The year when first railway line opened in 1865
Above: The black and white photograph shows the first steam locomotive in Queensland. It was taken on 11 January 1864, at the North Ipswich Railway Workshops. The steam locomotive has a driver in the cab of the engine and a fireman stands behind the driver. The engine is very small, with a bright polished brass steam dome and it has a large open cabin with a large sunshade roof. Two railway officials stand beside the tender of the engine. Behind the locomotive is a four-wheeled wagon, and behind that is a timber carriage. In the background there’s an iron shed for carriages and in the foreground there’s a fence with timber posts and wire.
The 1870's
Above: This black and white photograph shows steam locomotive B11 No. which was one of the first engines to be converted to burn coal for raising steam in the boiler. The photograph was taken between the years 1878 and 1879 at North Ipswich Railway Workshops. The locomotive is side on to the camera. The engine has a long boiler, with a polished brass steam dome very close to the ‘spectacle plate’ in front of the cabin on the engine. The spectacle plate was a small shield with two windows that provided protection to the driver and fireman on the engine from smoke, cinders, and the wind.
The 1880's
Above: A black and white photograph of Roma railway station yards taken between the years 1900 and 1905. The photograph has two steam trains facing the photographer who is at an elevated level. On the left-hand side is a passenger train with an A12 steam locomotive. The driver of the A12 locomotive is standing beside the locomotive and facing the camera. The fireman is standing on the engine ‘running board’ alongside the boiler. On the right-hand side is what is thought to be a B13 class steam locomotive. Behind the B13 class steam locomotive are six timber wagons filled with spoil (dirt etc.) used for railway construction. Beside the B13 are sawn timber lengths. In the right-hand midground, there is the Roma goods shed and a loading dock. There is also a horse and cart and five people standing looking at the camera. In the background on the left-hand side is the original timber Roma railway station, built in 1881.
Above: black and white photograph taken sometime in the 1880s. The photograph shows B12 class locomotive No. 30, on a low, timber trestle bridge crossing Bungil Creek, near Roma, Queensland. Behind the steam locomotive is a train comprised of six-wheeled 'J' class livestock wagons. The train is stopped on the bridge for the photographer to be able to take the photo on a glass plate negative. Posed under the bridge and near the steam locomotive is a horse drawing a four-wheeled carriage used for conveying people. Bungil Creek is dry with no water in the photograph. There are also trees in the background.
The year 1885
Above: A black and white photograph of Cooktown harbor. The photograph would have been taken between the years 1899 to 1902. The former Cooktown to Laura railway line ran along the foreshore. The railway from Cooktown to Laura opened in 1888. It closed in 1961. The photo is taken from a high point and looks down along the main street with several trees in the foreground. Three sailing ships are moored in the harbour. A mountain range is in the background
Above: A sepia-toned photograph taken at Emu Vale, a station on the former Killarney branch railway. The first section of the railway line to Killarney, opened to Emu Vale, in 1885. The photograph was taken between the years of 1887 to 1888. There is a timber shelter shed in the left foreground of the picture, with a large glass lantern outside of the shelter building. An inspection train for Queensland Railways officials is at the platform. It would appear that at least two carriages are on the inspection train with twelve figures standing on the station platform, and on a rear platform at the end of the last carriage looking at the photographer.
The year 1888
Above: A black and white photograph of the Sydney Mail train crossing Quart Pot Creek rail bridge a heritage-listed railway bridge at Quart Pot Creek, Stanthorpe in the Southern Downs Region of Queensland. The rail bridge it crosses is also known as the Red Bridge, due to the original paint colour used on the bridge. Two steam locomotives are at the lead of the train. They are an A12 class and B15 class steam locomotives. Quart pot creek bridge is a steel bridge, that is built on concrete pylons. In the photo Quart Pot Creek is filled with granite boulders and scrub. The carriages on the train are Sydney Mail train express carriage with a Travelling Post Office carriage behind the second locomotive. The photo would have been taken between the years of 1905 to 1910.
The 1890's
Above: A black and white photograph shows a steam locomotive numbered 108. The photograph was taken in the 1890’s. Standing in front of the cabin of the locomotive facing the camera is the engine driver. The driver is dressed in a uniform with a peaked hat, waistcoat, watch and chain. At the rear of the cabin and leaning on the coal bunker of the tender of the locomotive is the fireman. The fireman is also dressed in uniform. The locomotive has a large lamp on the front and a well-polished brass steam dome. The background has a wooden paling fence and some gum trees.