Operator(s) Brookfield Rail | Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | |
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Opened 22 May 1893 (Perth-Pinjarra)
22 August 1893 (Pinjarra-Bunbury) Owner Public Transport Authority Terminis Bunbury railway station, Perth railway station | ||
The South Western Railway is the main railway route between Perth and Bunbury in Western Australia opening in 1893.
Contents
History
The South Western Railway was constructed for the Western Australian Government Railways by various private contractors from 1891. Among these was the engineer and magistrate William W. L. Owen.
Construction was completed in two parts. The first, East Perth to Pinjarra, was undertaken by William Atkins (former mill manager of the Neil McNeil Co. at the Jarrahdale Timber Station and Robert Oswald Law (who built the Fremantle Long Jetty) from the end of 1891. Work began in 1892 but was slowed by difficulties with building the bridge over the Swan River. This section opened on 22 May 1893.
The second phase of construction was also completed by Atkins and McNeil, starting at Bunbury and working north to Pinjarra opening on 22 August 1893. Bunbury station was opened by Sir John Forrest on 14 November 1894.
Beyond Bunbury, the line previously continued south a further 200 kilometres to Northcliffe closing in stages from 1986. Part of this section is now operated by the Pemberton Tramway Company.
Bridges
The Bunbury Bridge was the most significant engineering structure on the line. It was replaced by the Goongoongup Bridge in 1996.
Services
Since November 1947, The Australind has traversed the length of the line from Perth to Bunbury. Other named trains to have previously operated on the line were the Bunbury Belle and The Shopper. Aurizon operate coal trains on the line from Collie to Kwinana.