https://arhsnsw.com.au/australian-railway-history/

Australian Railway History, 5 Henderson Road, Alexandria, Sydney (2026)

16/10/2026

🚂 THE OCTOBER ARH ISSUE OUT NOW IN DIGITAL AND PRINT🚂

We complete our Yass Town Railway Line by starting with the end of the passenger service in May 1958. Steam was replaced by X200 Class rail tractors and then by 48 Class until closure of the line in November 1988. However it is interesting to read that staff still remained at the station for sometime yet.
Tasmania have had special relationships with the railway system, The Sorell Line and its Centenary of Closure was unique in that it was isolated from the main rail network. Opened in May 1892 when the rail network itself was 21 years old, it operated for 34 years, eventually closing on 30 June 1926, the reasons cited as declining revenue and escalating maintenance costs.
We celebrate the Ubiquitous 48 Class through the times, as we then turn to Queensland for days in the life of a small-town country girl as a Queensland rural and suburban railway station mistress.
Merle Latter’s memoirs detail her career as a relief Station Mistress, highlighting her responsibilities across various stations, including ticketing, safeworking, and handling emergencies. Her stories reveal the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated industry, including safety risks, personal attacks, and the need for resilience and adaptability. Merle’s career exemplifies pioneering efforts by women, often underpaid compared to male counterparts, but with significant contributions to railway safety and service.
Grab your copy now!
Print and digital formats available. Order at:
arhsnsw.com.au/australian-railway-history/
Contact at (02) 9699 4595 or Email: [email protected]

🚂 #48

01/10/2026

🚂 THE OCTOBER ARH ISSUE OUT NOW IN DIGITAL AND PRINT🚂

We complete our Yass Town Railway Line by starting with the end of the passenger service in May 1958. Steam was replaced by X200 Class rail tractors and then by 48 Class until closure of the line in November 1988. However it is interesting to read that staff still remained at the station for sometime yet.
Tasmania have had special relationships with the railway system, The Sorell Line and its Centenary of Closure was unique in that it was isolated from the main rail network. Opened in May 1892 when the rail network itself was 21 years old, it operated for 34 years, eventually closing on 30 June 1926, the reasons cited as declining revenue and escalating maintenance costs.
We celebrate the Ubiquitous 48 Class through the times, as we then turn to Queensland for days in the life of a small-town country girl as a Queensland rural and suburban railway station mistress.
Merle Latter’s memoirs detail her career as a relief Station Mistress, highlighting her responsibilities across various stations, including ticketing, safeworking, and handling emergencies. Her stories reveal the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated industry, including safety risks, personal attacks, and the need for resilience and adaptability. Merle’s career exemplifies pioneering efforts by women, often underpaid compared to male counterparts, but with significant contributions to railway safety and service.
Grab your copy now!
Print and digital formats available. Order at:
arhsnsw.com.au/australian-railway-history/
Contact at (02) 9699 4595 or Email: [email protected]

🚂 #48

11/09/2026

🚂 THE SEPTEMBER ARH ISSUE OUT NOW IN DIGITAL AND PRINT🚂
At about 11.37 pm on 13 September 1926, a rake of wagons at the rear of No. 62 goods broke away at the Murulla crossing loop and ran back down the 1 in 81 grade towards Blandford. After passing the Up Home signal, the breakaway collided with No. 8 North-West Mail, resulting in the deaths of 27 passengers. This was, at the time, the worst accident on the NSW Government Railways (NSWGR).
D1564 was placed into traffic on 22 June 1971 by the WAGR. It was the fourth of five members of the D Class, DR1564 is part of the Watco narrow gauge fleet used for its Western Australian operations. The Loco has had an interesting life over more than 50 years.
From Yass Junction to Yass Town Tramway! As an extension of the 150 year anniversary Chris Banger has extended his article into the Yass Town Tramway a historic, unique 4.3-kilometre light railway branch line in New South Wales that operated from 1892 until 1988. Because it was technically classified as a tramway rather than a conventional railway line, it was legally allowed to run right down the middle of Dutton Street. An exceptional landmark is the Yass River Railway Bridge. The first American-style Pratt truss bridge adopted for a railway corridor in New South Wales. Built in 1892, it spans high over the Yass River. It remains intact but is fully blocked off from pedestrian access due to disrepair.

