Pinjarra Railway Yards

Statement of Significance

Since 1893 Pinjarra Railway Station Precinct has been a focus of the town, contributing to
the community's sense of place.
The engine shed is believed to be the oldest remaining engine shed in Western Australia,
and the carriage shed is believed to be the only surviving carriage shed in Western
Australia.
The goods shed, engine shed, carriage shed and barracks provide tangible evidence of an
historic continuum, retaining functions close to their original uses.
Through interpretation, the site has a capacity to demonstrate the particular operations at
Pinjarra Junction. Pinjarra Railway Station Precinct is valued by those with affection for rail and rail history.
Pinjarra Railway Station Precinct is associated with Sir John Forrest, George Temple Poole,
C. Y. O'Connor, and Neil McNeil.

Physical Description

A group of buildings, tracks and spaces related to the former railway operations at Pinjarra,
including goods shed, engine shed, carriage shed and barracks.
Station building burned down. Loco Shed and Goods Shed (1902) still in use. Also still
standing and in good order: hand crane, turntable, barracks.
A replica of the Station Building was constructed in the early 21st century and currently
operates as the Visitor Centre for Pinjarra.

History

The extension of the railway to Pinjarra was a catalyst for the development of the town, the
surrounding hills and Coolup region. The expansion of the rail network in the 1890s was an
ambitious program which brought economic benefit to the region and to the State, improving
communications and transport for mail, imports and exports. The program was particularly
ambitious in the light of the limited resources of the colony and required considerable
borrowings to effect their construction.
The development and construction of the yards, in the initial phases at least, had close
associations with the politicians Sir John Forrest and William Paterson, who played an
important role in securing the extension of the network to Pinjarra and beyond. Civil
servants who also played an important role included Alpin Fowler Thomson, Under
Secretary of Railways; George Temple Poole, Colonial Architect and Assistant Engineer in
Chief at the Public Works Department, who developed the design for many of the standard
railway yards and station structures; C. Y. O'Connor, Engineer in Chief who made the East
Perth to Picton Junction line the first of the many projects he completed.
Pinjarra Railway Station Precinct is also associated with contractors Neil McNeil & Co. who
built the Pinjarra to Picton Junction section of the South-West Railway and later the section
from Jarrahdale Junction to Pinjarra. Finally, there is the association of all those who
managed and worked in the yards and their families, all of whom had a role to play in the
construction and subsequent functioning of the yards.
The first train from Bunbury to Pinjarra, before the official opening of the line, was notable
because of the trial of Collie Coal in the locomotive. The cost of importing coal from New
South Wales was very high and the ability of WAGR engines to use Collie Coal was a
design consideration for engine construction.
The continued use of Pinjarra Railway Station Precinct as an operating tourist railway,
following the decline of rail use in the post-World War II period, is indicative of a shift in the
historical importance of railways and the sustained interest in them.

Integrity/Authenticity

Fair

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.