The Bennett Brook Railway (BBR) is a narrow gauge tourist oriented railway operated by the Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Association (WALRPA), and is located within the boundaries of Whiteman Park, from Perth.

History

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 locomotivean LV&S 'Planet' Locomotive (which still operates at the railwaythe 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, three for a railway, one for a railway, similar to the railway located at Castledare, and finally a submission to re-locate the Australian Railway Historical Society.

From 1977 to 1982, 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 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 WALRPA was advised by Metropolitan Regional Planning Authority that their submission for a 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, WALRPA purchased the former Claisebrook railway station to be placed as Central Station (the building arrived in March of that year), acquired an 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),Friends of Ashley - Bennett Brook Railway - Friends of Ashle 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 operate all services.

May to September is steam season, during which steam engines may operate weekend services when available and diesel engines operate all other services.

Dates are approximate and are dependent on park conditions and approval.

BuilderNameFormer operatorConditionWheel arrangementCommentsCoupler(s)ImageSAR NG15 123 (Built Henschel & Son)FremantleSouth African RailwaysOperationalCurrent mainstay of steam operations as of 2026.Jones couplersSAR NG15 118 (Built Société Franco-Belge)ElizabethSouth African RailwaysStorageStored with major work needed to be carried out.Jones couplersPerryBetty ThompsonInkerman Sugar Mill, QLDStoredPrivately owned locomotive, now out of traffic with boiler ticket due to expire as of 2026.Jones couplersPerryMarian Sugar Mill, QLDStorageAwaiting overhaul.Link and pinO&K Mallet No. 3Magnet Tramway, TASMaintenanceRestoration due to start.Link and pinKraussMultiple. Previous - Western Machinery, WAStorageCosmetic restoration currently in progress.Link and pin

Large diesel locomotives BuilderNameFormer operatorConditionWheel arrangementCommentsCoupler(s)Image1939 PlanetPlanet 7Lake View and Star Gold Mine, WAOperationalFirst locomotive bought by the society, number 7 is the current mainstay of diesel operations.Jones couplers, Link and pin1937 PlanetLake View and Star Gold Mine, WAStorageSister to number 7, acquired in February 2024 courtesy of the Boulder Loop Line museum.Link and pin1968 Planet (Dorman Engine)DormanLake View and Star Gold Mine, WAMaintenance Privately owned locomotive, awaiting new wheelsets.Jones couplers, Link and pinGemco Funkey PW27WyndhamWyndham Jetty, WAMaintenance Awaiting a new gearbox, her return to service is unknown.Jones couplersFowler #2RosalieIsis Central Sugar Mill, QLDOperationalIn 2020, a new drive train, motor and transmission were donated from a garbage truck. Finished in a new livery reminiscent of her original Isis mill paint in 2021.Jones couplers

Small locomotives BuilderNameFormer operatorConditionWheel arrangementCommentsCouplersImageKlessAshley"The Big Orange", WAOperationalLink and pinRuston & Hornsby Type LBTManjimup Mill, WAMaintenanceCurrently in need of mechanical work.Jones couplers, Link and pinMaylands Brickworks (Planet Frame)MaylandsMaylands Brickworks, WAOperationalMaylands was the first operational locomotive on site, powered by a Holden Red 6 cylinder engine and an automatic car transmission.Link and pinPlanet Type YYellow RoseWhitemans Brick, WAOperational In late 2025, a new radiator was sourced for the locomotive, requiring a new bonnet to be built. Link and pinWhiteman Brick (Harold Ridley Designed)RidleyWhitemans Brick, WAStorageEntering service in 1984 with a new Vanguard motor fitted, Ridley would later be re-engined and paired with a ballast Tamper, and further rebuilt with a new body.Link and pinWhiteman Brick (Harold Ridley Designed)Ridley #2Whitemans Brick, WAStorage2-2w + 2w-2PMCurrent whereabouts unknown.Link and pin

