Rail Heritage WA in Bassendean, Western Australia, Australia | Non-profit organisation

Rail Heritage WA

Locality: Bassendean, Western Australia, Australia

Phone: +61 8 9279 7189

Address: 136 Railway Parade, Bassendean 6054 Bassendean, WA, Australia

Website: http://www.railheritagewa.org.au

Likes: 3116

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Non-profit organisation
• History Museum

25.01.2022 Looking forward to seeing this on Sunday. Don't forget to check out the Metronet display which will be in our Exhibition Building.

24.01.2022 Now there is talk of a controlled border will we see the return of the Indian-Pacific - at least from South Australia? It hasn't been to Perth since March, only a month after it celebrated 50 years in service. Today's photo selection covers different locomotives, operators and colour schemes of those 50 years.

24.01.2022 This Sunday's RailFest sees the launch / release of the new book by Peter Gould 'The X class era in Western Australia'. Playing a supporting role will be XA 1405 'Warienga' so you can listen to those distinct sounds. Warienga was purchased by us in 1987 and repainted ready to haul the last loco-hauled train in November that year. It ran quite a few trains in our service but also worked around the WAGR network including hauling the last train from Meekatharra. Please pre-book your tickets at: www.trybooking.com/BLLOS .

24.01.2022 Thanks to a very generous take it all or take none we have some surplus items of WAGR china for sale. NOTE: There are NO CUPS. For some reasons cups are in short supply - not sure if they got broken or whether people took them home from the Refreshment Rooms when the train had to leave. Some items we only have a few spares eg fruit but we have plenty of some saucers! The cost varies: The older and rarer black logo only has the three types shown in the photo here and very fe...w coupes. They are $10 saucer, $20 for bread and butter plate and $30 for coupe. The next oldest are the Wembley Ware maroon and blue china - all with a clear mark. Generally these have less curved look and have more cream tones. These are: Saucer $6, b & b plate $20 and the large plates and soup bowls are $40 each. There are no coupes in this type. The third type, maroon and blue, by bristle are generally c1971. The saucer here is $5, b & b plate $15, coupe $25, large plate and soup bowl $30. Due to challenges with postage, we prefer that you collect it from the Railway Museum on Sunday afternoons (1pm to 4.30pm). If you really need to have something posted, then contact us on [email protected] and we will advise the cost. See more

24.01.2022 Good news for a piece of our built railway heritage.

24.01.2022 With the town of Broome being one of the places reopening after COVID-19 lockdown, it seems timely to share some photos of Broomes railway past. The first railway (or tramway as these jetty lines were known) opened in 1902 and was 2 gauge. It was very busy carrying people, pearl shell, etc. IN 1907 it was converted to 36" gauge and had a loop along Carnarvon St and Dampier Tce. There was also a branch to Streeters jetty. The horse-drawn tramway was upgraded to steam power in 1910. Both jetty and tramway were badly damaged in World War 2. Once the new jetty opened in 1966 this marked the end of the tramway.

24.01.2022 The Waifs' well-known song Bridal Train has been recorded a number of times, including an EP in 2004. But this clip shows that it was written long before that as it shows the Railway Museum pre-1992. The carriages seen in it are still open to the public but many, many other things have changed. Compare it to now - what is still there and what has changed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k7OncTVHkI

23.01.2022 In 1954 when the X class locomotives - the first of the mainline locos, arrived from England, the WAGR decided to name them all. They were given Aboriginal names- X 1001 Yalagonga after the Whadjuk Nyoongar leader and then the rest of the X, XA and XB classes (another 47) were given names of groups, mainly from WA. These four images show Yalagonga and three locos given the names of Nyoongar groups. Our two XAs 1402 and 1405 are named for Pilbara groups. Extra relevance as this is NAIDOC week.

23.01.2022 Due to popular demand we will be extending the sale of Station Masters of WA until the end of June! Do not miss out on this bargain and a great read!

