Midland railway line, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Midland railway line |
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The Westrail P class locomotives Shire of Kulin (2515) and Shire of Dalwallinu (2504) pulling a freight train past the Three Springs grain silos in August 2022
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| Overview | |
| Owner | Public Transport Authority |
| Termini | Midland Junction Walkaway |
| Stations | 39 |
| Service | |
| Operator(s) | Brookfield Rail |
| History | |
| Opened | November 1894 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 446 kilometres |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
The Midland railway line is a long train track in Western Australia. It stretches 446 kilometres (about 277 miles) from Midland Junction to Walkaway. Walkaway is a town located about 30 kilometres south of Geraldton. This important railway line was built by a company called the Midland Railway of Western Australia. It first opened for use in November 1894.
Contents
History of the Midland Railway Line
In December 1883, a man named John Waddington had an idea. He represented a group of wealthy English investors. He suggested to Governor Broome that they build a railway line. This line would run from York all the way to Geraldton.
The Land Grant Idea
The plan was part of a "land grant scheme." This meant the company would get land for free if they built the railway. For every mile of track they finished, they would receive 12,000 acres of land. This added up to a huge amount of land, about 3.3 million acres in total! The company could pick land within 40 miles of the new railway.
Changing the Route
A special committee in the government looked at the plan. They suggested changing the railway's path. Instead of starting at York, it would branch off from the Eastern Railway at Guildford. From there, it would go through several towns like Chittering and Bindoon. The line would then connect to the Western Australian Government Railway’s track from Geraldton at Walkaway.
Building Begins and Stops
The agreement to build the railway was signed on February 27, 1886. Work started just a few days later. However, the company soon ran into money problems. Construction had to stop in June 1887. The government tried to cancel the contract, but they couldn't. The company had until 1890 to finish the first 160 kilometres of the line.
Work Starts Again
On March 21, 1890, a new company was formed in London. It was called the Midland Railway Company of Western Australia. Herbert Bond bought John Waddington's share in the project. This meant work could start again on the 446-kilometre railway. They began building from both ends of the line.
Opening Sections of the Line
The railway opened in sections over time:
- April 9, 1891: Midland Junction to Gingin
- August 16, 1891: Walkaway to Mingenew
- February 22, 1892: Gin Gin to Moore River (Mogumbur)
- February 25, 1892: Mingenew to Arrino
- July 2, 1894: Mogumbur to Mora
- November 1, 1894: The final two sections connected between Carnamah and Three Springs. This completed the entire line.
Government Takes Over
Many years later, on August 1, 1964, the railway line was sold. The Western Australian Government Railways took over ownership.
Train Services on the Line
In the past, the Midland Railway of Western Australia ran passenger trains. There was one train each week in both directions. After the government bought the line, this passenger service was renamed The Midlander. However, passenger services stopped on July 28, 1975.
Today, the Midland railway line is mostly used for carrying grain. Large trains from CBH Group use the line. They transport grain from eight different collection points. This grain goes to the ports of Geraldton and Kwinana.
