Railways and Tramways of Australia

Wildflowers blooming

 

Western Australia’s first Wildflower railcar had its initial trial run on 23 August 1949.

 

Seeking to replace the ageing Governor Class railcars, the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) introduced six diesel railcars in 1949 and 1950. Each car was named after a different wildflower: Boronia, Crowea, Grevillea, Hovea, Leschanaultia and Banksia; hence they were named the Wildflower Class.

 

Built at Midland Workshops in Perth, the new railcars had steel panelling and were painted green and cream. The ends were sloped and had black and yellow diagonal safety stripes. They were powered by English Electric diesel engines. In operation the Wildflower railcars were accompanied by two trailer cars. The power cars were numbered ADF490–ADF495 and the trailer cars were numbered ADU580–ADU591.

 

The first Wildflower railcar ADF490 Boronia operated its first trial from Midland to Pinjarra and return. It conveyed 50 invited guests, includer the Minister for Railways, Commissioner of Railways Arthur Hall, and the Lord Mayor of Perth. It made the journey to Pinjarra in 30 minutes less than the regular two hours scheduled for the run. A lunch was held at Pinjarra where Commissioner Hall said that it was hoped the new trains would ‘…fill a need in providing fast and comfortable travel for long-distance passengers.’

 

Boronia entered service between Perth and Albany on 29 August. The Wildflower Class railcars were used on various long-distance routes in Western Australia, including to Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Esperance.

 

During the early 1960s the Wildflowers were withdrawn from service but three were refurbished to operate the Bunbury Belle and The Shopper passenger trains between Perth and Bunbury from 1964. They remained in service until these trains were withdrawn in 1975.

 

Wildflower ADF495 Banksia is preserved at the Rail Museum at Bassendean, remembering the days when it was in full bloom.

 

Bibliography

‘Diesel-electric trains and rail cars on WAGR give fast, efficient service’, Railway Transportation, vol. 2, no. 11, November 1953, pp 40–2.

B Gray, Guide to the collection: the railway museum Western Australia¸ Rail Heritage WA, Perth, 2010.

A May & B Gray, A history of WAGR passenger carriages, Bill Gray, 2006.

‘New trains to challenge road transport’, The West Australian, 24 August 1949, p 11.

D Whiteford, C De Bruin, L Watson & N Watson, Western Australian preserved locomotives, Railmac, Adelaide, 1983.