Midland railway line, Western Australia

Midland railway line
Midland railway line
	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
Overview
Owner	Public Transport Authority
Termini	Originally: Midland Junction Current: Millendon Junction ; Originally: Walkaway Current: Narngulu ;
Stations	39
Service
Operator(s)	Arc Infrastructure
History
Opened	November 1894
Technical
Line length	Originally: 446 kilometres (277 mi) Current: 452 kilometres (281 mi)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Highest elevation	323.6 m (1,062 ft)
Route map
Route map
	Legend
	This diagram: view ; talk ; edit ;

Last updated August 27, 2024

The Midland railway line historically ran from Midland Junction to Walkaway (30 kilometres south of Geraldton) in Western Australia. Built by the Midland Railway of Western Australia, the 446 kilometre line opened in November 1894.

The contemporary railway line, operated by Arc Infrastructure, is referred to as the Millendon Junction to Narngulu railway line, and runs from Millendon Junction, on the Eastern Railway, to Narngulu on the Geraldton to Mullewa railway.^[1]^[2]^[3]

History

As a private railway

In December 1883, John Waddington representing a syndicate of English capitalists, proposed to Governor Broome to build a line from York via Northam, Newcastle, Bejoording, New Norcia and along the Berkshire Valley to Geraldton under a land grant scheme. A parliamentary select committee recommended the route be altered to branch off from the Eastern Railway at Guildford and run via Chittering, Bindoon, Victoria Plains, Carnamah, Arrino, Upper Irwin and Dongara to Walkaway where it would join the Western Australian Government Railway’s line from Geraldton. The agreement was signed on 27 February 1886, with work commencing a few days later.^[4]^[5]

Under the land grant scheme, 12,000 acres (4,900 ha) of land was granted for every mile of railway completed, a total of 3,319,000 acres (1,343,000 ha). The consortium was able to select land within 40 miles (64 km) of the new railway. Financing problems delayed construction with construction being suspended in June 1887. The Government tried to rescind the contract, but could not as the consortium had until 1890 to complete the first 160 kilometres of the line.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

On 21 March 1890, the Midland Railway Company of Western Australia was floated on the London Stock Exchange and Herbert Bond purchased John Waddington's shareholding in the consortium and work recommenced on the 446 kilometre line from both ends.^[4]

The first section from Midland Junction to Gingin opened on 9 April 1891, followed by Walkaway to Mingenew on 16 August 1891, Gin Gin to Moore River (Mogumbur) on 22 February 1892, Mingenew to Arrino on 25 February 1892, Mogumbur to Mora on 2 July 1894, with the two sections linked between Carnamah and Three Springs on 1 November 1894.^[4]^[8]^[9]^[10]

As a government railway

On 1 August 1964, the line was sold to the Western Australian Government Railways.^[9]

In April 1976, the Dongara–Eneabba railway line opened as a branch of the Midland railway line at Dongara.^[11]^[12]

Services in both eras

The Midland Railway of Western Australia operated a weekly passenger train in each direction. After the sale of the line to the Western Australian Government Railways, it was relaunched as The Midlander . It ceased on 28 July 1975.^[13]^[14]

Today the line is primarily utilised by CBH Group grain trains operating to the ports of Geraldton and Kwinana from eight receival points.^[15]

As of 2024, it is operated by Arc Infrastructure as the Millendon Junction to Narngulu railway line, connecting to the Geraldton to Mullewa line at Narngulu.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Elevation

The railway line starts at an elevation of 21.5 metres (71 ft) at Millendon Junction and finishes at Narngulu at an elevation of 26.3 metres (86 ft). It reaches its lowest point of 5.9 metres (19 ft) at the 399.6-kilometre (248.3 mi) mark, north of Dongara, and its highest point of 323.6 metres (1,062 ft) at the 213.7-kilometre (132.8 mi) mark, just south of Marchagee.^[16]

Related Research Articles

Brand Highway is a 370-kilometre (230 mi) main highway linking the northern outskirts of Perth to Geraldton in Western Australia. Together with North West Coastal Highway, it forms part of the Western Australian coastal link to the Northern Territory. The highway is a part of Australia's Highway 1, and is for the most part a single carriageway with one lane in each direction.

Walkaway is a small town in the City of Greater Geraldton local government area of Western Australia. At the 2016 census, Walkaway had a population of 270.

Mullewa is a town in the Mid West region of Western Australia, 450 kilometres (280 mi) north of Perth and 98 kilometres (61 mi) east-northeast of Geraldton. Mullewa is well known for its abundance of wildflowers in the spring and is one of the few places in Western Australia the wreath flower grows in. The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.

Dongara is a town 351 kilometres (218 mi) north-northwest of Perth, Western Australia on the Brand Highway. The town is located at the mouth of the Irwin River. The area is marketed as the 'Rock lobster capital of Australia'.

