{{Short description|Society preserving Australian railway operations}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}} {{Coord|-37.8542719|144.8814227|display=t|type:landmark}} {{Infobox organization | name = Australian Railway Historical Society | full_name = | former_name = The Railway Circle (1933)<br>Australasian Railway and Locomotive Historical Society (c. 1933–1952) | abbreviation = ARHS | formation = {{start date|1933}} | founding_location = Sydney, New South Wales | dissolved = | type = Railway historical and preservation organisation | purpose = History and preservation of railway heritage | headquarters = Alexandria, New South Wales (NSW Division/Railway Resource Centre) | region_served = Australia | products = Books, national and divisional Magazines | services = Museum operation, heritage train trips, historical research, archival management | membership = 2,500 (individual) | affiliations = | main_organ = | publication = ''Australian Railway History'', ''Railway Digest'' | subsidiaries = State Divisions (e.g., NSW, QLD, SA, WA) | remarks = | footnotes = }} [[Image:arhs-wheel.jpg|thumb|right]]
The '''Australian Railway Historical Society''' ('''ARHS''') is a railway organisation concerned with history and preservation of railway heritage at a national level.
It has had divisions in every state and the [[Australian Capital Territory]], although the ACT division was wound up in 2016, along with the Victorian division in 2020. Since 1967, when each division incorporated, the state divisions operated as separate entities. Each still trades under the ARHS brand, except in [[Western Australia]], where the division is called [[Rail Heritage WA]]. Individual membership exceeds 2,500.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}
==Background== The ARHS was founded in [[Sydney]] in 1933 as The Railway Circle,<ref name="mgnsw.org.au">{{Cite web |title=Australian Railway Historical Society (NSW) |url=https://mgnsw.org.au/organisations/arhs-nsw/ |access-date=10 July 2023 |website=MGNSW |language=en-AU |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309190459/https://mgnsw.org.au/organisations/arhs-nsw/ |url-status=live }}</ref> becoming the Australasian Railway and Locomotive Historical Society shortly afterwards. The society's name was changed to the present form in 1952.<ref>The Constitution and the change of the Society's name ''[[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]]'' January 1952 page 10</ref>
Divisions were later formed in other states, most of which established a railway museum:
*ACT – [[Canberra Railway Museum]], [[Kingston, Australian Capital Territory|Kingston]] *Queensland – [[Rosewood Railway Museum]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arhs-qld.org.au/rosewood-railway-museum | title=Rosewood Railway Museum | publisher=ARHS Queensland | access-date=6 June 2017 | archive-date=18 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218032706/http://www.arhs-qld.org.au/rosewood-railway-museum | url-status=live }}</ref> *South Australia – operated the [[National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide#Mile End, 1964–1988|Mile End Railway Museum]] from 1964 to 1988, when the exhibits were moved to Port Adelaide, becoming, in 1999, the [[National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide|National Railway Museum]]. Meanwhile, the Division had set up a train-operating arm, [[SteamRanger Heritage Railway]], which operates the [[Victor Harbor railway line|Victor Harbor line]] as a working museum. *Victoria – [[Newport Railway Museum|Australian Railway Historical Society Museum]], [[Williamstown North]] *Western Australia – [[Western Australian Rail Transport Museum]], [[Bassendean, Western Australia|Bassendean]] In February 2015, the ACT division commenced operating scrap metal services from [[Fyshwick]] to [[Port Botany]] through its commercial division, Espee Railroad Services, with locomotives and wagons leased from [[Rail First Asset Management|CFCL Australia]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20150311220943/http://www.accessrecycling.com.au/6_march,_2015.html Canberra railway freight services to start again after 32 years] Access Recycling</ref><ref>[http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/a-new-railway-plan-for-canberras-scrap-metal-20150306-13wxly.html A new railway plan for Canberra's scrap metal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200245/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/a-new-railway-plan-for-canberras-scrap-metal-20150306-13wxly.html |date=23 September 2015 }} ''[[Canberra Times]]'' 6 March 2015</ref><ref>"Rail freight returns to Canberra" ''[[Railway Digest]]'' March 2015 page 8</ref> In November 2016, the Canberra Railway Museum was suddenly closed after the commercial division, which had been started to subsidise popular but expensive heritage train trips, collapsed with more than $700,000 of debt.