View source for Midland line, Perth

{{for|the Midland Junction to Walkaway line south of Geraldton|Midland railway line, Western Australia}}
{{Short description|Suburban rail service in Perth, Western Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width       = 
| color           = {{rcr|Transperth|Midland}}
| name            = Midland line
| native_name     = 
| logo            = 
| logo_alt        = 
| image           = 
| image_width     = 
| image_alt       = 
| caption         = 
| type            = Suburban rail
| system          = [[Transperth]]
| status          = Operational
| locale          = 
| start           = [[Perth railway station|Perth]]
| end             = [[Midland railway station, Perth|Midland]]
| stations        = 15
| routes          = 
| open            = 1881
| close           = 
| owner           = [[Public Transport Authority (Western Australia)|Public Transport Authority]]
|ridership2 = 4,289,206 (year to June 2024)
| operator        = [[Transperth Train Operations]]
| character       = 
| depot           = [[Claisebrook railway depot]]
| stock           = [[Transperth A-series]], [[Transperth B-series]]
| linelength_km   = 16.1
| gauge           = {{plainlist|
* {{track gauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
* {{track gauge|sg|lk=on}}
}}
| electrification = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} from [[overhead line|overhead catenary]]
| minradius       = 
| routenumber     = 
| linenumber      = 
| speed_km/h      = 
| speed           = 
| elevation_m     = 
| elevation       = 
| website         = 
| map             = {{Midland railway line map|inline=1}}
| map_state       = collapsed
}}

The '''Midland line''' is a [[suburban rail]] service on the [[Transperth]] network in [[Perth]], Western Australia. It runs on the [[Eastern Railway (Western Australia)|Eastern Railway]] through Perth's eastern suburbs and connects [[Midland, Western Australia|Midland]] with Perth. 

==History==
The section of the Eastern Railway between Fremantle, Perth and Guildford was the first suburban railway line in Perth, opening on 1 March 1881.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Minchin, R. S | author2=Higham, Geoffrey (Geoffrey J.) | author3=Australian Railway Historical Society. Western Australian Division | title=Robb's railway : Fremantle to Guildford railway centenary 1881-1981 | publication-date=1981 | publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society, West Australian Division | isbn=978-0-9599690-2-3}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=Higham, G. J. (Geoffrey J.) | author2=Australian Railway Historical Society. Western Australian Division | title=All stations to Guildford : 125 years of the Fremantle to Guildford railway | publication-date=2006 | publisher=Rail Heritage WA (Australian Railway Historical Society, W.A. Division) | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/33975404 | access-date=30 April 2022 | archive-date=30 April 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430065559/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/33975404 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The line was extended from Guildford to [[Chidlow, Western Australia|Chidlow's Well]], opening in March 1884.<ref>{{cite news | title = Legislative Council - The Governor's Speech | date = 12 July 1884 | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2991707 | work = The West Australian | pages = 3 | access-date = 29 July 2013}}</ref>
Throughout the 1880s, the Eastern Railway line was extended beyond Guildford and Midland Junction along its first route to [[Chidlow, Western Australia|Chidlow]] and [[Northam, Western Australia|Northam]]. The second route varied after [[Bellevue, Western Australia|Bellevue]] proceeding to Chidlow via the [[Swan View Tunnel]], [[Parkerville, Western Australia|Parkerville]] and [[Stoneville, Western Australia|Stoneville]].

The third route saw the removal of the Bellevue Railway station in its construction, with the new Midland railway terminus replacing the older [[Midland Junction railway station]].
An anomaly of the Midland line timetables in the 1950s and 1960s was that [[Bellevue, Western Australia|Bellevue]] was nominally the terminus of the line until 1962. [[Koongamia, Western Australia|Koongamia]], which was a new station prior to [[Greenmount, Western Australia|Greenmount]] on the original first route, was the terminus from 1962 to 1966.

In 1966, the stations on the first two Eastern Railway routes as well as the old Midland Junction railway station were closed and the new [[Midland railway station, Perth|Midland]] was constructed {{convert|200|m}} to the west and became the new terminus.

Generally, changes from the 1970s saw a significant number of stations on the line moved or turned into island platform stations (to be compatible with the double track, [[dual gauge|dual-gauge]] track configuration between East Perth and Midland).

On 24 July 2004, [[Bassendean railway station|Bassendean]] became the first station to be upgraded under the "Building Better Stations" project.

