Competition for capital, especially as motor vehicles needed substantial work on the long neglected road network, saw railway construction practically end in the 1920s with several lines promised in the 1910s never constructed. The state thus had an unfinished network, but most settlements of any consequence had been served. Unlike New South Wales, few connecting links were built.
The Longreach to Winton connection was not completed until 1928, two years after a major drought in which it would have been very valuable, and the much investigated link between Charleville and Blackall [later seriously considered as a defence link in World War II] was never started. Most of the Great Western Railway was never built. Gladstone to Monto was completed in 1931 completing a loop but the Callide Valley branch, also intended to reach Monto to open up the Upper Burnett, was never completed beyond Lawgi.
Chronology
1920
Inventions and Suggestions Board inaugurated
Jun 7 - Opening branch from Cotton Vale to Amiens
Jun 30 - Extension of Roma to Orallo branch to Injune
Aug 10 - Extension of North Coast Line from Sarina south to Koumala
Aug 9 - Opening of branch from Goondoon to Wallaville
Sep 25 - Completion of branch to Dayboro'
1921
Jun 4 - Opening of North Coast Railway Rockhampton to St Lawrence
Sep 24 - Opening St Lawrence-Carmila links Rockhampton and Mackay
Dec 19 - Completion of branch from Tolga via Malanda to Millaa Millaa
1922
Aug 1 - Opening of Merinda to Collinsville (coal) branch
Aug 28 - Completion of Gargett to Owens Creek branch of Mackay Railway
Oct 7 - Opening to Mount Edwards (last section of Via Recta built)
1923
Feb 24 - Opening of branch from Murgon to Proston
Dec 1 - Opening Farleigh-Proserpine links Brisbane with Townsville
1924
Apr - First mainline unattended crossing loop opened at Beta
Apr 26 - Extension of railway from Mundubbera to Ceratodus
1925
Mar 28 - Opening of branch from Barlil near Murgon to Windera
Aug 24 - Completion of Callide Valley branch as far as Thangool
1926
Aug 17 - Extension of Many Peaks branch to Barrimoon
Dec 7 - Extension of Mount Molloy railway to Rumula
1927
Apr 21 - First of the successful red railmotors built by Ipswich Workshops
May 7 - Completion of Dawson Valley Railway to Theodore
Jul 2 - Extension of Dalby to Tara branch to Meandarra
1928
Feb 29 - Extension of Central Railway to Winton completed inland loop line
Sep 15 - Completion of railway via Gayndah to Upper Burnett at Monto
1929
First "smash" signal crossing loop opened at Elalie near St Lawrence
May 17 - Opening of branch line from Duchess to Mount Isa
Jul 1 - Railway Department assumes control of Refreshment Rooms
Aug 19 - Broadmount branch closes, first permanent rail closure on QR
Sep - Railway Department assumes control of Tourist Bureau (to 1947)
1930
Jul 7 - Opening of Gladstone-Monto branch up Dawes Range to Mungungo
Sep 27 - Opening of Uniform or Standard Railway South Brisbane to Border
Nov 3 - Opening branch from Inglewood to Texas
Nov 7 - Closure of Ravenswood branch
1931
Jul 6 - Completion of railway from Gladstone to Monto completing loop
Oct 3 - Extension of Wallaville branch to Morganville
Dec 12 - Extension of Dalby-Tara-Meandarra branch to Glenmorgan
1932
Sep - Travelling Post Office services ended
Sep 19 - Extension Callide Valley branch to Lawgi
