As Christie Palmerston camped at the Barron on 11th June 1882, he surveyed the coastal ranges and the route for the railway. One of the first things he wrote at Stoney Creek was “I do not see the slightest chance of getting a railway here, even if money were unlimited, it would require great engineering skill” It is obviously clear today that Christie's words were taken more of a challenge rather than a determent. Further survey work was completed by George William Monk starting in 1883 (Monk Street, Manunda is named after him) The following year in 1884 construction engineer Wiloughby Hannam (Hannam Street, Westcourt) deemed the Barron route the most convenient route. In 1886 the request was made for sleepers and 900 tons of rail line was received in Redlynch presumably left over from the Cooktown-Laura railway. A Station was also built called Edge Hill Station that was near where No.1 tank sits today.
The first turn of sod for the new railway was on the 10th of May 1886 at Shields Street by Premier Samuel Walker Griffith. On the 26th of September, the government announced a public holiday to celebrate the completion of the first section. The train rode all the way to Eight-Mile which was later renamed Redlynch. 200 people took the first journey, at the end they walked to the first tunnel where Hannam provided a celebration with refreshments and speeches. The work started to progress from there and on June 20, 1891, the railway was officially opened. 37 years later the system was finally linked to the rest of Queensland Rail.
As with any feat at that turn of the century, it was not without its own complications with two lots of contractors failing to complete the first line and the government needing to take over the contract. The labor turnover was 'astronomical' and counts of 32 men were killed in the construction of the rail line. It comprises of 15 hand-made tunnels and 37 bridges to reach a sea level of 328 meters up the Macalister Range. Three million cubic meters of earth was excavated to complete the line with material brought down from the second section used for landfill in Cairns aiding in the formation of habitable land back from the seafront.
In 1975 nearly 100 years later the Queensland Government decided to recognize the historical and tourism potential Kuranda Scenic Railway and chose to restore and preserve it. Today it is a very popular tourist attraction with people from all over the world coming to take the 2 hour journey through the rainforest.
Local discounts are available year-round with 20% off, prices are available on the Kuranda Scenic Railway website.
Written By Shelby Harris