Collections

Our Collections

The National Railway Museum collections cover all aspects of Australian railway history. Our collections include:

Rolling Stock – historic vehicles operated by State, Commonwealth and private railway operators on the three major rail gauges used in Australia

Infrastructure items related to the working of the railways such as station buildings, signalling and telecommunications equipment, track components, and maintenance vehicles.

Objects including locomotive builders’ plates, station name boards, uniforms, clocks, signal lamps, furniture, railway hospitality objects

Audiovisual Items - photographs, negatives, video and sound recordings, art, posters and placards

Documents - public and railway working timetables, weekly notices, plans, drawings, gradient and curve diagrams, tickets, government documents

The NRM also has a specialist reference Library comprising books, journals and audiovisual items covering all aspects of Australian railway history.

 

Loans

The National Railway Museum is able to loan collection items to other cultural heritage organisations provided that certain display or storage conditions are adhered to. If you wish to borrow an item from the NRM, or would like more information, please contact the Curator and Business Manager. The NRM does not generally accept items on inward loan.

 

Research and Enquiries

We welcome your enquiries and ask that you contact us via email or letter. If you wish to meet with a Curator or Collection Manager in person, please make an appointment as we may not be available to see you immediately.

For information about loans, donations and bequests, research requests, accessing the archive and general information about the NRM collections or collection management issues, please contact the Curator and Business Manager.

As we are a fully self-funded, volunteer operated organisation we do charge for our services to assist us with our research, conservation and restoration work. Our initial research to locate information is free and we provide a quote before charges are made. Payments can be made by credit/debit card, cheque, by direct deposit, by Paypal or at the Bookshop.

For more information about our services and charges please download How The Museum Can Help You.

Railway Personnel Records

The Museum does not hold records relating to railway employees, we recommend that you contact the State Records of South Australia or the State Library of South Australia if you are looking for railway employee information. For a general overview on researching Australian railway employees please see the Railway Employees Leaflet.

 

Copies of Photographs and Documents

If there is an image or document in our collection that you would like a copy of, you can complete an Archive Research and Photographic Request Form. Our charges are all specified in the How The Museum Can Help You brochure. You will also need to complete a Reproduction Agreement Form and submit full payment before we can provide your item.

Our rolling stock and photographic collection items are listed here.

The National Railway Museum contains an archive with information on railways throughout each state and territory in Australia.

We welcome your enquiries and ask that you contact us via email or letter. If you wish to meet with one of the Curators in person, please make an appointment as we may not be available to see you immediately.

For information about loans, donations and bequests, and general information about the NRM collections or collection management issues, please contact Gabby Sexton, Curator and Business Manager.

For research requests please email the Curator and Business Manager.

We appreciate your considering donating an item to the National Railway Museum Collection.

Visit the NRM

76 Lipson Street
Port Adelaide
South Australia  5015
Australia
Open Daily / 10am – 4:30pm

Adult

$17

Concession

$10

Child
5-15 yrs & with an adult

$7

Family
2 adults & up to 3 children

$40

  • Prices may vary for special events
  • EFTPOS is preferred payment method
  • Open from 12pm on ANZAC Day
  • Closed Christmas Day

Phone: 8341 1690

The National Railway Museum acknowledges the Kaurna people as the traditional owners and custodians of the Adelaide Plains. We honour and respect their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country. We aim to respect the cultural heritage, customs and beliefs of all Indigenous people.

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