Journal Article

The railway system in South Brisbane developed to meet the demands of the community. Had the line from Ipswich to Brisbane terminated at South Brisbane or passed through it, the development of the Brisbane rail network might have been substantially different. Once the decision was made to build the line via Indooroopilly to Roma Street, the development of rail network around South Brisbane followed a natural progression. The economy of the early 1880s was understandable for a colony endeavouring to spread rail communication as widely as possible. However, had a more expensive line been built to Wooloongabba, we might now have a passenger railway running from Roma Street via South Brisbane, Stanley Street, Wooloongabba and Albert, a boon to those attending cricket matches at the 'Gabba". However, even without the intrusion of the freeway, the changing patterns of industry would by now mean that the freight yard at Wooloongabba would be declining in value and facing closure.