A second rail line opened into the hills of Perth from Bellevue to Mt Helena in 1895 once a tunnel was completed bypassing Darlington and Mundaring to the East. In the early 60s the Avon Valley (Richard Rigg) line was opened through Toodyay to the east leaving both Mundaring and Swan View to be only used for passenger traffic until the WAGR closed the lines and the hills public were not happy (John Licciardello) and the Railway buses ceased also (Richard Rigg) replaced by a Beam servic until the MTT took over. Railway Stations such as Bellevue, Greenmount. Swan View, National Park (Peter Nichols) Hovea (Mundaring Historical Society), Parkerville, Stoneville, Mt Helena, Wooroloo, Wundowie, Bakers Hill, Clackline (SLWA) (Rail Heritage WA), Spencers Brook, Northam (Richard Rigg) and more were lost having served faithfully for 70 years but it was the goods train that took precedence. The passenger traffic that flocked to the hills and John Forrest National Park on the weekends was of no concern including the commuters who travelled down to the city for work and shopping. I have heard charming stories from our seniors who fondly recount travelling through the hills in steam trains, running their hands alng the walls of the tunnel as they slowly travelling up hill and the pies and cakes from various stops.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 01:37:10 +0000
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