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A private railway was completed, by the Chillagoe Company, between Mareeba and Mungana in 1901. The system was extended from Lappa Junction to Mount Garnet in 1902. A line was then constructed from Almaden to Mount Surprise in 1908 reaching Einasleigh in 1909 and finally Forsayth in 1911. A branch to Mount Mulligan was constructed in 1915. The rail assets of the Chillagoe Company were handed over to the Queensland Government in 1919..



News item from the Morning Post, Cairns N.Q. Saturday, February 10, 1906
QUEENSLAND
CROOKED CREEK FLOODS.
ALMADEN, Friday.
We have had continuous rain here since the 27th ultimo which has caused all the creeks to run.
The newly, constructed dam on Crooked Creek falls was filled after the first heavy showers which ensures a good supply of water for mill purposes.
The water is now coming down by gravitation through the pipes, extending over a mile and a half in length.

News item from the Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), Monday, February 7, 1927
FIERCE CYCLONE
BUILDINGS WRECKED
RAILWAYS SUFFER
Word was received by the Commissioner for Railways (Mr. J. W. Davidson) yesterday that a cyclone at Almaden, in North Queensland, on Saturday night demolished the railway engine room building, and blew the roof into the cattle yards. The railway motor oil room also was wrecked, while the local hall was blown over.

News item from The Brisbane Courier, Tuesday, January 13, 1931
QUEENSLAND FLOODS
ALMADEN-FORSYTH RAILWAY
WILL PROBABLY BE CLOSED
Brisbane, Monday. There is a probability that the railway extending from Almaden to Forsyth, a distance of 142 miles, which was 'damaged by the floods, will be permanently closed. The Minister for Railways stated that the department did not feel warranted in incurring the heavy ex- pense of carrying out repairs, especi- ally as the loss on the line last year was in excess of £40,000. !



Text taken from:
1. Construction of Queensland railways http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_of_Queensland_railways
2. Newpaper Articles: State Library of Qld - Digital Newspapers