22.01.2022 Last month we finally managed to put the standard gauge bogies under this 1972-built loco. It was RA 1918 (a narrow gauge loco) but now it has standard gauge bogies it becomes KA 213. The colour scheme is still the old one but we hope volunteers will repaint it in the two-tone blue colour scheme loved by many (as seen in the photo of it at the opening of the Norseman Railway Station). To see it and many other attractions, come along to RailFest next Sunday 11 October between 10am and 4pm. Please pre-book for Railfest 2020 at : www.trybooking.com/BLLOS

22.01.2022 2021 is WA Rail 150! Yes, 150 years since this locomotive Ballaarat landed on the coast near Busselton and so railways began in WA. (Not counting the convict tramway to Fremantle prison as it didnt have a locomotive.) Plenty to celebrate in 2021.

22.01.2022 If you are headed to Merredin after 4 July, why not drop in and see this interesting museum.

21.01.2022 Its springtime so thoughts turn to a picnic. The Railways ran picnic trains to places such as National Park (John Forrest), Mundaring Weir, South Beach, South Fremantle and lots more. There were railway picnics for employees as well as picnic trains for the public.

21.01.2022 Christmas is coming and this is a good time to drop big hints about railway books for Christmas or select that book for someone special. On our sales pages http://www.railheritagewa.org.au/sales/sales_1.php we have not only our published books but also a selection published by others. You can order online or come into the Railway Museum in Bassendean on Wed 1-4pm or Sunday 1 -5pm and browse and choose. Some are shown below including the latest publication the X class book. Enjoy!

20.01.2022 Thanks to a very generous 'take it all or take none' we have some surplus items of WAGR china for sale. NOTE: There are NO CUPS. For some reasons cups are in short supply - not sure if they got broken or whether people took them home from the Refreshment Rooms when the train had to leave. Some items we only have a few spares eg fruit but we have plenty of some saucers! The cost varies: The older and rarer black logo only has the three types shown in the photo here and very fe...w coupes. They are $10 saucer, $20 for bread and butter plate and $30 for coupe. The next oldest are the Wembley Ware maroon and blue china - all with a clear mark. Generally these have less curved look and have more cream tones. These are: Saucer $6, b & b plate $20 and the large plates and soup bowls are $40 each. There are no coupes in this type. The third type, maroon and blue, by bristle are generally c1971. The saucer here is $5, b & b plate $15, coupe $25, large plate and soup bowl $30. Due to challenges with postage, we prefer that you collect it from the Railway Museum on Sunday afternoons (1pm to 4.30pm). If you really need to have something posted, then contact us on [email protected] and we will advise the cost. See more

20.01.2022 Whilst we, like many others, are missing the Model Railway Exhibition by AMRA which would usually be held on this long weekend, the late 1980s and first half of the 1990s also meant the three-day long weekend tour train. To mark the passing of regular passenger trains we would often carry a headboard relating to the line we were travelling on. Thanks to Carl Forsey for the photos on the Mullewa line.

19.01.2022 It's nearly re-opening time. This Sunday 5 July at 1pm! We have missed our friends and visitors and are looking forward to having you visit. Due to the restricted space (and the 2 sqm rule) in the WA Model Railway Club they won't be opening this week - but once the 2sqm rule is changed they too will be looking forward to seeing you again. And remember there is lots of undercover space if its raining. If you are wondering why the photo of Freudy, last weekend she was released from the workshop as the first stage of returning her to display in the museum.

18.01.2022 Wonderful to see our Rail Heritage kept and cared for.

18.01.2022 Fancy a drive in the county next Saturday 19th? Why not go to Minnivale (near Dowerin) for the next Minnivale Heritage Rail and Wildflowers Day between 11am and 4pm. Lots available of interest and you can pre-order picnic packs - further details see below or call contact Dowerin CRC 9631 1662. If you take the road less travelled between Dowerin and Minnivale you will pass through Amery - what was a busy railway junction but the only building left is the 1960s station. Enjoy the photos of Amery in years gone by.

18.01.2022 Small stations for light railway lines When the agricultural lines of the central southern wheatbelt were opened between 1908 and 1913, new small standard station buildings like this were built. In 1911, the tender submitted by H Parker for the erection of the traffic offices (station buildings) at Dumbleyung, Darkan, Popanyinning and Wickepin, was accepted. The same design was used at Northampton (but in stone) and other places such as Bowelling. Great to see Wickepin so well cared for.

