Blackall and Yaraka Branch Railways

In the late 1890s it was government policy that Queensland's three major trunk lines should be extended to the south-west in order to link vast remote areas with the coast.

Meanwhile, Longreach residents preferred an extension north-east to Winton thus providing a link to the Great Northern Line.

An alternative option to the south-west was therefore examined being a line from Barcaldine or Jericho (both further east of Longreach) down to Blackall the oldest town in the region.

The seasonal transport of cattle became its main source of activity but by 2005 the branch and its extension to Yaraka were untenable.

Tobermory lay to the south of Quilpie and Eromanga whilst Camooweal sat to the north-west of Mount Isa and not far from the Northern Territory border.

But some construction work was completed including extension of the Blackall Branch to Yaraka (and proposed to reach Windorah).

The ‘Yaraka Mixed’ later achieved novelty status as one of the last of its kind but by April 2001 passengers were not permitted aboard and by September 2005 had closed completely.