The Bundaberg to Gladstone Railway 

As early as 1865 the Gladstone town’s leaders begged in vain for Gladstone to have rail links with Brisbane, but this event was not forthcoming for some time. Later, the railway was built as far as Bundaberg, but Gladstone only had a small population, and their voices seemed never to be heard. In 1885 this fight became political when a deputation, comprising Jason Boles, Duncan Seaton, Abel Vallis, Richard Harvey and Thomas Harbottle drew attention to all the timber available in the area and argued the benefits to the government to pursue this avenue. Three years later the Bundaberg to Gladstone rail link developed into a political promise and eventually became a reality. 

 Construction was under way from both ends from 1890 and by July 1892 the section of rail between Bundaberg and Rosedale was completed and opened. Construction south from Gladstone was started at the same time but this included the building of a bridge over the Boyne River and progress was slow. At the time of the Rosedale opening the Gladstone end had only reach Iveragh and a financial crash caused all work to cease from both ends. This gap in the middle was a thorn in the side of the town’s administrators as it was described as worse than useless. The trains were running as far as the terminus at Rosedale and a coach would then convey passengers to Gladstone three times a week. It was not until 1896 that the government could find sufficient funds to complete the last fifty miles. Finally, work was completed, and an official opening was celebrated on 1^st October 1897.