Thallon's railway history began with the South Western Line reaching the town in October 1911, spurring its development as a vital hub for wool, livestock, and mail transport, which connected remote farms to markets. The station was named after Commissioner James Forsyth Thallon. Although passenger services ended and floods damaged the line past Thallon (closing it in 2010), the station building was relocated for community use, and its legacy is honoured at the new Thallon Rail Centre, preserving its significant role in regional growth and rural life.