ARCHIVES · COLLECTIONS · RESEARCH
Explore archives, searchable databases and research resources documenting Western Australia’s railway history.
GENERAL ARCHIVES
Rail Heritage WA has built an extensive archive of information and images related to railways throughout Western Australia.
The collection covers government and Commonwealth railways, timber lines, gold-mining railways, the Midland Railway Company and the modern iron ore lines of the Pilbara.
Some material—particularly photographs—may be the only surviving copy. Archive enquiries: archivist@railheritagewa.org.au
Our collection is extensive and is mainly located at the three museums in Bassendean, Boyanup and Minnivale but we have other items on loan to community museums, etc around WA. The collection is the only such one in Western Australia that aims to tell the story of all railways across the state – other collections focus on one aspect or a region.
Rolling stock includes locomotives, carriages, vans and wagons which operated all over Western Australia, including Marble Bar, Onslow, Carnarvon, the Mid-West, the Goldfields, Esperance, the South-West and across the Nullarbor. It includes representatives from the Western Australian Government Railways, the Commonwealth Railways as well as private companies such as the Midland Railway of WA and timber lines.
The museum collection has many small objects reflecting the development of the railways of WA and its social history. Some of these objects are integral to exhibitions such as ‘Catching the Train’ and ‘Railway Life’ at the Railway Museum in Bassendean.
SEARCH THE ARCHIVE
Search our railway employee databases and explore the archive photo gallery.
DATABASE
Search a compilation of more than 300 railway employees who lost their lives while on duty between 1879 and today.
DATABASE
Explore research about Western Australian railway employees who volunteered for military service and lost their lives.
MORE THAN 33,000 IMAGES
Search decades of collected railway photographs and images for research and historical interest.
RESEARCH AIDS AND INDEXES
Research aids and indexes prepared by Rail Heritage WA members and volunteers.
WAGR
Summaries of employee movements, timetable changes, trackwork, station openings, diagrams and operational information from notices issued since 1896.
JOURNAL INDEX
Search the national journal formerly known as the ARHS Bulletin, including many articles relating to Western Australia.
JOURNAL INDEX
Use the index prepared for Rail Heritage WA’s journal. Copies are available through the State Library of WA and the Rail Heritage WA Archives.
GOVERNMENT RECORDS
Explore railway-related proclamations, line openings, name changes, timetables and rules recorded in early Government Gazettes.
Summary of early railway-related entries prepared by Rail Heritage WA member Peter Hopper.
The second part of the railway-related Government Gazette research summary.
OTHER RESEARCH WEBSITES
External websites with information, photographs and specialist railway material.
Reference material focusing on Western Australian railway rolling stock and goods wagons.
Information and photographs relating to railway operations throughout the Pilbara.
Specialist information about railway signalling systems in Western Australia.
Read about the history and development of public transport in Western Australia.
Research and resources covering light railways and industrial railway history.
Information about the Trans-Australian Railway and Commonwealth Railways.
Explore locomotives, railcars and passenger rolling stock in the collection.
