Bennett Brook Railway

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.

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.

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 Dowding MLA (The Patron of the Organisation), with some assistance, drove the first passenger train out of Central Station.

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.

Located at Mussel Pool, the original Cottesloe Cabin (1897 - 1931) is in place on the Station Platform, and is fully operational.

BBR has recently completed installation of electric point motors on all mainline points, electrically operated semaphore signals at the north end and searchlight coloured light signals at the southern end of Whiteman Village Junction.

Work has now started on the configuration of the elevated signal cabin (ex Subiaco) to control train movements at Whiteman Village Junction.

Whiteman Village Junction Station, with the former Subiaco Signal Cabin in the background
The former Mussel Pool Signal Cabin, from Collie, in use
The ex Wagin lever frame, now installed in the Cottesloe Cabin at Mussel Pool
A & J Inglis Crane of 1855 at Bennett Brook Railway [ 12 ]