Built : 1920's?
Original Name : Busselton
Station Facts : Busselton was the site for the first railway in Western Australia, constructed in March 1871 by a private Timber Milling Company,
called Western Australian Timber Company Limited, the line ran from a jetty at Lockeville near Busselton to a Mill at Yoganup (about 20kms long),
the first motive power along the line, were horses, however shortly after the opening of this line, the company ordered a small locomotive from the
Victoria Foundry at Ballaarat, in Victoria and 'Ballaarat' the loco became the first locomotive in Western Australia.

Busselton became one of the most busiest ports of the south west, with Timber being exported, in the later part of the 19th centuary, this continued
until, Fremantle Harbour was dredged in the l890's and the further importance of ports at Rockingham and Bunbury with their Timber exporting,
which detracted away from Busselton.

In 1907, WAGR, bought out the Western Australiam Timber Company's line, after it had been extended from Wonnerup to Jarrahwood and then
by the 1920's the Western Australian Government Railways had extened their railway network from Boyanup all the way south to Flinders Bay
(Augusta), via Busselton, Again Timber was the mainstay of this railway's viability, the timber branch line from Wonnerup to Jarrahwood was
extended to Nannup.

Sometime during the 1980's or 1990's the line to Nannup was pulled up, however there is still some track in place along the line, near Nannup,
but for how long I'm not sure, as the track bed is going to be turned into part of the Munda Biddi Bike Trail, that runs from Mundaring (Near
Perth) all the way eventually to Albany. The timber line that ran from Busselton to Flinders Bay, was pulled up a long time ago, but  I'm not sure
when. The line from Capel to Busselton was still pretty much in place up until 1996, as I visted Busselton that year and I'm sure the railway line
to the outskirts of Busselton was still present, however the track that led into the town, to where the Busselton Station was originally situated had
been pulled up in the 1980's I believe. This was to make way for a later built shopping centre and car park.

The old railway reserve from Busselton to Augusta, is still in place and in many places is used by the locals as walking riding trails, even the old
railway bridge over the Carbunup River is still in place.

Today the Busselton Library, pretty much stands where the Station and goods sheds once stood and the Busselton Station has been relocated to
the eastern end of the town, just off the main road, along the old railway track bed. It has been restored along with the goods crane which is also
located next to the stations current position. 

As previous mentioned the oldest Australian built locomotive still survives as well, Ballarat is on display at St Mary's Park.

The last bit of railway line left in place in the town, is at the towns jetty, where a small train operates along the longest wooden jetty in the
Southern Hemisphere.

Thanks to Deeanne for the info on Busselton Station and surrounds.


Thanks to Adrian Gunzburg for the use of he's 3 photos of Busselton Station)

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