GREAT SOUTHERN RAILWAY

Great Southern Railway

From: Australian Railways Wiki

The Great Southern Railway (GSR) was built, owned and operated by the Western Australian Land Company, a company set up specifically for the purpose by Anthony Hordern, that operated from Beverley to Albany in Western Australia between 1886 and 1896. In 1896 the Western Australian Government Railways took over this company and the railway route also kept the name.

The first sods for the railway were turned on 20 October 1886. This occurred simultaneously at Beverley and Albany by Lady Broome and the Governor Sir Frederick Broome respectively. The final spike was driven on 14 February 1889, 122 miles (196 km) north of Albany. The official opening of the line was on 1 June 1889.

The construction of the railway was significant for the development of economic activity in the region and led to the establishment of grain and sheep grazing, along with the development of towns such as Katanning, Broomehill, Tambellup, Mount Barker and Woodanilling.

There was some initial debate over where the railway line should be placed. In the end, the link was made from an existing line ending at Beverley because it was the cheapest option. This devastated residents of the town of Kojonup, who initially hoped the line would pass through their town and follow the Albany Highway.

The line was constructed under a “Land Grant” system – land in exchange for miles (km) built.

Steam locomotives were withdrawn from mainline work in Western Australia in 1971 – the process of removing steam from the Great Southern line had serious economic effects upon the towns of Narrogin and Katanning where extensive barracks and services relative to steam operations were closed down after this date.

Currently the line is managed by ARC Infrastructure. The majority of movements are CBH grain trains from Newdegate, Hyden, Lake Grace, Dumbleyung and Wagin to Cranbrook and Albany. Aurizon currently operates a woodchip train between Albany and Redmond.

MORE READING

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN LAND COMPANY

Mr Anthony Hordern Hordern formed the Western Australian Land Company in London with a capital of £300,000 and a debenture issue of £500,000 to build the line from Albany to the then Government Railway Terminus situated at Beverly. Unfortunately, Mr Hordern died aboard the mail steamer “Carthage” on his way back from England in 1886. Thus, he did not live to see the benefits gained from his mighty efforts. His name has been perpetuated in Albany by the erection of a red granite column in a conspicuous place at the intersection of four main arteries in the town. Read more

Railway map of the day showing the WA Land Company’s land allocation

ANTHONY HORDERN

Anthony Hordern was born on 24 July, 1842, at Melbourne to Anthony and Harriett (nee Marsden) Hordern. Educated in Sydney and at Rugby, England, he toured Europe and at 18 entered his father’s firm. Read more

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