In 1890 the department of works and railways was separated into the department of works and buildings and the western australian government railways wagr. West australian railscene emag was weekly free electronic news sheet covering rail happenings. Western australian government railways wikivisually. If you are a railway enthusiast and interested in the history of this important mode of transportation then this is the magazine for you. There is much to tell about western australias railway history and our society has a wealth of information available. Published every month, each issue of the magazine contains. History of western australian government railway passenger carriages. The department became western australian government railways wagr in 1890. Railway map of western australia, 1897 cartographic material. The public transport authority of western australia. Rail map of western australia and northern territory from adelaide in the east, to perth in the west, alice springs in the centre and darwin in the north, this is australias iconic outback. Owned by the state government, it was renamed a number of times to reflect extra responsibility for tram and ferry operations that it assumed and. During the early years of the 20th century the wagr played a major role in the development of western australia. V class 12 is one of four remaining v class 282 mikado type steam locomotives from a class of 24 built for the west australian government railways in 1955.
The first rail systems in australia were constructed when the majority of the country was little more than sparsely settled colonies until 1901 when they united to form a federation of states. Transaustralian railway national museum of australia. Great southern railway run two of the worlds great rail journeys. Bryce cotton is considering his options and could be lost to the nbl for good after the league and the players association agreed to a deal which cut the perth wildcats stars salary by 50 per cent. These records are frequently used by family history researchers and can be a source of vital information as they often provide detailed work histories of employees. Its claim to fame was that it was the first government built and owned steam railway in the entire british empire. Australian railway history is the bulletin of the australian railway historical society. The first steam powered train was introduced in 1856 and ran between adelaide and port adelaide. The western australian government railways usually abbreviated to wagr operated a large. Its freight operations were privatised in december 2000 with the remaining passenger operations transferred to the public transport authority in july 2003. Construction of the first government railway in the state, linking geraldton to northampton a distance of 53 km did not begin until 1874, and was not officially opened for traffic until july 26, 1879. The transaustralian railway crosses the nullarbor plain of australia from port augusta in south australia to kalgoorlie in western australia. The government of western australia acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout western australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. Picnics at the falls a history of the lal lal racecourse and its railway and the bungaree racecourse railway add to cart.
It is, in its current form, known as the public transport authority pta of western australia. A guide to train travel in australia train routes, times. Road number flickr tag wheel arrangement traction type. Information on western australian government railways history. As of 2014, there is 11,801 kilometres 7,333 mi of narrowgauge railways, 17,381 kilometres 10,800 mi of standard gauge railways and 3,221 kilometres 2,001 mi of broad gauge railways. The initial economic footing of the colony was somewhat marginal due to the small population. Cotton considering leaving wildcats after pay deal. The long gully bridge was destroyed in a fire that was started by lightning a week ago and has burnt through more than 50,000ha in lower hotham in the shires of boddington, collie and williams. A brief history of the western australian government railways. Western australian government railways wagr was the operator of railway services in the state of western australia between october 1890 and june 2003. Details include name, location, date of employment, pay and generally date of birth. A history of the mauritius government railways 1864 to. The best australian railway history source about rails all around australia.
The majority of western australian steam locomotive classes. V class 12 is one of four remaining v class 282 mikado type steam locomotives from a class of 24 built for the west australian government railways in 1955 built by robert stephenson and hawthorns ltd of darlington, england under sub contract from beyer peacock ltd, the vs were the largest, most modern and most powerful. During the second world war, a government body was established to act as an. Western australian government railways wagr was een spoorwegbedrijf in westaustralie. Rail map of western australia and northern territory. The history of trains in america kindle edition by wolmar, christian. Whether you want information for schools, or details of a specific station, or references to follow up yourself, we may be able to help. Today the south australian government once more hopes. In 1920 new zealand railways established it own railways studios the countrys first outdoor advertising studio. It began as the australian railway historical society wa div when it was formed in february 1959.
For more than 180 years, the west australian has captured the people and events that have shaped wa. They also sold tickets that connected with travelling on government railways from walkaway to geraldton, and from midland junction to perth and suburbs. F class diesel electric locomotive at head of the midlander passenger train. The western australian lines developed in narrow 3 ft 6 in 1,067 mm gauge from fremantle the port of perth, geraldton, bunbury, albany and esperance, mainly for carrying grain and minerals, with the private midland railway company and great southern railway adding 3 ft 6 in 1,067 mm gauge lines in the wheatbelt with the support of land grants. Making public transport an attractive and sustainable choice for connecting people and places. It was in 1993 that three railway unionsthe australian railway union aru, the australian.
