Western Australian Government Railways Commission
Encyclopedia
Western Australian Government Railways Commission was the name of the former Westrail between 2000 and 2003.
Western Australian Government Railways
became Westrail
in 1975 and continued to manage both passenger and freight rail services in Western Australia until 18 December 2000.
At that time, Westrail’s freight business was sold for A$585 million dollars to Australian Western Railroad
—a subsidiary of the Australian Railroad Group
(ARG). Westrail’s freight rail lines were leased to WestNet Rail
—another subsidiary of the Australian Railroad Group. The public entity continues to own the track, but WestNet manages it under the terms of a 49-year lease.
With the formation Public Transport Authority in July 2003 to oversee all rail, bus and ferry passenger services the Western Australian Government Railways Commission ceased to exist.
Western Australian Government Railways
Western Australian Government Railways
Western Australian Government Railways was most common name of the Western Australian government rail transport authority from 1890 to 1976. It is, in its current form, known as the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia....
became Westrail
Westrail
Westrail was the name of Western Australia’s public rail service between 1975 and 2000.It had its origins in 1877 as the Department of Works and Railways. This became Western Australian Government Railways in 1890 — a name that persisted for almost a century...
in 1975 and continued to manage both passenger and freight rail services in Western Australia until 18 December 2000.
At that time, Westrail’s freight business was sold for A$585 million dollars to Australian Western Railroad
Australian Western Railroad
Australian Western Railroad is the name of the private entity that purchased the Westrail freight business from the State Government of Western Australia. The sale took place in the year 2000 for the price of A$585 million dollars. AWR is a subsidiary of the Australian Railroad Group....
—a subsidiary of the Australian Railroad Group
Australian Railroad Group
Australian Railroad Group was one of Australia's largest private rail operators, operating across almost 10,000 kilometres of track and began operating in Western Australia on 17 December 2000 following its purchase of the Westrail freight business. It was acquired by QR National...
(ARG). Westrail’s freight rail lines were leased to WestNet Rail
WestNet Rail
WestNet Rail is the operator of approximately 5000 kilometres of former WAGR railway track in Western Australia, leased from the State of Western Australia following the sale of Westrail in 2000....
—another subsidiary of the Australian Railroad Group. The public entity continues to own the track, but WestNet manages it under the terms of a 49-year lease.
With the formation Public Transport Authority in July 2003 to oversee all rail, bus and ferry passenger services the Western Australian Government Railways Commission ceased to exist.
Further reading
- Affleck, Fred On Track - The making of Westrail 1950 to 1976, Perth, 1978. ISBN 0-7244-7560-5