Imbil Railway Bridge

The 1915 bridge on the Mary Valley railway line is a landmark structure crossing Little Yabba Creek, at the charming town of Imbil. It may be viewed from the road bridge on the north-eastern side of town. The railway was built to support and enhance local agricultural production, particularly dairying. This style of steel bridge is a half through Pratt Truss, which was developed in 1908 and much stronger than earlier designs. This is one of five bridges of this kind remaining in Queensland. Farmers along this line could send their cream to the Wide Bay Cooperative Dairy’s butter factory opposite the Gympie Railway Station. The factory opened in 1925 and claimed to be Australia’s largest butter factory. By 1929, the Gympie factory was the second largest milk producer, after the Moreton District. Butter production dropped off in the 1970s due to the major export market, Britain, joining the European Economic Community. While local fruit continued to be carried along this rail line, the profitability gradually decreased. The last train ran in 1995, and since then a local group of enthusiasts have initiated the Mary Valley Rattler tourist train.