Rail heritage wa has built an extensive archive of information and images related to railways in western australia. Page maintained by roger palmer western australian railway history. The trans australian railway crosses the nullarbor plain of australia from port augusta in south australia to kalgoorlie in western australia. Ron stewien is an authority on the railway history of south australia and. It was the owner of the nonmetropolitan rail network, that was leased to australian western railroad, and responsible for regional passenger services, the. The australian national railways commission was an agency of the government of australia that was a railway operator between 1975 and 1998. The rare and collectable books would make great gifts for a railway fan or to add to your personal collections. Their first, and more traditional, role was the transport of military personnel and supplies, raw materials and equipment for war industries, along with the usual goods and passengers. Commonwealth railways metal plaque from gmclass diesel locomotive used on the transaustralian line joining east and west. A history of the mauritius government railways r 106a colony of mauritius by arthur jessop, o. The history of australian rail australian trains rail. The western australian government railways commission was formed on 18 december 2000 to take over the nonfreight operations of westrail, following the freight operations being sold to australian western railroad. Gaze from the window of your comfortable carriage and experience an unforgettable combination of tasmanian history, wilderness and railway engineering the west coast wilderness railway is an awardwinning railway and.
The victorian division crosses the border to publish this 320 page hard cover book, with many illustrations, providing an authoritative insight into the first years of the south australian railways. Fans of the bibbulmun track and west australian history have been saddened by the loss of a historic bridge destroyed in the states south. R s class continuing in service until withdrawal in 1915 and 1916. Collectable railroad books for sale shop with afterpay ebay.
Owned by the state government, it was renamed a number of times to reflect extra responsibility for tram and ferry operations that it assumed and later relinquished. Often suffering from lack of available funds the wagr locomotive fleet often consisted of locomotives far older than their expected operational life. It includes a 478kilometre 297 mi stretch of deadstraight track, the worlds longest, between the 797 km 495 mi post west of ooldea and the 1,275 km 792 mi post west of loongana. Although the western australian government railways was to undergo further. Station masters of western australia, by jeff austin. No matter what part of the railway you are interested in, there is something here. Explore thousands of documents, books, periodicals, photographs and slides. Record of service cards, showing employees name, date of birth and employment history.
The mileages used on these pages are, unless stated to the contrary, taken from the railway map of western australia 1938 produced by the western australian government railways a copy of which can be obtained from the rail heritage wa museum shop. Western australian government railways wagr was most common name of the western australian government rail transport authority from 1890 to 1976. Record of service cards state records office of wa. Won 2006 western australian premiers book awards western australian history. Record of service registers casual employment series of registers showing casual and relief employees working on railway construction in metropolitan and country areas of the state 19191940. Railway map of western australia, 1897 prepared and published under the authority of hon. This database contains records for employees of the western australian government railways wagr. The excellent history of the queensland garratt and other. West coast wilderness railway great australian secret.
Western australian government railways a brief history. List of western australian locomotive classes wikipedia. Piesse, commissioner for railways, western australia, july 1897 call number map rm 1203 createdpublished perth, w. Public transport authority of western australia home. Rail heritage wa was the first rail preservation group formed in wa. Wagtmorffteuwestern australian government tramways, motor. During world war ii the nsw government railways carried out two main roles. This new book combines the story of the midland railway, built as a private. Living in geraldton, western australia means normally having to drive long. We pay our respects to all members of the aboriginal communities and their cultures. The first ordinance, or act of parliament, regulating the construction of railways in south australia, was passed in march 1847, barely ten years after the start of the colony.
Its claim to fame was that it was the first government built. About western australia, railway records, 18791946. The majority of western australian steam locomotive classes were operated by the western australian government railways wagr. Commonwealth railways metal plaque from gmclass diesel locomotive used on the trans australian line joining east and west. Locomotives of the western australian government railways. J s battye library of west australian history private. Western australias first railway, built in 1871 was a privately owned timber line in lockville, a few kilometres north of busselton. Preserved steam locomotives down under asg australian steam. West australian railscene emag was weekly free electronic news sheet covering rail happenings on all the railroads in western australia. Latest research full length articles on historical railways.
