The Pichi Richi Railway is a 39 kilometres (24 miles) narrow-gauge heritage railway in the southern Flinders Ranges of South Australia between Quorn and Port Augusta.
History[]
The Commonwealth Railways ran trains through the pass until 1970, when it ceased services. There were proposals to demolish the line including the bridges and dry stone walls, but the Quorn Progress Association recognised their heritage value and significance. Lobbying by local and distant supporters reached Mr. Keith Smith, Commissioner of the Commonwealth Railways.
On 22nd July 1973, the not-for-profit Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society Inc. was incorporated, initially to ensure conservation of the 1878 dry stone walls and the bridges in the Pichi Richi Pass. It became evident that the prospect of operating heritage trains was possible and after undertaking restoration of deteriorated sections of the line, the Society operated its first trains to Summit, just 12 months later. Following further track repairs, trains were able to travel to Pichi Richi, and later to Woolshed Flat. After relaying, the line was restored to Stirling North – at that time the western terminus of the line.
The Society continues to be completely managed and staffed by its volunteer members and operates its own restored steam and diesel hauled trains on a variety of services between March and November each year.
Locomotive Roster[]
Number | Images | Heritage | Type | Builder | Built | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T186 | ![]() |
South Australian Railway | 4-8-0 | James Martin and Co. | 1909 | Overhaul | |
931 | frameless | Western Australian Government Railways | 4-8-2 | Stored | |||
52 | frameless | Commonwealth Railways | NSU class | Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company | Operational | ||
1 | ![]() |
Commonwealth Railways | 2-2-0 | Kitson & Co. | 1905 | Operational | The locomotive is nicknamed "Coffee Pot" because everyone reckoned the boiler wasn't big enough to boil anything other than coffee. |
916 | frameless | Western Australian Government Railways | 4-8-2 | Operational | It was rebuilt as W22. | ||
W934 | ![]() |
Western Australian Government Railways | 4-8-2 | Operational |
Trivia[]
- For much of its length the line lies in the picturesque Pichi Richi Pass, where the line was completed in 1879 as work proceeded north to build a railway to the "Red Centre" of Australia – the Central Australia Railway.
- A newly built extension to Port Augusta was opened in 2001.
- The extension to Port Augusta won the 2002 Permanent Way Institute (SA Section) Trackwork Achievement Award.