Thornlie line
The Thornlie line is a temporarily closed suburban railway line and service in Perth, Western Australia, operated by the Public Transport Authority as part of the Transperth system. The Thornlie line is a branch of the Armadale line and runs for 2.9 kilometres (1.8 mi) parallel to the Kwinana freight railway between the Armadale line at Kenwick and Thornlie station. Thornlie line services continued north of Kenwick along the Armadale line to Perth station, stopping at most stations, in contrast to Armadale line services, which skipped most stations along that section. Thornlie line services have been suspended since 20 November 2023, and are planned to recommence in mid-2025.
| Thornlie line | |
|---|---|
Thornlie line at Thornlie station viewed from the Spencer Road bridge | |
| Overview | |
| Status | Temporarily closed |
| Owner | Public Transport Authority |
| Locale | Perth, Western Australia |
| Termini |
|
| Stations | 1 (branch) |
| Service | |
| Type | Suburban rail |
| System | Transperth |
| Operator(s) | Transperth Train Operations |
| Depot(s) | Claisebrook railcar depot |
| Rolling stock | Transperth A-series trains |
| History | |
| Commenced | Mid-2004 |
| Opened | 7 August 2005 |
| Closed | 20 November 2023 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 2.9 km (1.8 mi) (branch) |
| Number of tracks | 1 (branch) |
| Character | At-grade |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow gauge |
| Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC from overhead catenary |
| Operating speed | 110 km/h (68 mph) |
| Signalling | Fixed block signalling |
| Train protection system | Automatic train protection |
Initial plans for the Mandurah line had the line as a spur off the Armadale line along the Kwinana freight railway in the same manner as the present-day Thornlie line. The planned Mandurah line route changed in 2001, but not before tunnels were built for the line to exit the Armadale line at Kenwick and enter the Kwinana Freeway. It was decided to build the Thornlie line instead as a one station branch of the Armadale line. The main construction contract was awarded to Barclay Mowlem in 2004 and the Thornlie line opened on 7 August 2005.
Since 2017, there have been plans to extend the Thornlie line 14.5 kilometres (9.0 mi) to Cockburn Central station on the Mandurah line, known as the Thornlie–Cockburn Link. This project is being built as part of Metronet and involves the construction of two new stations along the way. The main construction contract was awarded to a joint venture between CPB Contractors and Downer in December 2019 at a cost of $716 million. Construction started in 2020 and the extension was expected to be open in 2023. The cost has since increased to $1.124 billion. On 20 November 2023, the Thornlie line was temporarily closed to allow for works on the Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project. The line is planned to reopen in mid-2025, upon which the Thornlie–Cockburn Link is expected to open as well.