Rail Heritage WA was the first rail preservation group formed in WA. It began as the Australian Railway Historical Society (WA DIV) when it was formed in February 1959.

Today Rail Heritage WA:

operates the Railway Museum in Bassendean

 carries out restoration of heritage equipment and vehicles

has an extensive railway archives

publishes and makes sales of railway-related material

hires out its restored Federation Train carriages

lobbies for the preservation of WA's rail heritage, such as the former Midland Workshops

has members with interests in every aspect of railway operations and

owns the Vintage Train at Boyanup Museum as part of its collection

It depends entirely on its volunteers to manage the organisation and its extensive activities.