The RAP open excursion cars used on the Dwellingup Forest Railway services began life as RA class, medium side, open wagons designed by the WAGR and built by the Oldbury Railway Carriage & Wagon Co, Oldbury, England as general purpose wagons. Introduced from 1902, these wagons carried products such as grain and fertiliser (originally bagged, late bulk) as well as long loads such as pipes and sawn timber. The wagons weighed 10.2 tons, were 33 feet long and could carry 20 tons. Cane hoops could be fitted over them to support a tarpaulin and hence protect bulk commodities from the rain.

The RA class was made redundant by the introduction of higher capacity wagons and six were acquired by Hotham Valley. Two are used for the transport of coal to locomotive servicing locations on extended rail tours while four have been converted to carry passengers. Conversion work included the fitting of a canvas canopy on an aluminum frame and the installation of tram style slatted seats. The heavy drop down doors were converted to dual swing doors to provide easier passenger access.

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