# Bennett Brook Railway

vteBennett Brook Railway :
Legend :
The Bennett Brook Railway is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge tourist oriented railway operated by the West Australian Light Railway Preservation Association and is located within the boundaries of Whiteman Park, 19 kilometres (12 mi) from Perth.

## History

The Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Association (WALRPA) was formed on 26 April 1976 by a group of rail enthusiasts who shared an interest in less well known railways of Western Australia.
Following the closing of the Lake View and Star Gold Mine in Kalgoorlie in the mid-1970s, four of the founding members purchased the railway's first locomotive - an LV&S 'Planet' Locomotive (which still operates at the railway - the Atlantic Planet). The Planet was first located at a member's Perth Hills property on 17 September 1976.
In 1977, the group proposed to develop a railway at Whiteman Park. Five submissions were received in total, 3 for a 610 mm (2 ft) railway, one for a 7+1⁄4 in (184 mm) railway, similar to the railway located at Castledare, and finally a submission to re-locate the Australian Railway Historical Society.
From 1977 to 1982, referred to as the negotiation period, the group also submitted proposals for an operational railway to El Caballo Blanco in Wundowie, The Maylands Peninsula Redevelopment, the former Upper Darling Range railway (from Kalamunda to Goosberry Hill), and a Mandurah tourist development.
The closure of the Bristile & Wunderlich Brickworks in Belmont saw the donation of a number of hoppers and other rail items. The railway acquired a locomotive and a number of hoppers from the Maylands Brickworks.
In 1982, development and restoration continued in the Perth Hills, until 16 August, when the WALRPA was advised by Metropolitan Region Planning Authority that their submission for a 610 mm (2 ft) railway at Whiteman Park had been successful. On 18 September 1982, the first equipment was placed at Whiteman Park.
In 1983, two former Whiteman Brick locomotives – "Ridley 2" and "Yellow Rose" – were acquired.
In June, the C passenger wagons (built on the Maylands Brickworks hoppers) and the Maylands locomotive were moved to Whiteman Park, hauling the first work train on 9 July, and the Planet Locomotive followed on 11 August.
Track laying began on 18 January 1984, and reached "Central" Station on 18 November the same year. Also in 1984, the WALRPA purchased the former Claisebrook railway station to be placed at Central Station (The building arrived in March of that year), acquired a 60 ft Turntable from Midland Workshops, and in March they were notified of their success in a tender for two SAR NG15 steam locomotives (#118 & #123).
8 December 1984 was the official opening of the Bennett Brook Railway, and Peter Dowding MLA (The Patron of the Organisation), with some assistance, drove the first passenger train out of Central Station.

## Operations

The railway operates passenger services primarily on weekends, public holidays and school holidays, with some midweek services during school terms.
Held biannually, the railway runs a Friends of Ashley Day (formerly known as Friends of Thomas the Tank Engine), which sees most of the railway's volunteers, locomotives and passenger carriages in operation. This is usually held in May and September which sees the start and end of the railway's steam season.
Enthusiast's days are also held occasionally. They are held in winter so there are no restrictions on steam operations. Most operating engines are involved in interesting freight and passenger trains.

## Locomotives

September to May is fire season, so diesel engines will operate all services.
May to September is steam season, steam engines may operate weekend services when available and diesel engines will operate all other services.
Dates are approximate and are dependent on park conditions and approval.
| Builder | Name | Former operator | Condition | Wheel arrangement | Comments | Coupler(s) |
| SAR NG15 123 (Built Henschel & Son) | Fremantle | South African Railways | Maintenance | 2-8-2 | Overhaul in progress, returning to steam in 2025. | Jones couplers |
| SAR NG15 118 (Built Société Franco-Belge) | Elizabeth | South African Railways | Storage | 2-8-2 | Stored with major work needed to be carried out. | Jones couplers |
| Perry | Betty Thompson | Inkerman Sugar Mill, QLD | Operational | 0-4-2T | Privately owned locomotive, current mainstay of steam operations. | Jones couplers |
| Perry | | Marian Sugar Mill, QLD | Storage | 0-6-2T | Awaiting overhaul. | Link and pin |
| O&K Mallet No. 3 | | Magnet Tramway, TAS | Maintenance | 0-4-4-0T | Restoration due to start. | Link and pin |
| Krauss | | Multiple. Previous - Western Machinery, WA | Storage | 0-4-0WT | Cosmetic restoration currently in progress. | Link and pin |

