Number 1027 takes the Wallangarra Mail alias Sydney Express
southward from Toowoomba, 12.45pm.
This was the Russell Street level crossing immediately
south of the Toowoomba railway platforms. It was one of the few
guarded crossings in the Toowoomba area, evidenced here by the
bell man, who always preceded the train with a red flag and the
bell swinging, until the engine reached the halfway point of the
crossing. The duties of bell man would have ususally been performed
by one of the station porters.
Here near the Russell Street level crossing, sandwiched between the railway
and the creek, was the City Library. It was later to be removed to a larger
building on the north side of the town hall, and then later still to its current
location. Over the creek, on any mid day except Sunday, you could sample the
wares of the "Pieologist", for about a shilling ($0.10c). His little
wood fired oven occupied the back of a Holden utility (pickup), and he made
exceptionally good meat pies, and other pastries.
