The Workshops Rail Museum

December 20, 2023
Damian Cook
Uncategorized

About The Workshops Rail Museum

The Workshops Rail Museum is a must-visit destination for railway enthusiasts and history buffs. Situated within the historic Ipswich Railway Workshops, this museum offers a captivating insight into the rich railway heritage of Queensland. With its impressive collection of locomotives, carriages, and interactive exhibits, The Workshops Rail Museum provides a unique and immersive experience for visitors of all ages.

The museum showcases the significance of the Ipswich Railway Workshops, which played a vital role in Queensland’s railway history. These workshops built and maintained the steam locomotives that powered the state’s railway network. The museum proudly displays different locomotives, including the iconic ‘C17’ and ‘BB18¼’ steam, diesel, and electric multiple units.

Stepping into The Workshops Rail Museum is like stepping back in time. The exhibits are housed within the original buildings of the Ipswich Railway Workshops, which have been meticulously restored to their former glory. Visitors can explore the vast workshop floor, where skilled workers once toiled to maintain and repair the locomotives. The museum offers guided tours that provide fascinating insights into the inner workings of the workshops and the challenges faced by the railway workers.

What To Do At The Workshops Rail Museum

One of the highlights of visiting The Workshops Rail Museum is the opportunity to climb aboard some of the historic locomotives and carriages. Visitors can explore the interiors of various trains, including the beautifully restored ‘Spirit of the Outback’ carriage, which provides a glimpse into the luxury travel of the past. The museum also offers ‘Train Rides’ on a heritage steam train, allowing visitors to experience the thrill of riding on a vintage locomotive along a short section of track.

In addition to the impressive collection of trains, The Workshops Rail Museum offers interactive exhibits that engage visitors in hands-on activities. The ‘Nippers Railway’ is a popular attraction for children, where they can become train drivers and control a model railway. The ‘Signal Box’ exhibit allows visitors to try operating a mechanical signal box, experiencing the intricate process of controlling train movements.

The museum’s ‘Blacksmith Shop’ and ‘Foundry’ exhibits provide an intriguing insight into the craftsmanship and engineering skills required in the workshops. Visitors can witness blacksmiths forging metal and see the foundry in action, pouring molten metal into moulds to create intricate parts for locomotives. For a more in-depth experience, The Workshops Rail Museum offers workshops and special events throughout the year. These include steam train driving experiences, behind-the-scenes tours, and even the chance to be a blacksmith for a day. These activities provide a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the history and operations of the workshops, offering a truly memorable experience.