Mount Perry railway line

In 1869 copper was discovered at Mount Perry (approx 100 km west of Bundaberg) and the township grew rapidly.

A railway to the coast was essential to provide cheap transport and make the mining of low percentage ore viable.

A survey dated 20 March 1875 proposed a line from North Bundaberg, thus avoiding an expensive bridge over the Burnett River, west to Gin Gin and then via the old road and telegraph route to Moolboolaman but still some distance short of Mount Perry.

Completion of the final stage meant that a service leaving Mount Perry at 7.30am took 4 ½ hours to reach Bundaberg before departing at 3.00 pm for the return journey.

Until then, the line ran at a loss but high copper prices saw large scale mining return to Mount Perry and provide the railway and town with a new lease of life.

A fatal accident resulted after a derailment near Gillen’s Siding early on Sunday 17 February 1924.

[2] Two people died in the incident which was deemed to have been caused by excessive speed and negligence by the driver and guard.

Mount Perry railway station and town in 1907
A photo of Mt Perry station, published in 1925, that appears to be from ~1910
Bundaberg Station in 1882
Rail Motor 1901 at Gin Gin Station, ~1989
RM 1901 crossing the Splitters Creek bridge ~1989
For information, see text
Railway carriages derailed at Gillen Siding on the Mount Perry branch line, 1924