Great Southern Railway (Western Australia)
Encyclopedia
The Great Southern Railway (GSR) was the name of a railway company that operated from Beverley
to Albany
in Western Australia
between 1886 and 1896. In 1896 the Western Australian Government Railways
took over this company and the railway route also kept the name.
Sir Frederick Broome
respectively. The final spike was driven on the 14 February 1889, 122 miles north of Albany. The official opening of the line was on the 1 June 1889.
The construction of the railway was significant for the development of economic activity in the region and lead to the establishment of grain and sheep grazing, along with the development of towns such as Katanning, Broomehill, Tambellup, Mount Barker
and Woodanilling.
There was some initial debate over where the railway line should be placed. In the end, the link was made from an existing line ending at Beverley because it was the cheapest option. This devastated residents of the town of Kojonup, who initially hoped the line would pass through their town and follow the Albany Highway
.
. The majority of movements are grain trains out of the Wagin
ARG
depot.
External links
Beverley, Western Australia
Beverley is a town located in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, south-east of the state capital, Perth, between York and Brookton on the Great Southern Highway...
to Albany
Albany, Western Australia
Albany is a port city in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, some 418 km SE of Perth, the state capital. As of 2009, Albany's population was estimated at 33,600, making it the 6th-largest city in the state....
in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
between 1886 and 1896. In 1896 the Western Australian Government Railways
Western Australian Government Railways
Western Australian Government Railways was most common name of the Western Australian government rail transport authority from 1890 to 1976. It is, in its current form, known as the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia....
took over this company and the railway route also kept the name.
Construction
The first sods for the railway were turned on the 20 October 1886. This occurred simultaneously at Beverley and Albany by Lady Broome and the GovernorGovernor of Western Australia
The Governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of Australia's Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The Governor performs important constitutional, ceremonial and community functions, including:* presiding over the Executive Council;...
Sir Frederick Broome
Frederick Broome
Sir Frederick Napier Broome KCMG was a colonial administrator in the British Empire.He was born in Canada, but was living in England in 1865, when he married Mary Anne Barker...
respectively. The final spike was driven on the 14 February 1889, 122 miles north of Albany. The official opening of the line was on the 1 June 1889.
The construction of the railway was significant for the development of economic activity in the region and lead to the establishment of grain and sheep grazing, along with the development of towns such as Katanning, Broomehill, Tambellup, Mount Barker
Mount Barker, Western Australia
Mount Barker is a town on the Albany Highway and is the administrative centre of the Shire of Plantagenet in the Great Southern region of Western Australia...
and Woodanilling.
There was some initial debate over where the railway line should be placed. In the end, the link was made from an existing line ending at Beverley because it was the cheapest option. This devastated residents of the town of Kojonup, who initially hoped the line would pass through their town and follow the Albany Highway
Albany Highway
Albany Highway is a generally northwest-southeast highway in the south of Western Australia which links the state's capital Perth with its oldest settlement, Albany. The highway is approximately in length, is designated State Route 30 and separates Western Australia's Great Southern region from...
.
Dieselisation
Steam locomotives were withdrawn from mainline work in Western Australia in 1971 - the process of removing steam from the Great Southern line had serious economic effects upon the town of Narrogin where extensive barracks and services relative to steam operations were closed down after this datePresent
Currently the line is managed by WestNet RailWestNet Rail
WestNet Rail is the operator of approximately 5000 kilometres of former WAGR railway track in Western Australia, leased from the State of Western Australia following the sale of Westrail in 2000....
. The majority of movements are grain trains out of the Wagin
Wagin, Western Australia
Wagin is a town and shire in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, approximately 225 km south-east of Perth on the Great Southern Highway between Narrogin and Katanning. It is also on State Route 107. The main industries are wheat and sheep farming.-History:The name of the town is...
ARG
Australian Railroad Group
Australian Railroad Group was one of Australia's largest private rail operators, operating across almost 10,000 kilometres of track and began operating in Western Australia on 17 December 2000 following its purchase of the Westrail freight business. It was acquired by QR National...
depot.
External links