Lake Grace Railway Precinct

Child Places

• 03279 Lake Grace Railway Station Building
• 12660 Railway goods shed
• 12692 4 Square Store
• 12659 Lake Grace Station Master's House (fmr)
• 12656 Bankwest, Lake Grace

Statement of Significance

The railway precinct is representative of its type and period in rural
Western Australia and informs of a way of life which is no longer practised, which was integral with the
settlement and sustained development of the region. It contributes to the character of the town of Lake
Grace and is a landmark significant for its identifiable associations with the railways.

Physical Description

Precinct comprising the remaining buildings and the sites of a number of railway facilities which were at one time operative on the fully functional railway line.

History

railway line.
Historical theme: TRANSPORT/COMMUNICATION On 19 June 1916, the railway from Wagin to Lake Grace opened. That year the townsite of Lake Grace was declared. A staff cabin and waiting shelter were in place at Lake Grace Station in the early 1920s. In 1924, a new railway station, stationmaster's house and goods shed were planned in advance of the line being extended eastwards to Newdegate in 1926. On 1 January 1925 a Stationmaster was appointed to Lake Grace station. A wool ramp was also constructed in association with the loop track behind the goods shed serving the stock races (until 1977). Lake Grace became a junction in 1933 when the line northwards to Hyden opened, and a small out loco depot was established in the Lake Grace yard. In 1929, Vacuum Oil Company (later Mobil) had a dead end siding on the east side of the platform, and the other companies had unloading points around the railway yard; Shell from 1935, BP from 1958, Caltex 1963, HC Sleigh (later Golden Fleece) 1967, and Esso from 1969. Mixed passenger services ran until them late 1940s when a diesel service was introduced. In the early 1950s, WAGR introduced road bus services, and rail passenger services although Lake Grace ceased on 26 October 1951. After that time, passengers could be transported in the 'ZA' van until 1957. In that year the Hyden line was closed, after re-assessment, re-opening in 1960 for seasonal work. In 1969, the CBH bin was established on the east side of town away from the rail yard. Lake Grace was a busy junction, with substantial traffic in wool, oil, sheep, grain and fertiliser. In 1974, a crew room and toilet facilities were added to the railway station building, and by 1976, Lake Grace was a third class station. By 1977 the railway stockyards were out of use. By 16 April 1985 when the sephamore signals were withdrawn, Lake Grace was the only station on the line to have signals. On 24 July 1987, the Lake Grace stationmaster was withdrawn and the railway station was closed although a rail crew is still stationed at Lake Grace

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.