Near Blackwater Bluff, Queensland, Australia.
A Coal train we saw along the way up north several years ago at a place called Blackwater after a town called Dingo. Blackwater is both a town and a locality in the Central Highlands Region in Queensland. The name of the township was inspired by the dark colour of local waterholes. A German explorer and naturalist Ludwig Leichhardt found the Ore on one of his explorations in about 1845.
The train we saw was very long and we thought it would never end.
Recently the Bluff mine ceased active operations, went into care and maintenance, and the lease was later handed over to the Queensland government under its Abandoned Mine Lands Program in 2026. However, the Blackwater mine still operates but sized down. Some of the mines in that area have closed. In researching I've come across different findings which makes it rather confusing.
The distance from Launceston (Home) to Blackwater in Queensland is 2,584 km (1,605 miles).
I think this is funny....my husband was soaking his feet in a dish of water whilst watching TV in the family room the other evening. He slept for about 1 hour and when he woke up, he decided to change the TV Channel but couldn't find the Remote! He thought it may have fallen onto the floor, so he got the towel and went to wipe his feet dry and discovered the TV Remote was in the dish of water, it had been there probably nearly 1 hour. He took it out and shook it, dried the outside of it. Next day he put the hair dryer on it the one we used when we had the Shih Tzu, then he put it in the sun the next day and it dried out completely. The only thing that doesn't work is the 'return' button, but he can use the remote on his phone for that if needed. It's a small remote for the smart TV. It's odd in this house because the smart TV's we have all of them have a small remote and they won't work on each TV. They are all Samsung TV's. No, we don't watch a lot of TV but they are handy to have if the grandchildren come and stay as they can connect their Xboxes to them and play away.
Has anyone else done anything like what my husband did?
Not yet. : )
ReplyDeleteI have seen some very long trains as well. I just stop and count the freight cars.
Let's hope you don't do that, what he did..lol
DeleteWe hadn't ever seen such a long train until that day, then we couldn't count as we were unable to stop on the side of the road, nowhere to do that.
Hello Margaret,
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of the trains.
Luckily, this has never happened to me with a TV remote, we only have one TV in the house.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
All the best, Irma
Thank you Irma. Let's hope you don't do what my husband did, without the remote you can't do much with the TV unless you have controls on your phone.
DeleteOne TV is enough really.
You have a good weekend too.
What a funny thing!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is Anne..lol
DeleteInteresting train. As for me, my mobile phone fell into the water; I couldn't dry it out, so I had to buy a new one.
ReplyDeleteYes interesting.
DeleteOh no, that costs a fair bit of money to replace a phone, you wouldn't want to do it very often though.
haha.. happens to the best of us.
ReplyDeletelol Hena, seems something similar might have happened to someone you know!
DeleteWell, your husband was lucky that it still works. No, nothing like that has ever happened to me. Your account of that train and mine is interesting.
ReplyDeleteHe is indeed very lucky it still works, wonders never cease. I hope it doesn't happen to you or anyone you know, Elkes.
DeleteThe ore was taken to China, maybe it still is.
It’s a good thing the TV remote started working again. Your husband was lucky!
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the wisteria at the top of the page looks so beautiful.
Take care.
Marit, he indeed was very lucky it worked again.
DeleteThanks regarding the wisteria and I changed it all again late this afternoon as the Columbine is now in full flower.
I like to soak my feet in magnesium water when I am watching TV, so from now on, I am not going to put remote control nearby. I am just glad that it's just a remote control instead of his mobile phone.
ReplyDeleteIt's good soaking the feet Jan. We sometimes use Epsom salts/same thing.
DeleteThank goodness it wasn't his mobile phone or mine...that would have been not good at all.
Dear Margaret,
ReplyDeletethose enormous Australian distances never cease to amaze me. More than 2,500 kilometres from your home to Blackwater, and still within the same country! The coal train seems to match the scale of the landscape. I can imagine standing there watching wagon after wagon pass and beginning to wonder whether the end would ever appear.
I was also interested to read about Ludwig Leichhardt. Being German myself, it is always fascinating to come across the names of German explorers and naturalists in places so very far from home.
But I have to admit that your husband's adventure with the remote control made me laugh. Falling asleep with his feet in a bowl of water is one thing, but somehow managing to give the remote control a one-hour bath at the same time is quite an achievement!
What amazes me even more is that it survived. After being shaken, dried, treated with the former dog hair dryer and finally placed in the sun, losing only the return button seems an extraordinarily good result.
