The Midlander (Western Australian Government Railways)

Last updated

The Midlander
Overview
Service typeOvernight passenger train
StatusCeased
First service2 September 1964
Last service28 July 1975
Former operator(s) Western Australian Government Railways
Route
Termini Perth
Geraldton
Average journey time12 hours
Service frequencyWeekly
Train number(s)3/4
Line(s) used Midland

The Midlander was an overnight passenger train operated by the Western Australian Government Railways between Perth and Geraldton via the Midland line from September 1964 until July 1975.

History

The Midlander commenced operating on 2 September 1964 between Perth and Geraldton shortly after the purchase of the Midland Railway Company by the Western Australian Government Railways. [1] It ceased on 28 July 1975, being replaced by road coaches. [2] [3] [4]

The northbound service operated on a Wednesday night, returning south on Thursday night. It was operated with refurbished Western Australian Government Railways carriages painted maroon and ivory. These were used on weekends on the Albany Weekender . [3] [4]

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References

  1. Western Australian Government Railways Commission (1964), Midlander buffet car and hostesses, 18 August 1964 , retrieved 23 August 2024
  2. Gunzburg, Adrian (1989). The Midland Railway Company Locomotives of Western Australia. Surrey Hills: Light Railway Research Society of Australia. p. 47. ISBN   0-9093402-77.
  3. 1 2 May, Andrew S; Gray, Bill (2006). A History of WAGR Passenger Carriages. Midland, WA: Bill Gray. p. 260. ISBN   0646459023.
  4. 1 2 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.