Horses were frequently used to transport the sick and injured, however this was far from comfortable for those who were seriously unwell.
In 1925, after the death of their father, sisters Grace and Peg Borghero converted their coach business from horses to a Chevrolet taxi! Moving to Mareeba in 1931, the sisters saw a need for a better way of transporting the ill and injured, so Grace had the taxi converted to be able to carry a stretcher in the back. Grace always made herself available, at no charge, to transport patients needing urgent attention to a local railway crossing, where they would be transferred to a train or section car and taken to hospital.
Grace was Australia’s first female taxi driver and Mareeba’s first volunteer ambulance bearer. Thanks Grace!
Section cars, either pump driven or mechanical, were the first Rail Ambulances. Open to the elements, patients were often put into body bags to offer some protection from the weather. These were usually available from the local police station or medical professional in the area.
Dalby was the first settlement in Queensland to have a Rail Ambulance, although Chillagoe mines had a railcar used for medical emergencies. It was very small and also used for transportation by the local mine manager!
Atherton followed in 1914, and by 1929 they had the luxury of having two Rail Ambulances to service their community and the surrounding area.
By 1920 Mt Mulligan had a fancier version of a section car with canvas sides and a top with perspex windows.
In 1924 Mt Molloy raised money through public subscriptions to build their own Rail Ambulance, another modified section car.
Interestingly, Queensland Government Railway didn’t own or operate the Rail Ambulances. They were generally owned by Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade.
Despite having had a hospital since 1895, Mareeba didn’t acquire their first Rail Ambulance until the early 1940’s, and it was all thanks to a chap named Norm Parker…
A Chillagoe local, Norm Parker was an apprentice fitter and turner who also volunteered as an ambulance bearer, donating countless hours to serving his community. Once his apprenticeship was complete, Norm became a full time ambulance bearer and was later appointed to Mareeba as the first ambulance superintendent, where he took charge of the ambulance centre (freeing Grace Borghero up to become a fulltime taxi driver!).
Aware that some type of Rail Ambulance was needed, Norm used his fitting and turning skills to convert an old section car into Mareeba’s first Rail Ambulance. Using a J.A.P. engine and with a framework of bond, wood and canvas sides with perspex windows, this rail car gave thousands of miles of service and was an invaluable gift to the community. However, Norm was the first to admit that it wasn’t ideal, and that he often had to give it a good shove to get it up and over a hill!
In 1946 the settlement of Dalby was upgrading their Rail Ambulance, so their old unit, a converted 1926 chain-driven Citroen, with metal roof and sides, was purchased for about 200 pounds ($20,000.00 today) and sent to Mt Mulligan. Unfortunately it was rather underpowered, and being of foreign build, sourcing parts was difficult.
Ever practical, Norm scouted around and discovered an old A.E.C. railmotor rusting away in a shed in Millaa Millaa. He paid 25 pounds, then had it refitted and upgraded by the Townsville Rail Workshop. This railmotor was said to have been supplied by the ‘London Omnibus Company’. In 1926 the London Transport Company had up-graded their city buses and part of the old fleet was sent out to Australia, with some units being converted to railmotors. Rumours persist that the railmotor had once been a London bus, however rail historians say that this is incorrect and that the A.E.C. engine was simply the same as the ones used in London buses. But for many, the jury is still out…!
Although the railmotor was in terrible condition, Norm could see the potential and so too could the Mareeba Hospital Board, who contributed funds to the purchase and upgrade as well as accepting ownership of the unit and committing an annual amount for its maintenance and upkeep. Local Carl Zalton did an incredible job restoring the rusted engine. He obtained spare parts from another A.E.C. railmotor that had been damaged in a rail accident.
On ANZAC Day 1949, the new Rail Ambulance began service. Although the refurbishment in Townsville was a pricey 1,550 pounds ($135,000.00 today), this unit was able to transport up to six patients at a time, being much larger than other Rail Ambulances in Queensland. It was up to Norm to obtain his train drivers certification in order to drive the Rail Ambulance and in so doing, he became the only ambulance man in Queensland to also be a qualified train driver!
Norm Parker retired in 1967, after 45 years of service in the Q.A.T.B.
By 1975 Queensland Health were no longer prepared to pay the yearly upkeep on the Rail Ambulance; they felt that given the improved roading and strengthened bridges, the service was no longer warranted. So, Mareeba Q.A.T.B. took over the upkeep to ensure the service was ongoing. The last trip to assist a patient was made in 1983. In its proud operational history between 1949 and 1983, the Rail Ambulance transported 300 patients and travelled 37,275 miles.
So what was the original outback ambulance? A horse of course!
Road ambulances had their place, but unfortunately boggy rutted roads made transportation difficult and at times impossible...
Section cars were the first type of rail used to transport patients. Being open to the weather meant patients were exposed to the elements, so they were often placed in body bags to protect them - not a very reassuring feeling!
In 1924 Mt Molloy employed this fine example of a rail ambulance built by John Brown.
This rail ambulance was built in 1941 by Ambulance Officer and Train Driver Norm Parker, using a JAP engine and a rail car.
In 1946 this Citroen chain-driven rail ambulance was obtained, but unfortunately it was underpowered and spare parts were difficult to source.
This rail ambulance was the largest ever used and could transport up to six patients.
Local Carl Zaulton was responsible for overhauling the Rail Ambulance engine.
Norm Parkinson retires - Cairns Post, Oct 31st 1967
Although travelling by Rail Ambulance was far more comfortable than travelling on horse back, or being zipped into a body bag on a rail car, it was still far from luxurious!
Broken bones, lightning strikes, burns, appendicitis, falls, kicks, bites (snake or otherwise), flu’s, gashes, gastroenteritis, wounds… and let’s not forget babies! These were just some of the ordeals experienced by Rail Ambulance patients. Like any modern ambulance, the Rail Ambulance was stocked accordingly, with equipment to help deal with whatever emergency was playing out.
© Mareeba Heritage Museum and Visitor Information Centre 2024
