Bennett Brook Railway

Bennett Brook Railway
Overview
Type	Light Rail
Status	Operating as a tourist railway
Locale	Whiteman, Western Australia
Stations	Whiteman Village Junction (Formerly Central) Mussel Pool Kangaroo Flats Zamia (Formerly Maine)
Website	http://www.bbr.org.au
Operation
Opened	1984
Owner	West Australian Light Rail Preservation Association
Operator(s)	West Australian Light Rail Preservation Association (WALRPA)
Depot(s)	Mussel Pool Workshops
Technical
Line length	Approx 6 kilometres (3.7 mi)
Track gauge	2 ft (610 mm)
Operating speed	20 km/h (12 mph)

The Bennett Brook Railway is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge tourist oriented railway operated by the West Australian Light Railway Preservation Association and is located within the boundaries of Whiteman Park, nineteen kilometres from Perth. In 2009, the Bennett Brook Railway celebrated its 25th year of operation.

History

Bennett Brook Railway Map
Legend Mussel Pool Railway Yard & Workshops Pedestrian Path Bennett Brook Whiteman Drive West Park Management Track Whiteman Village Junction Pedestrian Path Park Management Track Park Management Track One Duck Lagoon Park Management Track Pedestrian Path Kangaroo Flats Station Zamia Station Pedestrian Path

The Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Association (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 locomotive - an LV&S 'Planet' Locomotive (which still operates at the railway - the Atlantic Planet). The Planet first was located at a member's property in the Perth Hills, on 17 September 1976.

In 1977, the group proposed to develop a railway at Whiteman Park. Five submissions were received in total, 3 for a 610 mm (2 ft) railway, one for a 7 ¹⁄₄ in (184 mm) railway, similar to the railway located at Castledare, and finally a submission to re-locate the Australian Railway Historical Society.

From 1977 to 1982, referred to as the negotiation period, 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 Belmont, 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 the WALRPA was advised by Metropolitan Region Planning Authority that their submission for a 610 mm (2 ft) 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, the WALRPA purchased the former Claisebrook railway station to be placed at Central Station (The building arrived in March of that year), acquired a 60 ft 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 Dowling MLA (The Patron of the Organisation), with some assistance, drove the first passenger train out of Central Station.

Operations

The railway operates passenger services during the following times:

	Operating Time	Note
Weekends & Public Holidays	11:00am to 4:00pm
W.A. School Holidays	11:00am to 3:00pm	Monday-Friday during the holidays
Mid-Week	11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm only	Only Operating Wed & Thu

Held Biannually, the railway runs a Friends of Ashley (FOA) Day (Formerly known as Friends of Thomas the Tank Engine),^[1] which sees most of volunteers, Locomotive & Steam Engines operating. 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 annually. They are held in winter so there are no restrictions on steam operations. Most operating engines are involved in some interesting freight and passenger trains.

Locomotives

September to May is fire season, diesel engines will operate all services.
May to September is steam season, steam engines may operate weekend services when available and diesel engines will operate all other services
These dates are approximate and are dependent on park conditions and approval

Steam Locomotives

Model	Name	Former Operator	Condition	Wheel arrangement	Comments	Coupler(s)	Image
SAR NG15 123	Fremantle	South African Rail	Maintenance	2-8-2	To be re-tubed (Possibly 2016)	Jones Couplers
SAR NG15 118	Elizabeth	South African Rail	Maintenance	2-8-2	To be re-tubed (Possibly 2016)	Jones Couplers
Perry	Betty Thompson	Inkerman Sugar Mill, QLD	Operational	0-4-2T	Will appear in Ashley Day 2015 May 25	Jones Couplers
Perry		Marian Sugar Mill, QLD	Maintenance	0-6-2T
O&K Mallet No. 3		Magnet Tramway, TAS	Maintenance	0-4-4-0T	To be re-tubed (Possibly 2013)
Krauss		Multiple. Previous - Western Machinery, WA	Storage	0-4-0WT	Awaiting Restoration	Link and Pin

