Western Australian Government Railways

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WAGR crest on a carriage built in 1919.

The Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) was the primary state-owned rail operator for Western Australia. The WAGR originated from the Department of Works and Railways created to run the Northern Railway between Geraldton and Northampton when it opened in 1879.

In 1890 the Works and Railways department was replaced with the WAGR, which would continue under that name until 1975 when its trading name changed to Westrail until 2000, with the WAGR being taken over by the Public Transport Authority in 2003 under the name Transwa.

In 1986 inner-city suburban lines were handed over to the newly established Transperth. In addition to rail services, the WAGR also operated trams, and ferries and provided electricity during its tenure, being renamed several times to reflect what it was doing.

Origins of WAGR[change | change source]

The history of the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) dates back to 1879 when the Department of Works & Railways was established.[1] The first railway line operated by WAGR opened on July 26, 1879, connecting Geraldton and Northampton. Subsequently, the Eastern Railway from Fremantle to Guildford via Perth was launched on March 1, 1881.[2][3] The WAGR chose a narrow gauge of 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) to reduce construction costs. Over the following decades, WAGR expanded its network with main lines and branches to serve Western Australia's wheatbelt. Before road transport became prevalent, the railway network played a vital role in transporting agricultural, forestry, and mining products. In 1890, the Department of Works & Railways was replaced by the WAGR and the Department of Works & Buildings. In October 1917, the WAGR network was connected to the rest of mainland Australia through the Commonwealth Railways' Trans-Australian Railway, which used a different standard gauge of 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) to reach Kalgoorlie.

Challenges and Changes[change | change source]

Legislation was introduced to limit competition from road transport, primarily during the 1930s to the 1950s, with the Transport Co-ordination Board controlling commercial road traffic. As road transport expanded, many railway lines closed from 1949. The railway network reached its peak at 6,600 kilometers in 1937, with only one tunnel, the Swan View Tunnel, being constructed. In the 1950s, many branches closed due to maintenance needs, aging rolling stock, and financial losses. Although 1,320 kilometers of the network were closed in 1956/57, 275 kilometers were later reopened on a seasonal basis. During the late 1960s, gauge conversion allowed trains from eastern states to operate on the Eastern and Eastern Goldfields lines between Perth and Kalgoorlie. Diesel locomotives replaced steam locomotives in March 1972. In the late 20th century, the removal of restrictions on road transport competition shifted WAGR from a customer-oriented system to primarily a main line bulk carrier operation. This resulted in the closure of facilities in smaller communities, except for the wheatbelt, where bulk grain handling continued despite the changes.

Operational History[change | change source]

Rolling Stock[change | change source]

Locomotives[change | change source]

Listed in chronological order of service entry with subclasses.

Steam[change | change source]
Diesel[change | change source]
Railcars and Multiple Units[change | change source]
  • AO/AOT class (1922)
  • ASA class (1931)
  • AI class (1937)
  • ADE/ADT class (1937/39)
  • ADF/ADU class (1949)
  • ADG class (1954)
  • ADH class (1955, '62)
  • ADX class (1959)
  • ADK/ADB class (1968)
  • WCA/WCE class (1971)
  • ADL/ADC class (1982)
  • ADP/ADQ class (1987)
  • AEA/AEB class (1991) - Transperth A-series
  • WDA/WDB/WDC class (2004)
  • WEA/WEB class (2004)
  • BEA/BEB/BET class (2005) - Transperth B-series
  • Transperth C-series (2023)

Carriages[change | change source]

