Railway development became the province of government because of the doubtful economics of building and operating a rail service for the widely distributed, sparse population of rural Queensland.

In most cases the capital costs were high in relation to the potential revenue likely to be raised from passengers and freight.

As well as providing graziers and farmers with a more efficient transport link to the coast, railways were seen as a key to encouraging closer settlement west of the Great Dividing Range.

Situated on the banks of the Warrego River, a natural stock route from New South Wales to Western Queensland, Charleville was already an important regional centre.

A further development west did not begin until 1911 when a line to Quilpie was commenced as part of the ill-fated Great Western Railway scheme envisaged by Queensland Premier, William Kidston.

Also, Charleville was made a locomotive depot due to its distance from the closest existing facility at Roma.

These included platform, tank, booking and telegraph offices, goods shed, stationmaster's house, and guards, enginemen and firemen's cottages.

[1] The original wooden station building was destroyed by fire on 6 July 1954 and the engine shed was blown down in a severe windstorm in October 2003.

On 4 April 1900, a fire destroyed the entire contents of the Goods Shed, then rented from the Government by N Nielsen.

Repair work was delayed because a complete rearrangement of the yard was under consideration but as this did not proceed, tenders were called for renovations in 1974.

It was designed by Queensland Railways Department's architectural office under the supervision of Charles Da Costa and erected by K D Morris and Sons, Brisbane.

It was built in an era of economic prosperity augmented by a wool industry that was booming in the mid-1950s and in an environment of Government investment in post-war rehabilitation of rail infrastructure.

However, at the opening ceremony, the Honorable T Moore indicated that the new building also reflected the continued importance of Charleville as a western railhead:[1]"Mindful of the important contribution made by the Charleville district to the earnings of the Railway Department (the revenue from outward and inward traffic for the last financial year totalled £246,856 and £186,369 respectively) and the wealth of the State generally, the Government decided that the wooden station building which was destroyed by fire in 1954 should be replaced by a modern structure, worthy of this prosperous and progressive town and district, one which would meet, for many years to come, the increasing needs of the Department's customers and a building which would provide the maximum of comfort for travellers to and from the West..."Charleville was the third busiest goods station on the Western Line after Quilpie and Cunnamulla and the busiest passenger station at the time, earning £26,810 in revenue from passengers in 1954/55 ahead of Roma (£17,346) and Dalby (£10,816).

A 46-metre-long (151 ft) loading dock was built at the north end of the building with access to King Street.

The buildings and structures of cultural heritage significance include the passenger station (1957) and the goods shed (1888 with later modifications).

The main entrance is located in the middle of this elevation and opens onto a car park off King Street.

The words "Charleville Railway Station" are formed from projecting metal letters on the parapet above the awning over the entrance.

A wide cantilevered awning with exposed, steel supporting girders extends the full length of this elevation.

A ticket office opens into the vestibule which functions as the main thoroughfare for passengers moving through to the platform.

[1] Two garden beds are positioned along the side of the car park close to the edge of King Street.

All of the doors open onto a raised, concrete platform inside the shed which extends about two thirds of its width for its full length.

The original, large, hinged wooden doors open outwards to provide access into the shed for rolling stock.

[1] The office located at the south western end is a small lined room outside of the main part of the shed.

A long, waist high counter runs almost the full width of the room facing the double doors.

[1] Charleville Railway Station was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 12 July 2005 having satisfied the following criteria.

The substantial scale of the passenger station in particular is indicative of an era of rehabilitation of rail infrastructure that occurred in an environment of economic prosperity in Queensland following World War II.

The passenger station building (1957) remains substantially intact and is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of its type.

These characteristics include the use of reinforced concrete exterior walls to insulate the interior against temperature extremes; design features such as projecting eaves to shade the windows and large windows to capture breezes; and the interior arrangement of rooms that provided for clear demarcation between public areas, offices and service rooms.

It is also a good example of the work of Queensland Rail design staff under the supervision of Charles Da Costa in the 1950s.

The passenger station building and the front grounds, including a small garden along the road alignment, have aesthetic value.