Victorian Railways introduced air-conditioned trains in 1935, and Queensland decided to follow suit in the late 1940s. Carriages were designed to travel to all parts of the system, meaning a maximum axle load of, which was a challenge for the dining cars. New features included showers in the sleeping cars, roomettes in first class and head end power cars, especially necessary where trains may be delayed by floods or other events, as was often the case. The Midlander was introduced in 1954, replacing the Mail train with its wooden carriages and providing a more comfortable and cleaner service. Completing its initial run from Brisbane to Rockhampton, The Midlander arrived in Rockhampton at 4pm on 4 May 1954. The Midlander then commenced its maiden voyage, departing from the Rockhampton railway station for Winton at 5:25pm. About 100 people watched from the platform as the train made its departure. Most of the available accommodation on the train was booked out for the first journey. Among the passengers on the train's first run to Winton were Minister for TransportJack Duggan, Minister for EducationGeorge Devries and Member for Mackenzie Paddy Whyte. The train arrived in Longreach at 1:15pm the following day, before arriving in Winton several hours later. Large crowds gathered at both Longreach and Winton to welcome the train where brief ceremonies took place. Through many years of its service, a diesel electric locomotive would pull the train to Emerald, before switching to two steam locomotives which would then pull the train through the Drummond Range. One of the steam locomotives would be taken off at Jericho, with the train continuing to Winton with just one steam locomotive. Within a decade of its maiden journey, The Midlander's most infamous incident, the Medway Creek rail disaster occurred near Bogantungan during its return journey to Rockhampton on 26 February 1960 where seven people were killed when the flood-damaged bridge above Medway Creek collapsed, forcing the train to plunge into the water below.
Replacement
In the late 1980s, tourism to western Queensland began to grow following attractions such as the Stockman's Hall of Fame opening at Longreach. To cater for this market, and recognising the fact that travellers dislike changing trains, The Midlander was renamed the Spirit of the Outback in November 1993 and the new service commenced at Brisbane and terminated at Longreach. A bus service now provides the connection to Winton.
