Queensland Museum Rail Workshops

Ipswich Railway Workshops Queensland's first railway line, opened on 31 July 1865, ran between Ipswich and Grandchester, approximately to the town's west. To support the new line, which became known as the South and West Railway, construction of two workshop buildings at Ipswich commenced in 1863, about a kilometre () south of the present facility on the northern banks of the Bremer River. The workshops were mostly intended for maintenance, but it was also where the state's first steam locomotives imported from the United Kingdom were assembled. • 1880s: During the original expansion period five propose-built workshops were constructed: • K Mill (1885), former Paint Shop / North Saw Mill / Wood Machine Shop • Tarpaulin Shop (1886; extended } to connect to K Mill), former Machine Shop • Wheel Shop (1885, extended 1923), former Wagon Shop • Trimmers' and Electroplating Shop (1885), former Carriage Shop / Timber Store / Paint Shop • Spring Shop (1887, extended 1924), former Smithy (Blacksmith) Shop / Foundry / Forge • 1903–04: Ten additional buildings were constructed to provide storage, power generation, and water storage and supply; these were: • Blacksmith Shop (1903, extended 1922 and by 1946) • Boiler Shop (1903, extended 1918, 1936 and 1944) • Carriage and Wagon Shop (1903) • Erecting and Machine Shop (1903, extended 1928 and 1938) • Maintenance Carpenter's Shop (1903, extended 1927), former Pattern Shop • Power House (1903) • Pump House (1903) • Bogie and Brake Shop (1904): former Foundry and Moulding Shop • Supply Warehouse (1904, extended 1914 and 1925), former Stores • Water Tower (1904) • 1906–12: Five additional buildings were constructed to provide further operational capability as well as general support: • Timekeepers' Office (1911) • Dining Hall (1912, extended 1935) • Locomotive Store (1906, extended 1909), former Westinghouse Brake Shed / Spray Paint Shop / Spray Shed • Fibreglass Shed (1911): former Sawmill / Breaking Down Mill • Paint Shop (1912) • 1930s–40s: Eight additional buildings were constructed to provide further operational capability and general support: • Electrical Tool and Gang Store (1938) • Laboratory (1939, extended 1941) • Lighting Up Shed and Toilet Block () • Sheet Metal Shed Toilet Block () • Tool and Gauge Shop (1941) • Wagon Repair Shed / Old Fibreglass Shed (1945) • Former Sheet Metal Shed (1946, extended 1950s) • Sub Station No. 3 (1946), attached to west side of Bogie and Brake Shop • 1950s: This decade saw the construction of just one additional building, the White Metal and Sand Blasting Shop (1956) • 1970s: Two additional buildings were constructed to provide further operational capability: • Sheet Metal Amenities (1971) • Carriage Shop Amenities (1979) • 1980s: Two additional buildings were constructed to provide further operational capability: • Testing Shed (1983) • Moulding Room (1988) Not all buildings that remain within the complex are used by the museum, with some still operational and off-limits to the public. Opening of the Museum Following the opening of the Redbank Railway Workshops in 1958 for its diesel fleet and with stream locomotives being phased out of service in the 1960s. In August 2002, the Workshops Rail Museum was officially opened, and contained the locomotives previously displayed at the old Redbank museum. Despite its heritage status, The Workshops is still a functioning maintenance facility for Queensland Railways. A severe hailstorm over the Ipswich area on Sunday 26 October 2025 resulted in the closure of the Workshops, and the need for restoration work. On 7 February 1970, the Queensland Railways Locomotive Museum was officially opened and as well as the Queensland Railways Heritage Fleet and A10 no. 3. Within the next few years, two further locomotives were added, A10 no. 6 and B13 no. 48, which had operated privately on Gibson & Howes private tramway near Bundaberg on the Central Coast. The museum was entirely outdoors, except for a small shed containing the curator's office and a souvenir shop, with the locomotives exposed to the weather. In 1991, due to concerns about security of and to prevent further deterioration to the locomotives, as well as workplace health and safety issues, the decision was taken to close the collection to the public. However, QR entered into an agreement with Queensland Museum and the collection would be transferred to then Railways Historical Centre at Ipswich, which become a branch of the Queensland Museum. The Redbank Museum closed in 1992. ==Buildings==

The Workshops contains 16 Heritage-listed buildings spread out across its , of which the following are used by the Museum: The Bogie Shop Opened in January 1902, this building was first used for over sixty years as the workshops' foundry where metal parts for locomotives, rolling stock and infrastructure were cast. Casting was done in iron, brass and aluminium using wooden patterns (moulds). During World War II, the Foundry also produced various metal casings and fittings for ships of the Royal Australian Navy. In 1965, the Foundry was moved to the new Redbank Workshops, and this building became the Bogie Shop casting bogies and wheels for railway vehicles. Casting operations ended in the 1990s and the building is now used for storage of some of the Museum's larger items. The building is off-limits to the public, but views of the interior can be gained from behind the safety fence. Construction commenced in 1901 by contractor D. D. Carrick with equipment from the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company provided by Noyes Brothers of Sydney and took a little over a year to complete. The boilers were located on the east side of the building and the engine room, containing the generators and switching gear, on the west side. The system generated 2-phase 60-cycle Ac current with sufficient power for about 200 electric motors, and was also provided to Ipswich Railway Station and the shunting yard on the south side of the Bremer River. The building was off limits to most workshop employees, accessible only to the electricians, engineers and maintenance fitters and turners. The piece is covered with the representation of hundreds of workers' discs, which "symbolise the memories of the workers, their spirit and their stories". Inset into the pathway between the office and the sculpture are eight plaques which are enlarged copies of workers' discs. The building now serves as the visitor's entrance to The Workshops. During World War I more than three hundred men from the workshops enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, of which thirty-one did not return. (It was reported of the 15,000 male employees who served the war, 3000 never returned. sculpted the figure. Bronze plaques on the column display the Coat of arms of Queensland, the Queensland Railway Badge and the names of those who served with those who did not return highlighted. Other facilities There is an onsite shop and cafe, and toilets and baby change facilities are provided in a number of buildings. Most exhibits are wheelchair-accessible and sensory kits are available for the visually impaired. Service animals are permitted. The museum is available for venue hire. ==Exhibits==

The Workshops is laid out in 'zones' that "showcase the social, technical and cultural impacts rail transport and travel have had on our lives". ==Collections==

The museum's collection contains diesel and steam locomotives and pieces of other rolling stock from Queensland Rail as well as various private operators. Steam locomotives The Workshops has a large number of steam locomotives on display, some of which operate heritage trains. Others are undergoing overhaul or restoration and may not be accessible for public viewing. Preserved locomotives include: Diesel locomotives Other rollingstock Railway equipment and paraphernalia ==Awards==

The Workshops was the winner of the 2007 Australian Tourism Award for Heritage and Cultural Tourism. ==Notes==