Our Story As a society

Foundation

In 2010, six people meet at the former Bethania Junction Triangle; the former Junction of the Beaudesert Branch - In answering a call with concerns how the current state of railway heritage in Queensland was going and how can more be achieved.

As the current Governmental and Railway heritage organisations at the time were not advancing culture, accepting the status quo being complacent, reckless in disposal of assets and not being proactive in preserving our heritage, the attitude towards the younger generation who felt marginlised; there was a major gap in the market so an idea was born to start a new group. This group would undertake the folllowing aims:

RECORD - to record changes of the railways from past to present. Collect artifacts relating to the former Queensland Government Railways between 1866 to 1995. As well, post 1995 to present.

FIGHT - To fight for the overall preservation of our Queensland railway heritage for the present and future generations. This would be either from neglect, demolition or ignorance. In a constructive non political manner working with all levels of Government, private parties, stakeholders and associations.

PRESERVE - To establish a Museum setting in the City Of Brisbane dedicated to preserving unique, uncommon and important stories in a traditional conservation method as a working museum, as the Queensland Railways would have undertaken of the period. As well the operations of the railways of Brisbane, as there is no formal railway museum in Brisbane.

OPERATE - Operate restored heritage period rollingstock in the correct manner period to the time when under QGR service, as a living museum and ambassador to the Society. As a third party access operator under ONRSR and QR third party access.

Not in direct competition, but act in the spirit of co-operation with bodies like QR and other Railways.

Advancement

In 2018, after many false starts, different names and people; under a new name - Railway Preservation Society Of Queensland Incorporated.

Our aim was to be a stand alone association, that differentiates uniquely and proudly.

Mission Statement

In 2020, after a review to difference ourselves from other organisations. We made the decision which was long held back in 2012 to be a living memorial to all former Queensland Government Railway Employees.

This drew from the foundation members families long service within the Railways Department and wished to see a more focus on the men & women whom served, died and in war under the employment.

There was no formal railway workers memorial or social club as since deregulation of the Railways in Queensland; there has been very limited focus on providing such methods of preserving stories which would sadly be lost. You can review items, but a more deeper story is the people who made it and their toil payed the way for the development of Queensland.

QR B18 1/4 842 - Goodna, 1966

A Railway Memorial To All Qr Employees

Since 2019, we are have been proud to call Brisbane home, and after many years previously looking for suitable sites, we settled on developing our memorial to all Railway employees. To be located within the area around Pinkenba, as part of our ethos of a working museum, celebrating the rich heritage of Queensland [Government] Railways through the eyes of its employees and a strong ethos telling the story of Brisbanes Railway network, since 1873.

As there is no formal Railway museum based in Brisbane, and reflecting on Brisbane Suburban practice. We aim to incorporate this for visitors and members of the public, retaining skills for the current generation, and next and carrying on the legacy of the men and women of the Queensland Government Railways.

The official title of the museum is the: Queensland Railways Employee Memorial Museum [Brisbane Railway Museum].

Brisbane Railway Museum

To learn more information regarding our Brisbane Railway Museum [Queensland Railway Employee Memorial], please follow the link below.

About Brisbane Railway Museum

Yeerongpilly, 1975

An incorporated & Accountable Charity

Since 2018, we have been formally incorporated as a Not For Profit Incorporated Association with the Department Of Fair Trading [Queensland], and since 2020 have been accredited as a Not For Profit with the Australian Charities Commission.

We pride ourselves on being transparent, accountable and holding good governance, with Board members drawing from all walks of life. From engineers, to private sector in merchant banking, corporate, armed forces and to government. We are open to anyone, from all walks of life as a friendly society without prejudice. About 1/4 of our members are under 30, which we want to foster young people in the railway industry and make it a welcoming place, to consider a career. This also includes; veterans, people to disabilities and anyone interested in the preservation of Queensland Government Railways.

With a membership of 270 from the original 6 members founding - across Queensland, Australia and abroad, we wish to uphold the highest standard and last legacy as a Society dedicated to all all former Queensland Railway employees.

We are very proud, to be a friendly and welcoming Society; that holds true values and does not waiver. Not afraid to speak up on what we believe in and speak the truth in a constructive manner.

Society Executive

To learn more information regarding our current board members for the Society, please follow the link below.

Our Board Members