Extending for 3.2 kilometres and built on 40 hectares, as built it had 22 roads, both narrow (1,067mm) and standard gauge (1,435mm). It opened on 15 February 1966, initially only for narrow gauge trains.[5] It had a diesel locomotive servicing depot, four 45 metre lighting towers and an eight cell CBH grain silo.[6][7][8]
The yard has been modified at various stages, as the different operators dealt with the services required.[13] It has also been considered as redundant grain receival or storage location with some arguments for bypassing the facility and railing direct to Fremantle.[14][15]
It ceased being used as an operational yard by Aurizon in May 2013, however was still used to store withdrawn rolling stock. Watco Australia used the depot to maintain its CBH class locomotives and rolling stock.[16] As part of its new contract with CBH Group that commenced in September 2021, Aurizon reopened the yard.[17][18][19]
References
^Avon Valley Tracklaying Forges Ahead: Dual-Gauge Tamper Raises Output Railway Transportation March 1965 page 6
^WAGR Opens New Avon Valley Route Network February 1966 page 1
^Progress on the Western Australian Standard Gauge Project Railway Gazette 2 September 1966 page 677
^Bell, M. J. (Michael John); Westrail. Business Development Branch (1992), Bypassing Avon grain transfer facility, Westrail Business Development, retrieved 25 May 2014{{citation}}: |author2= has generic name (help)
^Aurizon WA News Motive Power issue 88 July 2013 page 6