  • AI class (1876) (Originally AB class)
  • AH class (1881/83) (Originally AC, BC classes)
  • AG class (1884) (Originally AB, ABA classes)
  • Unclassed (1887) - Bunbury Tramcars
  • AH class (1888) (Originally ABC class)
  • AC class (1892) (Originally AB class)
  • AG class (1893) (Originally AB class) - Gilbert coaches
  • AD class (1895) (Originally AB class) - ADS
  • AC class (1895) (Originally AB class) - ACE
  • AB class (1895)
  • AM class (1895)
  • AP class (1896) (Originally A class)
  • AC class (1896) (Originally AB class) - Ex-GSR
  • AL class (1896) (Originally A class)
  • AE class (1897) (Originally AB class)
  • AF class (1897) (Originally AB class)
  • AA class (1899) (Originally A class)
  • AB class (1899) (Originally A class)
  • AO class (1899)
  • AR class (1903)
  • AQ class (1904)
  • AT class (1904)
  • AW class (1905)
  • AU class (1905)
  • AV class (1905)
  • ACL class (1906)
  • AX class (1906)
  • AS class (1908)
  • AR class (1911) - ARS
  • AGB class (1921)
  • AZ class (1928)
  • AY class (1928) - AYL
  • AG class (1928)
  • ACW class (1933)
  • AGS class (1935)
  • AJ class (1941)
  • AG class (1941)
  • VP class (1942)
  • AK class (1942)
  • AYB class (1945)
  • AYC class (1947)
  • AYD class (1947)
  • AH class (1948)
  • AJB class (1950)
  • AKB class (1950)
  • AQZ class (1954)
  • AYE class (1955)
  • AN class (1955)
  • AVL class (1958)
  • ADA class (1961)
  • AQL class (1961)
  • AQM class (1961)
  • ARM class (1962)
  • AYS class (1962)
  • AYU class (1964)
  • ACM class (1965)
  • AYF class (1967)
  • ARA class (1980)
  • SX class (1986) - SXV

Wagons[change | change source]

Note: This section is incomplete. Listed in alphabetical order, with subclasses in chronological order below.

