bassendean is home to the western australian rail transport museum which opened in 1974. the display has a collection of steam and diesel locomotives, most of which have been restored to operating conditions. also as part of the collection are a number of carriages and other equipment associated including the zanthus station and a signal box from the perth city station. the west australian model railway club is also housed within the complex. the display's centrepiece is a working scale model featuring engine characters from the children's series "thomas the tank engine and friends".