In the early decades of the twentieth century, a significant number of rail-crossing accidents between motor vehicles and trains occurred. Unattended [[Level crossing|crossings]] were provided with [[Boom barrier|boom gates]], flashing lights and bells to counter inattention or risk taking from drivers. Also, crossings were reduced, and in a number of locations, bridges were constructed.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
===Airport railway connection===
In December 2013, the [[Government of Western Australia]] announced its intention to construct a railway line branching off the Midland line east of Bayswater station to [[Forrestfield]] via [[Perth Airport]].<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-19/treasurer-suggests-airport-link-could-be-built-entirely-undergr/5167158 Treasurer Troy Buswell says airport link could be built entirely underground] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031174035/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-19/treasurer-suggests-airport-link-could-be-built-entirely-undergr/5167158 |date=31 October 2016 }} ''[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]'' 19 December 2013</ref> Construction of the [[Forrestfield–Airport Link]] commenced in November 2016 and was scheduled to open in 2021.<ref>[http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=1569&tabid=121 Preferred respondent for new rail line announced] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306062726/http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=1569&tabid=121 |date=6 March 2016 }} Public Transport Authority 18 February 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-18/forrestfield-airport-rail-link-italian-construction-firm-chosen/7180976 Forrestfield airport rail link to be built by Italian firm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305052258/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-18/forrestfield-airport-rail-link-italian-construction-firm-chosen/7180976 |date=5 March 2016 }} ''ABC News'' 18 February 2016</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-18|title=One-year delay for Perth Airport Link project after sinkhole strikes tunnel|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-18/perth-airport-link-delayed-by-one-year-after-sinkhole/10630416|access-date=2020-06-15|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|language=en-AU|archive-date=16 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716002922/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-18/perth-airport-link-delayed-by-one-year-after-sinkhole/10630416|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-18/perth-airport-link-delayed-by-one-year-after-sinkhole/10630416|title=Perth Airport link delayed by one year after sinkhole|work=ABC News|date=18 December 2018|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=16 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716002922/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-18/perth-airport-link-delayed-by-one-year-after-sinkhole/10630416|url-status=live}}</ref> After construction delays it opened on 9 October 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=All aboard: date set for opening of METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDclB-GHojY |website=Media Statements |access-date=16 August 2022 |date=16 August 2022 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009135916/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDclB-GHojY&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=de Kruijff |first1=Peter |title=Long-delayed $1.9b Forrestfield-Airport rail link to open in October |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/long-delayed-1-9b-forrestfield-airport-rail-link-to-open-in-october-20220816-p5baat.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=16 August 2022 |date=16 August 2022 |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816040958/https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/long-delayed-1-9b-forrestfield-airport-rail-link-to-open-in-october-20220816-p5baat.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Ellenbrook line===
The [[Ellenbrook line]], which functions as a branch northward from the Midland line east of Bayswater station, was opened on 8 December 2024.<ref name="The West Australian 8 December 2024">{{cite web |last1=Page |first1=Jessica |title=Ellenbrook Metronet: Anthony Albanese, Roger Cook and Rita Saffioti declare rail line worth the wait |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/ellenbrook-metronet-anthony-albanese-roger-cook-and-rita-saffioti-declare-rail-line-worth-the-wait-c-16999282 |website=The West Australian |access-date=8 December 2024 |date=8 December 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hastie |first1=Hamish |title=Ellenbrook line opens 16 years after it was first promised |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/ellenbrook-line-opens-16-years-after-it-was-first-promised-20241208-p5kwon.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=8 December 2024 |date=8 December 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Withers |first1=Courtney |title=Residents welcome opening of Ellenbrook rail line in Perth's north-east amid concerns over bus routes |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-08/ellenbrook-rail-line-opens-in-perth/104688306 |website=ABC News |access-date=8 December 2024 |date=8 December 2024}}</ref>