<ref name= "CT 4 Aug 2018">{{Cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/canberra-news/back-on-track-canberra-railway-museum-set-to-reopen-20180803-p4zvb8.html|title=Back on track: Canberra Railway Museum set to reopen|last=O'Mallon|first=Finbar|website=The Canberra Times|date=3 August 2018|access-date=22 August 2018|archive-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804120804/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/canberra-news/back-on-track-canberra-railway-museum-set-to-reopen-20180803-p4zvb8.html|url-status=live}}</ref> That led to the ACT Division of the ARHS being placed into liquidation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://citynews.com.au/2016/canberra-railway-museum-steam/|title=Railway Museum runs out of steam – Canberra CityNews|date=17 November 2016|newspaper=Canberra CityNews|language=en-US|access-date=18 November 2016|archive-date=19 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119004010/http://citynews.com.au/2016/canberra-railway-museum-steam/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In July 2020, the Victorian Division was wound up, as the result of a number of civil claims made against it by those who, as children, were abused by ARHS volunteers.<ref>[https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/file_uploads/Investigation_into_child_sex_offender_Robert_Whiteheads_involvement_with_Puffing_Billy_and_other_railway_bodies_z8D8MdDJ.pdf Investigation into child sex offender Robert Whitehead’s involvement with Puffing Billy and other railway bodies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217082828/https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/file_uploads/Investigation_into_child_sex_offender_Robert_Whiteheads_involvement_with_Puffing_Billy_and_other_railway_bodies_z8D8MdDJ.pdf |date=17 December 2021 }} Victorian Ombudsman June 2018</ref><ref>[https://rctlaw.com.au/legal-blog/2020/railways-changes-should-not-prevent-making-abuse-claims Railways changes should not prevent making abuse claims] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815155004/https://rctlaw.com.au/legal-blog/2020/railways-changes-should-not-prevent-making-abuse-claims |date=15 August 2020 }} Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers 29 July 2020</ref>
Both the [[Canberra Railway Museum]] (Capital Region Heritage Rail) and [[Newport Railway Museum]] are now run by organisations separate from the ARHS.<ref>{{cite web |title=Newport Railway Museum |url=https://newportrailwaymuseum.org.au/ |publisher=Newport Railway Museum Inc. |access-date=2024-07-25}}</ref>
==Railway Resource Centre== Located at the [[Alexandria, New South Wales|Alexandria]] premises of the New South Wales Division, the Railway Resource Centre is a collection of historical material pertaining to Australian railways, managed by the Society and volunteers. Access to the collection is available to members and to the general public for private research only. It houses thousands of documents, books, periodicals, photographs and slides which the Society has acquired over many years. It is constantly being added to by acquisitions through donations and bequests from Australian Railway Historical Society members and others.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.arhsnsw.com.au/resource.htm |title=Railway Resource Centre |access-date=17 April 2014 |archive-date=28 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228030842/http://www.arhsnsw.com.au/resource.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Publications== ===Books=== [[File:ARHS ACT Locomotive 1210 a.JPG|thumb|[[New South Wales Z12 class locomotive|1210]] at the [[Canberra Railway Museum]] in April 2011]] [[File:H220.jpg|thumb|[[Victorian Railways H class|H220]] at the [[Newport Railway Museum|Australian Railway Historical Society Museum]] in October 2006]] [[File:WAGR 508 (5360008236).jpg|thumb|[[WAGR P and Pr classes|P508]] at the [[Western Australian Rail Transport Museum]] in April 2006]]
Each division has published and supported publishing of books and pamphlets about the history of regional railways. Significantly divisions have been the main resource of expertise in creating centenary and other anniversary publications regarding rail history.