Eneabba is a town on the Brand Highway 278 kilometres (173 mi) north of Perth, Western Australia.

Three Springs is a town located 313 kilometres (194 mi) north of Perth, Western Australia on the Midlands Road, which until the opening of the Brand Highway in 1975 was the main road route from Perth to the state's north. The town is the seat of the Shire of Three Springs. Its economy is based on agriculture and mining.

The Midland Railway of Western Australia (MRWA) was a railway company that built and operated the Midland line in Western Australia. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange. Although having its headquarters in London, it had no association with the English Midland Railway.

Narngulu is an outer suburb of the Western Australian city of Geraldton, and is for the most part an industrial area.

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The Northern Railway has had a number of meanings in Western Australian railway history.

Irwin was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Western Australia from 1890 to 1950.

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The Mullewa–Meekatharra railway was a section of the Northern Railway in Western Australia.

The wheatbelt railway lines of Western Australia were, in most cases, a network of railway lines in Western Australia that primarily served the Wheatbelt region.

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The Wagin to Newdegate railway line is a railway line in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, connecting Wagin via Lake Grace to Newdegate, where the line terminates. The line is 180 kilometres (110 mi) long. At Lake Grace, a 94-kilometre (58 mi) branch line to Hyden exists, while, at Wagin, the railway line connects to the Great Southern Railway and the Wagin to Bowelling railway line. Formerly, at Wagin, it also connected to the now inactive railway line to Bowelling.

The Dongara–Eneabba railway line is a disused railway line in the Mid West region of Western Australia. It branches off the Midland railway line at Dongara and runs for 94 kilometres (58 mi) to Eneabba. It opened in 1976 and closed in 2013, and was solely used to haul mineral sands from a mine at Eneabba to Geraldton Port.

The Geraldton to Mullewa railway line is a 107-kilometre (66 mi) long railway line in the Mid West region of Western Australia, connecting Geraldton and Mullewa.

The Avon Yard to Mullewa railway line is a 429-kilometre (267 mi) long railway line operated by Arc Infrastructure in the Mid West and Wheatbelt regions of Western Australia, connecting the Avon Yard at Northam with Mullewa. The 104-kilometre (65 mi) section of the railway line from Perenjori to Dalwallinu is, as of 2024, not in operation, having closed in the late 1990s, while the sections north, Perenjori to Mullewa, and south, Dalwallinu to Northam, are.

References

1 2 "Public Transport Authority: Railway System: April 2019" (PDF). pta.wa.gov.au. Public Transport Authority. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
1 2 "Arc Map Network" (PDF). www.arcinfra.com. Arc Infrastructure . Retrieved 22 August 2024.
1 2 "Track Inventory Data". www.arcinfra.com. Arc Infrastructure . Retrieved 23 August 2024.
1 2 3 4 Gunzburg, Adrian (1989). The Midland Railway Company Locomotives of Western Australia. Surrey Hills: Light Railway Research Society of Australia. pp. 7–10, 13, 49, 54. ISBN 0-9093402-77.
1 2 Midland Railway Company Battye Library
↑ The Midland Railway of Australia Western Mail 3 October 1891
↑ Royal Commission into the Management, Workings & Control of the Western Australian Government Railways Government of Western Australia December 1947 page 8
↑ The Midland Railway: Its Jubilee Year The West Australian 31 October 1936
1 2 Affleck, Fred (1978). On Track: The Making of Westrail, 1950–1976. Perth: Westrail. pp. 73–85. ISBN 0724475605. OCLC 6489347.
↑ Midland Railway Carnamah Historical Society & Museum
↑ Quinlan, Howard; Newland, John R. (2000). Australian Railway Routes 1854 to 2000. Australian Railway Historical Society, New South Wales Division. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-909650-49-0.
↑ "Plaque for opening of Eneabba – Dongara railway". Collections WA. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
↑ May, Andrew S; Gray, Bill (2006). A History of WAGR Passenger Carriages. Midland, WA: Bill Gray. p. 260. ISBN 0646459023.
↑ Higham, Geoffrey (2007). Marble Bar to Mandurah: A history of passenger rail services in Western Australia. Bassendean: Rail Heritage WA. pp. 118, 119. ISBN 978-0-9803922-0-3.
↑ Receival site map CBH Group
↑ "03 Millendon Junction to Narngulu Grade and Elevation: Elevation information". www.arcinfra.com. Arc Infrastructure . Retrieved 25 August 2024.

External links

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[Pta-1] 1 2 "Public Transport Authority: Railway System: April 2019" (PDF). pta.wa.gov.au. Public Transport Authority. Retrieved 22 August 2024.

