The Normanton-Croydon line was constructed under the supervision of George Phillips, an engineer and advocate of the Gulf Country. He designed and patened the steel sleepers used on the line. Interestingly, they are hollow based and packed with mud, avoiding the need for ballast material in the track. This low cost railway was also designed to be submersible, allowing flood waters and debris to flow over the line, leaving it intact when the water subsides.