Local Government
Leonora
Region
Goldfields
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
1128 Tower St Gwalia
Location Details
ALSO PART OF 4234
Construction Date
Constructed from 1934
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 17 Feb 1998 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
|
Statement of Significance
The place is an important reminder of the important role trains played on the woodlines during the heyday of gold mining in the area,
Physical Description
The mine was serviced by a small steam driven locomotive, affectionately called 'Ken', that drew a number of carriages. The locomotive has deteriorated because of its exposure to the elements over a long period of time.
History
Originally called 'Ken', the name of the engine was changed to 'Midland' during its period of use at the mine. However it is still referred to affectionately as 'Ken', which was an acronym for the names of three directors of the Sons of Gwalia Company.
Transport was always difficult and expensive in the Goldfields and the Sons of Gwalia had to construct a woodline rail service to transport to the mine the enormous amount of mulga timber needed to fuel the mine's steam and producer gas engines. The 20-inch gauge woodline ran west and south of Gwalia for up to 112km, covering an area of some 1,280 square kms.
'Ken' was one of four engines built in 1934 for use on the Sons of Gwalia woodline at the W.A. Government Railway Midland Junction workshops, and ran until the mine closed in December 1963. Its engine is a 0-6-2T with outside frames, the cylinders are 9.5" x 12", it has Walschaerts valve gear, and a boiler pressure of 200 pounds per square inch.
Integrity/Authenticity
INTEGRITY: High
AUTHENTICITY: High
Condition
Fair
Place Type
Individual Building or Group
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | VACANT\UNUSED | Vacant\Unused |
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Rail: Other |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other | METAL | Cast Iron |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Rail & light rail transport |
Creation Date
11 Mar 1998Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
01 Jan 2017Disclaimer
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.