Update: Please note that Rail Heritage WA will be vacating Block 1 from 3 October 2006 until further notice to enable remediation works on the roof to take place.
 

 

 

  

 

  
 

Midland Workshops

Rail Heritage WA is delighted to have been associated with the Midland Workshops since 1995, when, courtesy of Westrail, it began to store its Heritage Train fleet in Block 1. To be able to undertake restoration work, no matter the weather, and not see that work deteriorate due to open air storage, has been an invaluable aid to our endeavours to maintain WA’s railway heritage. Since then progress has been made towards Block 1 containing a permanent restoration base as part of the proposed State Rail heritage Centre to be developed in the Workhops. We thank the Midland Redevelopment Authority for their ongoing support.

Block 1, or the car and wagon shop as it was known, was the location for the construction and maintenance of a large rollingstock fleet. The western end of the building was constructed in 1904 and the extension (seen by the changed direction of the saw-tooth roof) was completed in 1914.
Our activities in Block 1, where some of the vehicles were built and the majority were maintained over their working life, include:

  • Restoration of the Heritage Train and carriages from the ‘Named trains of Yesteryear’. The ARHS used to run about ten trips per year using some of these carriages. These included special events such as the Midland Centennial Trains in 1995, The Arts Train, Great Southern Railway Centenary, Wheatbelt Wanderer and ‘Dinner in the Diner’ trips. It is a pity that Western Australians, and their visitors, are currently unable to travel by narrow gauge train in the ambience of yesteryear.
  • Restoration of representatives of WA’s freight wagons
  • Locomotive overhauls have in the past included ‘Leschenault Lady’ and currently work is underway on XA 1405 “Warienga”, 1885 built steam loco H18 for display at Bassendean and work on ‘Katie’ is planned.
  • Federation Train – In addition to already restored standard gauge carriages, other ex-Trans Australian carriages are either being restored or are awaiting restoration.

Unfortunately Block 1 is not yet open to the public except for one or two special ‘behind-the-scenes’ days a year. However, a short sortie into the block is included as part of the escorted tours run by the Midland Workshops Interpretive Centre on Tuesdays, Thursday and Sundays.