On the morning of the 5th of May 1947 at approximately 1000 hrs, a crowded picnic excursion train left the tracks on a curve near Camp Mountain in the Samford Ranges. The train was carrying approximately 230 passengers many of whom were children. Tragically 16 people lost their lives and another 38 were injured in what is still described as Queenslands worst train crash.
The train chartered by the Commonwealth Department of Trade and Customs Recreation and Social Club, departed Brisbane Central Station at 0859 hrs and was destined for Closeburn on the Dayboro branch. Shortly before 0950 hrs the train slowed down at Ferny Grove Station to receive authority for the line ahead, then proceeded to climb Camp Mountain. On the two-mile decent to Samford Station the C17 Steam Locomotive number 824 left the tracks on a 32-kph curve, (the estimated speed of the train was 65 kph).
The first two carriages (numbers 740 and 739) were destroyed with the leading end of the third carriage (number 742) being damaged. Most of the injured were in these carriages. The first call to Ambulance headquarters was received at 1008 hrs, within 70 minutes there were 18 cars and 26 men on the scene.