### Large diesel locomotives

| Builder | Name | Former operator | Condition | Wheel arrangement | Comments | Coupler(s) |
| 1939 Planet | Planet 7 | Lake View and Star Gold Mine, WA | Operational | 0-4-0 | First locomotive bought by the society, number 7 is our current mainstay of the diesel fleet. | Jones couplers, Link and pin |
| 1937 Planet | | Lake View and Star Gold Mine, WA | Storage | 0-4-0 | Sister to number 7, acquired in February 2024 courtesy of the Boulder Loop Line museum. | Link and pin |
| 1968 Planet (Dorman Engine) | Dorman | Lake View and Star Gold Mine, WA | Maintenance | 0-4-0 | Privately owned locomotive, awaiting new wheelsets. | Jones couplers, Link and pin |
| Gemco Funkey PW27 | Wyndham | Wyndham Jetty, WA | Maintenance | 0-4-0 | Awaiting a new gearbox, her return to service is unknown. | Jones couplers |
| Fowler #2 | Rosalie | Isis Central Sugar Mill, QLD | Operational | 0-6-0 | In 2020, a new drive train, motor and transmission where donated by a garadge truck. She was finished in a new livery reminiscent of her original Isis mill one in 2021. | Jones couplers |

### Small locomotives

| Builder | Name | Former operator | Condition | Wheel arrangement | Comments | Couplers |
| Kless | Ashley | "The Big Orange", WA | Operational | 0-4-0D | | Link and pin |
| Ruston & Hornsby Type LBT | | Manjimup Mill, WA | Maintenance | 4wdDM | Currently in need of mechanical work. | Jones couplers, Link and pin |
| Maylands Brickworks (Planet Frame) | Maylands | Maylands Brickworks, WA | Maintenance | 4wPM | Maylands was the first operational locomotive at the BBR, powered by a Holden Red 6 cylinder engine and an automatic car transmission. | Link and pin |
| Planet Type Y | Yellow Rose | Whitemans Brick, WA | Operational | 4wPM | | Link and pin |
| Whiteman Brick (Harold Ridley Designed) | Ridley | Whitemans Brick, WA | Storage | 4wPM | Entering service in 1984 with a new Vanguard motor fitted, Ridley would later be re-engined and paired with a ballast Tamper, and rebuilt again with a new body. | Link and pin |
| Whiteman Brick (Harold Ridley Designed) | Ridley #2 | Whitemans Brick, WA | Storage | 2-2w + 2w-2PM | Current whereabouts unknown. | Link and pin |

## Carriages and wagons
### Passenger carriages
#### Large stock

All fitted with Jones couplers
| Class | Number | Original class | Original operator | Description | Comments | Entered service |
| AQ | 4745 | QBB | WAGR | Fitted with window glazing. Concertina fitted at both ends | BBR Built on QBB Chassis. Part of Winter Stock. | 1986 |
| AQ | 1788 | QBB | WAGR | Mostly in original construction condition, no glazing of the windows. Rebuilt doors, concertina fitted at both ends | BBR Built on QBB Chassis. Part of Winter Stock. | 1986 |
| AQB | 2790 | QBB | WAGR | Fitted With Guards Compartment | BBR Built on QBB Chassis. Part of Winter Stock | 1986 |
| AV | 3251 | V | WAGR | Party Coach. Fitted with tables and seats, a Bar servery area and a Brake Instrument | BBR Built on V Chassis | 1989 |
| AR | 1638 | R | WAGR | Wheelchair access. Fitted with "Roll Up" windows. Fitted with concertinas at both end. No fixed seating | BBR Built on R Chassis. Part of Winter Stock | 1995 |
| R | 3644 | R | WAGR | Fitted with a Roof wooden seats for passenger seating. Fitted with concertinas at both ends. "Drop" side doors modified for passenger access | Part of Summer Stock | 1990 |
| RP | 1783 | R | WAGR | Fitted with a Roof, wooden seats for passenger seating. Fitted with concertinas at both ends. "Drop" side doors modified for passenger access | Part of Summer Stock | 1990 |
| RP | 4461 | R | WAGR | Fitted with a Roof, wooden seats for passenger seating. "Drop" side doors modified for passenger access | Reputed to be the only remaining example of a WAGR 4 Door R wagon. Part of Summer Stock | 1990 |
| Z | 63 | V | WAGR | Brake Van | Replica Z wagon, built by BBR on an ex WAGR V Wagon (V3263) Chassis. Brake van on Summer Stock. |
| R | 1751 | R | WAGR | Grey Open Wagon with No Roof, wooden seats for passenger seating. "Drop" side doors modified for passenger access | Part of Summer Stock | 2015 |
| ZB | 213 | ZB | WAGR | First Class Coach ZB wagon, built by BBR on an ex WAGR ZB First Class Coach (ZB213) Chassis. Green Brake van with First Class Compartment and Baggage Compartment | 2021 |

