Australian Railway Historical Society

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The Australian Railway Historical Society (ARHS) was founded in Sydney in 1933. It aims to foster an interest in the railways, and record and preserve many facets of railway operations. Membership exceeds 2,500, with divisions in every state.

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 has a shop based in Central Station in Sydney.^[1]

Some divisions maintain a local railway museum, for example Bassendean in Western Australia, Williamstown Railway Museum in Victoria and the Canberra Railway Museum. In South Australian SteamRanger operates the former Mt Barker to Victor Harbour line as a working museum. The Victorian division of the Society also played a role in the preservation of steam locomotives in Victoria from the 1960s.^[2]

Each division publishes magazines, at various frequencies. A dedicated magazine for the whole of Australia is also published, called Australian Railway History and this includes historical material from most states.

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.