Passengers make rail history in Thallon

Dozens of tourists have made history as the first passengers in decades to arrive in the tiny southern Queensland town of Thallon by rail. 

The passengers travelled on a special steam train to attend the grand opening of the Thallon Rail Interpretive Centre on March 28.  

The Thallon Rail Interpretive Centre is an immersive new museum honouring the town’s rail heritage and rural roots.  

It is housed in a heritage Goods Shed that Queensland Rail donated to the Thallon Progress Association, a group of locals working to promote the community of Thallon. 

The Goods Shed, which has an original interior built in 1913, was moved from the rail corridor to a central location in Thallon before being transformed into a museum.  

“Our town is a very proud railway town, and our Goods Shed was the perfect location to showcase this,” said Leanne Brosnan, Thallon Progress Association Project Coordinator.  

“So, we moved it across town, gave it a scrub, and have filled it with amazing rail memorabilia and stories from the area.  

“It’s our way of paying tribute to the region’s strong rail history, which has helped the Balonne Shire prosper.” 

The train that transported tourists to the museum was run by Downs Steam Toowoomba. It travelled west from Toowoomba, overnighting in Goondiwindi before making its way to Thallon. 

Downs Steam also ran a steam train shuttle from Thallon to Gradule on the day, which attracted over 130 passengers from the local area. 

Brosnan said that it’s been 40 years since passenger trains regularly pulled into Thallon.  

“We still have a strong freight train presence; we are one of the busiest grain depots in the country – but there are plenty of locals who’ve never seen a train with people on it in Thallon! 

“So, it was a real thrill to host hundreds of visitors on the weekend on the Steam Train trips.” 

The Thallon Rail Interpretive Centre received financial support from the Queensland Government’s Building Bush Tourism Fund, with Balonne Shire Council providing funding for the opening day celebrations.  

Member for Warrego Ann Leahy said that the Thallon Progress Association “punch well above their weight” when it comes to promoting the town of Thallon.  

“The association’s hard work has created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for railway passengers, and again they have succeeded in putting Thallon on the map as a great community and outstanding tourist destination.”