Transwa Avonlink

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The Avonlink railcar departs Northam Station for Merredin. Northam - 26th September 2005.

The AvonLink is a standard gauge passenger train operated by Transwa that operates between Perth, Western Australia and the Avon Valley. It provides two services every weekday to the regional town of Northam, and since 2004, has provided three extended services a week to the town of Merredin.

The first AvonLink left Northam at 6.55am on September 24, 1995, and attracted considerable fanfare, as it was the first new country passenger rail service in Western Australia for 47 years. Two major changes have since been made to the service; in June 2004, the AvonLink service was extended to Merredin three days a week, also visiting several smaller towns in the area, and on August 1, 2005, a new $12 million railcar made its maiden trip. Plans for a trial station at Herne Hill were announced in early 2005, however any works have yet to be started.

The new Avonlink railcar (numbered WEA031/WEB041) is similar in design to the new Prospector railcars. The railcar has the capacity to carry 138 passengers. During initial planning it was envisaged the railcar would be narrow gauge to enable the train to terminate in Perth railway station, rather than city commuters having to transfer trains at Midland station.

In spring 2006, Transwa trialled a day trip sunday service to Toodyay and Northam. The six week trial proved popular with each service being fully booked out weeks in advance. [1]