The Mount Isa Railway opening - 1929
Saturday 6 April 1929 dawned with an air of anticipation in North West Queensland. It was the official opening of the railway extension from Duchess to Mount Isa, an event heralded as the catalyst for a new era of prosperity in mining. For the people of Cloncurry and beyond, the day promised a reprieve from the long-standing questions of sustainability that had loomed over the mining industry.
The Cloncurry district had weathered economic hardships for an extended period, casting doubts on the potential for recovery. However, the optimism surrounding the Mount Isa silver lead field, coupled with the infusion of fresh capital into Mount Elliott, had injected a newfound hope into the region.
The discovery of Mount Isa in 1923, and the subsequent formation of Mount Isa Mines in 1924, set the stage for development, with experts like Mr. E. C. Saint Smith and Mr. Dunstan providing enthusiastic accounts that convinced the district of its substantial potential.
The construction of the railway to Mount Isa had begun three years prior, and now, as the line reached its destination, Australia awaited the promising developments in the field, with expectations that its wealth production could surpass even that of Broken Hill.
Despite the considerable distance from Townsville to Mount Isa, a significant number of Townsville locals made the journey for the railway opening. Cloncurry locals also turned out in great numbers, with well over 400 people aboard a special train that departed at seven o'clock on Saturday morning.
The train, adorned with festive decorations, bore the words "Progress and Prosper" on the front, along with the declaration that "Much is Expected of Mount Isa." Streamers and greenery adorned the engine, creating an atmosphere of celebration as it travelled towards its destination.
Mount Isa was reached just before one o'clock, with the train stopping on the west bank of the shallow Leichhardt River, where station yards were being laid out. This area would be the hub for the surface workings of the mine, smelters, and the company's housing scheme. The township of Mount Isa boasted two substantial hotel buildings, a sign that it was a growing settlement with an estimated permanent population of about 600.
The landscape surrounding Mount Isa was characterised by ridges, clay shales, and sparse vegetation. As the train arrived, Attorney-General the Hon. J. Mullan, took control of the engine. He piloted the train past the cheering crowd, breaking a ribbon stretched across the line held by Mrs. Holley and Mrs. Glendenning, Mount Isa's first lady residents. The atmosphere was electric, with a tremendous crowd present, including people from Camooweal and beyond who had travelled in for the historic occasion.
Addressing the assembled crowd, Mr. Mullan officially declared the railway open, marking the beginning of a promising chapter for the region and its people. He reminisced about his privilege three years ago when he officiated at the turning of the first sod for the Duchess-Mount Isa railway. He expressed added pleasure at being present on this historic occasion—the official opening of the line. In his opening speech, Mullan paid tribute to the railway gangs who had worked under trying conditions and to Campbell Miles for the discovery.
At the opening were Draper, Chief Engineer of Russo-Asiatic, and Crowther, the General Manager of Northern Division Railways. Mount Isa Mines was congratulated on the achievement, with Crowther reminding representatives of the company that, "this railway was not built for 10 or 15 years: it was built for a century." A statement that rings true on our 100th year of operation.
Information contained in this article is credited to The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947) Mon 8 Apr 1929, Page 13 Duchess--Mt. Isa