as far as , as well as the Kwinana freight railway to dual gauge. The Third Route was originally built with timber sleepers and rail. It was later upgraded using heavy () continuously welded rail laid on new concrete sleepers during the late 1970s through into the early 1980s and can now accommodate axle loads up to 41 tonnes. The route, currently managed by Arc Infrastructure, is dual gauge ( and narrow gauge) double-track line throughout its entirety. Crossing loops are provided there at three locations and these feature three parallel tracks. Numerous cuttings were also constructed, including the deep Windmill Hill Cutting east of Toodyay. A major marshalling yard named Avon Yard is located five kilometres west of Northam. Current use Passenger The original section from Fremantle to Guildford (and onwards to Midland) is still in use as part of Transperth's suburban passenger rail network. Transwa's AvonLink, MerredinLink and Prospector rail services use the line from East Perth to Northam, Merredin and Kalgoorlie. Journey Beyond also run the Indian Pacific luxury train to Sydney generally once a week. Former named trains to previously traverse the line (predominantly the Second Route) were The Westland, The Kalgoorlie, The Mullewa, the Albany Progress and the Trans-Australian. Freight Intrastate freight services are generally operated by Aurizon. Interstate freight services are generally operated by Pacific National and SCT Logistics. Prior to privatisation, WAGR/Westrail operated all services on the line. Rail trails The original Eastern Railway alignments still survive today, in the form of a rail trail for cycling, horse riding and walking. The sections from Bellevue to Wooroloo form the 'Rail Reserves Heritage Trail'. The section from Mundaring to Clackline, as well as the Mundaring Branch, form part of the Kep Trail. The Railway Reserves Heritage Trail is the result of the Mundaring Shire Council being allocated funds from a number of external authorities to maintain and improve the old railway alignment as a rail trail. Between 2004–2006, the trail has had considerable signage and track maintenance conducted along the trail. It is also used for the annual Trek the Trail event conducted in conjunction between Mundaring and Hills Historical Society, the Mundaring Shire Council and the Mundaring Visitor Centre. References Further reading Australian Railways Historical Society, W.A. Division The Kalgoorlie 1897–1971. Elliot, Ian (1983) Mundaring a History of the Shire Finlayson, Don (1986) Steam around Perth ARHS WA Gunzburg, Adrian (1984) A History