There is a range of terminology related to the timber railways - they have been known as logging railways, timber trams, and other names as well. The dominant feature is the mobility or easiness of moving the lines from one area of forest to another - and in the early years the relatively primitive state of the lines. The dominant feature is the narrow gauge, and lightness of the locomotives, relative to permanent railways. In Western Australia, to allow for interchangeability of rail stock with the government rail system, a lot of the lines were gauge, however the weight of the rails was usually much lighter than mainline steel.
It had stages of development, depending upon government policy and support. The 1980s and the development of government railways assisted the industry, as well various levels of demand for Jarrah and the other timbers. Also various labour issues in the industry, and external forces required re-thinking of the industry long before concern for over-logging and forest destruction in the later 21st century In many cases- timber/sawmilling/logging companies were family businesses, and as a consequence operations continued over time through family relationships, which in turn had effect on timber railway operations as well.
Kalgoorlie woodlines were lines that spread throughout the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia - in all directions from the centre of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder region. Commonly known as the woodlines they sustained a population of railway and timber workers in mainly temporary railway networks that moved regularly from the early twentieth century to the 1960s.
Companies
The main companies were:-
The West Australian Goldfields Firewood Supply Ltd formed in 1899 at Kurrawang and moved to Lakewood in 1937.
The Lakewood Firewood Co. Pty. Ltd which took over the WAGFS on 12 August 1948. The LFC was owned by a conglomeration of various firewood customers in the Kalgoorlie region. Operations ceased and the last train of firewood was delivered on 22 December 1964.
The Kalgoorlie and Boulder Firewood Company formed in 1902 Broad Arrow later to Lakeside and part of the 1919 combine
The Westralia Timber and Firewood Company worked between 1902 -1920 at Kanowna later to Kurramia
The Lakeside Firewood Companies was the combination of the latter two businesses and existed for a short time between 1919–1924
Woodline strike
A significant event in the woodlines history that affected the region was the industrial action that became the Woodline strike between 1 July through to 14 August 1919 over the attempt at post war reduction of wages for workers. The strike brought the goldmines of Kalgoorlie to a standstill as a result.
Publications
The most comprehensive coverage of the timber and firewood tramways is the publication by Adrian Gunzburg and Jeff AustinRails through the Bush - with a sub-title of Timber and firewood tramways and railway contractors of Western Australia. It has been published in two editions, and has extensive maps and material that is not found in any other publications about Western Australia railway history:
