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The Australian Railway Historical Society (ARHS) aims to foster an interest in the railways, and record and preserve many facets of railway operations. 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 have 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]
The ARHS was founded in Sydney in 1933 as The Railway Circle,[1] becoming the Australasian Railway and Locomotive Historical Society shortly afterwards. The society's name was changed to the present form in 1952.[2]
Divisions were later formed in most states, most of which established a railway museum, namely:
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 CFCL Australia.[4][5][6] 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.[7] That led to the ACT Division of the ARHS being placed into liquidation.[8]
In July 2020, the Victorian division was wound up, following a number of civil claims made against it by those who, as children, were abused by volunteers.[9][10]
Both the Canberra Railway Museum (Capital Region Heritage Rail) and Newport Railway Museum are now run by organisations separate from the ARHS.
Located at the New South Wales division's Alexandria premises, 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.[11]
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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.[12] 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.[1]
Some divisions publishes 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 state railway history and activities.
In October 1937, Australasian Railway and Locomotive Historical Society Bulletin was launched by the New South Wales division.[13] In May 1950 it was relaunched as Australian Railway History Society Bulletin.[14][15] In January 2004, it was renamed Australian Railway History. It is published monthly.[16]
It includes historical material from all states.[17]
In November 1957, the Victorian division launched Divisional Diary.[18] From 1958 until 1965, it was also the publication of the Tasmanian division.[19] In January 1973, Divisional Diary was replaced by Newsrail.[20][21] It is published monthly.[22] Since May 2020, the magazine has been published by Victorian Rail Publishing Inc.[23]
In March 1963, the New South Wales division launched Railway Digest.[24] It is published monthly.[25][26]
After publishing a supplement within the Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin for 16 issues, in February 1966, the Queensland division launched Sunshine Express.[27] In 1968, annual publication was increased from six issues to eight.[28] As of 2023, it is published bimonthly.[29]
From 1958 until 1965, the Victorian division's Divisional Diary also served as the Tasmanian division's publication.[19] In August 1965 Rail News was launched. In July 1968, it was renamed Tasmanian Rail News.[30][31]
In October 1963, the South Australian division launched The Recorder.[32][33] In May 1992, The Recorder ceased publication with the ARHS deciding to pool resources with the National Railway Museum's Catch Point.[34][35][36] The arrangement ceased in December 2008.[37]
In July 1972, the Western Australian division launched The Westland Express.[38] It ceased in June 1973 after 12 issues.[39][40] In January 1985, it was revived as The Westland.[41] Publication ceased in 2019 after 287 issues.[42]
Other societies and organisations with which the Australian Railway Historical Society is affiliated include:-[43]
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.
