Category Archives: Rail Heritage

Station Masters of Western Australia

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Jeff Austin (member of Rail Heritage WA and co-author of Rails Through the Bush) has written a book detailing another aspect of the railway history of Western Australia. This one is called Station Masters of Western Australia and is certainly a definitive review of the subject.

The book will be officially launched by Martin Whitely (MP) at 11am at RailFest 2011 on Sunday 16th October, and Jeff will be on hand to sign copies. It is available for pre-order now from Rail Heritage for $22 — a discount of over 25% over the regular cover price of $29.50:  Station Masters pre-order form

Image: Cover picture from Station Masters of Western Australia. The station personnel at North Fremantle c1899. The Station master, Mr E.H. Hickey, is seated second from our left. The others would be mainly clerks, porters, signalmen or shunters. State Library WA 28673P.

RailFest 2010

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RailFest is on again!

Sunday 31st October 2010, 10am ‑5pm, FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. Tours of the Museum, activities for kids, sausage sizzle and much more.

This is a fun filled day for rail enthusiasts, the community and families. Explore grand steam and diesel locomotives, wander around the Exhibition Hall. Visit the Model Railway. Get a taste of the history of Railways in Western Australia collected and restored by passionate volunteers since 1959. Plenty of fun for the kids and so much more!

Image: NR103 — one of several guest locos at RailFest 2004

Rail Enthusiasts’ Day

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Rail Heritage WA is holding a “Rail Enthusiasts’ Day” at the Rail Transport Museum on Sunday 2nd May: 11am-5pm

Activities on the day will include:

  • Book launch — Bill Gray’s revised, fully detailed, guide to all our locomotives, carriages and exhibits – now in full colour. Special first-day price!
  • Selected stalls catering to enthusiasts
  • Behind the scenes tours — see restoration area and talk to restorers**
  • Tours through an XA diesel locomotive (bring own ear-muffs!)**
  • Special displays of Western Australian prototype models – multiple scales and gauges – with help and information desk
  • Behind-the-scenes tours of WA Model Railway Club system
  • Used book and magazines sale
  • The bookshop newly stocked
  • Sales on commission (rail artefacts, special books, etc.) – contact email hidden; JavaScript is required for details
  • Sausage sizzle, cool drinks, tea, coffee and snacks available

** For insurance and safety regulatory reasons, participants in these tours must wear hats and closed shoes and be over 12 years of age. We also recommend you dress appropriately for an area where objects may be rusty and/or oily.

The Railway Museum, 136 Railway Parade Bassendean WA 6054

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

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Also available is the April newsletter from Rail Heritage: Acrobat logoNewsletter 2010 04

RailFest 2009

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Railfest poster

This year’s annual RailFest at the museum is only a few weeks away. We’ll be doing our usual thing on the day (same as a normal Sunday) only with more G‑Scale trains running outside — plus the opportunity to have an escorted viewing of our N‑Scale layout ‘behind the barricade’ for a gold coin donation. RailFest is always a great day, so come along and be part of the fun!

Members: As discussed at the meeting last week, we are having a formal busy-bee on the morning of Saturday 3rd October (i.e. 8 days before RailFest) to get the place neat and tidy. BBQ lunch will be provided by the club and the afternoon has been set aside for a chance for us all to get together and run some trains. Please come down to the club and be involved!

Rail Heritage WA — 50th Anniversary

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Tomorrow night (Friday 13th February) Rail Heritage WA is holding a 50th Anniversary Meeting at the Rail Transport Museum — 8pm onwards. Hear from people who were Foundation Members — what were their ideas? Slides from the early years too! All welcome. Supper provided.

On Saturday 28th March, Rail Heritage WA is holding a social evening. Enjoy the opportunity to socialise with members, volunteers, interested people from kindred groups, etc. at this fully catered function being held at the Rail Transport Museum. For just $25 a head you have roast meats, salads and a choice of desserts, together with tea & coffee and a soft drink — this was most enjoyable when held for the ATHRA. Beginning at 5pm, with the meal served from 6pm, enjoy the surroundings and the company on the last evening of daylight saving for the summer. Friends and families welcome. Please book by Friday 20th March by either phoning Derek on 9361 3187 or by email to email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Later in the year Rail Heritage WA are also planning:

Changes to Museum and Model Railway opening times

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The Rail Transport Museum is changing its opening hours (and entrance prices) from the 3rd March 2009. From that date the museum will no longer open on public holidays (the last public holiday the museum and model railway are opening is Monday 2nd March), but will be opening on every Wednesday of the year. Unfortunately the model railway club has insufficient members to be able to open every Wednesday of the year, so we will continue to open on Sundays and Wednesdays during school holidays only.

So our new opening details (from 3rd March 2009) are:

  • Sundays: 1 — 5 pm
  • Wednesdays (school holidays only): 1 — 4 pm
  • Museum entrance fees: $7 adults, $6 seniors/pensioners, $3 children, $50 platform pass (annual pass for families)