Following the arrival of the railway in Logan Village in 1885, planning commenced on an extension to Beaudesert.
A contract for the 20-mile extension costing £57,762 ($115,524) was signed in June 1886.
As often happens, the weather intervened, heavy rain and floods meant that the opening of the line was delayed by six months.
The first train entered Beaudesert on March 16, 1888, but the line was not officially opened until two months later.
Beaudesert provided better access to the major station runs south and east of the town, than the then thriving community of Townsvale. Beaudesert sat on the meeting place of the roads to Tamrookum, Bromelton, Mundoolun, and Kerry.
It was also seen as giving better access to the fertile and productive lands along the Logan River.
Dairying had proved to be the best option for farmers in the district. but milk and cream were perishable and required quick access to market.
The growing timber industry in the district was also mostly to the south of Beaudesert.
The coming of the railway also improved the life of residents as it provided a regular form of public passenger transport. Local people were now able to go to Brisbane to conduct business when necessary, or to have a short break at the coast.
The decision spelt the death knell of Townsvale, with businesses and services gradually moving to Beaudesert, The Logan and Albert Co-operative Dairy Association built a factory beside the rail line in 1904. This overcame the need for the cream to be sent to Brisbane.
The opening of the first section of the tramway in 1903 ensured the prosperity of Beaudesert.
The railway continued to cart cattle and other goods to Beaudesert until the AMH abattoir closed in 1996, a period of over 100 years.