18.01.2022 Look who's back! After work by our volunteers and a period in quarantine, Freudy is back in the museum for all to enjoy. From our little workshop we used a crane to lift it onto a truck (thanks GHEMS for the loan) and then moved it to the front of the museum where it was lifted onto some temporary track and moved into position - and its chimney put back on. Its working life began in 1904 near Kalgoorlie at the Golden Ridge Mining company and was donated to us in 1963. Freudy is our smallest gauge locomotive - just 20" (508mm). Welcome back and thanks to everyone who helped today and who worked to restore it. See it at the Railway Museum on Sundays between 1pm and 4.30pm. Ghems Revegetation Environmental

16.01.2022 You've been waiting for it and now a book on the X class locomotives is about to be released. It will be launched at RailFest Sunday 11 October at 10am. Peter Gould will be around all day to sign your copy - which you can obtain at the opening special price of $69. Peter has researched their design and construction, the problems operating in WA’s harsh environment, the royal commission and politics and their service life. Each of the 48 locos has an individual entry with photograph and life history notes. More than 200 pages, A4 size, numerous photographs mostly in colour. Reminder: please prebook for Railfest 2020 at www.trybooking.com/BLLOS

16.01.2022 Just a small selection of the WAGR china available for sale at RailFest on Sunday (prices start at $5 for a saucer), as well as many preloved books and DVDs. Some of our stall holders have some great collectables and model trains available too. Don't forget to book to get the session of your choice and to save waiting.

15.01.2022 We are delighted to announce that the Railway Museum will be returning to being open on Wednesdays (1-4pm) as well as our current Sundays (1-5pm) in the school holidays ie from Wed 30 September. Great place to being your children, grandchildren or come yourself and bring back some memories. On the subject of memories, these photos show some of the early years of the Railway Museum, while we look to what we still want to improve it is important to look back as where we have come from! Hope to see you soon - is 11 October marked on your calendar for RailFest?

15.01.2022 Railway activities in our country towns were based around much more than the railway station itself but often that is all we have left. It is great though to see so many railway stations being used and cared for now by the community thus ensuring their preservation. Apart from the photo of Northam, the photos here show the railway precincts as they were in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Some have changed a lot!

15.01.2022 Back in September 1962 there were no barriers to stop people from Victoria visiting Western Australia, so a large group of people joined a rail tour in WA organised by our kindred body in Victoria. You will see from the photos that the special train covered much of the state (that had railways then).

14.01.2022 Railway Museum Re-opening! Our Railway Museum in Bassendean will be open again from the 5th of July, 1-5pm, and every Sunday after that. We look forward to welcoming you back, we know how much you missed it!

14.01.2022 If you are looking for a day out tomorrow, then the South-West Rail and Heritage Centre Open Day should be a good day. Sunday 23rd August 10am to 2pm, Entry by donation.

14.01.2022 Yesterday, and today, some of our volunteers were at Boyanup to undertake the next step in the restoration of G233 Leschenault Lady. Thanks to Piacentini and son for their support. Much appreciated.

13.01.2022 Something you might like to put in your calendar on Saturday 19 September - a country drive, wildflowers, railway and Minnivale heritage and support for this local community.

13.01.2022 Look whos back! After work by our volunteers and a period in quarantine, Freudy is back in the museum for all to enjoy. From our little workshop we used a crane to lift it onto a truck (thanks GHEMS for the loan) and then moved it to the front of the museum where it was lifted onto some temporary track and moved into position - and its chimney put back on. Its working life began in 1904 near Kalgoorlie at the Golden Ridge Mining company and was donated to us in 1963. Freudy is our smallest gauge locomotive - just 20" (508mm). Welcome back and thanks to everyone who helped today and who worked to restore it. See it at the Railway Museum on Sundays between 1pm and 4.30pm. Ghems Revegetation Environmental

12.01.2022 Today marks 46 years since the Railway Museum in Bassendean opened. It was then called the Rail Transport Museum as it preserved the history of trams too (now undertaken by Perth Electric Tramway Society). To get where we are today is the result of generations of volunteers and some important grants for infrastructure - though we funded the first stage of the roof ourselves. Won't it be good if by the 50th anniversary in 2024 that we could have the whole collection undercover and protected from the elements?