[Arc-2] 1 2 "Arc Map Network" (PDF). www.arcinfra.com. Arc Infrastructure . Retrieved 22 August 2024.

[Arcinventory-3] 1 2 "Track Inventory Data". www.arcinfra.com. Arc Infrastructure . Retrieved 23 August 2024.

[AGunzburg-4] 1 2 3 4 Gunzburg, Adrian (1989). The Midland Railway Company Locomotives of Western Australia. Surrey Hills: Light Railway Research Society of Australia. pp. 7–10, 13, 49, 54. ISBN 0-9093402-77.

[BattyeLibrary-5] 1 2 Midland Railway Company Battye Library

[6] The Midland Railway of Australia Western Mail 3 October 1891

[7] Royal Commission into the Management, Workings & Control of the Western Australian Government Railways Government of Western Australia December 1947 page 8

[8] The Midland Railway: Its Jubilee Year The West Australian 31 October 1936

[FAffleck-9] 1 2 Affleck, Fred (1978). On Track: The Making of Westrail, 1950–1976. Perth: Westrail. pp. 73–85. ISBN 0724475605. OCLC 6489347.

[10] Midland Railway Carnamah Historical Society & Museum

[11] Quinlan, Howard; Newland, John R. (2000). Australian Railway Routes 1854 to 2000. Australian Railway Historical Society, New South Wales Division. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-909650-49-0.

[12] "Plaque for opening of Eneabba – Dongara railway". Collections WA. Retrieved 29 July 2024.

[13] May, Andrew S; Gray, Bill (2006). A History of WAGR Passenger Carriages. Midland, WA: Bill Gray. p. 260. ISBN 0646459023.

[14] Higham, Geoffrey (2007). Marble Bar to Mandurah: A history of passenger rail services in Western Australia. Bassendean: Rail Heritage WA. pp. 118, 119. ISBN 978-0-9803922-0-3.

[15] Receival site map CBH Group

[16] "03 Millendon Junction to Narngulu Grade and Elevation: Elevation information". www.arcinfra.com. Arc Infrastructure . Retrieved 25 August 2024.

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v t e Railway lines in Western Australia
Main lines	Eastern Goldfields Eastern Railway Great Southern Railway South Western Railway Trans-Australian Railway
Goldfields–Esperance	Hopetoun–Ravensthorpe ^† Kalgoorlie–Esperance Kalgoorlie–Gnumballa Lake ^† Kalgoorlie–Kanowna ^† Kalgoorlie–Leonora Malcolm–Laverton ^† Kambalda–Redmine
Great Southern	Donnybrook–Katanning ^† Elleker–Nornalup ^† Katanning–Pingrup ^† Tambellup–Ongerup ^†
Mid West	Avon Yard–Mullewa ^† Cue–Big Bell ^† Dongara–Eneabba ^† Geraldton–Ajana ^† Geraldton–Mullewa Karara Meekatharra–Wiluna ^† Millendon Junction–Narngulu Mullewa–Meekatharra ^† Mount Magnet–Sandstone ^† Upper Chapman Valley ^†
Peel	Waroona–Lake Clifton Pinjarra–Narrogin ^†
Pilbara	Fortescue Goldsworthy Hamersley & Robe River Marble Bar ^† Mount Newman Roy Hill
Perth	Airport Armadale Belmont ^† Fremantle Kalamunda Kwinana freight Mandurah Midland (country) Midland (suburban) Morley–Ellenbrook Mundaring Mundaring Weir Spearwood–Armadale ^† Thornlie Upper Darling Range Yanchep
South West	Pinjarra–Narrogin ^†
Wheatbelt	Amery–Kalannie Avon Yard–Mullewa ^† Boyanup–Flinders Bay ^† Brookton–Corrigin ^† Brunswick Junction–Narrogin ^† Burakin–Bonnie Rock ^† Goomalling–West Merredin ^† Lake Grace–Hyden Merredin–Narrogin ^† Merredin–Yilliminning ^† Picton–Northcliffe ^† Pinjarra–Narrogin ^† Wyalkatchem–Southern Cross ^† Toodyay West–Miling Wagin–Bowelling ^† Wagin–Newdegate Wonnerup–Nannup ^† York–Bruce Rock ^†
Tourist & heritage railways	Bennett Brook Hotham Valley
Timber railway lines	Ballaarat Tramline Jarrahdale–Rockingham
Trams & tramways	Baldivis Tramway Broome Tramway Carnarvon Tram Trams in Fremantle Trams in Kalgoorlie Trams in Perth
Approved by Parliament but not constructed	Boyup Brook–Cranbrook Brookton–Dale River Manjimup–Mount Barker Southern Cross southwards Yarramony eastward
^† Denotes railway is closed, partially closed or has been removed See also: Agricultural railways ♦ Wheatbelt railways