Police Station on Rails

This unique structure is the police station on rails, a mobile outpost used when law enforcement needed to travel deep into the bush via rail access. Not only did it serve as a working police station, but it also doubled as a jail, ensuring that prisoners could be transported securely. Historical photographs show prisoners chained to the metal framework inside, a stark reminder of the tough conditions of law enforcement in the outback.

Over the years, this station has witnessed plenty of action, and the scars of its past remain visible. One particularly dramatic moment occurred in 1948, when the station was attacked with an axe, leaving a lasting mark on the door. This incident is just one of many stories hidden within its weathered walls, hinting at the challenges and dangers faced by police officers in remote areas.

Today, the police station on rails stands as a fascinating relic of mobile justice in the Goldfields, offering visitors an insight into the harsh realities of maintaining law and order in the early days of Western Australia’s railway networks.