The Munbilla railway station came about when the line came to Munbilla in 1887. It served as the Post Office and Telephone exchange until 1955 when the Post Office and Telephone exchange were removed from the station and moved to portion 227 (now 888 Munbilla Road). Across from the station was the Station Masters house.
Near the railway station was a set of holding yards and a loading ramp for cattle (tenders requested in May 1890 [1]) and received June 1890 [2]. There was a goods shed, weighbridge and a ramp for loading logs. At the sidings, farmers loaded fodder and produce for the Brisbane Markets, and came as far as Tarome to load.
Munbilla Station Master House [3]
On 4 May 1914, the official event for the "TURNING FIRST SOD, MUNBILLA - MT. EDWARDS RAILWAY" was held at a small make-shift stadium in Munbilla. The Minister for Railways (Hon. W. T. Paget) turned the first sod in front of a large crowd and dignitaries [4].
A special train from Ipswich conveyed the Minister, Sir Arthur Morgan (President of the Legislative Council) Messrs. Paget jr., G. I. Barnes, F. Grayson, and H. M. Stevens M.M.L.A., Senator Maughan and also picked up a number of passengers en route to assist in the function....Mr. E. T. Bell M.L.A., Mr. John Lotz President and Mr. A. H. Kirke secretary of the Via Recta (Munbilla - Mt., Edwards) Railway League and members of the League's executive and a large crowd met the visitors at the railway station and welcomed them. [5]
Newspaper articles 1890 - 1950
On 17 October 1938 - fire damaged the Munbilla railway station. It was deliberately lit by the then acting railway porter (Leonard George Lee) in order to cover up his theft of money from the Post Office safe. He had stolen £20 between 10 August to 17 October 1938. [6]. In July 1939, the railway station at Waraperta was dismantled and re-erected at Munbilla. [7]. The Warperta Railway Station was the first station on the Mt Edwards Branch just after Munbilla.
December 1962 - small storage shed and railway station with C17 252 waiting to depart the station.
Leaving Munbilla railway station - 1962 [8]
March 1964 - The fireman's view towards Anthony from C17 778. Munbilla cattle yards and General Store (in the distance) and the loop siding has already been truncated ahead of the small galvanised iron shed. In the distance just to the left of where the line disappears is the level crossing on Munbilla Road. The General store building can still be seen on the property of 30 MacFarlane Road.
Leaving Munbilla railway station - 1964 [9]
- [1] Brisbane Courier article Friday 30-05-1890
- [2] Brisbane Courier article Friday 14-06-1890
- [3] Q890-101 Run 4, 31/05/1959 Aerial Map, (QLD) Dept. of Natural Resources and Water
- [4] Daily Standard Saturday 02-05-1914
- [5] Fassifern Guardian Friday 08-05-1914, page 9
- [6] Daily Mercury Wednesday 02-11-1938, page 7
- [7] QT article Wednesday 25-10-1939, page 5
- [8] Look out for Train: 7 - To the Scenic Rim 1 (page 47)
- [9] Look out for Train: 7 - To the Scenic Rim 1 (page 46)