Chinchilla Railway Station

As the Western railway line was extended west across the Darling Downs from Toowoomba & Dalby, a temporary construction camp was established on the banks of Charley's Creek, which was to develop into the township of Chinchilla. A temporary railway terminus was established with the opening of the line on 3 January 1878. Further extension to Miles took place in August 1878. 

The first goods shed was built in 1877 on the southern side of the line. This became an issue as most of the wool transported by rail came from the north, & wagons were required to cross the line for unloading. Tenders for a booking office & telegraph office were invited in May 1877, & when the line reached the town, a Station Master's office, waiting shed, & a ladies' waiting room had been added to the station. 

The Chinchilla Railway Station opened on 18 January 1878 with one platform. 

In 1880, the tender of Stewart & Co. for the erection of a, engine shed was accepted. The same year, enginemen's & firemen's cottages were built along with a guard's cottage & lamp house.

In 1881, tenders were invited for the construction of a coal stage. As the water in Charley's & Rocky Creeks was considered suitable for locomotives, a pump house was built and loco tanks erected in 1882. As a result, Chinchilla developed as a locomotive depot & crew change point. During the steam era the section worked by crews on shift was from Toowoomba to Chinchilla & Chinchilla to Roma. Chinchilla continued to be a railway depot for train crews & shunting staff until 1994.

The extension of the line westwards allowed for large consignments of livestock to be sent to the abattoirs in the east. In the days of steam trains, Chinchilla became the main centre for unloading & spelling the stock for 24 hours during the long journey. 

Chinchilla Railway Station is the oldest building in the town still in use & now stands in the grounds of the Chinchilla Historical Museum.