Railways and Tramways of Australia
South Australia
Former West Australian steam locomotive W933 at the head of a Pichi Richi Railway train, Quorn, 16 July 2009.
Australian Locomotive and Railway Carriage Company (ALARC)
www.tailembend.biz/australian-locomotive-railway-carriage-company
The Australian Locomotive and Railway Carriage Company (ALARC) owns several locomotives and carriages, and has a lease at the former railway roundhouse and yard at Tailem Bend. Locomotives include number 103, which was originally a New South Wales 45 Class locomotive, and TL Class locomotive TL155. Possible future operations include transporting passengers to the Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend and running trains on the Leigh Creek line. Tailem Bend is approximately 100 km south-east of Adelaide.
Australian Railway Historical Society, South Australia Division
Volunteers from the Australian Railway Historical Society, South Australian Division, are involved with the operation of the SteamRanger Heritage Railway, as well as maintenance of the railway line, the heritage locomotives and carriages. The Division also publishes a newsletter for members.
Moonta Mines Tourist Railway
www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/moonta-mines-tourist-railway
Moonta Mines Tourist Railway operates between the museum in the former Moonta Mines Model School and the former Moonta railway station. The 2 km trip includes commentary and passes historic relics of the former mining operations. Trains operate on Thursdays and Fridays, and daily during school holidays. Moonta is located approximately 160 km north-west of Adelaide.
Murray Bridge RiverBoat Rail and Steam Group
Murray Bridge RiverBoat Rail and Steam Group is based at the wharf area of Murray Bridge. The group has a former South Australian Railways Rx Class steam locomotive and several carriages. Murray Bridge is located approximately 75 km south-east of Adelaide.
National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide
The National Railway Museum is one of Australia’s largest railway museums. It has a collection of steam and diesel locomotives, historic rolling stock and other displays. Most exhibits are from the former South Australian Railways and Commonwealth Railways, but there are also items from private railway operators. The collection includes Commonwealth Railways steam locomotive G1, class leader of the G Class, the first locomotives to operate on the Trans-Australian Railway; 500 Class steam locomotive 504, one of the South Australian Railways big power locomotives; and diesel locomotive 900, the first mainline diesel locomotive to enter service on the Australian mainland. Additionally, the museum operates the 457 mm gauge Semaphore to Fort Glanville Tourist Railway over a distance of 2 km using a 2-4-0 steam locomotive. Trains run every Sunday and public holiday from October to April, and daily fduring most school holidays, while the museum is open daily. The National Railway Museum also publishes books and Catch Point, a bi-monthly magazine about railways in South Australia.
Pichi Richi Railway
Pichi Richi Railway is based at Quorn in the Flinders Ranges. It operates heritage steam and diesel locomotive-hauled trains and railcars between Quorn, Woolshed Flat and Port Augusta. Trains operate over the narrow gauge line that was part of the railway to Alice Springs until it was bypassed in 1957. The Pichi Richi Railway has a collection of former South Australian Railways, Western Australian Government Railways and Commonwealth Railways locomotives, historic rolling stock and railcars. An unusual item is steam motor coach Coffee Pot, built in 1905. Tours of the workshops at Quorn are available on train operating days. Trains operate on Saturdays, Sundays and other selected days between March and November. Quorn is approximately 330 km north of Adelaide, and Port Augusta is approximately 310 km north of Adelaide.
Port Lincoln Railway Museum
Port Lincoln Railway Museum is operated by the Eyre Peninsula Railway Preservation Society, and is housed in the former South Australian Railways administrative building and freight shed. Exhibits include goods rolling stock, fettlers’ trolleys, various railway artefacts and photographs. The museum is open on Wednesdays and most Sundays during school holidays. Port Lincoln is approximately 650 km west of Adelaide via Port Augusta.
Port Milang Historic Railway Museum
Port Milang Historic Railway Museum has a collection of items regarding railways in the Milang area. Displays include former South Australian Railways diesel locomotive 351, rolling stock, the former station building and other historical exhibits. Also on site is the South Australian Light Railway Centre, which outlines the history of many light industrial railways that operated in the state. The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays. Milang is approximately 80 km south-east of Adelaide.
Port Pirie National Trust Museum
www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/port-pirie-railway-station
Port Pirie National Trust Museum is housed within the former railway station building in Ellen Street, Port Pirie. Railway exhibits include 0-6-0 tank locomotive Port Pirie and historical photographs. The museum is open daily, with train rides operating on Sundays. Port Pirie is approximately 220 km north of Adelaide.
SteamRanger Heritage Railway
www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org
SteamRanger Heritage Railway operates various heritage steam and diesel hauled trains, as well as railcars, between Mt Barker, Strathalbyn, Goolwa and Victor Harbor. SteamRanger’s most popular service is the Cockle Train, which runs between Goolwa and Victor Harbor every Sunday and Wednesday, and daily during most school holidays. Trains are generally formed by railcars or diesel locomotive-hauled trains. Steam locomotives operate during most school holidays and on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays from June to November. Other SteamRanger services operate on scheduled dates throughout the year. SteamRanger has its main depot at Mt Barker and a smaller depot at Goolwa. It has five steam locomotives, two of which are currently operational, four diesel locomotives, railcars and other passenger and goods rolling stock. Goolwa is approximately 80 km south of Adelaide, and Mt Barker is approximately 30 km south-east of Adelaide.
Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre
Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre is located in the former South Australian Railways roundhouse at Peterborough. It has a collection of steam and diesel locomotives, rolling stock and other items. Exhibits include former Western Australian Government Railways Pmr and W Class steam locomotives, former South Australian Railways Y and T Class steam locomotives, and former Commonwealth Railways diesel locomotives. A one-hour sound and light show featuring the railway history of Peterborough is available at night in a restored railway carriage. Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre is open daily. Peterborough is approximately 250 km north of Adelaide.
Tailem Bend Railway Museum
https://explore.history.sa.gov.au/organisation/tailem-bend-railway-museum
Tailem Bend Railway Museum is located in the original Tailem Bend railway station building. Displays include a signal box, artefacts and photographs. The museum is open from Mondays to Fridays. Tailem Bend is approximately 100 km south-east of Adelaide.
Tramway Museum, St Kilda
The Tramway Museum at St Kilda has a collection of over 20 trams, mostly from Adelaide, but also from Melbourne, Ballarat and Sydney. Exhibits include horse trams and electric trams. Also on display are electric trolley buses and diesel buses. Entrance to the museum also includes unlimited tram rides. The museum is open on Sundays and most public holidays. St Kilda is approximately 30 km north of Adelaide.
Transport Enthusiasts Society of South Australia (TESSA)
www.tessa.wisp.fastmail.com.au
The Transport Enthusiasts Society of South Australia (TESSA) is a group of people based in Adelaide who are interested in different forms of transport, including trains, trams and buses. The group has regular meetings and sometimes operates tours.
Victor Harbor Tramway
Victor Harbor Horse Tramway operates over 1.6 km of line between Victor Harbour and Granite Island, with much of the route along a wooden jetty. Clydesdale horses are used to pull double-deck tramcars. The horse tram has become a popular attraction since it was restored to service in 1986. Trams run daily except Christmas Day. Victor Harbor is approximately 80 km south of Adelaide.