I can't offer a similar story from our house, but I think your husband has set quite a high standard. From now on, whenever I can't find a remote control, I may have to check any nearby bowls of water first!
Warm greetings
I somehow understand what you are thinking about the distances here in Australia. It is a long way, and for me I could travel through many European countries in that same distance. If we had ever gone to Europe we would have taken our time and stayed for awhile in each country to explore but those days are gone now, my husband doesn't care to fly but I'm ok with it.
DeleteThere are a number of explorers who came from different countries to explore Australia all those years ago.
I'm glad you found my husband's adventure funny, I would laugh too.
Have a good weekend.
Pocházím také původně z uhelného kraje a tak mě zaujaly informace z tak vzdálené země. U nás byly hlubinné doly také zrušeny, je to nostalgie a vagóny s uhlím si také pamatujeme. Fascinuje mě ta vzdálenost z vašeho domova do Blackwateru v Queenslandu. Jste velcí cestovatelé.
ReplyDeletePříhoda s ovladačem a jeho vysušováním je legrační, ale měli jste štěstí, že se ho podařilo opět zprovoznit!
Zdravím do Tasmanie!
Well that is interesting you came from a coal area in your country. We still have open cut mines of various degrees, they are rather large.
DeleteWe used to be big travelers but not any more now we are older, even though we go for drives here in Tasmania we are sometimes gone for 6 hours just travelling and having a stop or two for a rest..
I'm glad you had a laugh as I would have laughed too. I'm still smiling!
It is amazing that the remote still worked.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of Blackwater
It is a wonder the remote still words expect for one thing Jo-Anne. I hadn't heard of Blackwater either, it's inland somewhere near Emerald which we have been to several times.
DeleteGreat photos here, Margaret! I have never had that experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda and let's hope you never have the experience of dropping a remote in the water..
DeleteGoodness! That's lucky it still works.
ReplyDeleteNothing like that has ever happened to me... yet!!!
All the best Jan
Interesting you put 'yet' Jan.lol It won't happen to you, it's the matter of being careful and not falling asleep with the remote of phone near water..lol
DeleteI am glad the remote still works after drying out. My own remote is quite large so it's easy to see the buttons and it lives on the side table, never on my lap or in my hands. The remote for the dvd player is small and the buttons are so close together! I have only one TV, but can watch DVDs on the laptop if I want to.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing coal trains at the rail crossing beside the primary school and remember how we all hung on the fence counting the cars, if it was a passenger train we waved to the passengers and some would wave back.
Oh fun days when young, R. A big remote is good at least you can see it. I can't watch DVD's on my laptop, no DVD player but I have one attached to my TV but don't seem to watch DVD's.
DeleteRecuerdo los trenes de carbón de cuando era pequeña. Vaya, suerte con el mando, vuelve a funcionar.
ReplyDeleteGracias Margaret.
Un abrazo.
Long trains those trains I bet, Laura. Very lucky the TV remote works at all..
DeleteThese freight /ore trains are really long. Some here going into the ship docks at Newcastle you think will never end. Some have 3 engines at the front - a couple in the middle and then more to push at the back.
ReplyDeleteFunny at the beach yesterday - life staving lessons for high school boys and girls.
Those 'in distress" swim out and scream bule murder as the "drown" - then the life
savers go after them. I reckon the shakes take fright and go at high speed to " the land of the Long White Cloud" and the Harka!
No the warmest of mornings here and the work at the Pub - hopefully finished
for Australia's "unofficial" public holiday - the Melbourne Cup!
This year I will actually go to the Pub and watch on the new HUGE screens and
hope my ears don't fall off with the cheering etc.
Cheers
Colin
PS: Ludwig Leichhardt sure was an opener of Australia.
I also have German heritage - from the same town/city as Herr Hitler!
Lintz!!!!
Saw those engines on the train Colin, one in the front, middle and end, long, long trains. We couldn't stop and count as nowhere to park.
DeleteInteresting how they practice their lifeguard skills, but it must make you laugh all the same, them screaming etc.
Enjoy the cup as it's very soon, the days go past so quickly it will be here in no time....enjoy the pub and the big TV.
Good God - my spelling:
ReplyDeleteBULE MURDER = BLUE MURDR
SHAKES = SHARKES
NILOC - oops COLIN!
We all make misprints in our spelling, for me it's the nails...lol
DeleteHaha!!!
