The Shire of Murray is one step closer to releasing an ambitious plan to revitalise Pinjarra as a tourist railway destination to rival Puffing Billy, which will include bespoke accommodation inside converted heritage train carriages donated by a local resident.
The plan to revitalise the Pinjarra railway station on Pinjarra-Williams Road into a railway heritage attraction through a $60.1 million revitalisation was endorsed by the Shire of Murray council at its April 18 meeting.
The Pinjarra Heritage Railway Precinct Project will see steam and diesel locomotives take visitors through jarrah forest along a re-established Pinjarra to Dwellingup rail link on the Hotham Tourism Railway, which ceased operating on this section in 2011.
The shire envisages the refurbished facility will “rival the likes of the Puffing Billy in Victoria”.
Shire president David Bolt said the project would revitalise the Pinjarra railway station with a heritage railway museum, visitor centre, cafe, event and community spaces and railway-themed play space.
“The precinct will celebrate and pay respect to the past whilst enabling contemporary activities, legacies and stories to be created,” he said.
The shire’s plan for the precinct estimates it would attract 27,000 visitors in its first year of operation, create 90 jobs and stimulate $46 million of tourism and retail expenditure into the local economy over 20 years.
As well as endorsing the project, the council also supported including the Pinjarra Heritage Precinct and Dwellingup to Pinjarra Heritage Rail Project as a high priority in its 2025 State and Federal election lobby document.
The shire expects the precinct to create returns of $134 million over 20 years and create 36 jobs during construction and 94 while in operation.
The development will also develop “niche high level short-stay accommodation” in heritage railway carriages.
Three carriages from the decommissioned Australind train and the heritage railway barracks, as well as nine heritage railway carriages and four heritage brake vans donated to the shire, will be converted into accommodation or food and beverage venues.
Pinjarra resident Colin Taylor donated the carriages and said it would be a “great joy” to see the carriages have a new purpose.
“My grandfather spent his working life as a steam engine driver on WA’s railways,” he said.
“Naturally I became interested in locomotives as a small boy and had a good grounding on how they worked from a young age.
“This passion followed me through to adulthood and I have been involved in railway heritage for many years.
“It will bring me great joy to see these carriages live again and witness their history shared and celebrated.”
The shire has allocated $40,000 to supply and install tarps to cover the carriages to prevent damage, as well as clearing of the site.
“Through the Pinjarra Heritage Railway Precinct Project, we are unlocking Murray’s potential as a central point for world-class heritage railway experiences,” Mr Bolt said.
“The donation of these heritage carriages represents another step towards this vision and we are incredibly grateful to Colin for this gift.”
The carriages were originally owned by Hotham Valley Railway general manager Ian Willis and were purchased to be pulled behind the Flying Scotsman — considered to be the world’s most famous steam locomotive — when it visited WA during the Australian Bicentenary celebrations.
“Being part of Australia’s Bicentenary and having travelled across the country, they have a lot of stories to tell,” Mr Willis said.
“Once refurbished, the train carriages will add unique experiences for those that visit Pinjarra via the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway.
“Thanks to Colin’s kind donation, the future is bright for railway heritage in Murray.”