The town's name was changed to Tolga in 1903 when Tablelands railway line was extended from Mareeba to Atherton and the local railway station was to be called "Tolga", a name thought to be derived from the Aboriginal word for either "place where the scrub begins" or "red volcanic soil". The line opened on 10 August 1903. A branch line from Tolga to Yungaburra was built, opening on 15 March 1910, which was subsequently extended in stages to Millaa Millaa by 19 December 1921. The line between Atherton and Mareeba became non-operational on 1 July 2011 and was officially closed on 15 March 2013. Tolga railway station was between the Kennedy Highway and Lawson Street ().