The following document can be used to repair wells on the Canning Stock Route or any other well lined with sleepers or similar. It is intended that other organisations can undertake this sort of work themselves and can rely on the assistance from Track Care for advice and supporting documentation. The technique used here is at Well 46, completed in June 2026.
Preamble
Many people believe that the only true restoration of a well is one that uses original materials and techniques as Canning used in the initial construction of the Stock Route, and while this is true, it is also totally impractical and environmentally destructive. Where needed, Canning used local timber for the liners and therefore to do a restoration we would need to cut down trees and this you’ll agree is not acceptable.
So, there is a choice; leave the well to deteriorate and disappear over time as many have done already, or to restore them using the most suitable materials available. Various materials have been used in previous reconstructions including, wood sleepers, plastic sleepers, plastic well liner & concrete but all of these have problems associated with them.
There are 3 things that destroy wells. Fire, rot & termites. The materials listed here are susceptible to one or more of these, so a better solution was devised and galvanised steel was settled upon.
Steel, even galvanised, will rust over time but to extend the life for as long as possible the steel was also treated with bituminous waterproof paint and wrapped in a waterproof membrane to stop contact with the backfilled dirt.
Another major problem with well restoration is transport and construction time. The C-section purlin that is used with this project has a huge advantage in that the sections pack “into” one another saving in space and they weigh very little compared to sleepers. In fact, for this project the total weight of materials and tools was around 385kg on one trailer. Using sleepers, the estimated weight would been over 800kg and taken two trailers to transport.
Another major benefit with this technique is that the materials are cut to final size and pre painted back at home base saving on construction time. For this project we had it completed in 1.5 days. My guess using sleepers it would have been at least 4-5 days.
A sample technical diagram can be downloaded here
Instructions
Tools required
Jack hammer with star picket driver and spade bit
Generator
Shovels
Safety harnesses
Various battery tools – angle grinder, drill etc
Spanners
Rivnut gun
Consumables
Dimension of the well needs to be known so the purlins can be cut to size and bolt holes punched out. A spreadsheet of the components and costing for all materials is available on request from Track Care. Once materials are received, they are painted with bituminous paint. For best results 3 coats are used and left to dry for several days.
All of the liner assembly can be done with the nuts and bolts exposed to the workers for easy access but for the platform, the structure is upside down and the nut holes are inaccessible. So, the platform is preassembled and the (soon to be inaccessible nuts) are welded into position on their brackets. Holes were drilled to identify which sections joined to what. These brackets are the only ones that left assembled during transport.
Some parts of the adjoining short sections of purlin need to be cut so they can be slotted onto the brackets later (not shown)
Once all work was completed the trailer was packed with materials and tools
On site
First task is to remove surrounding soil for access. If available, remove and separate any rubble that maybe used later to finish off the platform section. Make sure you use safety harnesses here and don’t fall into the well.
Assemble each level of the liner using the trailer as a workbench and lower into position making sure that is level.
Using 4 x coach screws, bolt this section to the sleepers below to hold it in position for back filling.
Add layers progressively bolting each layer together using the centre holes.
Each layer needs to be wrapped in waterproof membrane to stop contact with the soil and this needs to be done from the bottom up.
Backfill soil and fill in surrounding area to create a raised level surface for the platform.
Layout waterproof membrane to cover the platform area plus some overhang
Using the purlins with the preassembled brackets, assemble the long sides of the platform on the trailer, turn it over and lay them into approximate place. Then drop in the short sections over the top of the brackets with welded nuts and bolt in place. 
Drive star pickets into each corner of the platform and attach with tek screws. This stops the platform from moving over time.
Attach lids and windlass using Rivnut inserts and bolts
Stand back and look at your magnificent work
For this project we did not have enough rubble, but if possible, it should be placed on the skirting membrane to slow down the inevitable erosion that will occur through rain and wind.