Sandstone Branch Railway


Sandstone Branch Railway was a branch railway line between Mount Magnet and Sandstone in the Mid West region of Western Australia.

History

It was built in 1910, and closed in 1949; it was lifted in 1950.

Route

It was connected to the Mullewa – Meekatharra railway at Mount Magnet.

Locations on line

An interactive map of the Sandstone line is available at OpenStreetMap.

Speculation of link to Leonora

Prior to and after construction, there has been suggestions of connecting to the railway line at Leonora, which was approximately 100 miles south east of Sandstone. Such a connection would have created a loop line linking the Northern railway with the Eastern Goldfields Railway. The proposal was not successful.

Reputation of branch line

The railway was considered by the railway commissioner of the time in the mid-1930s to be the worst railway in Western Australia.
Post-second world war austerity issues were given as part of reason for closing in 1948 due to shortage of 45 lb rails for the required repairs to remain open.

Goods shed

The Sandstone railway goods shed built in 1910 was considered to be of heritage significance having survived long after closing of the line.