Delighting kids young and old since 1974, the Pichi Richi Railway celebrates forty years of heritage train operations on 9-10 August with a Family Fun Fair at its home in the heart of the timeless Flinders Ranges.
Originally opened in 1879 and once stretching all the way to Alice Springs, the oldest remaining section of the narrow-gauge Central Australia Railway—the “Old Ghan” line—was returned to life in 1974 by the volunteers of the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society. Since its formation in 1973, the Society has restored the line between Port Augusta and Quorn, as well as returning a significant collection of steam and heritage diesel locomotives and antique carriages to working condition.
“There’s something about steam trains that captures the imagination,” says Jeremy Browne, one of the Society’s founding members. “Over the years we’ve carried over 300,000 passengers on the line. To see a train full of kids with smiling faces, it makes it all worthwhile.”
Smiling faces young and old will be seen at Quorn Railway Station on 9-10 August as the Pichi Richi Railway’s volunteers host a family fun fair to celebrate forty years in operation.
Official Ceremony
1:15pm Saturday at Quorn Railway Station
Ride the Pichi Richi Explorer steam train
Departs Quorn Railway Station Saturday 2.30pm, Sunday 10.30am and 2.30pm
Tickets can be purchased to ride the Pichi Richi Explorer Steam Train from Quorn to Woolshed Flat return. Passing spectacular Flinders Ranges scenery through narrow cuttings, over stone walls, iron bridges and along gum-lined creekbeds, it’s a journey sure to widen eyes and raise smiles from everyone aboard.
Return Fares: Adults $47.00, conc. $44.00, child $16.00, family $110.00
Special fares are available or locals and PRRPS members
Prince Henry’s Time Train
FREE family entertainment – 1:30pm Sunday
Meet Prince Henry and his friend as they tell of their adventures through time in the FREE family show, “Prince Henry’s Time Train”.
Using song and plenty of general silliness, Prince Henry will tell the stories of the Old Ghan line as only a time-travelling royal can!
Ride any Pichi Richi Explorer on Sunday and you may be lucky to meet the Prince face-to-face!
Fairground and sideshows
Quorn Railway Station, from 11:00am both days
Free admission to the fairground, complete with a ferris wheel, sausage sizzle and craft stalls.