Large Diesel Locomotives

Model	Name	Former Operator	Condition	Wheel arrangement	Comments	Coupler(s)	Image
1938 Planet (Atlantic Engine)	Planet	Lake View and Star Gold Mine, WA	Operational	0-4-0		Jones Couplers, Link and Pin
1968 Planet (Dorman Engine)			Lake View and Star Gold Mine, WA	Operational	0-4-0
Gemco Funkey PW27	Wyndham	Wyndham Jetty, WA	Operational	0-4-0		Jones Couplers
Fowler #2	Rosalie	Isis Sugar Mill, QLD	Operational	0-6-0		Jones Couplers

Small Locomotives

Builder	Model	Name	Former Operator	Condition	Wheel arrangement	Comments	Couplers	Fuel
Kless		Ashley	"The Big Orange", WA	Operational	0-4-0		Link and Pin	Diesel
Ruston & Hornsby	LBT		Manjimup Mill, WA	Operational			Jones Couplers, Link and Pin	Diesel
Maylands Brickworks		Maylands	Maylands Brickworks, WA	Operational		Maylands was the first Operational locomotive at the BBR, Powered by a Holden Red 6 Cylinder Engine and an automatic car transmition	Link and Pin	Petrol
Planet		Yellow Rose	Whiteman Brickworks, WA	Operational	4wPM		Link and Pin	Petrol
Ridley			Whiteman Brick	Maintenance	4wPM		Link and Pin
Ridley #2			Whiteman Brick	Storage	2-2w + 2w-2PM

Carriages and Wagons

Passenger Carriages

Large Stock

All fitted with Jones Couplers

Class	Number	Original Class	Original Operator	Description	Comments	Entered Service
AQ	4745	QBB	WAGR	Fitted with window glazing and is concertina fitted at one end	BBR Built on QBB Chassis. Part of Winter Stock.	1986
AQ	1788	QBB	WAGR	Mostly in original construction condition, no glazing of the windows. Rebuilt doors, concertina fitted at both ends	BBR Built on QBB Chassis. Part of Winter Stock.	1986
AQB	2790	QBB	WAGR	Fitted With Guards Compartment (Brake instrument and Handbrake Wheel)	BBR Built on QBB Chassis. Part of Winter Stock	1986
AV	3273	V	WAGR	Buffet/Party Car. Fitted with tables and seats, a Bar servery area and a Brake Instrument	BBR Built on V Chassis	1989
AR	1638	R	WAGR	Wheelchair access. Fitted with "Roll Up" windows. Fitted with concertinas at both end. No fixed seating	BBR Built on R Chassis. Part of Winter Stock	?
R	3644	R	WAGR	Fitted with Bus seats for passenger seating. "Drop" side doors modified for passenger access	Part of Summer Stock	?
RP	1783	R	WAGR	Fitted with a Roof, Bus seats for passenger seating. "Drop" side doors modified for passenger access	Part of Summer Stock	?
RP	4461	R	WAGR	Fitted with a Roof, Bus seats for passenger seating. "Drop" side doors modified for passenger access	Reputed to be the only remaining example of a WAGR 4 Door R wagon. Part of Summer Stock	?

Small Stock

All fitted with Link and Pin Couplers

Designator	Built from/on	Description	Comments	Entered Service
C1	Maylands Clay Pit chassis	4 Wheel Passenger Carriage	Currently out of service and derelict in storage yard	1983
C2	Maylands Clay Pit chassis	4 Wheel Passenger Carriage	Currently out of service and derelict in storage yard	1983
C3	Maylands Clay Pit chassis	4 Wheel Passenger Carriage	Restored to operational service on a "Citra" chassis for BBR's 21st Birthday celebrations in 2005	1983
C4	Lake View and Star Goldmine Ore hopper Chassis	4 Wheel Passenger Carriage	Ran for 4 years, then scrapped. Access only available from platform side	1983
BV1	Lake View and Star Goldmine Ore hopper Chassis	4 Wheel Passenger Brake Carriage	Fitted with Brake wheel in Guards Compartment. Still operational	1984
ALV11	Lake View and Star Goldmine Ore hopper Chassis	4 Wheel Passenger Carriage	Still operational	1985
ALX12	Lake View and Star Goldmine Ore hopper Chassis	4 Wheel Passenger Carriage	Still operational	1985
ADL101		Toast Rack Style Passenger Carriages	Originally built in Harvey for the Big Orange Railway. Transported to BBR in 2004 on a long term loan agreement	2006
ADL102		Toast Rack Style Passenger Carriages	Originally built in Harvey for the Big Orange Railway. Transported to BBR in 2004 on a long term loan agreement	2006
ADL103		Toast Rack Style Passenger Carriages	Originally built in Harvey for the Big Orange Railway. Transported to BBR in 2004 on a long term loan agreement	2006

