Thallon Rail Interpretive Centre opens as passengers return

Thallon Rail Interpretive Centre opened as dozens of visitors arrived in Thallon by rail. They were the first passengers to arrive by rail in several decades.

Thallon Rail Interpretive Centre opens in heritage Goods Shed

They travelled on a special steam train on March 28. It was for the museum’s grand opening in the small southern Queensland town. The centre honours local rail heritage and rural roots. It is housed in a heritage Goods Shed. Queensland Rail donated the shed to the Thallon Progress Association. The association is a local group working to promote the community of Thallon.

The shed has its original interior from 1913. It was moved from the rail corridor to a central site in Thallon. There, it was turned into the museum. Leanne Brosnan, Project Coordinator for the Thallon Progress Association, said: “Our town is a very proud railway town, and our Goods Shed was the perfect location to showcase this,”

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“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.”

Special steam train returns passengers to Thallon

Downs Steam Toowoomba operated the train that brought tourists to the museum. It travelled west from Toowoomba. It stayed overnight in Goondiwindi. It then continued to Thallon. That day, Downs Steam Toowoomba also ran a steam train shuttle between Thallon and Gradule. Rail Express reported that it attracted more than 130 passengers from the local area.

Brosnan said it has been 40 years since passenger trains regularly stopped in 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.”

Funding supports the Thallon rail heritage museum

The centre also received financial support from the Queensland Government’s Building Bush Tourism Fund. Balonne Shire Council provided funding for the opening day celebrations.

Ann Leahy is the Member for Warrego. She said the association “punch well above their weight” in promoting 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.”

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