SteamRanger Heritage Railway facts for kids
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Rx 224 leaving Port Elliot
in January 2022 |
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| Established | 1986 |
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| Location | Mount Barker South Australia |
| Type | Heritage Railway |
The SteamRanger Heritage Railway is a special tourist railway in South Australia. It is about 82 kilometres (51 miles) long and uses a wide track called broad gauge. This railway used to be part of the Victor Harbor railway line. A group called the South Australian Division of the Australian Railway Historical Society runs it. They are a not-for-profit group, meaning they don't aim to make money. This railway is very important because it's the last broad-gauge line still running outside of city areas. Australia's first public railway also used broad gauge tracks.
History of SteamRanger
In the 1970s, the Australian Railway Historical Society started SteamRanger. Their goal was to save and run old trains. They began by offering train tours from Adelaide on the broad-gauge lines.
In 1980, SteamRanger opened its first special train shed at Dry Creek railway station. This was about 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) north of Adelaide. In the mid-1980s, SteamRanger slowly took over the Victor Harbor railway line. This line is in the Adelaide Hills.
Later, plans were made to change the main train line from Adelaide to Melbourne. It was going to switch to a narrower track size called standard gauge. This meant SteamRanger had a big choice. They could stay at Dry Creek and lose their connection to the Victor Harbor line. Or, they could move everything and be cut off from Adelaide's city train lines.
Moving was a huge job, but it was the only way for the group to keep going. All of SteamRanger's trains and equipment were moved. A new train shed was built at Mount Barker railway station. This station is at the northern end of the line to Victor Harbor. The local council helped by fixing up the old station building. It became SteamRanger's main office. The main line was changed to standard gauge in 1995. Now, the Victor Harbor line is the last place to see old broad-gauge trains running.
Train Journeys and Services
As of January 2023, SteamRanger offered several train trips. Here are some of their regular services:
| Name of Journey | Travels Between (round trip) | Distance and Time (round trip) | Days Available | Type of Engine | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cockle Train – Regular Days |
Goolwa and Victor Harbor | 21 km (13 mi). About 1 hour, 30 minutes. |
Most Wednesdays and weekends | Heritage diesel engines or railcars* | You can buy tickets on the day at the stations. Seats are not reserved. |
| Cockle Train – School Holidays |
Same as above | Same as above | Every day during school holidays | Usually steam engines; diesel if there's a fire ban* | Same as above |
| Southern Encounter | Mount Barker to Victor Harbor | 164 km (102 mi). About 8 hours 45 minutes. This includes time for lunch and short stops. |
First, third, and fifth Sundays from May to November | Steam engines | You must book your tickets in advance**. |
| Hills Encounter | Victor Harbor to Mount Barker | 164 km (102 mi). About 8 hours, including lunch time. |
Check the website for dates | Usually steam engines; diesel if there's a fire ban | You can get off at Strathalbyn for lunch and shopping. Then you can rejoin the train. Bookings are needed. |
| StrathLink | Victor Harbor (or from Goolwa) to Strathalbyn | 100 km (62 mi). About 5 hours 20 minutes, including lunch. |
Some days during school holidays | Partly on the Cockle Train, then a heritage railcar | It's a good idea to book, as some trains fill up fast. |
| Bugle Ranger | Mount Barker to Philcox Hill and Bugle Ranges station | 18 km (11 mi). About 45 minutes. |
Fourth Sunday from June to November | Red Hen railcar | Buy tickets on the day at SteamRanger's Mount Barker station. |
| * If the weather forecast for Victor Harbor is 35 degrees Celsius or hotter, the Cockle Train does not run. ** First-class tickets include a special compartment, morning tea, lunch, and a ride on a paddle steamer. |
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The Trains (Fleet)
SteamRanger has many different trains. As of December 2023, here is a list of their fleet:
| Train Model | Year Built | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Locomotives (Steam Engines) | ||
| Rx class no. 207, Dean Harvey | 1913 | Running and in use, located at Goolwa |
| Rx class no. 224 | 1915 | Running and in use, located at Goolwa |
| F class no. 251 | 1922 | Stored and waiting for a major repair, at Mount Barker |
| 620 class no. 621, Duke of Edinburgh | 1936 | Being worked on for maintenance, at Mount Barker |
| 520 class no. 520, Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey | 1943 | Being restored to working condition, at Mount Barker |
| Diesel-Electric Locomotives (Diesel Engines) | ||
| 350 class no. 350 | 1949 | Running, but mostly used for moving trains around, at Mount Barker |
| 500 class no. 507 | 1965 | Running and in use, located at Goolwa |
| 700 class no. 704 | 1972 | Stored and waiting for a major repair, at Mount Barker |
| 830 class no. 844 | 1962 | Running and in use, located at Goolwa |
| 830 class no. 845 | 1963 | Being restored to working condition, at Mount Barker |
| 930 class no. 958 | 1965 | Running and in use, at Mount Barker |
| 930 class no. 963 | 1967 | Stored, at Mount Barker |
| Diesel Railcars (Self-Propelled Trains) | ||
| 300 and 400 class Red Hen railcars nos 334, 412 and 820 class trailer car 824 | 1958, 1960, 1912 | Running and in use, located at Goolwa |
| 400 class "Red Hen" railcar no. 428 | 1968 | Damaged in an accident, being repaired, at Mount Barker |
| 400 class "Red Hen" railcar no. 424 and 860 class trailer car no. 875 | 1968, 1945 | Running and in use, located at Goolwa |
| 300 and 400 class "Red Hen" railcars nos 364 and 405 | 1968, 1959 | Stored, at Mount Barker |
| Brill Model 75 railcar no. 43 | 1928 | Being restored to working condition, at Goolwa |
| Brill Model 75 railcar no. 60 | 1928 | Stored, at Goolwa |
| 2000 class "Jumbo" railcars nos 2010 and 2109 | 1980 | Stored, at Goolwa |
| Passenger Cars (Carriages) | ||
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See also
- Rail transport in South Australia
- Railways in Adelaide
- Victor Harbor railway line