12.01.2022 The timber industry was a dangerous workplace without the addition of dreadful accidents like this.

12.01.2022 Good luck to our kindred group in Victoria who like the many museums and railway preservation groups there have had a difficult year. Great to see the government support for additional roof cover - wouldn't it be wonderful to celebrate WA Rail 150 next year with a project to put cover over the railway heritage vehicles across Western Australia to ensure their preservation without being destroyed by the weather.

12.01.2022 RailFest 2020 - with fingers crossed we can announce it is all go for Railfest 2020 on Sunday 11 October from 10am to 4pm. While we have about 4000sqm of space we are going to restrict the flow of people through the day to meet best COVID-19 practice. This year we are asking visitors to book online before the event - which will include choosing a timeslot to enter. We understand that people stay for differing amounts of time and so we are not expecting you to leave at a cert...ain time. Please book through trybooking and RailFest 2020 or at the link https://www.trybooking.com/BLLOS. With Metronet, Woodturners, Northern Districts Model Engineers, the WA Model Railway Club, various stallholders, kindred bodies and more (including a bouncy castle for children) it should be a great day. Very, very limited tickets at the gate! Hope to see you there. See more

11.01.2022 On this day in 1885 the new railway between Chidlows Well and York was opened. Places along this line include Wooroloo, Koojedda, Clackline and Spencers Brook. Here are some photos of these locations and more that were along the line.

11.01.2022 Can you help? 2021 marks the 150th Anniversary of Railways in Western Australia - an anniversary worth celebrating! It will be marketed as WA Rail 150 across all rail preservation groups in WA (and we hope some commercial groups too). But we need a logo / design for WA Rail 150 that can be used during 2021. Because we want it to be available to the smaller regional museums we would love someone to donate their time. If you are able to help, please pm us or send an email to [email protected] Thank you. And below you can see something we did in 2021. See more

11.01.2022 Football season is back, so we thought it was timely to share some football related photos. Many towns had football clubs called Railways that started with the railway workers. Football specials were run for spectators too. During World War 2 the women who worked at the Shell Machining Annexe at the Workshops in Midland played a fund-raising match at Swan Districts oval.

11.01.2022 Back in December 1896 the WAGR took over the land-grant railway built between Albany and Beverley. The Great Southern Railway had been opened in 1889 but there were problems and the public demanded a better service and the government took it over. The Albany Railway Station is one of the few original (ie pre1896) Great Southern Railway items left. Its interior is lined with timber from the packing cases in which the locomotives arrived.

11.01.2022 From Saturday 5 December, like other museums and many places in WA we must maintain a COVID-19 Contact register for the WA Health Department’s contact tracing. SafeWA is the WA Government’s free app to register your attendance for those who wish to use the QR code to comply with this mandatory requirement. The QR code will be located at the entrance of the museum for patrons to scan. Or you can register your details on a hard-copy of the register if you prefer to register this way. Details will only be kept for 28 days. More information can be found here:https://www.wa.gov.au//covid-19-coronavirus-safewa-guide-p Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.

11.01.2022 Great to see Bennett Brook Railway back operating - and a beautiful day for it. Our railway tourist and heritage sector has been hit hard financially, like so many people and businesses, so it is good to see some positive news.

11.01.2022 In November 1952 the Mundaring Weir railway line was officially closed after about 50 years of taking people to the Weir from Mundaring. These were popular outings as people went on family picnics and outings. We are very fortunate to have one of the locomotives that worked on the railway in the early 1900s preserved. H 18 was built in 1887 for use on the Bunbury to Boyanup railway and it is now on display at the South-West Rail and Heritage Centre in Boyanup. During World War 2, there were soldiers guarding the weir from possible saboteurs as the water supply was (and still is) an important asset.

10.01.2022 Glad to hear that Linda had an enjoyable visit to the Railway Museum today. Thanks for the great photos.

10.01.2022 Come and see all these different locomotives - colours, sizes and conceptual. All (and more) at RailFest tomorrow between 10am and 4pm. The early sessions until 11am are quite busy, so book soon at: www.trybooking.com/BLLOS if you want to come then. After 11.30am there will be more tickets at the gate. Reminder that most of our visiting stallholders all take cash.

