Western Australian Government Railways Commission Annual Report 2003

The changing face of public transport in Western Australia Cover Images Passing of an era. The original Prospector which was Prior to 1877, government regulation of railways launched in December 1971. was administered by the Colonial Secretary’s Office. Courtesy of Battye Library BA 369/EB-15 In 1877, a Director of Public Works was appointed New Prospector - Australia's newest and in the following year this position also acquired regional train, due to come into service the title of Commissioner of Railways, paving the in late 2003. way for the establishment of the Department of Photo: Danny Brennan, Motive Audio Visual Works and Railways. Suburban steam passenger train, In 1890, the Department of Works and Railways DM587, on its last day of regular service 4 October 1968. was split into two entities and the first State Photo: A.J. Tilley and the Australian Railway Government agency known as Western Australian Historical Society (W.A. Division) Government Railways (WAGR) was established. The new EMU (Electrical Multiple On 1 July 2003, the Public Transport Authority Unit) that will come into service on (PTA) was formed, amalgamating WAGR with the metropolitan network in late 2004. Transperth and School Bus Services. One of WAGR's South-West coach fleet based at Bunbury, 1946-47. The formation of the PTA marked the end of a long and rich history of Western Australian One of the fleet of 21 new regional Government agencies that included ‘railways’ as coaches introduced into service in 2003. part of their title. This Annual Report is the last to carry the famous WAGR acronym and reflects on the important role that rail has played in shaping the development of Western Australia. Perth Railway Station circa 1900s. About WA Courtesy of Battye Library BA 369/MA-12 Government Railways

To the Hon. Alannah MacTiernan MLA Minister for Planning and Infrastructure

In accordance with Section 66 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985, I submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the Annual Report of Hon. Alannah The Western Australian Government Railways Commission MacTiernan MLA Minister for Planning for the year ended 30 June 2003. and Infrastructure The report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985.

John Leaf Reporting Officer

The Western Australian Government Railways Commission Annual Report 2003 1 1878-84: J.H. Thomas (Director of Public Works, with responsibility also for railways 78-79, Director of Public Works and Commissioner of Railways 80-84) 1885-86: C.T. Mason 1887-90: J.A. Wilson (also Engineer-in-Chief) 1891: C.T. Mason (Acting Commissioner of Railways and General Manager) 1892-93: F.W. Martin 1894-97: The Hon H.W.Venn MLA 1898-1901: The Hon F.H. Piesse MLA 1901-02: The Hon B.C. Wood MLA

From 1902, the Commissioner of Railways was established as a position in its own right. 1902: The Hon J.J. Holmes MLA Commissioner’s 1902: The Hon F. Wilson MLA 1902-03: The Hon W. Kingsmill MLA Gallery 1903-07: W.J. George 1908-18: J.T. Short 1919: E.T. Hume (Acting) In 1890, the Department of 1920-28: H. Pope Works and Railways was 1929-33: E.A. Evans separated into the Department 1934-48: J.A. Ellis of Works and Buildings and 1949-57: A.G. Hall 1957-58: T. Marsland the WA Government Railways 1958-67: C.G.C. Wayne (WAGR). Both agencies were 1967-71: J.B. Horrigan overseen by one public servant 1971-78: R.J. Pascoe who had the titles of both the 1978-88: W.I. McCullough Director of Public Works and 1988-95: J.I. Gill 1995-97: R. Drabble* the Commissioner of Railways. 1997-2000: G.W. James (Acting) One person headed both 2000-2003: R.A. Waldock (Acting) organisations until shortly after *Includes period as Acting Commissioner. Some of the people who have been Commissioner of the turn of the century. Railways (or Acting) are pictured on the following page.

The Western Australian Government Railways Commission Annual Report 2003 2 WJ George JT Short H Pope EA Evans 1903-1907 1908-1918 1920-1928 1929-1933

JA Ellis AG Hall T Marsland CGC Wayne 1934-1948 1949-1957 1957-1958 1958-1967

JB Horrigan RJ Pascoe WI McCullough JI Gill 1967-1971 1971-1978 1978-1988 1988-1995

R Drabble GW James RA Waldock 1995-1997 1997-2000 2000-2003

The Western Australian Government Railways Commission Annual Report 2003 3