Wikipedia:WikiProject Western Australian Wheatbelt/Railways
- Wheatbelt railway Project
-
Merredin yard, DAZ 1901 awaiting clearance to leave -
Ardath station limits being entered from Merredin end of yard
November 2019
[edit]1st November 2019 CBH and Arc achieve an agreement after some years of arbitration (2013-2019): -
- https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/wa-grain-train-dispute-over-but-hopes-of-tier-3-reopening-derailed-20191104-p537bk.html?ref=rss :https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-04/cbh-and-arc-reach-deal-over-grain-rail-freight-access/11668354
- https://www.afr.com/companies/agriculture/farmers-want-tougher-oversight-after-six-year-rail-war-20191104-p53774
- https://www.farmweekly.com.au/story/6477046/cbh-arc-rail-deal-on-track/
- https://www.world-grain.com/articles/12833-cbh-secures-western-australia-access-to-grain-rail-network
2019
[edit]
There are many changes in the region - the roadworks are unabated to increase the carrying capacity and replace the now unused rail branches
There are also changes in crops - the region can be as commonly called the Grain Belt as much as the wheatbelt.
Re-start of project - some issues to consider:
- Tier 3 lines that have been inoperable since 2013 - either tabulating or separate articles
- Lines that were closed prior to the tier 3 issues - identification of pre 2000s closed lines in wheatbelt region
- Stations and railway property that lie within the wheatbelt region - wikidata and tabulation
- Rolling stock and locomotives that would have been used in particular regions - long term checking of era of particular locos and rolling stock
- PD and CC suitable material for commons of early operations - various collections the clearly and correctly identify CC, PD or otherwise
- Spur Lines and light rail lines for seasonal working for wheat harvesting - potentially long term
- Mapping of the lines on OSM and https://www.openrailwaymap.org/ - with help from map people
- Mapping of specific railway yards and facilities no longer existing - with help
- Bibliography of Trove referencing to specific topics and subjects - Moore G. A; University of Western Australia. Dept. of Physiology (1978), Spatial adjustment within the Western Australian Wheatbelt Railway Network, 1900 - 1975, retrieved 24 February 2019 - usage of wp:rs as first call
- Acknowledgement of resources and collections that provide researchers with public access to materials
- - as opposed to licensing and rights bottlenecks
- Seeking interested groups or individuals able to provide collaboration and resources to enhance the project
- - potential talks at groups
- Identification of the lines and the extent of current workings by watco and arc infrastructure for current grain transport:
- http://www.arcinfra.com/Rail-Network/Network-Specifications
- http://www.arcinfra.com/Rail-Network/Rail-Map/WheatBelt
- http://www.arcinfra.com/Rail-Network/Rail-Map/Great-Southern
- encouragement of editors to be involved in the project - in whatever way possible
- Establshed re-launch in February 2019 - at [1]
Map of region and the railway in the 1930s
[edit]
Project commencement
[edit]Wikimedia Australia and others as supporters of the larger 'Western Australian Wheatbelt Project' are pleased to note that a component project - Wiki Takes Western Australian Wheatbelt Railways 2013 commenced on the 25th of September 2013 in the accompanying of the last Aurizon grain carriage train travelling between Merredin and Avon yard, via Narrogin.
The Wiki Takes the Wheatbelt Railways is related to all current operating, and also long ceased operating railway lines in the Wheatbelt region, and beyond. It will takeplace over a number of months, where 'takes' journeys will be made along railway lines currently operating, as well as some due to be closed by the operators in October 2013. It is expected this 'takes' will be a series of events that will be advertised here.
As a consequence it is an opposite to the majority of 'takes' events, in that it will take place over a wide range of locations, over time, in Western Australia.
Project Aim
[edit]- To increase coverage on Wikipedia, and sister projects of articles and media related to the sections of railways that have served wheat and grain haulage in Western Australia, currently and historically
Project Scope
[edit]- Due to the range of historical issues related to rail services in the wheatbelt, some spinoff articles and subjects related to agriculture, and local communities will be included or connected.
- Depending upon response, some activites related to this project may be held in wheatbelt communities after harvesting time.
Completed Events
[edit]First
[edit]- 25th September 2013 - Wikipedian and enthusiasts following and accompanying Aurizon locomotive (with older ARG colours and brand) and train from Merredin to Narrogin (enthusiasts continued to Avon yard which was the destination of the train)
- Departure one - Merredin
-
Leaving Merredin, crossing Great Eastern Highway -
Crossed the highway, and on to the south to Ardath
It is possible this was the last, or second last train to travel the length of this line before an announced closure in October 2013.
- Departure two - Narrogin
-
Moving into the former Narrogin yard area, old Railway Station building in right of photo -
Leaving the yard and on to Avon yard
Narrogin is a former extensive railway junction and depot, it is still viable and is an essential location in the current network, so it is the rolling stock on this train, and the line it just passed through between Merredin and here that is likely to become redundant.
Second
[edit]- 9th October 2013 - Quairading railway line brief reconnaisance by wikipedians.
- Quairading line
-
York bridge and silo -
Quairading shed and yard
subsequent events
[edit]- 2014 - 2018 - on hold
- February 2019 - re-started
note
[edit]Dates of photos might not correlate to specific events, but might also included photos added in name of the project that are taken at other times or out of sequence.
News of interest related to project
[edit]- Brookfield rail announce closure of the York to Quairading and the Trayning to Merredin railway lines at end of October 2013[1]
Planned events
[edit]- Toodyay Show - Wikipedia presence at....Wikipedia:Wikipedia Takes Toodyay Show[2]
2019
[edit]- 2019 - re-launch of project
locations of interest
[edit]Beginnings
[edit]The first five sidings for receiving wheat in bulk on the Western Australian Government Railways in 1931/1932 were[3]:
- Benjaberring
- Korrelocking
- Nembudding
- Trayning
- Yelbeni
Yards
[edit]- Avon yard
- Merredin yard
Receival points
[edit]- Northam to Merredin line CBH receival points
- Tier 3 railway line CBH receival points
Closed lines
[edit]- Merredin to Narrogin via Narambeen
- Brookton to Corrigin
- York to Quairading line
- Trayning to Merredin line
Wheat growing areas, harvesting, and transport
[edit]- Whole wheatbelt region
notes
[edit]- ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-03/rail-line-closing-upset-wheatbelt-farmers/4996742?section=wa
- ^ The first agricultural show in Western Australia to have active wikipedians present to promote and advise about contribution and activity on wikimedia projects
- ^ WAGR Annual report 1932
- ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-03/rail-line-closing-upset-wheatbelt-farmers/4996742?section=wa
Participants in project
[edit]Please join if you have any interest in any aspect of the project, or even of aspects the Western Australian wheatbelt region: -
Contact
[edit]Any queries online or offline to the convenor User:JarrahTree
See also
[edit]
Media related to Wiki Takes Western Australian Wheatbelt Railways 2013 at Wikimedia Commons
For partial background on some of the issues related to the project scope and stretch: -
earlier wikipedian adventures in the wheatbelt
[edit]- Northam area, 2008
-
fields east of Northam, Western Australia -
fields east of Northam, Western Australia
no diurnal variation
[edit]- Merredin CBH silos
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evening loading -
at sunrise