ReplyDeleteThat hasn’t happened to me, but I *have* accidentally put a new mobile phone in the washing machine along with my clothes. Back in the early days of mobile phones... it simply stopped working...
I forgave myself!!
Glad you laughed..lol.
DeleteOh you never, did you. What a disappointment it must have been to you, let alone the coast...oh well, it happens unfortunately. I'm glad you forgave yourself and got over it.
Of all the things to lose, the return button is the one I’d miss most, so I’m glad the phone remote can cover for it. And it’s typical that the little Samsung remotes don’t work on each other’s TVs, so a ruined one really is a problem.
ReplyDeletehttps://canalsandcitrus.blogspot.com
He is managing without the return button and has the phone to use if necessary. You can get a new remote but they have to be paired etc, and not really worth it at this stage. Yes you are right when you say it's 'typical'.
DeleteThank you for sharing your article about the Blackwater train. It reminds me of the situation in my city Pontianak, the capital city of West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Unfortunately, we still don't have a railway station or passenger trains here. One reason might be our soft soil and peatland, which make building railway tracks difficult and expensive.
ReplyDeleteI have been living in Pontianak since 1990, and I really hope that one day our city will have its own railway system. It would make travelling much easier for local people. Warm greetings from Indonesia!
No trains in your area then as you say, best be safe there. We don't have passenger trains where I live either. Not enough people.
DeleteHappy Halloween, Margaret
DeleteWishing you a wonderful day filled with happiness, laughter, and spooky fun. May you have a fantastic Halloween celebration!
Asep Haryono.
West Kalimantan
Indonesia
Thank you Asep. You have fun too.
DeleteTake the remote apart and clean the contact points where the non working button is located with a cotton button dipped in metho
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew, the remote doesn't come apart!
DeleteWe have those long trains here, too, and it is a real pain to get stuck at a crossing when one is going by. These days, the very mention of the word “train” equals tragedy in Spain.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Spain had a dreadful tragedy just the other day, so sad.
DeleteI'm amazed that it still works. That's good news!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is good news. We were amazed as well. Wonders never cease.
DeleteThat coal train is enormous; lately, we’ve been very sensitive here regarding trains and the catastrophes involving them. Less than a week ago, we had taken an AVE train along that same route from Madrid. The bit about the controls is unusual, but it’s good to know, just in case it’s ever needed.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Best regards.
Devastating regarding those trains and the people who died, may they RIP.
Deletehaha the incident about the remote falling in water dish is funny no doubt dear Margaret :) and then hair dryer lol .yes such things can happen to anyone one ,the mother of the one my sister in law (wife of hubby's brother has habit to sleep while she is backing something or sitting and talking ,once she slept while she was working on sewing machine and she was found asleep ,it was funny moment long ago but i still wonder if it was something wrong with her health .she visits me once in a while .
ReplyDeletethe never ending train sounds amazing :)
love and prayers ! and yes in our family all phones and our tv are samsung since decades
We too like the Samsung TV's and seem to always buy that brand.
DeleteIt is funny about my husband falling asleep and the relative of yours falling asleep at the sewing machine...lol.
Take care, Baili.
Hello Margaret,
ReplyDeleteThat is nice to see this train. Special to read all about this of the past.
All of this about the railway is very relatable to me.
I guess I’ll just start leaving the remote on the table from now on..!! hihihi..!!
Many greetings,
Marco
If I recall you had something to do with trains Marco.
DeleteIt is funny about my husband..lol
At least the remote still works for the most part. We used to have trains here but not anymore.
ReplyDeleteYes it's a wonder the remote still works except for one button. We don't have many trains, just a freight one ever now and then.
Delete
ReplyDeleteIt’s a miracle he didn’t wake up when the remote control fell into the water—it makes quite a splash! :D
The train is interesting. I really love trains.
He obviously was sleeping soundly and he's a little deaf in one ear so hence he didn't hear the splash. I rather like trains myself, amazing they are how they work and so on.
DeleteSo funny! Very nice pictures of the train.
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Thank you.
DeleteYes very funny about my husband and his remote...lol
You know how much I love reading what you write about Australia. Your husband is very lucky with the remote. My husband feel a sleep with coffee in his hand. He was in bed watching TV, spilled the coffee on the remote. Not as luck as your husband. It cost $200.00 US to replace the darn thing. Hey, have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteGood grief, that is a lot to replace the remote. Hope your husband didn't burn himself with the hot coffee.
DeleteYes I do know you like to read about Australia. 😉
Unas imagenes de gran belleza. Geniales, amiga.
