Railway Marshalling Yards & Environs (fmr)

Statement of Significance

DEMOLISHED
The railway complex of industrial archaeological significance which survived the steam era was all removed from the City Centre in 1985 and entirely by 1988, except for the 1904 Railway Station now reused for commercial purposes. Some components such as the impressive Round House; G class locomotives; and rail coaches are now housed in a neighbouring shire at the Boyanup Museum. Signalling equipment is presumed to have been moved to the Westrail complex at Picton.

Physical Description

DEMOLISHED

History

The site is associated with the Perth-Bunbury Railway and comprised the Round House, goods shed, pedestrian overbridge and other structures, which spread over a large area along what is now Blair Street.

The Perth-Bunbury Railway line was formally opened on 8 September 1893, although trains had been running for some weeks before. The ceremony was performed by the Governor, Sir W. F. C. Robinson. The track ran alongside what is now Blair Street to a station and marshalling yard east of the town.

The completion of the Perth-Bunbury Railway saw Bunbury connected to other parts of Western Australia as well, particularly as new lines were constructed. A government built railway between Boyanup and Bunbury was completed in March 1897 and in 1906, construction of a line between Darkan and Bunbury saw the Bunbury network connected with the Great Southern. These lines enabled the transport of timber, coal and bulky agriculture products to Bunbury, as well as bringing job opportunities and prosperity to the town and port.

Bus services were introduced to Bunbury in the mid-1960s. On 25 May 1985, Bunbury Railway Station received train passengers for the last time. The train line was moved out of the city and a new terminal was built at Picton. Ownership of the railway station was transferred from Westrail (formerly Western Australian Government Railways) to the City of Bunbury and the building was converted into commercial premises, the Bunbury Tourist Bureau, the bus terminal and cafe.

From the mid-1960s, the Tourist Bureau Chief, George Baxter, led an enthusiastic band of volunteers that restored, maintained and operated a collection of valuable steam engines and rolling stock for tourists and locals. In 1968, former mayor, E C Manea and Maurie William MLA were instrumental in staying the scrapping of two ‘H’ class locomotives which first operated in on the Boyanup line in 1888.

The signalling equipment consisted of ground point indicators and masts carrying bracketed discs and lamps and lower quadrant, mechanical signals. The masts were originally Oregon, later replaced with jarrah. Some railway telephone poles of sawn timber, predating the change to steel in the 1940s, were still in use when the Yards closed.

The Round House Locomotive Depot was designed by H A Creswell, Chief Engineer for Ways and Works in 1927 and was an impressive technical achievement for its day. As a fine building of the Functionalist tradition, with a fully glazed external wall, it was an important element in the townscape for many decades. As the name suggests, the building was multi-sided and was basically semi-circular in plan. Part of the Round House was relocated to the Boyanup Museum.

The Goods Shed was attached to the old Bond Store and was an essential part of the Railway group. It was also dismantled when the railway relocated out of the city centre. The Goods Shed was built for the Harbour Trust to drawings signed by the Chief Engineer of Existing Lines, E E Light, in December 1910.

Many components were taken to Boyanup Museum or the Picton Westrail Complex in 1985. These include two vintage tenders which operated on the line for many years – G233 G Class 2-6-0 (No 174) – Leschenault Lady built in 1898 by James Martin and CO of Gawler, South Australia, and G123 G Glass 4-6-0 Koombana Queen built in 1897 by Dubs in Glasgow.

All that is left of the extensive railway complex at Bunbury is the Railway Station (B026).

Integrity/Authenticity

DEMOLISHED
Only the 1904 Railway Station [B026] remains in situ in Bunbury.

Condition

DEMOLISHEDMany components removed to Boyanup and to Picton Westrail Complex in 1985.

Uses

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.