Freight/Industrial Wagons

All Wagons are fitted with Jones Couplers unless said otherwise.

Class	Number	Original Operator	Description	Comments
D	33	WAGR	Covered Goods Van	Restored, and reinstalled on LA Chassis
R	1751	WAGR		Completely Rebuilt by Bennett Brook Railway Crews
QBB	2889	WAGR	Flat Wagon, used to carry heavy and often large loads about the railway
LA	23778	WAGR	Ballast Hopper
JOA	12051	WAGR	Distillate Fuel Tanker	Used as a water tanker
J	11374	WAGR	Water Tanker
V	3326	WAGR	Goods Van
Z	63	WAGR	Brake Van	Replica Z wagon, built by BBR on an ex WAGR V Wagon (V3263) Chassis. Brake van on Summer Stock.
LV	8	Lake View and Star Goldmine	Side dump ore hoppers	Classified by the National Trust (WA). Link and Pin Coupler
LV	9	Lake View and Star Goldmine	Side dump ore hoppers	Classified by the National Trust (WA). Link and Pin Coupler

For more information, please Visit the BBR Pages

Buildings

Whiteman Village Junction Station, with the Former Subiaco Signal Cabin in the background

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). Down at Mussel Pool: The station building is from Nungarin (And was transported to BBR in 1989 with assistance from the Australian Army's 22nd Construction Squadron. There are also two signal Cabins, 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

The former Mussel Pool Signal Cabin, from Collie, in use

The ex Wagin lever frame, now installed in the Cottesloe Cabin at Mussel Pool

Located at Mussel Pool, the Cottesloe Cabin 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 & 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.

BBR Primarily uses the Staff and Ticket System for section authority. The railway is split in 2 sections, and has 2 staffs - Mussel Pool to WVJ (Blue Staff), and the Loop (Red Staff). In order to travel on a section of line, the driver of a locomotive must be in possession of the relevant Staff. In the case of multiple trains needing to use 1 section of track, the Staff unlocks a box located in the signal cabins at each end of the section, which hold the tickets. A ticket would be filled out and given to the driver of the lead consist, who would also be shown the staff. After the average time to complete the section has passed, the second train can depart the station, proceeding with caution in case the train ahead has broken down, holding both the staff (or another ticket) and a notice of train ahead.

In late 2012 an Electric Staff system was re-introduced on the Mussel Pool to Whiteman Village Junction, with staff instruments located in the signal cabins at both stations. At the same time a wired telephone line was re-introduced between the two stations, using telegraph poles.

BBR has recently received approval from the Office of Rail Safety to commence works on commissioning the Subiaco signal cabin (now located at WVJ) using a combination of mechanical and electric points along with coloured light and Semaphore signals. This long term project will commence shortly.

External links

A & J Inglis Crane of 1855 at Bennett Brook Railway^[2]

• Bennett Brook Railway Website

Further reading

• Whiteford, David (2005) From Back Yard to Bennett Brook 1976 - 2005 - ISBN 0-646-49941-6

References

1. Friends of Ashley - Bennett Brook Railway - Friends of Ashle
2. A & J Inglis Crane in Whiteman Park, Western Australia

Coordinates: 31°50′43″S 115°56′38″E / 31.8452°S 115.9438°E