Carriages and wagons Passenger carriages Large stock All fitted with Jones couplers ClassNumberOriginal classOriginal operatorDescriptionCommentsEntered serviceAQ4745QBBWAGRFitted with window glazing. Concertina fitted at both endsBBR Built on QBB Chassis. Part of Winter Stock.1986AQ1788QBBWAGRMostly in original construction condition, no glazing of the windows. Rebuilt doors, concertina fitted at both endsBBR Built on QBB Chassis. Part of Winter Stock.1986AQB2790QBBWAGRFitted With Guards CompartmentBBR Built on QBB Chassis. Part of Winter Stock1986AV3251VWAGRParty Coach. Fitted with tables and seats, a Bar servery area and a Brake InstrumentBBR Built on V Chassis1989AR1638RWAGRWheelchair access. Fitted with "Roll Up" windows. Fitted with concertinas at both end. No fixed seatingBBR Built on R Chassis. Part of Winter Stock1995R3644RWAGRFitted with a Roof wooden seats for passenger seating. Fitted with concertinas at both ends. "Drop" side doors modified for passenger accessPart of Summer Stock1990RP1783RWAGRFitted with a Roof, wooden seats for passenger seating. Fitted with concertinas at both ends. "Drop" side doors modified for passenger accessPart of Summer Stock1990RP4461RWAGRFitted with a Roof, wooden seats for passenger seating. "Drop" side doors modified for passenger accessReputed to be the only remaining example of a WAGR 4 Door R wagon. Part of Summer Stock1990Z63VWAGRBrake VanReplica Z wagon, built by BBR on an ex WAGR V Wagon (V3263) Chassis. Brake van on Summer Stock.R1751RWAGRGrey Open Wagon with No Roof, wooden seats for passenger seating. "Drop" side doors modified for passenger accessPart of Summer Stock2015ZB213ZBWAGRFirst 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 DesignatorBuilt from/onDescriptionCommentsEntered serviceALV4Maylands Clay Pit chassis4 Wheelchair Accessible Passenger Carriage Air brakedCurrently used for wheelchairs2021C3Maylands Clay Pit chassis4 Wheel Passenger CarriageRestored to operational service on a "Citra" chassis for BBR's 21st Birthday celebrations in 20051983BV1Lake View and Star Goldmine Ore hopper Chassis4 Wheel Passenger Brake CarriageAir braked and Fitted with Brake wheel in Guards Compartment. Still operational1984ALV11Lake View and Star Goldmine Ore hopper ChassisAir braked 4 Wheel Passenger CarriageStill operational1985ALV12Lake View and Star Goldmine Ore hopper Chassisair braked 4 Wheel Passenger CarriageStill operational1985ADL101Toast Rack Style Passenger CarriagesOriginally built in Harvey for the Big Orange Railway. Transported to BBR in 2004 and purchased in 20202006ADL102Toast Rack Style Passenger CarriagesOriginally built in Harvey for the Big Orange Railway. Transported to BBR in 2004 and purchased in 20202006ADL103Toast Rack Style Passenger CarriagesOriginally 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. ClassNumberOriginal operatorDescriptionCommentsD33WAGRCovered Goods VanRestored, and reinstalled on LA Chassis (Used on work trains) QBB2889WAGRFlat Wagon, used to carry heavy and often large loads about the railwayTo Carry Coal Bunkers for BT1 Betty Thompson LA23778WAGRBallast HopperUsed on work trainsJOA12051WAGRDistillate Fuel TankerUsed as a water tanker Needs Maintenance J11374WAGRWater TankerUsed as a water gin for NG15 123 FremantleV3326WAGRGoods VanCurrently to store equipment in and used on work trains

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). At Mussel Pool the station building is from Nungarin (transported to BBR in 1989 with assistance from the Australian Army's 22nd Construction Squadron). There are also two signal cabins from 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 and 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.