Quandialla preserves rail legacy with Inland Rail donation
Inland Rail has donated a historic water pipe to the Quandialla Progress Association, preserving a tangible link to the rich railway heritage of the town, located in the Central West of New South Wales.
December 18, 2025
Quandialla Progress Association Secretary Marlene Taylor and Inland Rail Stakeholder Engagement Lead Jessica Jackson with the pipe that was donated to the organisation.
The standpipe, once connected to the Quandialla Water Tank, was removed to allow clearance for double-stacked freight trains as part of Inland Rail’s infrastructure upgrades.
Recognising its historical significance, Inland Rail worked closely with the Quandialla Progress Association to ensure the pipe could be retained and returned to the community.
The Quandialla Water Tank, before the pipe was removed to allow the safer passing of trains on the adjacent rail line.
Quandialla, founded in 1914 ahead of the arrival of the railway in 1916, grew rapidly into a vital service town for grain production and livestock transport. The water tank and pipe likely served steam locomotives in the early 1900s, making them key artefacts of the town’s development.
The pipe will be installed beside the Quandialla Soldiers Memorial Hall, in front of a community mural and within view of the original water tank. A commemorative sign will accompany the display, sharing the story of Quandialla’s railway legacy.
Malcolm Clark, Inland Rail Project Director, Stockinbingal to Parkes, said:
“At Inland Rail, we’re committed to building for the future while honouring the past. By donating this historic water pipe to the Quandialla Progress Association, we’re proud to support a community that values its railway heritage.
“Preserving and repurposing materials like this is part of our broader sustainability approach – ensuring that even as we modernise the network, we respect the legacy it leaves behind in regional towns.”
Marlene Taylor, Secretary, Quandialla Progress Association, said:
“The railway was the lifeblood of our district. This pipe is more than metal – it’s a part of our history, symbolising our origins and resilience.
“Inland Rail were fantastic to work with and genuinely committed to helping us preserve this piece of our history.”
The Quandialla Progress Association, a volunteer-led group active for over 50 years, continues to champion community spirit and infrastructure improvements for the town.