The New South Wales Division operates a shop in [[Alexandria, New South Wales|Alexandria]].<ref>[https://arhsnsw.com.au/contact-us/ Bookshop] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814170419/https://arhsnsw.com.au/contact-us/ |date=14 August 2020 }} Australian Railway Historical Society</ref> The NSW division also maintains the Railway Resource Centre. The centre houses the thousands of documents, books, periodicals, photographs and slides that the society has acquired over many years.<ref name="mgnsw.org.au"/>
===National magazines=== ====Australian Railway History==== In October 1937, ''Australasian Railway and Locomotive Historical Society Bulletin'' was launched by the New South Wales Division.<ref>"Bulletin 1937–1987", ''[[Australian Railway History|Australasian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]]'', issue 600, October 1987, pages 218–220</ref> In May 1950, it was relaunched as the ''Australian Railway History Society Bulletin''.<ref>"Celebrating 50 Years of the New Series of Bulletin", ''Australian Railway History Society Bulletin'', issue 751, May 2000, pages 183–185</ref><ref>[https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2722622 Catalogue entry: Australian Railway History Society Bulletin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707161933/https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2722622 |date=7 July 2023 }} [[National Library of Australia]]</ref> In January 2004, it was renamed ''[[Australian Railway History]]'', and is published monthly.<ref>[https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/3095439 Catalogue entry: Australian Railway History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162314/https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/3095439 |date=7 July 2023 }} National Library of Australia</ref>
''Australian Railway History''includes historical material from all states and territories.<ref>[https://arhsnsw.com.au/australian-railway-history/ Australian Railway History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515113656/https://arhsnsw.com.au/australian-railway-history/ |date=15 May 2023 }} Australian Railway Historical Society</ref>
====''Railway Digest''==== In March 1963, the New South Wales division launched ''[[Railway Digest]]'' as a national magazine covering contemporary railway matters.<ref>New South Wales Digest – The First Ten Years ''[[Railway Digest]]'' March 1973 page 3</ref> It is published monthly and is sold in newsagents.<ref>[https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1563417 Catalogue entry: Railway Digest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707161932/https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1563417 |date=7 July 2023 }} National Library of Australia</ref><ref>[https://arhsnsw.com.au/railway-digest/ Railway Digest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162209/https://arhsnsw.com.au/railway-digest/ |date=7 July 2023 }} Australian Railway Historical Society</ref>
===Divisional magazines=== Some divisions publish magazines at various frequencies. The state and divisions of the society publish magazines that vary in content and depth, but which provide items of local information about their state railway history and activities.
====''Newsrail''==== In November 1957, the Victorian Division launched ''[[Divisional Diary]]''.<ref>"A Note from the President", ''[[Divisional Diary]]'', November 1957, page 3</ref> From 1958 until 1965, it was also the publication of the Tasmanian division.<ref name=DDMarch1958>"DD 186", ''Divisional Diary'', March 1958, page 20</ref> In January 1973, ''Divisional Diary'' was replaced by ''[[Newsrail]]''.<ref>"Divisional Diary", ''[[Newsrail]]'', January 1988, pages 4–7</ref><ref>"1973 – 2023 50 Years", ''Newsrail'', January 2023, pages 6–15</ref> It is published monthly.<ref>[https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/913597 Catalogue entry: Newsrail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162206/https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/913597 |date=7 July 2023 }} National Library of Australia</ref> Since the winding-up of the Victorian Division in mid-2020, the magazine has been published by Victorian Rail Publishing Inc.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vicrailpublishing.com.au/ |title=Victorian Rail Publishing Inc. |date=29 July 2020 |access-date=7 July 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708221245/https://vicrailpublishing.com.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
====''Sunshine Express''==== After publishing a supplement within the ''[[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]]'' for 16 issues, in February 1966, the Queensland division launched ''Sunshine Express''.<ref>Sunshine Express ''Sunshine Express'' issue 17 February 1966 page 3</ref> In 1968, annual publication was increased from six issues to eight.<ref>Editorial ''Sunshine Express'' issue 29 February 1968 page 2</ref> As of 2023, it is published every two months.<ref>[https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2873049 Catalogue entry: Sunshine Express] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162316/https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2873049 |date=7 July 2023 }} National Library of Australia</ref>
====''Tasmanian Rail News''==== From 1958 until 1965, the Victorian Division publication, ''[[Divisional Diary]]'', also served as the Tasmanian Division's publication.<ref name=DDMarch1958/> In August 1965, ''Rail News'' was launched, which was renamed ''Tasmanian Rail News'' in July 1968.<ref>"TRN turns 40", ''Tasmanian Rail News'', issue 229, October 2005, page 19</ref><ref>[https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1899450 Catalogue entry: Tasmanian Rail News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162535/https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1899450 |date=7 July 2023 }} National Library of Australia</ref>
====''The Recorder''==== In October 1963, the South Australian division launched ''The Recorder''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Divisional diary |author=<!--Not stated-->|date= January 1964 |magazine=The Recorder |location=Adelaide |publisher=[[Australian Railway Historical Society]], South Australian Division |page=15 }}</ref> In May 1992, ''The Recorder'' ceased publication when the ARHS decided to pool resources with the [[National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide|National Railway Museum]]'s ''[[Catch Point (periodical)|Catch Point Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=From the Editor |author=<!--Not stated-->|date= March 1992 |magazine=[[Catch Point (periodical)|Catch Point Magazine]] |location=Port Adelaide |publisher=[[National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide|National Railway Museum]] | issue=88 |page=3 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=The future |author=<!--Not stated-->|date= April 1992 |magazine=The Recorder |location=Adelaide |publisher=[[Australian Railway Historical Society]], South Australian Division |page=100 }}</ref> The arrangement ceased in December 2008;<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Catch Point celebrates 30 years |author=<!--Not stated-->|date= March 2012 |magazine=[[Catch Point (periodical)|Catch Point Magazine]] |location=Port Adelaide |publisher=[[National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide|National Railway Museum]] | issue= |page=30 }}</ref> the museum continues to publish ''Catchpoint'' every two months.
