Introduction
Historically the LoopLine was the busiest railway in Australia, hauling freight and firewood for the mines, wood for the many woodline companies, and over 9000 passengers per week. Up to sixty-one trains per day were required to meet the heavy traffic requirements, but this began to decline in the 1930's and by the 1960's, traffic on the LoopLine had largely ceased.

The LoopLine Tourist Railway is run predominately by volunteers, overseen by an executive committee. In 1981 the LoopLine Railway Preservation Group was formed, bringing about the fulltime operation of tours including weekdays. In 1983 it was officially affiliated as the Golden Mile LoopLine Railway Society Inc.

The LoopLine Tourist Railway is currently not running due to the railway line being relocated to Kalgoorlie.

History
At the turn of the twentieth century, the West Australian Government was under pressure from Kalgoorlie-Boulder mining companies to provide an efficient means of transportation. Bowing to this pressure, the "loop" service line was constructed in 1897 to transport freight and mining equipment, but because of the area it encompassed, the railway quickly became the main means of passenger transport for the local residents. Leaving Kalgoorlie Station, the loop branched east to serve the smaller towns of Williamstown, Brown Hill, Hill End and Trafalgar, before entering Boulder City via Kamballie Station and Forrest Street. Leaving Boulder City Station, thus forming the "outer loop", the line passed through the stations and sidings of Dunlop, Hainault and Golden Gate, before eventually reaching Kallaroo, Halfway, Coventry Street, Roberts Street, Hannan Street Station, and Victoria Park before returning to the Kalgoorlie Terminus.

In the heyday of 1902-3, a minimum of 15 trains a day passed through the small stations of the outer loop, with their wooden station houses and limited facilities. The introduction of trams on the Goldfields caused a reduction in train traffic and, due to the 1930s mining decline, the service on the outer loop ceased. Traffic on the main line was heavily reduced to five goods wagons with passenger cars attached per week to Kamballie, although after the Depression, this improved to ten trains per week.

By the 1950s, only goods trains operated to Kamballie, although for a short time during those years a railcar called the "Tin Hare" travelled between Kalgoorlie and Boulder, stopping at all railway sidings and even rail crossings. By 1974 only one oil train a week was running and, when Westrail closed all non-standard lines east of Merredin, this ceased and the permanent way between Trafalgar and Hannan St was given to the mines.

The Loopline Tourist Railway
In 1978 two Western Mining employees had the concept of establishing a tourist railway service on the Goldfields. Mining was in recession and tourism was just beginning to make its presence known on the Goldfields. They surveyed the remaining track not yet removed for mining activities and estimated that there was still about 6.5 kms of serviceable track for the tour. They began using a Wickham railcar capable of carrying up to nine passengers at a time for weekend tourist runs. These early tours proved extremely popular and, because of the limited seating available, up to five tours were required per day.

Tourists and ex-Goldfielders traveledl from the Eastern States, and even from overseas, especially to ride on the famous "Rattler", as the train was known in the 1970s. This name came from the open seater wagons towed behind a small diesel powered engine, which jolted and clanked over every joint in the rails. As money was raised, better quality carriages were purchased, expanding and improving the service into a more smoother and enjoyable ride. A commentary, recorded by a local radio personality, explained the various points of interest that can be viewed from train during its daily journey.

Historical photographs relating to the LoopLine and the Goldfields are displayed throughout the carriages for people to view. The most recent addition has been the G233 steam locomotive "Leschenault Lady". The G233 is the oldest Australian-built steam locomotive that is still operating anywhere in Australia. The Lady was built in 1898 by James Martin & Co of Gawler, South Australia and entered into service in December that year. She has spent her entire working life in Western Australia, including a brief period in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. However it was in Kalgoorlie-Boulder that she sustained damage during an accident and was returned to Fremantle for repairs, and was finally sent to Bunbury. It was in Bunbury that the name "Leschenault Lady" was first bestowed on the locomotive after a newspaper competition was run to name the local tourist train.

The Lady was destined to star in many commemorative events, including welcoming the first Indian-Pacific train in 1970, the Centenary of Western Australian Government Railways in Geraldton in 1979 and several films including "A Fortunate Life". The Lady was donated to the Australian Railway Historical Society (ARHS) by Westrail in 1994, and a few years later she moved in to the Midland Workshops for repairs. The National Trust of Australia (WA) classified the locomotive in December 1998. Since arriving at the Boulder City Railway Station, the Lady has undergone further repairs and refurbishment to ensure her continued service life. Parts that are no longer available are manufactured on site to the exacting standards set down by the ARHS. While she has not officially recommenced work at the LoopLine, she has attracted interest from the local area and Australia-wide. A film crew from "The Great Outdoors" television program visited Kalgoorlie-Boulder and filmed the Lady during a test run. The Lady's history is unique as she is the only steam locomotive never withdrawn from service.

Go to Loopline Railway Museum

Loopline Tourist Railway
Boulder Railway Station
Hamilton Street
PO Box 2024,
Boulder WA 6432

Phone/Fax: 08-90933055

mail@loopline.com.au