The Ipswich Railway workshops were established in 1864 in conjunction with the construction of the first railway line in Queensland from Ipswich to Toowoomba. The first section of this line from Ipswich to Grandchester was opened in 1865.
The main purpose of the workshops was initially to assemble locomotives, wagons and carriages imported from Britain. Once the railway was in operation, the workshops then took on the task of maintaining and repairing the rollingstock. Later the workshops began to manufacture locomotives, carriages and wagons. By the early 20th century, the workshops had became a substantial complex undertaking a wide variety of tasks.

The workshops were a major employer with more than 3000 staff in the 1950s.

Aerial view of Ipswich Railway Workshops in the 1950s (Courier Mail)

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