Pinjarra Railway Yards

Statement of Significance

Scarcity value The engine shed, carriage shed and goods shed are the only buildings left on the East Perth to Picton railway which date back to the construction of the railway in 1893. The carriage shed and the engine shed are believed to be the only pre-1940 examples remaining in WA. The engine and carriage shed contain rare cast iron window frames. Histroical significance of development; ass ociation with historical figun:s The East Perth to Picton railway was the first railway line to link one railway to another is WA. It was significant in its role initially as a means of transport for primary products. Not only was ) Pinjarra the branchline through Dwelli ngup to Narrogin. C Y O'Connor was Chief Engineer for the railways and responsible for the overall design. Con tractors were Neil McNeil & Co. Social Significance The precinct and its constituent par·ts were, from the outset, extremely important to the development of Pinjarra as a community between Perth and Bunbury. The railway barracks reflect a way of life for a group of railway employees - the train crews. Education Value This precinct with its collection of buildings presents a unique opportunity to study a way of life and an era when railways were essential to the economic progress of an area.

Physical Description

General Descript ion & Setting: The Goods Shed, a goods loading platform with crane, a passenger platform, engine shed with 2 outside engine pits, carriage shed and a trainman's barracks remain in the precinct. Engine Shed Two-road shed, simple industrial structure - unlined, no eaves. Guttering not original. Walls are of red/brown pain ted corrugated iron with evidence of 1-epair and replacement. The original large end doors are no longer there. Main timber frame seems to be original with trusses mainly in good condition. Windows on the north side are still in cast iron frames, whilst on the south side these are missing or replaced by other forms. Floors of concrete are still visible on the south side whilst other areas are now covered with old timber plan king. Smoke ventilators on the roof. The two outside engine pits are still in use. It is still in use as an engine shed - now leased to Hotham Valley Railway. Carriage Shed This was originally a two road shed. It was a basic timber frame with conc1-ete floor. However, about half the trusses have been replaced with tube steel trusses. Pain ted and clad like the engine shed, bu t predominantly newer corrugated iron or zincalume. Sections of the wall on the mainline side are original with lead washers still in situ. Some cast iron windows are intact but with considerable deterioration in the window sills. It is now used as a workshop. In between the carriage shed and the engine shed corrugated iron sheeting has been placed as a flat roof over a section. This has provided extra storage space. Barracks Part of the oldest section of the barracks still exists in reasonable condit ion. The cabins for sleeping and a kitchen are placed under another roof. Timber frame construction, jarrah weatherboard clad with pai ntwork in fair condition. The rear block of four with the bathroom are a later addition - similar construction . Currently used as worker accommodation. l.oading Ramp Not in original location. It has an apparently operable crane on it. This was a 3 ton crane installed in 1929. Goods Shed Corrugated iron and timber frame construction. The original size of 40' x 52' seems to have ben amended during construction to 44' x 52'. There is little structural change evident though the guttering has bee n replaced and similarly the corrugated iron has been replaced, at least in part. The trusses over the rail line through the shed have had a small section modified. Station There is only a brick passenger shelter on the platform now. Previous station buildings have been demolished. The most recent station building was destroyed by fire in 1986. It is not known if the cellar from the early refreshment room still exists. T Trackworks in the Yard The railway tracks have undergone many changes over the years as Pinjnrra developed .. Tracks into the engine and carriage shed had been removed but were relaid by Hotham Valley Rail way in the late 1970's. Housing There have always been railway houses adjacent to the Yard. But there are no railway houses dating from pre-World War 2 remaining. Though it is of interest that two of the current houses were imported from Sweden a pre-fabricated building is in the late 1940's.

History

Assessment 1993 Construction

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update