09.01.2022 Our railway heritage collections across the state are very significant. In the Rail Heritage WA collection alone we have five locomotives from the 1880s, almost the beginning of railways in WA. Of course not all types were preserved - some major classes 'got away'. Today we look at four of them - K, L , Ms and ASGs. At least we have photos. Even have historic buses in one photo and historic events and lines now lost such as Big Bell, Jandakot and Upper Darling Range Railway.

09.01.2022 As we approach RailFest 2020 on Sunday, here are some images from last year's RailFest (courtesy Trevor Nunn). We have similar great attractions this year but smaller crowds for your wellbeing. Don't forget to book to come at the time of your choice (though 10am is almost full) at: www.trybooking.com/BLLOS . See you Sunday - the weather forecast looks perfect.

09.01.2022 Here is the flyer for our open day this July, our grand reopening after five months! See you there.

08.01.2022 To celebrate our re-opening this Sunday 5 July (1pm to 5pm) we will be discounting our Guide to the Museum - reduced from $16.90 to $12. The weather sounds like it will be a little damp but we have plenty of roof cover!

08.01.2022 Look in your newsagents for the publication of this Western Australian story.

08.01.2022 COVID-19 UPDATE Though museums will be able to open from this weekend please bear with us as we work through the processes needed - some of which we are still trying to sort out. We need to make a few changes for a while to the way we do things, we need to ensure our volunteers are happy and safe, and after 2 and a half months there are a lot of very dusty locomotives and carriages that need a clean. Please keep following our page and we will advise you here when we will be re-opening. Thanks for your patience and support. See you soon we hope.

08.01.2022 Thank you to Northern Districts Model Engineers for coming along to RailFest yesterday - if you would like to see more of them ...

08.01.2022 Since the launch of this new book on Sunday we have had enquiries from around the world for it. You can order online through our sales page at the special price of $69 for October http://www.railheritagewa.org.au/sales/sales_1.php Over a quarter of the stock sold on Sunday... so get your Christmas present request in early.

07.01.2022 On this day in 1885 the new railway between Chidlow's Well and York was opened. Places along this line include Wooroloo, Koojedda, Clackline and Spencer's Brook. Here are some photos of these locations and more that were along the line.

06.01.2022 People from all over Australia (and beyond) use our online photo collection for researching all sorts of stories. Our volunteers have worked very hard to digitise our photo collection and make it accessible. We are always interested in expanding the collection further and know that sometimes what seems like just another family photo can contain images trains or stations, etc that give another dimension to our railway history. You dont have to give us the original (we have different types of donations that apply to photos). If you have something that may be of interest relating to Western Australian railways, then please consider contacting our archivist at [email protected]. This is the link to our photo collection. http://www.railheritagewa.org.au/archive_scans/ Enjoy!

06.01.2022 Two links here for us at the Railway Museum in Bassendean. We have a section of the original Kalgoorlie platform canopy on our lawn under which many a visitor enjoys a quiet sit as well as the Commonwealth Railways Dining car at the Museum.

06.01.2022 A heads-up - while all the tickets for the first session are sold out, there are plenty of tickets for the next two sessions still. So book soon at: www.trybooking.com/BLLOS .

06.01.2022 Meanwhile at our other home, things are re-opening too.

06.01.2022 What a beautiful day for the return to rail services for Hotham Valley Railway. Great to see and great to see the support from Western Australians.

05.01.2022 Thank you Patrick Gorman MP, it was a pleasure to show you around.

05.01.2022 100 years ago (on 5 July) Western Australia created headlines all around the world but for all the wrong reasons. Three railway carriages, one of which was the Vice-Regal car, were derailed near Bridgetown. That car slid down the embankment but the royal passenger, the Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII was able to climb out of a window and no-one was badly hurt. So on our Museum re-opening day, Sunday 5 July, we are offering special tours of that very carriage. You will also... find out more about it interesting story. For interest otther passengers included: Duke and Duchess of York (for 1927 opening of Parliament House) Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, Chief Scout and Chief Guide Sir Isaac Isaacs, first Australian-born Governor General Prime Ministers Menzies and Scullin Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and later Governor-General Railway Museum open Sundays 1pm to 4.30pm.

