The line developed progressively over the years and as it did so, various sections were named differently. Each section of the line needed separate lobbying and discussion in the Western Australian Parliament to get enabling acts. The final section was approved in 1920[1] and completed in 1925.[2]
After completion it became known as the Miling branch, following final expansion north to Miling, and the closing of the Clackline to Newcastle (Toodyay) section.
Clackline to Newcastle (Toodyay) (now closed)
The railway line to connect Newcastle to the eastern railway was considered to be best started from Clackline, rather than Northam.[3][4] The original terminus of the line in the 1890s was a platform, it was later that the second stopping place properly known as Toodyay railway station was completed after the extension to Newcastle-Bolgart Railway was completed.
Following the construction of the standard gauge railway through the Avon valley in the 1960s, the connection with Clackline was no longer needed, and was closed with other former eastern railway connections in February 1966.
In the 1960s the railway line from Toodyay to Miling was altered by the construction of the Eastern Railway through the Avon Valley, through Toodyay and a connection with Northam.[7]
Tier system
The fate of the railway has been put in question due to the separation of wheatbelt railway lines being designated into specific tiers.[8][9]
Stages of opening
The railway line was developed over time, the construction taking fifteen years to travel over 100km.[10]
Clackline – Newcastle January 1888 23.1km
Newcastle – Bolgart December 1909 37.0km
Bolgart – Calingiri May 1917 23.2km
Calingiri – Piawaning June 1919 30.4km
Piawanning – Miling August 1925 43.8km
Stopping places
Names used as found in WAGR Annual reports in the 1950s
↑January 1888 to February 1966 – page 67 Quinlan, Howard; Newland, John R; Australian Railway Historical Society. New South Wales Division (2000), Australian railway routes 1854 to 2000, Australian Railway Historical Society – New South Wales Division, ISBN978-0-909650-49-0
↑Quinlan, Howard; Newland, John R; Australian Railway Historical Society. New South Wales Division (2000), Australian railway routes 1854 to 2000, Australian Railway Historical Society – New South Wales Division, ISBN978-0-909650-49-0
↑The specific start locations of the connections in the Toodyay area changed with the Standard Gauge development, with Quinland and Newland identifying a location called Point Y – 1 km from Toodyay West – Quinlan, Howard; Newland, John R; Australian Railway Historical Society. New South Wales Division (2000), Australian railway routes 1854 to 2000, Australian Railway Historical Society – New South Wales Division, ISBN978-0-909650-49-0
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