Claremont railway station, Perth

Claremont station opened in 1881 as Butlers Swamp, being renamed Claremont in 1883. In 1886 a new station was constructed 300 metres to the east. The 1886 buildings are now the oldest extant railway station buildings in Perth.[1][2][3][4] It was the only station on the line to be built with a crossing loop.[5]

With the relocation of the Royal Perth Show to the Claremont Showground in 1905, a third platform was added with the station serving the show until Showgrounds station opened in 1954.[4] The station closed on 1 September 1979 along with the rest of the Fremantle line, re-opening on 29 July 1983 when services were restored.[6] The station building was restored at the same time. When the line was electrified in 1991, the station was cut back to one island platform and the original platform abandoned.

After the Town of Claremont's Council Chambers were gutted by fire in 2010, it relocated its administration to the former station master's building.[7] The former goods shed has been converted into a cultural centre and cafe.[8]

Claremont station is located in the middle of Claremont. The railway's right-of-way lies between two arterial roads: Shenton Road and Gugeri Street. There are three access points to the station from each street. At the western and eastern ends of the island platform are grade level track crossings through electrically activated gates. In the centre of the platform the original pedestrian bridge provides access by stairs to the platform and to the elevated signal box.[9]

Claremont station is served by Transperth Fremantle line services from Fremantle to Perth that continue through to Midland via the Midland line.[10][11]

In 2018, an upgrade to rail facilities at Claremont station was announced by the Government of Western Australia.[12] The project involves the construction of new train turnback facilities west of the station, allowing Forrestfield-Airport Link trains to continue to Claremont. Also included in the project is an extension of the platform to facilitate longer six-carriage trains, and the installation of an additional overpass to replace the pedestrian level crossings. Works are expected to be completed in 2021.[13][14]

• A History of Claremont Station Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 599 September 1987 pp195–216

• Media related to Claremont railway station, Perth at Wikimedia Commons
• Gallery History of Western Australia Railways & Stations