ReplyDeleteFeliz fin de semana
Thank you. You have a good weekend too.
DeleteThat’s a great story about your husband and remote. Made me chuckle. I don’t remember anything with the remote but I left my small wallet in my jeans that I put through a wash cycle. My money, credit cards and several business cards so I can relate that way. Enjoyed the history and train photos, and always your maps. Thank you Margaret. Very interesting.
ReplyDeletelol. Makes me laugh every time I think of it, Denise..lol
DeleteOh you got everything wet and destroyed some of your things, oh dear.
Thank you.
I can confirm that I have officially placed the beautiful certificate I made for you in the top-right corner of my blog's sidebar, just as you have done for me, as a sign of Indonesia-Australia friendship.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for that and the link also. As you can see I also put it below so people can read what is written on it if they wish.
ReplyDeleteYes, a friendship from Australia - Indonesia.
Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteYour brave husband is afraid of nothing. He can solve any troubles skillfully.
lol...He tries.
DeleteHello Margaret,
ReplyDeleteThat’s a very interesting story about the train. When I was a child, I used to love counting the carriages as a train went by—especially freight trains. Nowadays, there are very few freight trains, and passenger trains are quite short, consisting of only a handful of carriages.
As for the remote control—some time ago, I lost the remote for my LED strip lights, and as you know, the lights are useless without it. I looked everywhere but couldn't find it... :)) Perhaps one day it will turn up by chance in the most unexpected place.
I'm sure if you were to buy another remote and or more LED strip lights, the old one would turn up...we have a saying, 'it's murphy's law..lol
DeleteGood past time counting the carriages, until someone starts to count out loud it then can make you lose count..
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen long trains.
ReplyDeleteMy husband also tends to fall asleep on the sofa with the TV remote or his mobile phone in his hand; he’s dropped them quite a few times, but fortunately never into water! 😁 😂
You received a beautiful certificate.
Have a great Sunday
Thank you Maria. I was thrilled to receive that certificate :)
DeleteAs long as your husband phone hasn't broken is the main thing.
I like this train... I haven’t ridden any train for a long time... this one is really something special :))
ReplyDeleteI guard my phone like my own eyes... my previous one once fell while I was going down the stairs... but it stopped between the wall and the stairs, so it survived the worst... I was lucky :))) it stayed undamaged!
Oh yes, you were indeed lucky with your phone after it fell. They can be expensive to buy.
DeleteI haven't been in a train for a very long time either,
I'm yet to give a bath to my remote 😊
ReplyDeleteHope yours is still working.
I suggest you don't do it...Yes it works expect the back button.
DeletePenso que foi uma sorte o comando ter voltado a funcionar.
ReplyDeleteAbraço de amizade.
Juvenal Nunes
Very lucky indeed, Juvenal as we can't use the TV without a remote!
DeleteMargharet, I sent you an email :))
ReplyDeleteThank you but I haven't received it. I looked in my 'trash' but it isn't there. Please try again and check the email address. 😉
DeleteYour husband was lucky the remote survived its unexpected foot spa, although I suspect it wasn't designed to be water-resistant; sometimes the funniest household mishaps happen when we least expect them
ReplyDeleteIt had a good spa and a soaking, and you are right, happened when least expected but all is well except for the back button..
DeleteLololol...the remote...Lolol, oh nooo...
ReplyDeleteI Love your picture on the certificate! SO pretty! A sweet tribute!
Happy November!
hugs
Donna
It is indeed very funny Donna...lol Thank you re certificate, I was thrilled to receive it and it is very pretty.
DeleteHappy November to you and I do hope you are doing ok.
We lose our remote all the time - usually located somewhere in the recliner chairs. I find the notion of abandoned mines to be quite fascinating, especially the extent of it to justify the Abandoned Mine Lands Program. I love these quirks of heritage (which I think Australia shares with South Africa) and how the thing that drew people to the country continues to influence its culture.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you don't have any trouble finding your remote, ours is a small one, they all are.
DeleteI was surprised when researching the mines in that area and most are open cut I believe that there was a program regarding the abandoned mines. I'm sure Australia shares much with South Africa as told to us by one of my husbands cousins who lived there for several years as teaches.
Interesting 🙂
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice post! The contrast between the impressive scale of those massive coal trains cutting through Queensland and the funny, relatable story about the remote control floating in the footbath makes for such an engaging read. It is incredible that the remote survived nearly an hour under water—Samsung build quality is clearly no joke!
ReplyDelete