Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the steam train would depart from Brisbane on Wednesday June 7, 2017 and arrive in Cloncurry in time for the annual Cloncurry show on Friday June 16.

“The Cloncurry and District Show has earnt its reputation as the biggest and best show in the north-west and I’m excited to announce that the arrival of Queensland Rail’s classic steam loco will kick off the celebrations in 2017,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Next year also marks Cloncurry’s momentous milestone of 150 years, so it’s very fitting that the show will feature a special piece of rail history.

The train will take about nine days to whistle its way from Brisbane to Cloncurry, stopping in towns and cities along the way with tickets available for all or part of the journey.

Mr Hinchliffe said a theme at the 2017 show would be Cloncurry’s rich history, throughout which rail played an important part.

“A century ago, Cloncurry was identified as one of the key mining centres in Queensland and building a railway to provide access was critical,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Getting access to the mines around Cloncurry was then seen as a priority and lines went in different directions from Cloncurry to get to the mineral wealth of places like Mount Cuthbert and Selwyn.

Member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter said Cloncurry Mayor Greg Campbell contacted him about getting access to the steam train for the town’s birthday celebrations in 2017.

“People book this train years in advance but we were able to secure it,” Mr Katter said.

“It’s an important celebration  the wealth of Queensland was built off this rail line and this is a great way to celebrate it.”

Next year marks 110 years since the first steam train arrived in the town on December 14, 1907.

Information on steam train ticketing will be available soon.