It also has several of its publications on south australian history for sale. High in the mountains on tasmanias west coast, a priceless piece of steam history carefully carries guests along a rugged railway track. This lets you book tickets for exact destinations and dates. Transport advisor to the government of mauritius, 1953 to 1955 transport consultant to the government of mauritius, 1960 to 1964 price. J s battye library of west australian history private archives collection listing mn02391 1 copyright slwa 2002 mn 02391 acc. The asg locomotives found use in across australias 3 6 gauge railways, with a number changing ownership and finding further use after the war years. The state records office of western australia provides this background on the wagr and these records. Western australian government railways commission, 1897 extent 1 map. Includes gangers day books which detail the number of gangers working on a. It was known as australian national railways in its early years, before being rebranded as australian national. Webber, brian exploring the railways of far north queensland, australian railway historical society queensland division, 2004, pp64. The wagr operated a wide variety of services throughout its history, including the more. A history of wagr passenger carriages researched and written by.
These records are frequently used by family history researchers and can be a. A history of the western australian government railways. Bennett book railway is proudly owned and operated by members of the western australian light railway preservation association inc. Sep 01, 2017 a history of the south australian railways volume 1. The majority of the collection is from the former government railways, both wa and commonwealth. Photos of railway locomotives in western australia by mingor. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Transport industry unions records the history of unions. A brief history of the western australian government.
Western australian government railways was the operator of railway services in the state of western australia between october 1890 and june 2003. Last week australian railway history magazine editorial assistant and regular writer, col gilbertson, was invited as the guest rail historian on board the official 50th anniversary indian pacific commemorative train from perth to sydney. Although the western australian government railways was to undergo further departmental changes throughout the 20th century, the provision of a government railway system continued to form the backbone of this organisation. The trans australian railway, running from port augusta to kalgoorlie and connecting the eastern states with western australia, was arguably the first major work of a federated australia. Many were manufactured in england until the midland railways workshops opened in 1904. Rail gauges in australia display significant variations, which has presented an extremely difficult problem for rail transport on the australian continent for over 150 years. South australian railway history the first ordinance, or act of parliament, regulating the construction of railways in south australia, was passed in march 1847, barely ten years after the start of the colony. Information on western australian government railways history wagr contents. Western australian government railways wagr was the operator of railway services in the. A brief history on railways in south australia national. Western australian government railways commission wikipedia. All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. Alternatively, if you need to book just one journey, you can use our rail tickets tool. Collectable railroad books for sale shop with afterpay.
The early years the victorian division crosses the border to publish this 320 page hard cover book, with many illustrations, providing an authoritative insight into the first years of the south australian railways. It was a milestone in australian rail history as it was the first track to be laid with iron. In 1914 the function of tramways was added and the departments title changed accordingly. The transaustralian railway, running from port augusta to kalgoorlie and connecting the eastern states with western australia, was arguably the first major work of a federated australia. Australian nationals bl33 helps shunt a train at mile end in 1978 the commonwealth railways, south australian railways and tasmanian government railways were amalgamated to form australian national railways and it took over the operation of all commonwealth and nonurban south australian lines and the railways of tasmania. The western australian government railways adopted it in 1879 for its first line from geraldton to northampton. A history of the mauritius government railways 1864 to 1964. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the great railroad revolution. As well as day excursions, from the mid1890s new zealand railways offered special deals for travellers taking longer rail journeys over the christmas and easter holiday page 4 railways studios. Australian railway history is a monthly magazine covering railway history in australia published by the new south wales division of the australian railway historical society on behalf of its seven state and territory divisions. R publicity no date, probably 1970s, 23 pages with some black and white photographs. Wagr became westrail in 1975 and continued to manage both passenger and freight rail services in western australia until 2000, when the freight business was sold to the australian railroad group who operated it under the australian western railroad brand. At the time of the government takeover the ten 440 tender locomotives became the western australian government railways wagr t class nos. Bobbie oliver and patrick bertola for 90 years, the government railway.
J s battye library of west australian history private archives collection listing. Regularly scheduled steam working ceased on wagr mainline operations after 1971 with only special excursion or enthusiasts trains being hauled by steam after that time. A history of the south australian railways volume 1. Bushfire claims historic bridge the west australian. These received modifications following the 1945 royal commission however they were replaced by the more modern w and vclass steam locomotives and first generation diesels, with the last withdrawn in 1957. The history of australian trains is a long and complex one which dates back 200 years. Latest research full length articles on historical railways historical and recent photographs. As a consequence the first railways were not built until the 1870s. An avid railroad enthusiast learning about the history of significant railways and locomotives can be made easier with a full range of collectable books on the railroads of australia and beyond. The western australian government railways usually abbreviated to wagr operated a large number of unique steam, diesel and electric locomotive classes. The tasmanian government railways opened its first railway from launceston to deloraine in 1871 using 5 ft 3 in 1,600 mm broad gauge, but converted to 3 ft 6 in 1,067 mm narrow gauge in 1888.
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