Leighton Marshalling Yard was a railway yard in North Fremantle, Western Australia adjacent to the Eastern Railway.
History As part of plans to expand Fremantle Harbour, in 1954 the Government of Western Australia announced plans to build a new marshalling yard to replace a yard at Fremantle North Wharf.Government Plans Big Rail Yards The West Australian 11 October 1954 page 10Marshalling Yard at Leighton Railway Gazette 23 August 1959 page 73 It opened in 1961 with a freight classification yard and terminal, two classification yards and 60 lever signal box.World Market International Railway Journal June 1961 page 9New Interchange Facility for Seaport Terminal Railway Transportation January 1962 pages 30/31 In 1966, the yard was converted to dual gauge as part of the conversion of the line from Kalgoorlie.Here & There Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 342 April 1966 page 7 In 1967 lighting towers were installed.Floodlights Ensure Continuous Operations at Freight Terminal Railway Transportation September 1967 pages 40-42
In 1986, the American Broadcasting Company installed receiving and transmitting equipment to the top of the lighting towers for its 1987 America's Cup coverage.Lights, camera, action from Leighton towers The Monthly Notice (Westrail) October 1986 page 5 With altered traffic arrangements having resulted in dwindling traffic, work began in September 1988 to reduce the size of the yard.Leighton - Cottesloe Goods Line Removed The Westland issue 46 October 1988 page 10
After the transfer of CBH Group's grain handling facility to Forrestfield in 1998, the yard was closed and the 17 hectare site was rezoned for urban redevelopment.Opening of $100M CBH Metro Grain Centre at Forrestfield Minister for Transport 6 March 1998Here & There Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 729 July 1998 page 277 In May 1999, a Multiplex led consortium was selected to redevelop the site with four hectares to be for housing and 13 hectares as a coastal reserve.Consortioum selected to redevelop Leighton railway marshalling yards Minister for Transport 13 May 1999Perth - Rail Fares Up, Leighton Yard Redevelopment Railway Digest July 1999 page 19
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