Transwa Avonlink
Encyclopedia
The AvonLink is a standard gauge
passenger train operated by Transwa
that operates between Perth
, Western Australia
and the Avon Valley
. It provides one service in each direction every weekday, to and from the regional town of Northam
, and since 2004, has provided three extended services a week (MerredinLink
) to the town of Merredin
.
The first AvonLink left Northam at 6.55am on 24 September 1995, and attracted considerable fanfare, as it was the first new country passenger rail service in Western Australia for 47 years. Two major changes have since been made to the service; in June 2004, the AvonLink service was extended to Merredin three days a week, also visiting several smaller towns in the area, and on 1 August 2005, a new $12 million railcar made its maiden trip. Plans for a trial station at Herne Hill
were announced in early 2005, however any works have yet to be started.
The new Avonlink railcar (numbered WEA031/WEB041) is similar in design to the new Prospector
railcars. The railcar has the capacity to carry 138 passengers. During initial planning it was envisaged the railcar would be narrow gauge to enable the train to terminate in Perth railway station
, rather than city commuters having to transfer trains at Midland station
.
In spring 2006, Transwa trialled a day trip Sunday service to Toodyay and Northam. The six week trial proved popular with each service being fully booked out weeks in advance. http://avonvalley.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=general&story_id=516519&category=general&m=10&y=2006
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
passenger train operated by Transwa
Transwa
Transwa is Western Australia's regional public transport provider, linking 275 destinations within Western Australia, from Kalbarri in the north to Augusta in the south to Esperance in the east along with the regional centres of Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Northam, Geraldton and Albany.Transwa is...
that operates between Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
and the Avon Valley
Avon Valley, Western Australia
Avon Valley may refer to:* the fertile land in the catchment of the Avon River * the Avon Valley National Park* the final Eastern Railway route through the valley* Avon Valley School...
. It provides one service in each direction every weekday, to and from the regional town of Northam
Northam, Western Australia
Northam is a town in Western Australia, situated at the confluence of the Avon and Mortlock Rivers, about north-east of Perth in the Avon Valley. At the 2006 census, Northam had a population of 6,009. Northam is the largest town in the Avon region...
, and since 2004, has provided three extended services a week (MerredinLink
Transwa Avonlink
The AvonLink is a standard gauge passenger train operated by Transwa that operates between Perth, Western Australia and the Avon Valley. It provides one service in each direction every weekday, to and from the regional town of Northam, and since 2004, has provided three extended services a week to...
) to the town of Merredin
Merredin, Western Australia
-Economy:The agricultural land around Merredin produces 40% of Western Australia’s wheat quota. As a focal point for the region, Merredin’s local bulk handling co-operative receives and processes in excess of a million tonnes of grain every year...
.
The first AvonLink left Northam at 6.55am on 24 September 1995, and attracted considerable fanfare, as it was the first new country passenger rail service in Western Australia for 47 years. Two major changes have since been made to the service; in June 2004, the AvonLink service was extended to Merredin three days a week, also visiting several smaller towns in the area, and on 1 August 2005, a new $12 million railcar made its maiden trip. Plans for a trial station at Herne Hill
Herne Hill, Western Australia
Herne Hill is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located in the City of Swan local government area. The area holds several wineries that make the Swan Valley popular for its wine production.- Wineries :Carilley Estate, Highway Wines, Talijancich Wines,...
were announced in early 2005, however any works have yet to be started.
The new Avonlink railcar (numbered WEA031/WEB041) is similar in design to the new Prospector
Transwa Prospector
The Transwa Prospector is a standard-gauge passenger train operated by Transwa that runs between Perth, Western Australia, and the Goldfields town of Kalgoorlie.-History:...
railcars. The railcar has the capacity to carry 138 passengers. During initial planning it was envisaged the railcar would be narrow gauge to enable the train to terminate in Perth railway station
Perth railway station
Perth Station including Perth Underground is the largest railway station in Perth, Western Australia, and functions as an interchange between the Transperth Trains Armadale / Thornlie, Fremantle, Joondalup, Mandurah and Midland railway lines, as well as the Transwa Australind.-History:The Victorian...
, rather than city commuters having to transfer trains at Midland station
Midland railway station, Perth
Midland Train Station is a Transperth train station 16km from Perth Train Station, in Western Australia, and is the terminus of the current suburban rail service on the Midland Line.-History:...
.
In spring 2006, Transwa trialled a day trip Sunday service to Toodyay and Northam. The six week trial proved popular with each service being fully booked out weeks in advance. http://avonvalley.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=general&story_id=516519&category=general&m=10&y=2006
Stations
- East PerthEast Perth railway stationEast Perth railway station is a Transperth railway station 1.9 km from Perth Train Station, on the Midland Line in Perth, Western Australia.It is next to the East Perth Terminal and Public Transport Centre, in Western Australia....
(Merredin services depart from here) - MidlandMidland railway station, PerthMidland Train Station is a Transperth train station 16km from Perth Train Station, in Western Australia, and is the terminus of the current suburban rail service on the Midland Line.-History:...
(Northam-only services depart from here) - ToodyayToodyay, Western AustraliaToodyay is a town located in the Wheatbelt region in the Avon Valley, 85 km north-east of Perth, Western Australia. Toodyay is connected to Perth via both rail and road.-History:...
- NorthamNortham, Western AustraliaNortham is a town in Western Australia, situated at the confluence of the Avon and Mortlock Rivers, about north-east of Perth in the Avon Valley. At the 2006 census, Northam had a population of 6,009. Northam is the largest town in the Avon region...
- MeckeringMeckering, Western AustraliaMeckering is a town 130 km east of Perth, Western Australia along the Great Eastern Highway. Meckering is located within the Shire of Cunderdin.A railway line was completed in the area in 1895 and Meckering was selected as a station site...
- CunderdinCunderdin, Western AustraliaCunderdin is a town located in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia 156 km east of Perth, on Great Eastern Highway.- History :The first European visitor to the area was Charles Cooke Hunt, who explored the area in 1864 and recorded the name Cunderdin, from the Aboriginal name of a nearby...
- TamminTammin, Western AustraliaThe town of Tammin is located in the central agricultural region, east of Perth, Western Australia and midway between the towns of Cunderdin and Kellerberrin on the Great Eastern Highway.-History:...
- KellerberrinKellerberrin, Western AustraliaKellerberrin is a town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, east of Perth on the Great Eastern Highway.The railway line from Northam to Southern Cross was constructed through here in 1893-94, and this section opened for traffic in 1895. Kellerberrin was one of the original stations when...
- DoodlakineDoodlakine, Western AustraliaDoodlakine is located 220 km ENE of Perth, Western Australia. It is situated within the Shire of Kellerberrin along the Great Eastern Highway. The town also contains a crossing loop for trains on the Perth to Kalgoorlie railway, and serves as a stop on the Avonlink rural train service.The area...
- Hines HillHines Hill, Western AustraliaHines Hill is a town located 240 km east of Perth, between the towns of Merredin and Doodlakine in Western Australia. The town is situated on the Great Eastern Highway and also on the edge of Lake Baandee...
- MerredinMerredin, Western Australia-Economy:The agricultural land around Merredin produces 40% of Western Australia’s wheat quota. As a focal point for the region, Merredin’s local bulk handling co-operative receives and processes in excess of a million tonnes of grain every year...