  • A class (1882, '96) (Originally E class)
  • B class (1885, '88, '91) (Originally O class)
    • BA class (1903)
    • BB class (1907, '20)
    • BC class (ca. 1898) (Originally AE class)
    • BD class (1916)
    • BS class (1936-37)
    • BE class (1952-53)
  • C class (1885-1915) (Originally N class)
    • CA class (1919)
    • CX class (1920)
    • CXA class (1933-51)
    • CXB class (1953)
  • D class (1881-1913, '43) (Originally G class)
    • DA class (1924-50)
    • DB class (1937-38)
    • DC class (1953-54)
    • DE class (1954-61)
    • DW class (1902-1961)
    • DX class (1902, '49)
    • DY class (1902)
  • E class (1894-1920) (Originally Q class)
    • EA class (1934, '39)
    • EB class (1961-65)
    • EBE class (1982)
  • F class (1896-1904) (Originally S class)
    • FA class (1902)
    • FB class (1904-13)
    • FC class (1936)
    • FD class (1953-55)
    • FDM class (1954-55)
    • FDP class (1973-1980)
    • FDF class (1982)
  • G class (1881-1909) (Originally I, II, IW, W and R classes)
    • GA class (1901-04)
    • GB class (1904-06)
    • GC class (1907-51)
    • GD class (1907-09)
    • GCR class (ca. 1930)
    • GCW class (1932)
    • GL class (1933)
    • GS class (1935-42)
    • GW class (1937)
    • GN class (1943-45)
    • GE class (1945-51)
    • GER class (1949-57)
    • GF class (1950-51)
    • GM class (1951-53)
    • GH class (1953-55)
    • GHR class (1955)
    • GMR class (1955, '56-'57)
    • GST class (1959-69)
    • GSW class (1963-65)
    • GHD class (1964-71)
    • GMD class (1968-83)
    • GHA class (1974)
    • GHC class (1975-76)
    • GHB class (1976-77)
    • GHE class (1977-80)
    • GEF class (1983-85)
  • H class (1875-1903) (Originally J, JI , JW, K, P, R and V classes)
    • HA class (1904-64)
    • HB class (1926-30)
    • HC class (1952-53, '61)
    • HD class (1953)
    • HW class (1954-66)
    • HDA class (1959)
    • HCA class (1965)
    • HCL class (1967)
    • HE class (1971)
    • HCN class (1972)
    • HCP class (1976)
  • I class (1893-97) (Originally M class)
    • IX class (1908-09)
    • IM class (1920-22)
  • J class (ca. 1890-1976) (Originally F and FA classes)
    • JA class (1899, 1925-36)
    • JD class (1927)
    • JP class (1927-49)
    • JB class (1928, '30)
    • JWA class (1928-29)
    • JM class (1929-31)
    • JE class (1930)
    • JF class (1930, '33)
    • JH class (1934-37, '51)
    • JC class (1936-38)
    • JK class (1936-54)
    • JL class (1936, '40)
    • JN class (1936)
    • JO class (1937)
    • JQ class (1938)
    • JR class (1938-39)
    • JW class (1938)
    • JS class (1939, '86-'87)
    • JT class (1939)
    • JX class (1939-57)
    • JY class (1941)
    • JU class (1942)
    • JI class (1944)
    • JV class (1945)
    • JZ class (1945, '74)
    • JG class (1948)
    • JBA class (1949)
    • JSA class (1950)
    • JAC class (1951)
    • JEA class (1952-54)
    • JRA class (1952-53)
    • JDA class (1953)
    • JTA class (1953, '55)
    • JHA class (1954)
    • JIA class (1955, '58, '61)
    • JOA class (1955-65)
    • JTB class (1956, '57)
    • JXA class (1958-59)
    • JEB class (1959)
    • JGA class (1961-62)
    • JIB class (1961-62)
    • JTC class (1961)
    • JYA class (1961)
    • JGS class (1962)
    • JGB class (1964, '67)
    • JGH class (1964)
    • JIC class (1965)
    • JTD class (1965)
    • JTE class (1965)
    • JY class (1965, '72)
    • JID class (1966)
    • JTF class (1966)
    • JGC class (1969)
    • JGD class (1969)
    • JBS class (1972)
    • JVW class (1972)
    • JGE class (1975, '79-'80)
    • JHS class (1976)
    • JPA class (1976)
    • JPB class (1981-82)
    • JJ class (1982-83)
    • JFS class (1983)
    • JGF class (1983)
    • JOB class (1983-84)
    • JOC class (1984)
    • JPAA class (1985)
    • JPBA class (1985-86)
    • JBB class (1986)
    • JPC class (1986)
    • JFR class (1987)
    • JHR class (1987)
    • JNR class (1987)
    • JUR class (1987)
  • K class (1895-1905, '27-'28) (Originally V class)
    • KW class (1931-32)
    • KC class (1935, '51)
    • KL class (1937-38)
    • KS class (1938-40)
    • KA class (1939-41)
    • KB class (1964)
  • L class (1894-1939) (Originally U, VP and K classes)
    • LA class (1913, '31, '55-'60)
    • LB class (1931)
    • LW class (1945-46)
    • LX class (1892, 1931)
