Railways and Tramways of Australia

31 July

Queensland’s first train passes over Iron Pot Gully, Ipswich district, 1865. Photo: State Library of Queensland, 99184003767502061.

Northern narrow gauge

The first railway in Queensland was officially opened on 31 July 1865.

Queensland became a separate colony from New South Wales in 1859. Proposals for private companies to construct a light railway between Ipswich and Toowoomba did not come to fruition and the Queensland Government turned to Abraham Fitzgibbon, an Irish engineer. Fitzgibbon formulated a proposal for a railway built to narrow gauge, arguing that it would be cheaper to build than wider gauges. There was fierce debate about the gauge, but Fitzgibbon’s view was accepted.

A contract for construction of the first section from Ipswich to Bigges Camp (now Grandchester), a distance of 21 miles (34 km), was awarded to British railway builders Peto, Brassey & Betts. There was an existing river trade between Ipswich and Brisbane, and constructing a line westward from Ipswich was an important means of developing the country to Toowoomba and beyond.

The most substantial structure on the line was the bridge over the Bremer River. It consisted of three 45-metre iron spans, and was built to cater for both rail and road traffic.

Four locomotives were ordered from Avonside Engine Company in Bristol, England, and assembled upon arrival. Passenger carriages and goods wagons were also imported.

A public holiday was declared in Ipswich for the opening day. Four trains departed from Ipswich for Bigges Camp, each conveying around 130 passengers. The engines and carriages were decorated with flags and greenery. Queensland Governor Sir George Bowen and his wife travelled on the last train. A ceremony was held and the Governor officially declared the line open.

Regular operations commenced the following day, with two daily services in each direction. The railway reached Toowoomba in 1867.

Most of Queensland’s railways today are narrow gauge.

Listen

Podcast about the beginnings of Queensland’s railways:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KjHoALNvhImD25z7iMypc

Bibliography

J Kerr, Triumph of narrow gauge: a history of Queensland Railways, Boolarong, Brisbane, 1990.

JW Knowles, ‘Centenary of the Ipswich – Grandchester railway’, Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, no. 333, July 1965, pp 121–36.

P Wakeling, A century of service: the Queensland Government Railways story 1865–1965, Queensland Railways, Brisbane, 1965.

Grandchester Station, terminus of Queensland's first railway, 16 July 2020.