Midland line, Perth

History

The section of the Eastern Railway between Fremantle, Perth and Guildford was the first suburban railway line in Perth, opening on 1 March 1881.

The line was extended from Guildford to Chidlow's Well, opening in March 1884. Throughout the 1880s, the Eastern Railway line was extended beyond Guildford and Midland Junction along its first route to Chidlow and Northam. The second route varied after Bellevue proceeding to Chidlow via the Swan View Tunnel, Parkerville and Stoneville.

The third route saw the removal of the Bellevue Railway station in its construction, with the new Midland railway terminus replacing the older Midland Junction railway station. An anomaly of the Midland line timetables in the 1950s and 1960s was that Bellevue was nominally the terminus of the line until 1962. Koongamia, which was a new station prior to Greenmount on the original first route, was the terminus from 1962 to 1966.

In 1966, the stations on the first two Eastern Railway routes as well as the old Midland Junction railway station were closed and the new Midland was constructed 200 m to the west and became the new terminus.

Generally, changes from the 1970s saw a significant number of stations on the line moved or turned into island platform stations (to be compatible with the double track, dual-gauge track configuration between East Perth and Midland).

On 24 July 2004, Bassendean became the first station to be upgraded under the "Building Better Stations" project.

In the early decades of the twentieth century, a significant number of rail-crossing accidents between motor vehicles and trains occurred. Unattended crossings were provided with boom gates, flashing lights and bells to counter inattention or risk taking from drivers. Also, crossings were reduced, and in a number of locations, bridges were constructed.

Airport railway connection

In December 2013, the Government of Western Australia announced its intention to construct a railway line branching off the Midland line east of Bayswater station to Forrestfield via Perth Airport. Construction of the Forrestfield–Airport Link commenced in November 2016 and was scheduled to open in 2021. After construction delays it opened on 9 October 2022.

Ellenbrook line

The Ellenbrook line, which functions as a branch northward from the Midland line east of Bayswater station, was opened on 8 December 2024.

Description

During hot weather, the tracks can distort. As a result, train speeds are reduced by approximately 20 km/h when the air temperature is above 37 C, and by an additional 10 km/h when the air temperature is above 41 C.

The Transperth network currently uses fixed block signalling and automatic train protection, which stops trains that pass a red signal and slows trains that drive too fast. These systems will be replaced by an automatic train control system, likely a communications-based train control system. The new systems are planned to be in place on the Midland line by June 2027.

Route

Stations

Since 21 July 2019, all regular services stop at all stations on this line.

Service

Stopping patterns

Legend — Stopping Patterns

• ● – All trains stop
• ◐ – Some services do not stop
• | – Trains pass and do not stop

Patronage

Below is the annual patronage of Midland line from 2010 to 2024 financial year. Figures are provided as total boardings, which includes all fare-paying boardings and free travel on stations within the free transit zones as well as transfers between stations. The figures for rail replacement and special events services are not included in the total.

| Midland

References

References

1. "Robb's railway : Fremantle to Guildford railway centenary 1881-1981". Australian Railway Historical Society, West Australian Division.
2. "All stations to Guildford : 125 years of the Fremantle to Guildford railway". Rail Heritage WA (Australian Railway Historical Society, W.A. Division).
3. (12 July 1884). "Legislative Council - The Governor's Speech". The West Australian.
4. [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-19/treasurer-suggests-airport-link-could-be-built-entirely-undergr/5167158 Treasurer Troy Buswell says airport link could be built entirely underground] {{Webarchive. link. (31 October 2016 ''[[ABC News (Australia)). ABC News]]'' 19 December 2013
5. link. (6 March 2016 Public Transport Authority 18 February 2016)
6. [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-18/forrestfield-airport-rail-link-italian-construction-firm-chosen/7180976 Forrestfield airport rail link to be built by Italian firm] {{Webarchive. link. (5 March 2016 ''ABC News'' 18 February 2016)
7. (2018-12-18). "One-year delay for Perth Airport Link project after sinkhole strikes tunnel". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
8. (18 December 2018). "Perth Airport link delayed by one year after sinkhole". ABC News.
9. (16 August 2022). "All aboard: date set for opening of METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link".
10. (16 August 2022). "Long-delayed $1.9b Forrestfield-Airport rail link to open in October".
11. (8 December 2024). "Ellenbrook Metronet: Anthony Albanese, Roger Cook and Rita Saffioti declare rail line worth the wait".
12. (8 December 2024). "Ellenbrook line opens 16 years after it was first promised".
13. (8 December 2024). "Residents welcome opening of Ellenbrook rail line in Perth's north-east amid concerns over bus routes".
14. (4 February 2020). "Train services slowed due to extreme heat".
15. (6 February 2020). "Transperth reduces speed of trains due to extreme heat".
16. (30 September 2021). "HCS SWTR Book 1 - Scope of Works DRAFT 01-09-21_Redacted".
17. {{Cite Transperth train. Midland
18. (30 August 2021). "Manual – Rail Access".
19. "Midland Line Train Timetable".
20. "East Perth".
21. "East Perth Terminal".
22. "Fremantle Line".
23. "Transperth patronage". [[Public Transport Authority (Western Australia).