  • M class (1911-19) (Originally E and VT classes)
    • MA class (1925, '29)
    • MC class (1948)
    • ML class (1953)
    • MS class (1963-76)
  • N class (ca. 1880-1914) (Originally L and M classes)
    • NF class (1953-66)
    • NS class (1956)
    • NFC class (1956)
    • NFA class (1959)
    • NC class (1962, '71)
    • NO class (1967)
    • NW class (1968-71)
    • NFB class (1974)
    • NV class (1974-75)
    • NA class (1980-83)
  • O class (ca. 1880-1907) (Originally H class)
  • Q (1897-1906) class (Originally LB class)
    • QB class (1901-02, '63)
    • QA class (1913-14, '31, '64)
    • QAS class (1934)
    • QX class (1936)
    • QD class (1938)
    • QM class (1942)
    • QRB class (1953)
    • QRP class (1953)
    • QC class (1954-56)
    • QR class (1954)
    • QAP class (1955)
    • QP class (1955-68)
    • QY class (1955)
    • QCF class (1957-70)
    • QJG class (1959, '62)
    • QMB class (1959-61)
    • QCA class (1960)
    • QCB class (1961)
    • QBB class (1962-70)
    • QCE class (1962-70)
    • QCD class (1963)
    • QMC class (1963)
    • QMD class (1963-64, '66)
    • QS class (1963-67)
    • QU class (1963-64, '66)
    • QCS class (1964)
    • QRS class (1964)
    • QPS class (1965)
    • QJH class (1967-68)
    • QRT class (1967)
    • QSA class (1967)
    • QCP class (1968)
    • QMF class (1968)
    • QAN class (1969)
    • QCC class (1969, '72)
    • QMG class (1970-71)
    • QRC class (1970-71)
    • QUA class (1970-72)
    • QWF class (1970)
    • QE class (1971)
    • QRN class (1971-72)
    • QRJ class (1972)
    • QBC class (1973)
    • QBL class (1973)
    • QRA class (1973)
    • QT class (1973)
    • QV class (1973-79)
    • QW class (1973-74)
    • QBE class (1975-78)
    • QRD class (1975)
    • QH class (1979)
    • QCG class (1980-83)
    • QF class (1980)
    • QG class (1980)
    • QUW class (1981, '83)
    • QUG class (1985-86)
    • QK class (1987-89)
    • QL class (1988)
    • QD class (1989)
    • QUR class (1995)
    • QURD class (ca. 1995)
    • QUT class (ca. 1995)
    • QUS class (ca. 1995)
    • QUB class (2002)
  • R class (1894-1901) (Originally IB class)
    • RX class (1897)
    • RA class (1902-03)
    • RD class (1910)
    • RM class (1920)
    • RB class (1930-37)
    • RBW class (1937)
    • RAA class (1942)
    • RAB class (1954)
    • RC class (1954, '58)
    • RAC class (ca. 1955)
    • RBT class (1959-60)
    • RCA class (1959-61)
    • RBC class (1961-68)
    • RCB class (1961-65)
    • RAM class (1964) (Originally RBM class)
    • RY class (1968)
    • RO class (1969)
    • RCH class (1970-71)
    • RCJ class (1986-88)
    • RCK class (1986)
    • RCW class (1986)
    • RCWA class (1986)
    • RCC class (1993)
  • S class (1893, '96-'97) (Originally NB class)
    • SX class (1920, '23-'24) (Originally SA class)
    • SXT class (1960-61)
    • SA class (1968)
    • SB class (1987-88)
    • SC class (1988)
    • SD class (1988)
  • T class (1893-1906) (Originally OB class)
    • TA class (1954)
    • TAD class (1961, '72)
  • U class (1894-1940) (Originally KB class)
  • V class (1896-98) (Originally GB class)
    • VW class
    • VC class
    • VP class
  • W class
  • X class
  • Y class
  • Z class
  • Unclassed

Brake vans[change | change source]

Note: This section is incomplete.

  • P class (1881-1897) (Originally C, D and DB classes)
  • Z class
    • ZJ class (1902) (Originally AJ class) - ZJA
    • ZA class (1902)
    • ZB class (1926)
    • ZP class (1936) (Originally C, D and DB classes)

Trains[change | change source]

  • Albany Progress
  • Albany Weekender
  • The Australind
  • Bunbury Belle
  • The Shopper Perth
  • The Midlander
  • The Westland
  • The Kalgoorlie
  • The Prospector
  • The Mullewa

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ "AU WA A580 - Department of Works and Railways". State Records Office of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  2. ↑ Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society. pp. 13, 115, 142. ISBN 0-9599690-3-9.
  3. ↑ Higham, Geoffrey (2007). Marble Bar to Mandurah: A history of passenger rail services in Western Australia. Bassendean: Rail Heritage WA. pp. 10, 35, 44, 46, 57, 58, 111, 118, 119. ISBN 978-0-9803922-0-3.


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