the community.

Heritage steam locomotive ‘Bety’ and Roma Street station crowds

Hundreds of train lovers packed Roma Street station to see Santa and his elves arrive onboard the heritage steam locomotive affectionately nicknamed “Bety”, while festive entertainment spilled across the platform. Those lucky enough to secure tickets for the sold-out Queensland Rail Christmas steam train Brisbane service then joined the onboard celebrations as the train set off on its scenic suburban runs.

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Across the day, “Bety” completed three separate heritage journeys, each offering a magical, nostalgia-filled trip from Roma Street station across Brisbane’s suburban network. In total, 900 people travelled on the Santa Steam Express, enjoying the atmosphere of a classic steam locomotive and the knowledge that their Queensland Rail Santa Steam Express tickets were supporting Mater Little Miracles and NCCU babies.

Downer Group $10,000 donation and support for NCCU babies

Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton said the organisation was delighted that the Santa Steam Express had raised more than $20,000 for such a well-deserving cause. She thanked Downer Group for its major role, noting that the company’s $10,000 donation, combined with proceeds from ticket sales, enabled Queensland Rail and its partners to collectively donate more than $20,000 to Mater Little Miracles in support of premature and seriously ill babies.

Ms Stapleton also underlined that Queensland Rail is all about supporting and connecting the communities in which it operates, and that this charity event was a fitting way to do so. She pointed out that the Christmas-themed Queensland Rail 160th birthday celebrations have included steam train trips for the anniversary in July and additional heritage services at this year’s Ekka, with the Santa Steam Express effectively wrapping up the milestone year.

Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas explained that the funds raised through the Santa Steam Express will go towards purchasing a state-of-the-art ventilation system, which gently assists the breathing of the very smallest babies in Mater’s Neonatal Critical Care Unit, as also reported by Rail Express. He described this equipment as an ideal Christmas gift for NCCU families and expressed gratitude to everyone who got on board this year’s Santa Steam Express Mater Little Miracles charity ride.

Downer Group’s Chief Operating Officer for Rail, Stephen Kakavas, said the company was pleased to support such a worthy cause. He noted Downer’s long history of backing the communities in which it works and pointed out that the company has been manufacturing trains in Queensland for more than 150 years.

Partnering with Queensland Rail on the Santa Steam Express charity train, he added, is a source of pride for Downer and a meaningful way to help make a significant difference to the lives of some of Queensland’s youngest citizens.

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