Pemberton-Northcliffe Railway & Railway Station

Child Places

• 15404 Warren River Railway Bridge, Picton to Northcliffe Railway

Statement of Significance

The railway has great significance to the state because of its construction - both in method and in means. As a manpower-built railway it is one of the most important railway projects of the depression era and its construction using only cut, fill and bridges is unique in this state. This resulted in its being the most .expensive WA government railway built (comparative to its time). It is an engineering masterpiece and includes some of the finest timber bridge construction in the state. . It demonstrates the difficulty of the opening up of this area of the state and its .link with the social schemes of group settlement, including the timber mill at Northcliffe, and depression employment illustrate this development.clearly. The naming of Brockman-siding, after the pioneering Brockman family who were still farming jn the region, links the railway with one of the areas prominent figures.

Physical Description

The 3·6" gauge railway has undergone the usual mainteance and is in. generally sound condition despite the wet terrain. It has been kept to standards suitable to carry passengers in light rail vehicles and as such is inspected regularly. There are six bridges in. the first 1O.kms and these are the most important structures on the line. The rail is a mixture of Australian and British 601b, and the sleepers of jarrah and wandoo .

History

Assessment 1996 Construction 1929 - 1933 Construction of the 3'6" railway line initially commenced in April 1924 for a period of eight months. Clearing started again in 1928 but construction did not commence until May 1929 and was opened for traffic on 27th November 1933. Of length 22 miles and 16 chains, the first 10 mile 64 chains was built with .new rail but from that point to Northcliffe it was constructed using recycled railfrom the Kanowna and Mundaring branches. The project stalled several times due to limited funds but was finally built by the WAGR as a depression manpower project. The line is 36.k.m. long and had three intermediate sidings at Brockman, Yeagarup and Dombakup . As the railway formation is built on cut, fill or bridges all the way and does not use natural ground levels, it was th.e most expensive (per mile) railway ever built by the WAGR and indirect contrast with the slightly earlier light agricultural lines. · Until December 1986 the line was predominantly used for timber but carried a range of goods as well as some passengers. It had been intended that the line from Northcliffe would continue through to Nornalup, thus providing a cross country route from Bunbury to Albany. However costs proved prohibitive in the difficult terrain. . Since September 1987, the line was re-opened under an 'Order in Council' as a light railway (locomotives prohibited) and the operation by the Pemberton Tramway as a tourist venture began.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update