Grab your copy now!
Print and digital formats available. Order at:
arhsnsw.com.au/australian-railway-history/
Contact at (02) 9699 4595 or Email: [email protected]

🚂 🇦🇺

29/08/2026

🚂 THE SEPTEMBER ARH ISSUE OUT NOW IN DIGITAL AND PRINT🚂
At about 11.37 pm on 13 September 1926, a rake of wagons at the rear of No. 62 goods broke away at the Murulla crossing loop and ran back down the 1 in 81 grade towards Blandford. After passing the Up Home signal, the breakaway collided with No. 8 North-West Mail, resulting in the deaths of 27 passengers. This was, at the time, the worst accident on the NSW Government Railways (NSWGR).
D1564 was placed into traffic on 22 June 1971 by the WAGR. It was the fourth of five members of the D Class, DR1564 is part of the Watco narrow gauge fleet used for its Western Australian operations. The Loco has had an interesting life over more than 50 years.
From Yass Junction to Yass Town Tramway! As an extension of the 150 year anniversary Chris Banger has extended his article into the Yass Town Tramway a historic, unique 4.3-kilometre light railway branch line in New South Wales that operated from 1892 until 1988. Because it was technically classified as a tramway rather than a conventional railway line, it was legally allowed to run right down the middle of Dutton Street. An exceptional landmark is the Yass River Railway Bridge. The first American-style Pratt truss bridge adopted for a railway corridor in New South Wales. Built in 1892, it spans high over the Yass River. It remains intact but is fully blocked off from pedestrian access due to disrepair.

Grab your copy now!
Print and digital formats available. Order at:
arhsnsw.com.au/australian-railway-history/
Contact at (02) 9699 4595 or Email: [email protected]

🚂 🇦🇺

21/08/2026

🚂 THE AUGUST ARH ISSUE OUT NOW IN DIGITAL AND PRINT🚂

Hugh Williams has authored an incredible article to mark the centenary of William Webb’s ‘Big Power’ Locomotives of the South Australian Railways (SAR). Webb arrived in 1922 to modernise SAR with American locomotive designs and infrastructure upgrades. He introduced the ‘big engine’ policy, focusing on larger, more powerful locomotives for freight and passenger services. Three classes were ordered from Armstrong Whitworth in the UK: 500 (4-8-2), 600 (4-6-2), and 700 (2-8-2), each designed for specific tasks. Initial teething troubles included mechanical defects, track limitations, and sharp curves, but despite these initial problems the 500, 600 and 700 classes contributed to increased efficiency, heavier loads, and modernised operations across South Australia. A special look also at the Last Runs of South Australia’s 500 Class Mountains is taken before all but one was cut up!
This issue also includes the Night the Prince Caught a Late-Night Train from Widgiewa, Royality taking the train is always an amazing moment, but a Prince took a train from where?!
Grab your copy now!
Print and digital formats available. Order at:
arhsnsw.com.au/australian-railway-history/
Contact at (02) 9699 4595 or Email: [email protected]

20/08/2026

*** DOES ANYONE HAVE PHOTOS? ***
We are looking for a photo for the cover featuring the Cleveland Line in Brisbane between Lota and Cleveland stations. Particularly around 1987 to about 1990 near the opening of the line. If anyone can help please email us at [email protected]

14/08/2026

🚂 THE AUGUST ARH ISSUE OUT NOW IN DIGITAL AND PRINT🚂
Grab your copy now!
Print and digital formats available. Order at:
arhsnsw.com.au/australian-railway-history/
Contact at (02) 9699 4595 or Email: [email protected]

Hugh Williams has authored an incredible article to mark the centenary of William Webb’s ‘Big Power’ Locomotives of the South Australian Railways (SAR). Webb arrived in 1922 to modernise SAR with American locomotive designs and infrastructure upgrades. He introduced the ‘big engine’ policy, focusing on larger, more powerful locomotives for freight and passenger services. Three classes were ordered from Armstrong Whitworth in the UK: 500 (4-8-2), 600 (4-6-2), and 700 (2-8-2), each designed for specific tasks. Initial teething troubles included mechanical defects, track limitations, and sharp curves, but despite these initial problems the 500, 600 and 700 classes contributed to increased efficiency, heavier loads, and modernised operations across South Australia. A special look also at the Last Runs of South Australia’s 500 Class Mountains is taken before all but one was cut up!
This issue also includes the Night the Prince Caught a Late-Night Train from Widgiewa, Royality taking the train is always an amazing moment, but a Prince took a train from where?!

07/08/2026

🚂 THE AUGUST ARH ISSUE OUT NOW IN DIGITAL AND PRINT🚂

Hugh Williams has authored an incredible article to mark the centenary of William Webb’s ‘Big Power’ Locomotives of the South Australian Railways (SAR). Webb arrived in 1922 to modernise SAR with American locomotive designs and infrastructure upgrades. He introduced the ‘big engine’ policy, focusing on larger, more powerful locomotives for freight and passenger services. Three classes were ordered from Armstrong Whitworth in the UK: 500 (4-8-2), 600 (4-6-2), and 700 (2-8-2), each designed for specific tasks. Initial teething troubles included mechanical defects, track limitations, and sharp curves, but despite these initial problems the 500, 600 and 700 classes contributed to increased efficiency, heavier loads, and modernised operations across South Australia. A special look also at the Last Runs of South Australia’s 500 Class Mountains is taken before all but one was cut up!
This issue also includes the Night the Prince Caught a Late-Night Train from Widgiewa, Royality taking the train is always an amazing moment, but a Prince took a train from where?!
Grab your copy now!
Print and digital formats available. Order at:
arhsnsw.com.au/australian-railway-history/
Contact at (02) 9699 4595 or Email: [email protected]

Australian Railway History

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