Steam Locomotive Information

Here are the notes for Western Australia Government Railways No. 945 'Banksiadale', a 4-8-2 located in Dwellingup, Western Australia. If you have additional information about this locomotive, and would like to share it, click the Add Note button.

Posted: Aug 25, 2017 @ 15:08:59 by Robin R Beck
W945 in service 1952 and withdrawn in 1971. Purchased 1977 by Pinjarra Steam & Hills Preservation Society. Works on the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway. Normally based at Pinjarra.

The Hotham Valley Tourist Railway started in Pinjarra, a group hoping to keep open at least the railway line to Dwellingup. In 1976 they leased Pinjarra locomotive depot, which today is used for long term storage. Today they have a new facility and extensive yards on the opposite side of the railway. From Pinjarra they ran steam specials over a vast area. Their wooden bodied carriages were old and not up to new safety rules so in 1987 steel carriages were imported from South Africa.

When the state railways were sold of to various private firms the railway lost all access to the old state railway. Now their locos only operate on their 32 km Pinjarra to Dwellingup line. They run a good mix of trains in the Australian summer months.

Posted: May 8, 2008 @ 14:05:49 by Phil Horton
Ex Western Australia Government Railways No. 945, a 4-8-2 now working on the Hotham Valley Tourust Railway, Pinjarra, Western Australia on 13 October 2004


Western Australia Government Railways 4-8-2 No. 945 'Banksiadale' Dwellingup, Western Australia, Australia	Location: Hotham Valley Tourist Railway Status: Operational