Railway Museum (Western Australia) facts for kids
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P508 on display at Bassendean in April 2006
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| Established | 1974 |
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| Location | Railway Parade, Bassendean Western Australia |
| Type | Railway museum |
The Railway Museum, also known as the Rail Transport Museum, is a cool place in Bassendean, Western Australia. It's run by a group called Rail Heritage WA, which is the Western Australian part of the Australian Railway Historical Society.
In the past, people sometimes called it the Western Australian Rail Transport Museum or just the Rail Transport Museum. Online, you might see it called the Bassendean Railway Museum. But its official name today is the Railway Museum.
What You Can See at the Museum
This museum has the biggest collection of old steam trains and railway cars in Western Australia. It first started in 1969. The museum officially opened in November 1974. It was opened by Ray O'Connor, who was the Minister for Transport in Western Australia at the time.
The collection includes:
- Diesel Locomotives: These are trains that run on diesel fuel.
- Steam Locomotives: These are old trains that run on steam power. The museum has examples of most types that used to operate for the WAGR.
- Passenger Carriages: These are the cars where people used to ride.
- Other Rolling Stock: This includes all sorts of other railway vehicles, like freight cars.
Looking Back: The Museum's Archive
Inside the museum building, there's a special area called the Archive. This is where they keep lots of historical records. The Archive also has a huge collection of photos online. These pictures show much of Western Australia's railway history.
Fun Events and Activities
The museum often holds exciting events throughout the year. These events are a great way to see the trains in action.
Some past events include:
- Steamfest: A festival celebrating steam trains.
- Railfest: This event has featured both active steam and diesel trains on display.
- Annual Open Days: Special days when the museum is open for everyone to explore.
The museum is also home to the West Australian Model Railway Club. This club builds and runs amazing model train layouts.
There is also a related museum in Boyanup. It's called the South-West Rail and Heritage Centre.
