Yimbun Railway Tunnel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yimbun Railway Tunnel |
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Yimbun Railway Tunnel, 2008
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| Location | Sinnamons Lane, Harlin, Somerset Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1909-1910 |
| Architect | Queensland Railways |
| Official name: Yimbun Railway Tunnel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 27 November 2008 |
| Reference no. | 602637 |
| Significant period | 1910- |
| Significant components | tunnel - railway |
| Builders | Queensland Railways |
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The Yimbun Railway Tunnel is a historic tunnel located near Harlin in the Somerset Region of Queensland, Australia. It was built by Queensland Railways between 1909 and 1910. This tunnel is special because it's the only one on the old Brisbane Valley railway line. Today, it is protected as a heritage site.
History of the Yimbun Tunnel
The Yimbun Railway Tunnel is about 96 kilometers from Wulkuraka railway station. It was built using concrete between 1909 and 1910. This tunnel was part of the Brisbane Valley railway line. This line was a "branch line," meaning it connected to the main Brisbane-Toowoomba rail line.
Building the Railway Line
The Brisbane Valley railway line was built in stages. It started from Wulkuraka, near Ipswich, and reached Lowood in 1884. Then it extended to Esk in 1886. Over the years, it grew further to places like Toogoolawah, Yimbun, Linville, Benarkin, Blackbutt, and finally Yarraman by 1913.
The idea was to connect this line to another one going to Gympie. This would create a shorter route between the South Burnett area and Brisbane. However, this final connection was never built.
Early Days in the Brisbane Valley
In the 1840s, people called "squatters" settled in the Upper Brisbane Valley. They started the timber industry there. Later, in the 1870s, more people moved in. They began clearing land, which led to a big demand for timber in Brisbane and Ipswich. Sawmills were built in places like Rosewood and Colinton.
By 1877, there was enough settlement to consider building a railway. In 1881, the Queensland Parliament approved the Brisbane Valley branch line. The first part, to Lowood, opened in 1884. This was Queensland's second branch railway line. The line reached Esk in 1886, which became an important center for livestock.
Growth of Industries
As the railway grew, so did local industries. Farmers started dairying, and the railway helped them transport milk and other products. Dairy factories opened in Lowood, Toogoolawah, and Esk. A condensed milk factory, later owned by Nestlé, also opened near Toogoolawah.
The railway also helped the timber industry. Sawmills were set up in many towns along the line. They used the railway to send timber to Brisbane.
Extending the Line to Yimbun
In 1900, people wanted to extend the railway further. This would help more farmers grow crops and raise dairy cows. The line reached Toogoolawah in 1904, where the condensed milk factory was. On 1 September 1904, the railway opened all the way to Yimbun. This was the end of the line for several years.
To reach even more timber, plans were made to extend the line to Blackbutt. This area had rich farmlands and many pine trees. The plans for this extension were approved in 1908.
Building the Yimbun Tunnel
The Yimbun Tunnel was a key part of the extension to Blackbutt. It was designed by Hugh Fraser, an engineer. Workers built the tunnel between February 1909 and May 1910. Building tunnels is very expensive and difficult. Workers had to dig through rock and remove it. The Yimbun Tunnel is 110 yards (about 100 meters) long. It's a straight tunnel lined with concrete.
The section of the railway that included the Yimbun Tunnel opened on 22 November 1910. The full extension to Blackbutt was finished in 1911. The line eventually reached Yarraman in 1913.
How the Railway Was Paid For
Some parts of the railway, including the Yimbun Tunnel, were built under a special law. This law meant local councils had to help pay for the railway if it lost money. This helped make sure new railway lines could be built. The Brisbane Valley line was profitable for many years, especially before World War II.
Passenger and Freight Services
The Brisbane Valley line carried both passengers and goods. From 1913, a passenger train ran from Yarraman to Ipswich three times a week. Later, faster "rail motor" services were introduced. These were more comfortable than older trains.
By the 1920s, much of the best timber had been cut. So, the railway mostly carried cream to butter factories. It also transported milk to the Nestlé factory until it closed in 1930. However, timber was still being cut from government-owned forests near Blackbutt. This timber was a big part of the railway's freight.
The Somerset Dam and Decline
In the 1930s and 1940s, the railway was very busy. It helped transport materials for building the Somerset Dam. This dam was important for flood control and water supply for Brisbane. Esk became a major transfer point for dam construction materials.
After World War II, more people started using roads instead of trains. This caused the use of the Brisbane Valley railway line to decline. In 1974, floods damaged the line, and it almost closed forever. It reopened but passenger services eventually stopped in 1988. The entire Brisbane Valley line closed in March 1993.
Today, much of the railway track and many bridges are gone. Some station buildings were moved or sold. Only a few large structures remain.
Remaining Structures
Only three major engineering structures are left on the old Brisbane Valley rail line. These are:
- The Lockyer Creek railway bridge at Clarendon.
- The Harlin Rail Bridge over Maronghi Creek at Harlin.
- The Yimbun Railway Tunnel.
About two dozen smaller timber bridges are also still there, but their condition varies.
What the Yimbun Tunnel Looks Like
The Yimbun Railway Tunnel is located between Harlin and Yimbun. It sits under a small hill. The tunnel is shaped like a half-ellipse and is lined with concrete. It is 110 yards (about 100 meters) long. The tunnel floor is made of earth, and it's about 6 meters high inside.
You can see the date "1910" at both entrances of the tunnel. The paths leading to the tunnel are cut into the earth. The northern approach is about 100 meters long, and the southern one is about 50 meters long.
Why the Tunnel is Important
The Yimbun Railway Tunnel is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's a special place that helps us understand Queensland's history.
Showing History's Pattern
The Yimbun Railway Tunnel is important because it shows how Queensland grew. Building branch railway lines, like the Brisbane Valley line, helped open up new areas for settlement. They also helped transport farm products and resources to towns and ports.
The Brisbane Valley Rail Line was one of Queensland's first branch lines. It was extended many times to help move timber, livestock, and farm goods. It was even planned to be a shorter route between the South Burnett and Brisbane.
The Yimbun Tunnel was built in 1910. It's the only tunnel on the entire Brisbane Valley line. It's also one of only three major railway structures still standing on the line. Out of 55 railway tunnels built in Queensland between 1865 and 1931, only nine were on branch lines like this one.
Showing Key Features
The Yimbun Railway Tunnel is a great example of a concrete-lined railway tunnel. It was built for Queensland's "narrow-gauge" railway lines. Concrete was first used for tunnel linings in 1880. Since then, it has been used for about two dozen railway tunnels in Queensland.