==Description==
During hot weather, the tracks can distort. As a result, train speeds are reduced by approximately {{convert|20|km/h}} when the air temperature is above {{convert|37|C}}, and by an additional {{convert|10|km/h}} when the air temperature is above {{convert|41|C}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Train services slowed due to extreme heat |url=https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/news/media-statements/train-services-slowed-due-to-extreme-heat |website=Public Transport Authority |access-date=18 January 2022 |date=4 February 2020 |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182836/https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/news/media-statements/train-services-slowed-due-to-extreme-heat |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Coles |first1=Brittany |title=Transperth reduces speed of trains due to extreme heat |url=https://www.railexpress.com.au/transperth-reduces-speed-of-trains-due-to-extreme-heat/ |website=Rail Express |access-date=18 January 2022 |date=6 February 2020 |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182830/https://www.railexpress.com.au/transperth-reduces-speed-of-trains-due-to-extreme-heat/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Transperth network currently uses [[Railway signalling#Fixed block|fixed block]] signalling and [[automatic train protection]], which stops trains that pass a red signal and slows trains that drive too fast.<ref name="HCS SWTR">{{cite web |title=HCS SWTR Book 1 - Scope of Works DRAFT 01-09-21_Redacted |url=https://www.tenders.wa.gov.au/watenders/tender/display/tender-details.do?id=50712&action=display-tender-details&returnUrl=%2Ftender%2Fsearch%2Ftender-search.do%3FCSRFNONCE%3D2C8CC45A3E0537F33C62E60CB6DF5A30 |website=Tenders WA |access-date=20 January 2022 |date=30 September 2021 |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120061042/https://www.tenders.wa.gov.au/watenders/tender/display/tender-details.do?id=50712&action=display-tender-details&returnUrl=%2Ftender%2Fsearch%2Ftender-search.do%3FCSRFNONCE%3D2C8CC45A3E0537F33C62E60CB6DF5A30 |url-status=live }} Click Download Now, then Download for Information Only. Make sure HCS SWTR Book 1 - Scope of Works DRAFT 01-09-21_Redacted.pdf is selected, then click Download Documents.</ref>{{rp|21}} These systems will be replaced by an [[automatic train control]] system, likely a [[communications-based train control]] system.<ref name="HCS SWTR" />{{rp|27}} The new systems are planned to be in place on the Midland line by June 2027.<ref name="HCS SWTR" />{{rp|77}}

===Route===
{{maplink|from=Transperth railway lines.map|frame=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=1000|frame-height=500|frame-lat=-31.92|frame-long=115.93|zoom=13|text=Transperth system map, with the Midland line in maroon. The Ellenbrook line (red) and the Airport line (turquoise) branch from the Midland line at Bayswater.}}

===Stations===
Since 21 July 2019, all regular services stop at all stations on this line.<ref>{{Cite Transperth train|Midland}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+
! rowspan="2" scope="col" class="unsortable" |Station
! colspan="2" |Distance from Perth<ref>{{cite web |title=Manual – Rail Access |url=https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/15/AA_DOCUMENTS/About_us/Working%20with%20PTA/Safety%20resources/8800-400-001%20-%20Rail%20Access%20Manual.pdf |page=10 |website=Public Transport Authority |date=30 August 2021 |access-date=21 September 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921045822/https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/15/AA_DOCUMENTS/About_us/Working%20with%20PTA/Safety%20resources/8800-400-001%20-%20Rail%20Access%20Manual.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
! rowspan="2" | Fare zone<ref name="Timetable">{{cite web |title=Midland Line Train Timetable |url=https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/timetablepdfs/Midland%20Line%2020190721.pdf |website=Transperth |access-date=14 August 2021 |archive-date=12 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412085250/https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/timetablepdfs/Midland%20Line%2020190721.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
! rowspan="2" scope="col" class="unsortable" |Location
! rowspan="2" | Opened
! rowspan="2" scope="col" class="unsortable" |Connections
|-
!km
!mi
|-
|[[Perth railway station|Perth]]
|0.0
|0.0
|1/{{abbr|FTZ|Free transit zone}}
|[[Perth (suburb)|Perth]]
|{{Date table sorting|1881}}
|Bus at [[Perth Busport]]{{br}}, [[Airport line, Perth|Airport]], [[Armadale Line|Armadale]], [[Australind (train)|Australind]], [[Ellenbrook line|Ellenbrook]], [[Fremantle line|Fremantle]], [[Mandurah line|Mandurah]], [[Midland Line, Perth|Midland]], [[Thornlie–Cockburn line|Thornlie–Cockburn]] and [[Yanchep line|Yanchep]] Lines{{br}}
|-
|[[McIver railway station|McIver]]
|0.7
|0.4
|1/{{abbr|FTZ|Free transit zone}}
|Perth
|1989
|Airport line, Armadale line, Ellenbrook line, Midland line, and Thornlie–Cockburn line
|-
|[[Claisebrook railway station|Claisebrook]]
|1.3
|0.8
|1/{{abbr|FTZ|Free transit zone}}
|[[East Perth, Western Australia|East Perth]], Perth
|1883
|Airport line, Armadale line, Ellenbrook line, Midland line, and Thornlie–Cockburn line
|-
|[[East Perth railway station|East Perth]]
|2.1
|1.3
|1
|East Perth, Perth
|1969
|Airport Line, Ellenbrook Line, Midland Line, [[Transwa]] coaches, ''[[MerredinLink]]'', ''[[The Prospector (train)|Prospector]]'',<ref>{{cite web |title=East Perth |url=https://transwa.wa.gov.au/plan-your-journey/destination-areas/experience-perth/station-stop-east-perth |website=Transwa |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705113910/https://transwa.wa.gov.au/plan-your-journey/destination-areas/experience-perth/station-stop-east-perth |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Indian Pacific]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=East Perth Terminal |url=https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/guest-information/stations-and-terminals/east-perth-terminal/ |website=Journey Beyond |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705113905/https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/guest-information/stations-and-terminals/east-perth-terminal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[Mount Lawley railway station|Mount Lawley]]
|3.2
|2.0
|1
|[[Mount Lawley, Western Australia|Mount Lawley]]
|1907
|Airport Line, Ellenbrook Line and Midland Line
|-
|[[Maylands railway station|Maylands]]
|4.5
|2.8
|1
|[[Maylands, Western Australia|Maylands]]
|1896
|Airport Line, Ellenbrook Line and Midland Line
|-
|[[Meltham railway station|Meltham]]
|5.5
|3.4
|1
|[[Bayswater, Western Australia|Bayswater]]
|1948
|Airport Line, Ellenbrook Line and Midland Line
|-
|[[Bayswater railway station, Perth|Bayswater]]
|6.8
|4.2
|1
|Bayswater
|1896
|Bus, Airport Line, Ellenbrook Line and Midland Line
|-
|[[Ashfield railway station, Perth|Ashfield]]
|9.3
|5.8
|2
|[[Ashfield, Western Australia|Ashfield]], [[Bassendean, Western Australia|Bassendean]]
|1954
|
|-
|[[Bassendean railway station|Bassendean]]
|10.8
|6.7
|2
|Bassendean
|1910
|Bus
|-
|[[Success Hill railway station|Success Hill]]
|11.7
|7.3
|2
|Bassendean
|1960
|
|-
|[[Guildford railway station, Perth|Guildford]]
|12.6
|7.8
|2
|[[Guildford, Western Australia|Guildford]]
|1881
|
|-
|[[East Guildford railway station|East Guildford]]
|14.1
|8.8
|2
|Guildford
|1896
|
|-
|[[Woodbridge railway station, Perth|Woodbridge]]
|15.4
|9.6
|2
|[[Woodbridge, Western Australia|Woodbridge]]
|1903
|
|-
|[[Midland railway station, Perth|Midland]]
|16.1
|10.0
|2
|[[Midland, Western Australia|Midland]]
|1968
|Bus, ''[[AvonLink]]'', ''MerredinLink'', ''Prospector''
|}

