About the LRRSA
The Light Railway Research Society of Australia Inc is a non-profit organisation which was founded in 1961. Its purpose is to encourage interest into specialised railways, both past and present, and the industries they have served. These railways have been associated with a large range of industries, including sugar production, timber milling, construction, mining, electricity generation, tourism, water supply, gas production and explosives manufacture.
Meetings and tours are organised by groups in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Some details of the foundation of the Society in 1961 can be found here.
Benefits of Membership
- Light Railways magazine mailed to you six times a year
- Substantial discounts (usually 25%) on LRRSA publications
- Discounts (usually 10%) on other publications
- Participation in meetings and tours
The LRRSA will appeal to anyone interested in:
- industrial archaeology
- unusual locomotives
- the social history of industrial areas
- the challenge of locating and recording sites of abandoned operations (an activity sometimes akin to jungle warfare training).
- research into industries or communities associated with light railways
- mapping or photography of railway and industrial sites and relics
- railways, towns, and industries in remote and rugged locations
LRRSA activities include:
- production of a bi-monthly magazine, Light Railways, mainly featuring the results of members' research. It includes photographs and maps and subscription is included with membership.
- tours to places where specialised railways operate or operated
- publishing books on areas or industries associated with light railways.
- regular meetings of members in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
- a sales branch with a range of books on specialised railways
- Email discussion group
- Light Railways of Australia Facebook group
- assistance with research into specialised railways and their associated industries and communities
Membership
Membership is open to any interested person and includes subscription to the Society's magazine Light Railways, discounts on Society publications and access to meetings of people with similar interests and assistance with research.
As at 2022, membership rates per-year are $48.00 within Australia for a posted magazine, or $27.50 for a PDF download; $A65.00 air-mail for New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South-east Asia, and Japan; and $A77.00 air-mail for the rest of the world. The overseas PDF is rate is A$25.00. Surface mail is not available for overseas membership.
Applications for membership can be made online, or should be sent to the Membership Officer at the address shown below.
Meetings
The Society has a scheduled online entertainment meeting using Zoom on the second Thursday of February, April, June, August and December. There are occasional meetings on the the second Thursday of the other months. In-person meetings are held in Sydney and Adelaide.
Details of forthcoming meetings, with contact information.
LRRSA Contacts
General and membership inquires:
PO Box 21, SURREY HILLS Vic 3127
Annual Reports
The President's and Treasurer's Annual Reports for the LRRSA are available for downloading as .pdf files. Click
here.
Privacy Policy
The LRRSA's privacy policy is available as a downloadable .pdf file. Click here