#### Small stock

All fitted with link and pin couplers
| Designator | Built from/on | Description | Comments | Entered service |
| ALV4 | Maylands Clay Pit chassis | 4 Wheelchair Accessible Passenger Carriage Air braked | Currently used for wheelchairs | 2021 |
| C3 | Maylands Clay Pit chassis | 4 Wheel Passenger Carriage | Restored to operational service on a "Citra" chassis for BBR's 21st Birthday celebrations in 2005 | 1983 |
| BV1 | Lake View and Star Goldmine Ore hopper Chassis | 4 Wheel Passenger Brake Carriage | Air braked and Fitted with Brake wheel in Guards Compartment. Still operational | 1984 |
| ALV11 | Lake View and Star Goldmine Ore hopper Chassis | Air braked 4 Wheel Passenger Carriage | Still operational | 1985 |
| ALV12 | Lake View and Star Goldmine Ore hopper Chassis | air braked 4 Wheel Passenger Carriage | Still operational | 1985 |
| ADL101 | | Toast Rack Style Passenger Carriages | Originally built in Harvey for the Big Orange Railway. Transported to BBR in 2004 and purchased in 2020 | 2006 |
| ADL102 | | Toast Rack Style Passenger Carriages | Originally built in Harvey for the Big Orange Railway. Transported to BBR in 2004 and purchased in 2020 | 2006 |
| ADL103 | | Toast Rack Style Passenger Carriages | Originally built in Harvey for the Big Orange Railway. Transported to BBR in 2004 and purchased in 2020 |

### Freight/industrial wagons

All Wagons are fitted with Jones couplers, unless said otherwise.
| Class | Number | Original operator | Description | Comments |
| D | 33 | WAGR | Covered Goods Van | Restored, and reinstalled on LA Chassis (Used on work trains) |
| QBB | 2889 | WAGR | Flat Wagon, used to carry heavy and often large loads about the railway | To Carry Coal Bunkers for BT1 Betty Thompson |
| LA | 23778 | WAGR | Ballast Hopper | Used on work trains |
| JOA | 12051 | WAGR | Distillate Fuel Tanker | Used as a water tanker Needs Maintenance |
| J | 11374 | WAGR | Water Tanker | Used as a water gin for NG15 123 Fremantle |
| V | 3326 | WAGR | Goods Van | Currently to store equipment in and used on work trains |
For more information, please Visit the BBR Pages

## Buildings

At the Bennett Brook Railway, all buildings used on the line (with the exclusion of the yards) are former WAGR/Westrail Station Buildings.
Whiteman Village Junction Station houses the former station buildings from Claisebrook Station (Platform 1/Ticket Office), Subiaco Station (Platform 2/3, Party Room), and Signal cabins from Subiaco and Fremantle (Both are currently not operational). Down at Mussel Pool: The station building is from Nungarin (And was transported to BBR in 1989 with assistance from the Australian Army's 22nd Construction Squadron. There are also two signal Cabins, Collie (No longer operational, now located at parker siding), and Cottesloe, which is fully operational located at the northern end of the Mussel Pool platform.

## Signalling and safeworking

Located at Mussel Pool, the original Cottesloe Cabin (1897 - 1931) is in place on the Station Platform, and is fully operational. In the Cottesloe Cabin, stands the former Wagin Lever frame, with 15 levers, this frame turned out to be the perfect size for the Mussel Pool Station. 13 of the 15 levers in the frame are used, for 3 sets of points & Locks, and 12 Signals. The cabin is used mostly on weekends during run-arounds at Mussel Pool station, however during large events the cabin is used to assist sorting and preparing trains at the start of the event.
BBR uses the Staff and Ticket System for section authority on the Bushland Loop (Red Staff) and electric staff (Yellow) on Mussel Pool Branch. To travel on a section of line, the driver of a locomotive must be in possession of the relevant Staff. Using staff and ticket, in the case of multiple trains needing to use 1 section of track, the Staff unlocks a box located in the signal cabins at each end of the section, which hold the tickets. A ticket would be filled out and given to the driver of the lead consist, who would also be shown the staff. After the average time to complete the section has passed, the second train can depart the station, proceeding with caution in case the train ahead has broken down, holding both the staff (or another ticket) and a notice of train ahead.
In 1997 an Electric Staff system was introduced on the Mussel Pool to Whiteman Village Junction section, with staff instruments located in the signal cabins at both stations. At the same time a wired telephone line was introduced between the two stations, using telegraph poles. With electric staff working, the driver carries a staff withdrawn from the staff machine thereby locking the machines at each end of the line from releasing another staff. When the train reaches the end of the section, the staff is placed in the machine at the terminating end and both machines are unlocked allowing another staff to be removed.
BBR has recently completed installation of electric point motors on all mainline points, electrically operated semaphore signals at the north end and searchlight coloured light signals at the southern end of Whiteman Village Junction. Operation of the points and signals are controlled from cubicles located at ground level. Work has now started on the configuration of the elevated signal cabin (ex Subiaco) to control train movements at Whiteman Village Junction. Once completed, the cabin will be able to be switched in as required disconnecting the ground level cubicles.

## Publications of BBR/WALRPA

* Western Rails (1977–1990)
* Rusty Rails (1982–1994)
* Bennett Brook Railway (2003–) electronic resource
* Swan Valley's Bennett Brook Railway members newsletter (1998–2004) and (2007–2010)
* Shed : the newsletter of the Bennett Brook Railway. (undated one edition 2007 or 2006 ?)
* The Bennett Brook railway worker (2004–2006)
* Bennett Brook Railway newsletter (2011– ?)
* The Bennett Brooklet (2012 ? – present )