==Service==
===Patronage===
Below is the annual patronage of Midland line from 2010 to 2024 financial year. Figures are provided as total boardings, which includes all fare-paying boardings and free travel on stations within the free transit zones as well as transfers between stations. The figures for rail replacement and special events services are not included in the total.<ref name="PerthAU-patronage">{{cite web|url=http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/about-us/priorities-and-performance/transport-performance#Midland-Line-38|title=Transperth patronage|publisher=[[Public Transport Authority (Western Australia)|Public Transport Authority]]|access-date=2014-09-27|archive-date=15 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715123025/http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/about-us/priorities-and-performance/transport-performance#Midland-Line-38|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Div flex row| align-items=center}}
{{Transperth railway patronage
| Midland
| 2010 = 6,319,788
| 2011 = 6,626,464
| 2012 = 6,688,843
| 2013 = 6,646,213
| 2014 = 6,661,434
| 2015 = 6,437,107
| 2016 = 6,143,986
| 2017 = 5,784,146
| 2018 = 5,994,370
| 2019 = 5,025,933
| 2020 = 4,407,653
| 2021 = 4,243,760
| 2022 = 3,889,196
| 2023 = 4,289,206
}}
{{Graph:Chart|width=200|height=150|colors=#{{rcr|Transperth|Midland}}|type=rect
|xAxisAngle=-45
|xAxisTitle=Financial year
|x=2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
|yAxisTitle=Patronage
|yAxisFormat=s |yGrid=
|y=6319788, 6626464, 6688843, 6646213, 6661434, 6437107, 6143986, 5784146, 5994370, 5025933, 4407653, 4243760, 3889196, 4289206
}}
{{Div flex row end}}

==See also==

===Current information===
*[[Transperth]]
*[[Transperth Train Operations]]
*[[List of Transperth railway stations]]
*[[Bayswater Subway]]

===Historical information===
*[[Midland Railway of Western Australia]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Watson, Lindsay ''The Railway History of Midland Junction: Commemorating The Centenary of Midland Junction, 1895-1995'' Swan View, W.A: L & S Drafting in association with the Shire of Swan and the Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Association, 1995

{{Perth public transport}}
{{Public Transport Authority of Western Australia railway stations|Midland=y|state=collapsed}}
{{Railway lines in Western Australia}}

[[Category:Midland line, Perth| ]]
[[Category:Transperth railway lines]]
[[Category:Eastern Railway (Western Australia)]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1881]]
[[Category:1881 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:25 kV AC railway electrification]]