This Day in History: 1966-02-15

Premier David Brand officially opened the Avon Valley (Midland to Northam) section of the Standard Gauge Railway in Northam. The line was a dual gauge double line (Stevenson 4 ft 8 ½ in. standard gauge and Anglo Cape 3 ft 6 in. narrow gauge). A special train from Perth brought 380 visitors for the ceremony held in the new Avon Marshalling Yard, 2 miles from Northam, which was attended by a total of 600 people. The Minister of Railways, Charles Court, and the Commonwealth Minister for Shipping and Railways, the Hon. Gordon Freeth, were also present. The Commonwealth project had started on 5 Nov. 1962, with the blasting of the Monument Hill Cutting. New grain silos also were rising in the Avon Marshalling Yard, being built for Co-operative Bulk Handling.

Sources:
West Australian, 15 Feb. 1966, p.13; 16 Feb. 1966, p.2.
Central districts herald-tribune, 17 Feb. 1966, p.2.
News express, 17 Feb. 1966, p.1