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/ Categories: PTA News, Transperth

Heritage train to honour Anzacs

More than 10 months of planning will come to fruition next week when a commemorative train recreates the journey taken 100 years ago by Western Australian troops from their training camp at Blackboy Hill, near Mundaring, to Fremantle Port.

On October 31, 1914 the troops left Fremantle on two ships before joining the rest of the convoy that departed from Albany bound for active service in World War I.

The State Government is funding events to mark the departure, including a community event at Greenmount Primary School (site of the Blackboy Hill training ground), overnight cadet bivouac, departure service at Blackboy Hill, the train journey and a service in Fremantle.

Veterans Minister Joe Francis said enabling the heritage train to run on the Transperth network had been a big undertaking, with collaboration across government, private and non-for-profit organisations.

“The State Government has funded Hotham Valley Tourist Railway to recommission their rolling stock for the commemorative journey,” Mr Francis said.

“On October 31, the locomotive and rolling stock will be hauled by an Aurizon freight locomotive from Pinjarra to Midland on Brookfield Rail’s freight rail line. Brookfield Rail and Aurizon are providing these services free of charge.

“The train will travel across the Transperth network from Midland to Fremantle between about 10am and 11am before returning to Pinjarra.”

Australian Defence Force cadets will travel on the train, along with the WA Military Cadet Drum Band and the 11th Battalion Living History Unit representatives.  School children have been invited to participate by making Australian flags and ‘waving off the troops’ at stations along the route as the train passes.

Overhead power need to be switched off to allow the heritage train to pass, so trains on the Midland and Fremantle lines will be altered or cancelled between about 9.30am and 11.15am.

There will be no rail replacement buses during the disruption on those lines as all available Transperth vehicles are helping with public transport in and around Albany. All passengers due to travel during this time should check the Transperth website or call the InfoLine on 13 62 13.

Fact File

  • The troop train journey in 1914 was by steam locomotive. This could not be recreated on the Perth suburban rail system due to safety and other technical issues
  • For further information, visit http://www.anzacfremantle.com.au or call 9227 8266
  • Places at the Blackboy Hill event are limited so please register your interest
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