Mary Valley Rattler

In 1988, staff were withdrawn from Imbil, Amamoor and Dagun stations, with some railway buildings such as goods sheds and residences sold for removal.

The Mary Valley Heritage Railway Board proposed to operate a tourist train on the line in 1996 using volunteers and trainees.

[9] In June 2016, the Gympie Regional Council allocated $250,000 for operational start-up costs and $3.8 million for capital funds to restart the Rattler.

This historic 40 km (25 mi) journey commences at Gympie, and after crossing the Mary River, negotiates an abundance of curves, gradients and bridges to pass through the small country villages of Dagun, Amamoor and Kandanga to Imbil.

The line wanders away from the river to negotiate the valleys of some of its main tributaries, including the Yabba, Kandanga and Amamoor Creeks.

The original Kandanga railway station, now restored to its former glory, contains an interesting pictorial record of the history of the Mary Valley line.

Travelling through to Imbil, the line traverses an interesting gorge section through mainly timbered country, before reaching a short tunnel that pierces a ridge of coastal ranges.

[11] As of March 2021, heritage journeys operated by a C17 steam locomotive run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, departing from Gympie Railway Station, travelling to Dagun and Amamoor.