Bundaberg Foundry

The Bundaberg Foundry was a significant Queensland-based engineering firm located in Bundaberg. They manufactured both steam and diesel locomotives for the local sugar industry and were heavily involved in the rebuilding and conversion of locomotives from other manufacturers in later years.

History

Bundaberg Foundry has a long history of engineering for the sugar industry. In the transition to diesel, they manufactured locomotives under licence from Jenbacher Werke (Austria), often using the "BJ" classification. In later years (particularly the 1990s and 2000s), the foundry became a major centre for rebuilding and re-engineering older locomotives (such as Walkers GH500s) for mills like Mulgrave, Bingera, and Tully.

Models and Classification

• BJ Series: Built under licence from Jenbacher Werke. The number following "BJ" typically indicates horsepower (e.g., BJ100).
• SDH650: A later diesel-hydraulic model.
• Steam: Built under licence from John Fowler & Co. (Leeds) Ltd.

Rollingstock

Name	Builder	Model	Serial	Year	Current Mill	Notes
Elliott	Bundaberg Foundry	SDH650	002	1991	Millaquin Mill	Originally Babinda Mill No.8 BABINDA. Transferred to Millaquin in 1999 and later named ELLIOTT. Listed as available for service in the Millaquin fleet in 2024.
Booyan	Bundaberg Foundry	SDH650	001	1991	Millaquin Mill	Originally Fairymead Mill No.91 BUNDABERG; later renamed BOOYAN. Listed as available for service in the Millaquin fleet in 2024.
6	Bundaberg Foundry		6	1952	Out of service	Millaquin #6; later Qunaba #5 Dobbin/Speedy. Preserved on static display at the former Bally Hooley Railway station, Port Douglas (2022).
8	Bundaberg Foundry		3	1952	Out of service	Originally Mourilyan #8; later worked at Millaquin and Qunaba. Preserved at Australian Sugar Cane Railway, Bundaberg Botanic Gardens; recommissioned in 2014.
Riverstone	Bundaberg Foundry		1	1952	Out of service	Ex Qunaba #4 Jumbo; preserved. LRRSA recorded at Australian Sugarcane Railway, Bundaberg Botanic Gardens (2011).