====''The Westland''==== In July 1972, the Western Australian division launched ''The Westland Express''.<ref>Here & There ''Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin'' issue 421 November 1972 page 11</ref> It ceased in June 1973 after 12 issues.<ref>Here & There ''Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin'' issue 432 October 1973 page 11</ref><ref>[https://encore.slwa.wa.gov.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1427032 Catalogue entry: The Westland Express] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710020953/https://encore.slwa.wa.gov.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1427032?lang=eng&ivts=vQst1klxZwclPHqjYY4tSg%3D%3D&casts=twakqCS%2BlN0XqQqrIFPwrQ%3D%3D |date=10 July 2023 }} [[State Library of Western Australia]]</ref> In January 1985, it was revived as ''[[The Westland (periodical)|The Westland]]''.<ref>Here & There ''Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin'' issue 567 January 1985 page 1</ref> Publication ceased in 2019 after 287 issues.<ref>[https://encore.slwa.wa.gov.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1145747 Catalogue entry: The Westland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710020955/https://encore.slwa.wa.gov.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1145747?lang=eng&ivts=iGrGO2PTuCmpbvW0gCYeRw%3D%3D&casts=Nsvje%2BFhmsjs9a78siGxGw%3D%3D |date=10 July 2023 }} State Library of Western Australia</ref>
==Affiliations== Other societies and organisations with which the Australian Railway Historical Society is affiliated include:-<ref>Australian Railway Historical Society NSW Div. Annual Report 2007–2008</ref>
*Australian Electric Traction Association *[[Canadian Railroad Historical Association]] *[[East Coast Heritage Rail]] *Irish Railway Record Society *[[Light Railway Research Society of Australia]] *[[Light Rail Transit Association]] (UK) *Narrow Gauge Railway Society (UK) *[[National Railway Historical Society]] (USA) *[[NSW Rail Museum]] *[[New Zealand Railway & Locomotive Society]] *[[Rail Motor Society]] *[[Railway Correspondence & Travel Society]] (UK) *Railway Society of Southern Africa *[[Royal Australian Historical Society]]
===Other groups=== Rail heritage is not the exclusive domain of the ARHS in Australia, and at various stages other groups of enthusiasts and individuals have endeavoured to create niches in the publishing and rail heritage businesses.
==See also== {{Portal|Railways}} * [[History of rail transport in Australia]] overall history plus bibliographies *[[List of railroad-related periodicals]]
==References== {{reflist}}
== Further reading == * {{cite book|last1=Quinlan|first1=Howard|last2=Newland|first2=John R.|title=Australian Railway Routes 1854 to 2000|year=2000|publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society – New South Wales Division|location=Redfern, N.S.W.|isbn=0-909650-49-7}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060506210928/http://www.arhsact.org.au/index.php ARHS ACT Division] (archived) *[http://www.arhsnsw.com.au/ ARHS New South Wales Division]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803173738/https://arhsnsw.com.au/ |date=3 August 2020 }}. *[http://www.arhs-qld.org.au/ ARHS Queensland Division] *[http://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/ ARHS South Australian Division (SteamRanger)] *[http://www.railtasmania.com/arhs/ ARHS Tasmanian Division] *[http://www.arhsvic.org.au/ ARHS Victorian Division] *[http://www.railheritagewa.org.au/ ARHS Western Australian Division] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20150315141549/http://espee.com.au/ Espee Railroad Services] (archived)
[[Category:Freight railway companies of Australia]] [[Category:Organizations established in 1933]] [[Category:Railway societies]] [[Category:Rail transport preservation in Australia]] [[Category:1933 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Australian transport history societies]]