MerredinLink facts for kids
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A MerredinLink train at East Perth in January 2015
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Passenger train |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Western Australia |
| First service | June 2004 |
| Current operator(s) | Transwa |
| Route | |
| Start | East Perth |
| End | Merredin |
| Distance travelled | 261 kilometres |
| Average journey time | 3 hours 15 minutes |
| Service frequency | 3 per week |
| Line used | Eastern Eastern Goldfields |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | WEA/WEB railcar |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The MerredinLink is a special passenger train service in Western Australia. It is run by a company called Transwa. This train connects the city of Perth with the town of Merredin. It's a great way for people to travel between these two places in the countryside. The journey covers about 261 kilometres and takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes.
History of the MerredinLink Train
The MerredinLink train service started in June 2004. Before this, there was a train called the AvonLink. The AvonLink travelled from Perth to Northam.
When the MerredinLink began, the AvonLink route was extended. It started going all the way from Perth to Merredin. At first, the train ran three days a week.
Changes to the Train Schedule
In August 2013, Transwa said they might stop the MerredinLink service. They thought another train, The Prospector, could make extra stops instead. But in December 2013, the MerredinLink was saved and kept running.
In May 2014, it was announced that the service would continue until at least June 2017. To free up some train cars for the AvonLink service, the MerredinLink schedule changed in December 2014. It only ran once a week, on Wednesdays.
However, from July 2017, the train went back to running three times a week. As of June 2022, you can catch the MerredinLink on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
What Kind of Train Is It?
The MerredinLink is operated by a special type of train car. It uses a two-carriage WEA/WEB railcar. A railcar is like a train that has its own engine, so it doesn't need a separate locomotive to pull it. This specific type of train is designed to carry passengers comfortably on its route.
