New public art installations in the Somerset Region are celebrating the history of the Brisbane Valley railway line, which served the community from 1884 until 1993. These projects, supported by the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Users Association, highlight the legacy of the local steam train era, which concluded on the line on 29 November 1969.
A recent $25,000 mural created by local artist Susan McConnel has been completed in Fernvale. This artwork is part of a broader effort to use public installations to foster community spirit, a tradition that became significant in the town following the 2011 floods that inundated 112 homes.
Separately, murals have been installed at the Nurinda Underpass, located on the trail between Harlin and Moore. These works, created by artists Jordan Bruce and Steve Falco from The Brightsiders, depict a Queensland AC16 class locomotive known as The Yank and a Budd Rail Diesel Car. The Nurinda project cost approximately $15,000 and was completed over three years through a combination of community fundraising, grants, and donations.
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, which spans 161 kilometres from Wulkuraka to Yarraman, serves as Australia’s longest rail trail. These murals serve as tangible markers of the region’s transport history, connecting residents in towns like Fernvale, which is home to 3,629 people, to the broader story of the historic rail corridor.
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