05.01.2022 The WA Model Railway Club's garden railway (with Thomas and more) will be re-opening tomorrow at the Railway Museum. Unfortunately, the fantastic layouts inside the building still can't open due to the COVID-19 restriction of the 2 sq m rule per person. However they are upgrading the layouts and look forward to showing it off when things improve. Railway Museum is open between 1pm and 5pm on Sundays only at the moment.

05.01.2022 It's springtime so thoughts turn to a picnic. The Railways ran picnic trains to places such as National Park (John Forrest), Mundaring Weir, South Beach, South Fremantle and lots more. There were railway picnics for employees as well as picnic trains for the public.

04.01.2022 The WA Model Railway Clubs garden railway (with Thomas and more) will be re-opening tomorrow at the Railway Museum. Unfortunately, the fantastic layouts inside the building still cant open due to the COVID-19 restriction of the 2 sq m rule per person. However they are upgrading the layouts and look forward to showing it off when things improve. Railway Museum is open between 1pm and 5pm on Sundays only at the moment.

04.01.2022 Despite the quiet times with Covid-19, things are still happening at Minnivale. We look forward to an Open Day in the spring (fingers crossed). Thanks to the Shire of Dowerin for a great job.

04.01.2022 Today, 15 August marks 75 years since Victory in the Pacific was declared ie VP day. Railways in WA were very involved in the war effort with some employees manpowered so they did their bit at home. From the crew who ran the trains to Marble Bar to ensure fuel for Corunna Downs Liberator base to the women who not only worked on shell manufacture at the WAGR Workshops in Midland but also fund-raised through events such as a football match at Swan Districts to the Commonwealth Railways man who left his mark, there are so many stories and so many people for us to be thankful to for their contribution at home as well as overseas.

02.01.2022 August 2020 marks 75 years since the end of World War 2 - more on that later in the month. To commemorate the wartime role of our railways in WA (and the people who worked for them) we have the book Troops, Trains and Trades on special for just $10 during August - a massive mark down from the usual $25. (A4, 160 pages, b & w). You can buy through our online sales page but postage will be $15.: http://www.railheritagewa.org.au/sales/sales_2.php Available today and every Sunday in August at the Railway Museum between 1pm and 4.30pm.

02.01.2022 2021 is WA Rail 150! Yes, 150 years since this locomotive 'Ballaarat' landed on the coast near Busselton and so railways began in WA. (Not counting the convict tramway to Fremantle prison as it didn't have a locomotive.) Plenty to celebrate in 2021.

02.01.2022 Its nearly re-opening time. This Sunday 5 July at 1pm! We have missed our friends and visitors and are looking forward to having you visit. Due to the restricted space (and the 2 sqm rule) in the WA Model Railway Club they wont be opening this week - but once the 2sqm rule is changed they too will be looking forward to seeing you again. And remember there is lots of undercover space if its raining. If you are wondering why the photo of Freudy, last weekend she was released from the workshop as the first stage of returning her to display in the museum.

02.01.2022 Many people will no doubt have memories of this event, including when it ran parallel to Dd 592 at Leighton.

02.01.2022 Thank you to everyone - visitors, volunteers, exhibitors, stall holders kindred bodies and the WA Model Railway Club for helping to make Sunday's RailFest a great event. Here are some photos with our thanks for their support- WATCO's DBZ locos, Bus Preservation Society (always interesting to see which bus they bring), we welcomed back the Northern Districts Model Engineers, Metronet and some of your regular stallholders - this time the Bollans team bought along Shandy (by the late Jack Standbridge). There were many others, one popular place was the old signal box where the intricacies of safeworking were shared by the Signalling Interest Group of WA. The Swan wood turners again drew a crowd - people do love watching others work.

01.01.2022 Next weekend (Sunday 22nd) - why not consider a visit to the South West Rail and Heritage Centre?

01.01.2022 A good opportunity to speak to Metronet and find out about all the exciting projects happening out there.